Rating: 
Summary: Loved it!
Review: After buying Shell Game, I told myself to re-read the entire series to get me back into that fevered pitch stage that came after reading Stone Angel. But, of course, I started reading Shell Game and couldn't put it down! It was a one-weekend read for me, and I loved every page. I didn't have any trouble getting back into the groove of Mallory and her unique personality, as well as Charles and his goofy grin. I look forward to more works, Mallory-driven or not, as Judas Child was also a GREAT work of fiction.
Rating: 
Summary: Shell Game
Review: I just finished reading SHELL GAME last night, and I'm afraid that I'm one of Ms. O'Connell's fans who felt disappointed with this latest book in her exceptional Mallory series. STONE ANGEL left me stunned with its richness and depth--and I couldn't *wait* to read the next book in this series. I read fictional series for 3 reasons--the writing, the plot, and the development and growth of the reoccuring characters. For me, SHELL GAME fulfilled two out of the three. The writing is exquisite, and the plot held my attention--but Mallory in this book was the same Mallory that we met way back in MALLORY'S ORACLE. But she is *not* the same person after what happened to her in STONE ANGELS, and I was deeply disappointed that the author did not give us the Mallory who had to have been deeply effected by the events in STONE ANGEL. Is there or is there not going to be a growing relationship between Mallory and Charles? And after the resolutions of STONE ANGEL, why does she continue to call herself "Mallory." I had SO many questions following STONE ANGEL, and I was crushed that none of them were addressed in this book. I do hope that Carol O'Connell delves more into the character of Mallory in the next book.
Rating: 
Summary: Dissapointed
Review: I was disappointed in this book. It was like an earlier novel rather than a continuation. Carol O'connell is my one of my favorite authors, but this book was hard to finish. I'm looking forward to more, though.
Rating: 
Summary: Not an auspicious introduction to this series
Review: I hadn't read any of this series (or even the author) before, however, I love magic and mysteries, so it sounded like a winner.Unfortunately, this is an exceptionally slooooow read. Our "heroine" is constantly spinning new explanations and accusations, most of which turn out to be mistaken. I can't even figure out which ones she believed, and which ones were bluffs. Basically, her strategy seems to be accuse everyone of everything, and eventually someone will confess. Maybe if I had read the earlier books the Mallory character would have made more sense to me, but I don't think that should have been a requirement.
Rating:
Summary: Very Disappointing
Review: I have read all the Mallory books and loved them but I had to put this one down and come back to it after many weeks. Even though the ending was typically smart and cruel, something was missing. I'd like much more of the Mallory/Charles relationship. Talk about Scully and Muldur!
Rating:
Summary: Disappointing after reading Judas Child
Review: Like other best seller authors, not enough meat in the book, relying on previous books.
Rating: 
Summary: Knowing When to Leave
Review: I haven't read Shell Game (just giving it 4 stars so as not to skew the average rating; about 4.5 right now). But I have read all the other Mallory books. At the end of Stone Angel, I was convinced (no, I KNEW) that the series was complete. The narrative arc of Mallory's personal mystery which O'Connell had carefully constructed and which spanned the books, had come to rest. I was devastated at the thought that there would be no more Mallaries but entirely satisfied at the resolution. Sometimes authors should know when to leave.
Rating:
Summary: Not as good as I expected
Review: I really like this series and was disappointed in this book. The mystery never captured my interest in the way that her other books have. If I were not interested in the characters, I may have put the book down.
Rating:
Summary: One of her best!
Review: Regardless of what other reviewers have noted, I felt that this book was one of her best!!! It was very intense and I found that for a few brief moments there were some chinks in Mallory's thick shell. I found some of the story confusing but Mallory's relationship with Malachi was incredibly satisfying.
Rating:
Summary: A bit disappointing. Seems like a crossroad for Mallory
Review: I'm new to the series and I loved the first three. But I was disappointed with this one. I can see that we finally get some insight into what mallory thinks rather than what others thinks she thinks,but I don't see why so many bridges had to burned in the process, especially Mallory & Charles. This book didn't altogether fit the progression of stone angel and killing the critics. If future books are going to take mallory in a new direction ok but I'm not sure the shell game puts her on the right track. Still I thought it was worth reading and I'm waiting for the next one
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