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Florence (Lefty) MacIntosh's Reviews > The Chalk Girl
The Chalk Girl (Kathleen Mallory, #10)
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Florence (Lefty) MacIntosh's review
bookshelves: psycho-thriller, detective, mystery-crime, indulge, 2013, reviewed, dark
Jun 08, 2013
bookshelves: psycho-thriller, detective, mystery-crime, indulge, 2013, reviewed, dark
I jumped in cold to book ten of the series without a problem. If you’re in the mood for an intense psychological thriller with beautifully fleshed out characters and ultra wicked villians you just found it. It begins with Coco, a little girl found wandering alone in Central Park after discovering 3 dead bodies strung up in a tree. A little heartbreaker with Williams Syndrome, a disorder typified by elfin like features and a warm, outgoing personality. Craving human contact they will run up to perfect strangers for a hug; an instinctive trust in people in stark contrast to Detective Mallory. Beautifully written, it’s the interaction between these two that makes this story sing.
Abandoned as a child, Mallory’s coping mechanism is to become a loner, to isolate herself from emotional connections. She's damaged, completely unpredictable and brilliant; nicknamed the machine for her relentless, often manipulative & coldblooded pursuit of perps. Some reviewers find her unlikeable, I adore her...
"There’s not one feminist bone in her body - she had no need of one. Only a rare and suicidal man might suggest that his detective was of better use barefoot and pregnant" Her partner and staunchest friend Detective Riker pretty great as well.
"In a rumpled suit stained with week-old mustard, civilians only saw him as a middle-aged man with bad posture, an amiable, laid-back smile and hooded eyes that said to everyone he met I know you’re lying, but I just don’t care"
Cons: None really. I did find it a bit confusing but blame myself for not giving it the concentration it deserved. A web of deceit & blackmail entwining children, lobbyists, influential socialites and top ranking officers of New York’s police department. Terrific characters but a ton of them to keep track of – be prepared to pay attention:) For it’s genre 4 ½ stars rounded up too 5. DEFINITELY want more of this series.
Of interest: Boston University School of Medicine 'The Faces of Williams Syndrome'"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dgfm8i..."
Warning: some graphic violence involving children
Abandoned as a child, Mallory’s coping mechanism is to become a loner, to isolate herself from emotional connections. She's damaged, completely unpredictable and brilliant; nicknamed the machine for her relentless, often manipulative & coldblooded pursuit of perps. Some reviewers find her unlikeable, I adore her...
"There’s not one feminist bone in her body - she had no need of one. Only a rare and suicidal man might suggest that his detective was of better use barefoot and pregnant" Her partner and staunchest friend Detective Riker pretty great as well.
"In a rumpled suit stained with week-old mustard, civilians only saw him as a middle-aged man with bad posture, an amiable, laid-back smile and hooded eyes that said to everyone he met I know you’re lying, but I just don’t care"
Cons: None really. I did find it a bit confusing but blame myself for not giving it the concentration it deserved. A web of deceit & blackmail entwining children, lobbyists, influential socialites and top ranking officers of New York’s police department. Terrific characters but a ton of them to keep track of – be prepared to pay attention:) For it’s genre 4 ½ stars rounded up too 5. DEFINITELY want more of this series.
Of interest: Boston University School of Medicine 'The Faces of Williams Syndrome'"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dgfm8i..."
Warning: some graphic violence involving children
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Reading Progress
June 8, 2013
– Shelved
June 29, 2013
–
Started Reading
July 5, 2013
–
Finished Reading
July 7, 2013
–
100.0%
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Jennifer
(new)
Jul 02, 2013 05:54PM
I have never read anything by this author before. How are you liking it so far?
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1st time for me as well - came highly recommended. Struggling keeping track of all the characters - guess it'll all come together in the end - otherwise it's great.
If it weren't for your review, I'd probably give the book a miss. Not into psycho-thrillers, but this one sounds tempting...
So glad you liked it. Nice quotes pulled to capture the essence of the two main characters. Have only read three, so maybe we can co-read some in the future.
This is my very favorite all time series. Mallory is such a unique character, they all are. If you start with book one, her story gradually unrolls and it is fantastic. She has a new one coming out that I just won the ARC for. Very excited.
You converted me Florence, just added the book. Psychological/medical thrillers are a favorite of mine. I do have problems with children involved in crisis, but this one sounds too good to pass up!
Ulrike wrote: "If it weren't for your review, I'd probably give the book a miss. Not into psycho-thrillers, but this one sounds tempting..."Hi Ulrike, it is fairly graphic - if you're not used to reading psychological thrillers, fair warning - parts of it can be pretty upsetting to read. I'm fascinated with 'the dark side' of the human psyche so appeals to me. If you do read it will be really interesting to hear what you have to say...
Michael wrote: "So glad you liked it. Nice quotes pulled to capture the essence of the two main characters. Have only read three, so maybe we can co-read some in the future."Loved it Michael - you haven't steered me wrong yet - Detective Mallory is my kind of woman. Absolutely game for a co-read in the future - lets do it:)
Diane S. wrote: "This is my very favorite all time series. Mallory is such a unique character, they all are. If you start with book one, her story gradually unrolls and it is fantastic. She has a new one coming out..."Between your review & Michael's I just had to check out this author. She is fantastic Diane, so thanks. Lucky you winning the ARC of her latest!
Melodie wrote: "You converted me Florence, just added the book. Psychological/medical thrillers are a favorite of mine. I do have problems with children involved in crisis, but this one sounds too good to pass up!"Melodie - it is really good, hope it works for you! I'm definitely reading more of this series.
Theresa wrote: "Great review! Love how you include pros and cons in all of your reviews."Thanks Theresa - hope they're helpful. It would almost be an idea to keep a list of the characters too refer back to while reading this, and the plot does take a lot of twists & turns. Honestly, I'm pretty distracted lately - could just be me:)
Have to look into this writer.....book one!
Connie wrote: "Have to look into this writer.....book one!"Connie, you made me smile. It was so out of character for me to start in the middle of a series, 1st time I've done it.
