The Chalk Girl

A Mallory Novel, Book 10

By: Carol O'Connell

Narrated by: Barbara Rosenblat

Length: 15 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

Audie Award Nominee, Best Thriller/Suspense Category, 2013

New York Times best-selling author Carol O’Connell has won a wide fan base with her popular novels starring NYPD detective Kathy Mallory. In The Chalk Girl, a little girl is abandoned in Central Park—with her uncle’s body in a tree not far away. Recognizing a kindred spirit in the girl, Mallory takes the case. But her investigation soon leads to a trail of murder and blackmail spanning 15 years.

©2011 Carol O'Connell (P)2012 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

"[A] rich, character-driven series." ( Library Journal)

This story keeps you guessing!

I enjoyed this mystery that constantly keeps you guessing until the end. While I sometimes find the present action, past reflection, and back to the present sometimes distracting, it is a tried and true writing style that keeps drawing you forward. This is my second favorite Mallory story. The first is Find Me. And I love Barbara Rosenblat's narration. I wish all of the Mallory books were in her voice. It suits the Kathy Mallory character very well. Worth the read.

I love Mallory. See there is a heart in there. . .

Where does The Chalk Girl rank among all the audiobooks you???ve listened to so far?

High. Carol O'Connell is one of my favorite authors and Barbara Rosenblat one of my favorite readers.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

I am always anxious to see how Mallory is going to show her sensitivity. It is there but you only get glimpses of it (the lightning bugs).

Which scene was your favorite?

Mallory's final confrontation with Grace. YES!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The lightning bugs. No need to say more.

Any additional comments?

I so loved Cocoa. Bring her back.
I want more. I anxiously await every single Mallory novel and it has been a long time since Route 52. . . . .

Intricate but gruesome tale. Liked Mallory.

This was my first in the series. Interesting protagonist in Detective Kathy Mallory. Intricate plot but am I to believe everyone in a family is a psychopath? I hadn't heard of Williams Syndrome before. Excellent narration by Barbara Rosenblatt, as usual.

Good Attention Getter

I draw in Cad all day. This book was good for keeping my attention and making my ADHD self stay in my seat to find out what happened next. Reader is good also.

Like O'Connell, love Rosenblat.

More times than not I select books by my favorite authors. But for me, the narrator makes or break the listening experience. Ms Rosenblat is one of my favorites. Her performance brings all the characters to life. The story line is wonderfully O'Connell - quirky, compassionate, humorous and yet deadly serious. Won't give away the plot. Suffice it to say, an enjoyable listen.

Terrific narration!

What does Barbara Rosenblat bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She brought the characters to life. I think I've read all the Mallory books, and I hesitated about downloading this one because I was getting tired of the repeating elements of the stories--Mallory's personality and relationships. Listening to Barbara Rosenblat read the book, it all felt fresh and often very funny. She was perfect!

More, More, More!

I started the Mallory series before I started losing my vision and since I have greedily looked over and over for more of Ms. O'Connell's books on audible. I haven't even finished this one yet and find myself going outside during my lunch hour to listen. This book, as in most of her books, lightly touch that "horror" nerve, but just enough to grab your attention and hold on! I can't decide which I like the most, the Pendergast series by the Preston/Child duo or the Mallory series. High praise indeed! The development of the mystery is classic O'Connell, and the addition of the child really off-sets Mallory's pecular personality. I highly recommend this book and anxiously await more books by O'Connell on audible!

Sarcasm

This reader had the right amount of sarcasm in her voice to do Mallory justice (or to do Mallory's justice)

Keep them coming!!

If you could sum up The Chalk Girl in three words, what would they be?

Mesmerizing, Intriguing and Provoking

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

The plot was revealed a little with each prelude to chapters, however you could not stop listening because you want to see what Mallory does next.

What about Barbara Rosenblat’s performance did you like?

Ms. Rosenblat utilizes different inflections to voice each character. It is so easy to follow her work in listening to the narrative. She does an amazing job in everything she performs.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When I realized that the readings were the voice of the child that had been killed.

Any additional comments?

Mallory is one of my favorite characters. I only hope the author continues this series. I look forward to a future with more adventures. I am also going back to listen to the series from beginning to end. The stories are so good that you often miss things in only one listen.

Always a little bit different.

Love her sense of humor. The plots unfurl until the very end. I always hope something good will happen for Kathy but Find Me is the only book that gives me any hope. nothing new for years so I go back to the Audible versions. everything else I have is hardback books.