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)

Great Character..."Huh?" plotting

Meet Mallory...one of the most compelling detective characters of all time. Wonderfully cold, she is an enigma. A fascinating character.

Read a plot...that will make you constantly go "What???" or "Where did that come from?"
or "Did I accidentally advance way past where I was just listening?"

Very strange plot...and it is fascinating to watch an interesting character move through really odd stuff...odd places...odd people.

I didn't get bored...but I DID think more than once about just moving onto another story. In the end, I didn't.

Surreal, really.

Good mystery for a while

This is my first Mallory book. To be honest, I don't like her and probably won't listen to another of her books. Nothing personal, I just don't like her personality.

The reader was awesome. It amazes me how she can have so many different voices.

The plot was good, but became very complicated and it didn't have to be that way. I have a hard time believing that all the characters would act as they did - none paid attention to the boy during his ordeal. I was disappointed with the in-fighting and back-stabbing of the officials, but admit it could be a little like that in the real world.

All in all, I'm glad I listened to the book, but I will move on to other authors now.

The story picks up as the book continue

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

Thriller, cliffhanger, mysterious!!

What did you like best about this story?

The twist and turns this story has, will leave you at the edge of your seat

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

The tone of her voice changes as the characters speak.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Hunger Artsist

Mallory's Back!

This mystery is all I'd hoped it would be after waiting three years for a new Carol O'Connell novel. I love the inscrutable Mallory and how she's always steps ahead of the other characters. Yes, there is violence involving children which can be difficult to listen to, but it's not gratuitous and helps us understand why things happened as they did.

At first I was disappointed to see that Barbara Rosenblat was narrating since I've found Alyssa Bresnahan to be the consummate reader of the Mallory books. However, Rosenblat (whom I've enjoyed in Laura Lippman and Lisa Scottoline audiobooks) grew on me and I was no longer distracted by her voice.

I downloaded this novel as soon as it came out and listened at every opportunity till I got to the end. I’m thoroughly enjoying hearing the story again. Carol O'Connell is a writer who is not for everyone, but if you liked her previous books, I recommend this one highly.

A must read!!

The Chalk Girl has little bit of everything, suspense, thriller, and paranormal. The book kept you guessing until the end. I liked the way Mallory connected with the child in this series. Also the narrator brought this book to life.

This story keeps you guessing until the end.

What did you love best about The Chalk Girl?

This Chalk Girl tells the story by weaving in and out of the past and present in a smooth compelling way. So many of the characters have so much to tell you about the events of the story, and the author allows them to do so in a beautiful way. I did not want the story to end it was fascinating

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

The plot included compelling characters with interesting stories that all came together to form a story that made me want to learn more and more.

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

Barbara Rosenblat's voices that she gives the characters makes you feel as though you are there listening to them confide their inner thoughts. It is powerful, she is very good.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

I can not think of a tag line.

Any additional comments?

I would look for more books from this author and reader.

Started off slow but...

The book ending up being one that I couldnt stop listening too!!!! Of course Rosenblat was amazing (as usual). I never read anything from from the author so I really didnt know what to expect. The story line got kind of confusing..I found myself a bit lost in some points during the story and had to rewind a little. But the overall story was good. I wonder if some of the twist and turns presented in the story was taken out would it read "smoothier"...hmmm..anyway overall it really was good and I recommend it!

Perfect combo

I don't think narrator Barbara Rosenblat has ever put a word wrong. She's perfect for the dryly sardonic tone of this novel. When the writing is good and the characters well drawn, it simply doesn't matter whether the events are believable or not. The reader believes.

Psychos, bravery, and music of the innocent

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Yes, I think I was most scared listening to diary of the little boy that begins every chapter. Chilling if you ask me. Listening to almost any Kathy Mallory novel is time well spent. If you want a sociopathic, crazy, adept, cunning, skilled, cop with hero-like qualities than the Detective Mallory novels are for you.

Did The Chalk Girl inspire you to do anything?

To look up Williams' Syndrome. I really liked Cocoa.

Too wordy, could have been less detailed.

Would you try another book from Carol O'Connell and/or Barbara Rosenblat?

Not O'Connell's but Rosenblat did a good job reading.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

Shorter, less detailed and complex. There was almost too much going on. Malory is a little strange and not realistic.

Which character – as performed by Barbara Rosenblat – was your favorite?

Reicher

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Yes, because Hollywood would fix it up to half way decent.

Any additional comments?

I could have done without the bad language.