Killing Critics (Kathleen Mallory Novels (Paperback)) (original 1996; edition 1997)

by Carol O'Connell

Series: Mallory (3)

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Fiction. Mystery. Suspense. Thriller. HTML:NYPD sergeant Kathleen Mallory, a wild child turned policewoman, possessed of a ferocious intelligence and a unique inner compass of right and wrong, is about to be sorely tested. Killing Critics begins with a discreet murder - the almost unnoticed death of a hack artist at a gallery opening - but quickly connects with a much more brutal crime - a twelve-year-old double homicide and dismemberment originally investigated by Mallory's now deceased adoptive father, Louis Markowitz. A quick confession ended that case, but as Mallory probes into the new murder, the ghosts of the old will not be still. She finds herself traveling in an intricately connected world of envy, greed, and lethal passions: a place where no relationship is what it seems, and the secrets, very deep and very dark indeed, strike closer and closer to home. By the end, she will come to know the truth - but the truth may be the most dangerous illusion of all.… (more)

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Member:	becker
Title:	Killing Critics (Kathleen Mallory Novels (Paperback))
Authors:	Carol O'Connell
Info:	Jove (1997), Paperback, 400 pages
Collections:	Your library
Rating:
Tags:	mystery

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Killing Critics by Carol O'Connell (1996)

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freixas | Mar 31, 2023 |

sociopath NYPD detective solves old case

ritaer | Jun 27, 2021 |

Carol O'Connell is hard to put down. The pleasure of the read is enhanced by Putnam's fine binding. Mallory is saved from being a completely unbelievable characters by the fine cast of those around her, brought to life and well developed with great nuance by O'Connell. Her plotting is also excellent. I wonder how many other people out there in this vast and diverse country share my experience in reading the Mallory novels, that of great enjoyment with just a bit of cringing about that classic NYC, well egocentric view as if from the very center of the country, if not the universe. (

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danhammang | Oct 25, 2017 |

This was a good mystery which didn't leave much food for thought. I had trouble believing that a detective sergeant could run the C of D's out of office. I had trouble believing that a man could mutilate corpses in that fashion and remain rational and functional. But there were many pleasures, especially seeing how the charismatic Mallory's friends (enablers?) continued to function as her support system. (

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Coach_of_Alva | Aug 7, 2011 |

This book is one of a series of books by Carol O'Connell about a beautiful, damaged, maverick, and almost sociopathic detective named Kathleen Mallory (who insists on being called simply "Mallory"), and the people that love her despite her flaws: Charles, an intelligent, rich, but ugly family friend; Lou, the cop that takes her in; and Riker, her adopted father's partner. The relationships that develop between these characters as they solve crimes together are the focus of the series.

This story (the third in the series), has Mallory investigating a murder which has links to a case that her adoptive father, Lou, worked on years previously. Another interesting and touching story in the series. Carol O' Connell's writing is lyrical. (

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cmwilson101 | Mar 24, 2010 |

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Killing Critics

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Killing Critics

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Manhattan, New York, New York, USA

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Killing Critics

▾Book descriptions

Fiction. Mystery. Suspense. Thriller. HTML:NYPD sergeant Kathleen Mallory, a wild child turned policewoman, possessed of a ferocious intelligence and a unique inner compass of right and wrong, is about to be sorely tested.
Killing Critics begins with a discreet murder - the almost unnoticed death of a hack artist at a gallery opening - but quickly connects with a much more brutal crime - a twelve-year-old double homicide and dismemberment originally investigated by Mallory's now deceased adoptive father, Louis Markowitz. A quick confession ended that case, but as Mallory probes into the new murder, the ghosts of the old will not be still. She finds herself traveling in an intricately connected world of envy, greed, and lethal passions: a place where no relationship is what it seems, and the secrets, very deep and very dark indeed, strike closer and closer to home. By the end, she will come to know the truth - but the truth may be the most dangerous illusion of all.

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Kathleen Malloroy is a former street urchin turned policewoman whose inner compass usually keeps her on the straight and narrow. When a hack artist is killed at a gallery opening, the case almost goes unnoticed. As Mallory digs deeper, the crime seems linked to a gruesome 12-year old double murder originally handled by Mallory's adoptive father.

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