Ths fourth in the Mallory series is a suberb stand-alone novel that ties together the first three books with intelligence and some great revelations. ( )

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 fourth in the series), is when we learn the most about Mallory's past, as she goes back to her hometown. A very poignant scene has her re-uniting with her old dog who thinks his name is her two-toned whistle. Beautifully written story, with interesting characters. ( )

Mallory, that spooky, slightly psycopathic detective, goes looking for her past in a Louisiana cemetery. ( )

Stone Angel is the fourth book in Carol O'Connell's series about Kathleen Mallory, a New York City detective with one heck of a past. When she was just shy of 7 years old, Kathy Mallory heard her mother being killed by a mob. She ran away, eventually ending up in New York City, the foster daughter of Louis and Helen Markowitz. After the Markowitz's house burns down (in the previous book in the series, Killing Critics), Kathy sets out to Dayport, Louisiana, her hometown, to finally confront her demons - and the mob that killed her mother. Following Mallory is her long-time friend Charles Butler. Once Mallory and Charles are in Dayport, they begin to learn more and more about Mallory's childhood from Sherriff Tom Jessop, wealthy but eccentric Augusta Trebec, sculptor Henry Roth and the autistic savant Ira Wooley. However, there are many in Dayport who would like Kathy to leave town - or to get herself killed. Babe Laurie, one of the leaders of a cult, the New Church, is found dead and Mallory is arrested. Laurie's huge family, including the almost other-worldly Malcolm Laurie, does not want Mallory to discover why her mother really died.

Stone Angel is the best book in the Mallory series so far, and I'm guessing it might be the high point. I hope not, but it will be hard to go from here, I think. O'Connell keeps the mystery going while introducing a slew of interesting and potentially deadly characters. And Mallory is finally starting to become a bit more human - she even cries a few times. This book should not be read until the first three books in the series have been read; otherwise, there is just too much about Mallory, and even Charles Butler, that the reader will not fully understand. ( )

The Mallory series is highly entertaining. ( )