Product Description

Jurors on a controversial trial are being killed off one by one, and only Detective Kathleen Mallory can figure out why. But the FBI has told her to lay off and leave it to the Feds. That's never stopped Mallory before.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #122235 in Books
• Published on: 2004-09-07
• Released on: 2004-09-07
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• 336 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780425197974
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
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Amazon.com Review
To summarize the plot of Dead Famous would be to spoil it, since O'Connell keeps revealing it layer by layer as you go along--a daring technique, and a rewarding one if you're a patient reader. Suffice it to say that the story involves a seemingly unstoppable serial killer; a beautiful hunchback with tragedy in her past; a radio shock-jock who helps the killer find his victims; an extremely mean house cat; a gloomy veteran cop drinking himself into oblivion; and, at the center of it all, NYPD detective Kathy Mallory, who returns here for her seventh outing. Mallory (don't call her Kathy) is one of the strangest, most intriguing series heroines in crime fiction: a former street waif who's brilliant and gorgeous, but also sociopathic, manipulative, and obsessive-compulsive.

No formulaic cop thriller, Dead Famous is instead a crime tale that focuses on its quirky, often outre characters. There isn't a lot of conventional suspense. Yet near the end, the story gathers tremendous narrative momentum and rises to a real tragic power. O'Connell's quirky writing style and approach aren't for everyone, but her fans--old and new--will find much to appreciate here. --Nicholas H. Allison

From Publishers Weekly
O'Connell's post-feminist detective Kathleen Mallory returns full-throttle for an eighth grisly urban crime saga. And O'Connell's prose-sharp, gritty and streetwise-is in top form. In her previous case (2002's Crime School), Mallory solved a very personal murder and faced the doubts of coworkers about her competence. Now she's in total control, overseeing the recuperation of old friend and partner Riker, victim of an arrest-related shooting (she sets up a bogus fund to send him disability payments) and staying two steps ahead of a belligerent FBI agent named Marvin Argus. Two other vivid characters figure prominently in the story (or three, counting New York City itself, which O'Connell gives a palpable neo-noir grit): Argus is hounding Johanna Apollo, who's fled Chicago in the wake of a high-profile murder of another FBI agent named Timothy Kidd. A hunchback with extra-long legs, porcelain skin and raven hair, Johanna is working long, difficult hours as a crime scene cleaner. In Chicago, she was Kidd's therapist, and maybe his lover... and maybe she killed him, too. O'Connell devilishly fills in the pieces of the puzzle so that the reader's perspective undergoes constant shifts. Shock jock Ian Zachary-more abrasive off the air than on, if possible-exhorts loyal listeners to locate the members of a jury that let a killer walk free. And with his encouragement (if not instruction), a serial killer calling himself The Reaper has been obligingly knocking off the jurors. The way these two cases fit together is ingenious; once again, O'Connell sets the standard in crime fiction.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
NYPD Detective Kathy Mallory has appeared in a brace of gritty crime novels. Mallory, a child of the streets, is beyond street-smart. One of the exciting things about O'Connell's unique heroine is the way her previous half-life of surviving by her wits and the refuse of dumpsters makes her all brain, all survival tactic, very little heart. Unfortunately for readers new to this series, however, O'Connell makes no effort this time to give even a brief reprise of Mallory's back story. Anyone not familiar with the series will have a very tough time figuring out what is going on here, as Mallory takes it upon herself to investigate a federal case, the serial murders of jurors from a controversial trial. O'Connell has always favored outrageous characters and plot elements, but this time she goes over the top, giving pride of place to a reptilian shock-jock and a bizarre villain, a hunchback with showgirl legs, who works for an equally bizarre operation, Crime Scene Cleaners. This disappointing, far-fetched addition to an innovative series is for devoted Mallory fans only. Connie Fletcher
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Customer Reviews

Another Satisfying Character Study
This novel continues the revelation of new aspects of the characters we have all grown to love. However, Carol O'Connell does not share a lot of new information about Kathleen Mallory with us in this novel. Instead, Mallory's partner Riker is the focus. He is on leave from his police work after an injury, and Mallory is attempting to ensure that leave is temporary.

The mystery plotline is almost secondary in this novel. It is overshadowed somewhat by the development of a romantic relationship between Riker and a cleaning woman with secrets of her own, which factor into Mallory's current investigation.

Carol O'Connell writes well, as always. She is an under-appreciated novelist who deserves more accolades for her work. Getting to know her characters is extremely gratifying.

However, if you have not read her Kathleen Mallory books before, you will not fully appreciate this book. Do yourself a favor and start at the beginning with Mallory's Oracle.

For those who have read all of the previous Mallory novels, this one is also high quality, although there may not be as much of Mallory as you might like.

not the usual
No need to re-cap the storyline; that's available elsewhere. But I feel a warning is necessary. A line on the cover labels this "A Mallory Novel." But you'll be half-way through the book before FAMOUS becomes a Mallory novel. It concentrates on her partner Riker and another character, Johanna Apollo for fully half the book; Mallory is barely a supporting character. If you can tolerate that, you'll enjoy FAMOUS. In addition to an intricate story, it offers new insight into Mallory's relationship to her partner, Riker. "Sociopath" Mallory is gradually learning how to be normal, as this novel shows. But she still has a long way to go, which is fortunate for those of us who love this non-standard issue heroine. Author O'Connell has created something truly unique here, and more readers should be aware of it. But FAMOUS is not the place for newcomers to start.

O'Connell's Best Mallory book EVER!
This is ellen in atlanta and have stayed with the Mallory series through thick and thin - and can only tell you that this book is the BEST of the series and if Carol backpedals to mediocrity, I'll do something Mallory-like and tear up the book - yeah, right...
This book focuses on Riker, Mallory's partner, and as close to a friend as the impaired Mallory can get - Enter a hunchback, a beautiful and sensitive person on Riker's brother's crime cleaning service who is not who she seems - It is riviting and touching and I am proud of the jump in writing that occured in this book.
Am also glad that the book lessens on Charles' unrequited love for Mallory - he is a wonderful character and deserves a love interest who will be worthy - maybe shaking Mallory into seeing what she's missing??? yeah, right.
For Mallory fans, a must read book. For novices, a good time to jump in and connect. For series, I generally suggest to buy back issues and 'catch up', but in the case of O'Connell, use your judgement -
But the ending is worth the price of the book. And more's the pity that Mallory doesn't get the gravestone's message.