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Killing Critics (Kathleen Mallory Novels)
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Product Description
As NYPD Detective Sergeant Kathleen Mallory probes the death of a hack artist at a local gallery opening, she uncovers links to a bizarre twelve-year-old double homicide and dismemberment. Reprint. PW. K. "
Product Details
- Amazon Sales Rank: #624344 in Books
- Published on: 1997-07-01
- Original language: English
- Number of items: 1
- Binding: Paperback
- 400 pages
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
O'Connell's driven and sharp-edged NYPD detective Kathleen Mallory revisits a 12-year-old double murder case first investigated by her beloved adoptive father, whose death was central to her notable debut in Mallory's Oracle (1994). The murder of a second-rate performance artist in mid-performance has many associations to the earlier, grisly and still unsolved homicides, which also touched the art world. Many of the same characters are involved in both killings: J.L. Quinn, the elegantly icy critic whose niece was one of the first victims; Avril Koozeman, whose galleries were murder scenes then and now; and Emma Sue Halloran, once a critic, now a culturecrat who forces hideous art into new buildings. Mallory and her partner, Sergeant Riker, must find keys to the new killing by prying memories from these witnesses. Hampering their efforts is the desire of the police brass to keep the old case closed. O'Connell's narrative force and character development are irresistible. Although the intense and private Mallory offers little to love until late in the story, her fierce determination draws the reader into her quest. Wacky artsy types and a flawed but sympathetic Riker leaven the heavy dose of misanthropy. O'Connell also delivers a cynical, funny lesson in art marketing, which sounds here less like culture than a pretentious pyramid scheme. 50,000 first printing; major ad/promo; author tour.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
It's a bit awkward to face reviewing something entitled Killing Critics, but the critics in question here review art, not audiobooks. O'Connell's wicked send-up of the trendy art world begins with a murder in a gallery, which is mistaken for performance art. Is this case related to the grisly murder of another artist and a dancer 12 years earlier? Kathleen Mallory, last seen in O'Connell's acclaimed Mallory's Oracle (Putnam, 1994), thinks so. Noteworthy characters include a self-proclaimed "fashion terrorist" who barricades himself on Bloomingdale's roof, hurling insults at poorly dressed passersby through a bullhorn. Narrator Laural Merlington does a good job of managing the accents of the various characters, although her dialects sometimes fade. That is understandable, however, in light of the rapid-fire dialog. This recording will be welcomed in any public library.?Reilly Reagan, Putnam Cty. Lib., Cookeville, Tenn.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
Readers, beware! That sly (and oh so gifted) Carol O'Connell is just as cunning as her beautiful, near-sociopathic heroine, Kathy Mallory, creeping up on unsuspecting readers with softly caressing words and languidly flowing sentences, then sucker-punching them with shockingly explicit violence that's as vivid as it is grisly. In her third and most stunning book, O'Connell follows NYPD investigator Mallory, who, with the aid of old pals Riker, Coffey, and, of course, faithful admirer Charles Butler, is determined to solve the brutal "art as death" murder of an untalented but highly touted artist-critic. Mallory believes the case is the work of the same killer who, 12 years earlier, hacked a young artist and a talented ballerina to pieces. The case is as baffling and intricate as any Mallory has faced, with art critics, bag ladies, madmen, and mafioso playing key roles. Despite warnings from her superiors to butt out and back off, she persists and single-handedly solves the case. But as mesmerizing as the murder case is, it's heartless, soulless Mallory herself--computer genius, street fighter, provocative waif, peerless investigator, manipulative beauty---who's absolutely the star of this brilliant thriller. O'Connell's well-nigh flawless plotting and incandescent writing play important supporting roles, and the heart-stopping, devastating ending is worth a thousand curtain calls. Another triumph for this truly gifted writer! Emily Melton
Customer Reviews
Mystery with meat...
Carol O'Connell's Killing Critics is her third Kathleen Mallory mystery, and they just continue to get better. This book has it all: complex plot, memorable characters and some brilliant detective work.
An artist, Dean Starr, is discovered murdered in the middle of an art gallery exhibition. His death is made to look like performance art. NYPD Special Crimes Unit detectives Mallory and Ricker are called in to investigate. Twelve years previous, there was a brutal double homicide in an art gallery owned by the same man, and the circumstances are very similar. Mallory's late father, Markowitz, was on that case and although he got a confession and a conviction, he never for a minute believed that he had the right man. As Mallory and Riker find out more about this new murder, the more parallels there are to the old one. Yet, the NYPD considers the old case closed, and will not allow them to "officially" investigate. The list of suspects is very long, and there are also a good number of people who would like to see the murders remain unsolved. Those in high ranking office are vulnerable including the police commission and a state senator.
In Killing Critics, O'Connell gives us a crash course on the New York City art world, including artists, works of art, galleries, gallery owners, art shows, art critics, art patrons and art investors. It truly is fascinating. She also opens the door wider into Mallory's troubled childhood, and we better understand why she remains so scarred. All the major characters (Mallory, Riker and Butler) are fleshed out in greater detail.
Two things kept me from giving this book five stars. First, I thought it was a bit slow at the beginning, although it quickly picked up speed and the ending will blow you away. Second, I thought it stretched O'Connell's credibility to have Mallory challenge a former Olympic gold medalist to a fencing duel (she only had one semester of fencing in college). Still, these criticisms aside, this is an awesome story and O'Connell is one of the few writers who gives us mysteries with meat.
Mallory Grabs You and Won't Let Go
In Killing Critics, Carol O'Connell's lead character Kathy Mallory continues to evolve into one of the most fascinating heroines in the genre. In each of her three appearances, (Mallory's Oracle, The Man Who Cast Two Shadows, and Killing Critics), Mallory reveals slivers of her past, intriguing insights into her missing childhood, even as she regains the memories that torment her. The mystery of Mallory is as compelling as any of the murders found in these tales, and will be the reason I will keep reading O'Connell's new works. Kathy Mallory isn't finished yet, and I look forward to seeing her deal with her demons.
Move over Scarpetta, here comes Mallory!
This book did not disappoint. After reading her previous books I couldn't wait to read Mallory's latest adventure. O'Connell gives us more background into why Mallory has turned into the detective she is. Some of the characters I Idid not care for(Bliss for instance, and Emma Sue Halloran) but I like Charles,Riker, and Coffey. These people are true to life.
Sometimes O'Connell is hard to follow as she brings in caharacters and events in The Big Apple that don't seem to tie in with the story. Here's hoping her next novel The Stone Angel is a continuation of Sgt. Mallory.I would like to know more about the elusive Carol O'Connell
