Customer Reviews

Man Who Lied to Women (A Kathy Mallory Novel)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is the second Mallory book and if I thought she was a cold hearted witch in her first book, I lack words to describe her in this one. Completely lacking in compassion, she bulldozes her way through an investigation of a woman's murder without regard to how she's messing up their lives. This complete lack of feeling extends to animals including the murder victim's unfortunate cat who's suffered enough abuse without landing in the care of a woman who proceeds to use the cat to trap the murderer. And kids, forget it. Given, she runs into child prostitutes and other unfortunates, but she's too busy to follow through when she places one girl into detox, too busy to make any arrangements for the poor girl to go anyplace where she'll have a chance when she gets out of detox. She's also too busy to be concerned about a boy in a very strange situation who calls her for help. The ending practically indicates that the author has no more concern for her characters, be they adult, child, or animal, than does her leading character.

The story is told in seven very long chapters, chapters that are difficult to get through if you're as unsympathetic to the main characters as I was. We are given insight into Mallory's childhood, but what we're told doesn't as much explain why Mallory is what she is as it shows that she was the same cold and calculating individual as a 7 year old as she is now. One reviewer made it clear that she's not reading any more Mallory, and the ending of this book should keep me from reading more, but I have this hope that maybe the author will allow Mallory to someday become a human being.

This book has been branded as one of my favorite books of all times. Mallory is an original to say the least. I liked this second book more than the first of the series. Mallory is such an interesting character and so is her sometimes partner Charles. The plot of this book is unique though not original. The way she carries out her investigation (how she uses modern technology to haunt her suspects) is Mallory and malice.
There were some interesting twists to this story; Justin, the part of her past that is revealed to Charles and what he would do for Mallorys' sake. Mallory has a heart of stone but I hope it thaws a little where Charles is concerned.

This book has a touch of humor along with the murder and mayhem. I hope they keep on coming!

First off let me say that if you're looking for a touchy feely maiden in distress kind of heroine - you won't find it here! When a young woman is found murdered and mistakenly identified as Mallory, our Mallory moves in and uses her expert computer skills to try and trip up three suspects who all live in the same building. Some creepy moments ensue until all is resolved at the end. The whole gang reappears and their characters are further developed to this reader's delight. Once again the author serves up a fascinating suspense that I hated to see end. Some reviewers seem to think that Mallory is this inhuman character that makes the story and author heartless and if you have one shred of decency, you won't like this book. Ummm, what version were they reading? Mallory is a little ruthless and heartless at times (she certainly maintains a "ends justify the means" mentality) but don't mistake that for having no emotion. Knowing her background of having to survive on the streets as a very young kid, the death of her foster parents who kept her somewhat grounded, and you begin to see the tight control she maintains over her emotions as a necessary function. Mallory is so intricate a character that she seems to be a real human being, albeit a flawed one, and not on of those cookie cutter females that pass as heroines.

Kathy Mallory is an enigma! I am a big fan of the "in Death" series by Nora Roberts and this is slowly but surely becoming my next favorite female lead.

The characters are becoming familiar to me. But 'Mallory' is the puzzlement and it is fascinating to read this progress. I am reading them in order and it is hard to put the book down. Gory in spots, but always fascinating! I love 'good' bad guys and Mallory is betwixt and between. Several reactions here! This heroine is different from what we are used to. On to the next...

I just ran across this fascinating character last week, and completed the second novel in an incredible series. Kathleen Mallory is the most complex character in the genre. Each book makes you want to hurry to the next to gain more insight into her psyche, while at the same time wanting to re-read the book in hand.

My first Mallory book, and certainly my last.

there is just something about the character of mallory that just makes you want to know more about her, and this - the 3rd book - starts to fill you in on the mystery. carol o'connell writes in such a way that you just want the book to keep going.

Oh, how I love Kathleen Mallory. I may not like her much, and she certainly has her own set of ethics, but I love her nonetheless. O'Connell's heroine is a perfect blend of street cop and hoodlum, with some very human weaknesses. The story moves well, with good plot and great characterization.

I know this must sound like one of this insignificant remarks - but I do love this book very much. One must hope that "Shell Game" (published July 99) will not be the last Mallory-book by Carol O'Connell.

I didn't like this book because it was unrealistic in it's portrayal of New Yorkers--they sounded more like Englishmen. Also, the supernatural angle didn't appeal to me.

It's very hard to have an unlikeable protagonist, and I don't think it worked in this case.

Lastly, even though I didn't like the book as a whole, it did have a lasting impact--as opposed to your typical fluff mystery.