Customer Reviews

Winter House (Kathleen Mallory Novels)

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Carol O'Connell's novels operate on two levels, at least. On the one hand, they are cleverly crafted mysteries that leave us guessing up to almost the final pages. On the other, they are explorations of the exceptional mind and, in the case of the Mallory novels, the spiritual biography of a sociopath.

Looking back over the eight Mallory novels, typically the real murderer, and the real crime, usually turn out to be much less interesting than any number of other elements. So here. The center of *Winter House* is Kathy's confrontation with a doppelganger, Nedda Winter, a woman she could become. Is Nedda insane? Did she kill her entire family in a childhood rampage? Is she killing now? As these questions are answered, questions about Kathy Mallory are answered.

Kathy's had a free ride for seven novels, with Riker, Charles, and the poker club making excuses for her while the reader looks on, titillated and aghast. Things changed in *Dead Famous* when Johanna Apollo said to Charles, "You know what she is?" and he nodded. Here, at last, he closes a door in her face, refuses to allow her to bully a victim, and says "No" when any sane person would. Riker and Charles have begun to demand that Kathy grow up. Whether she will, we'll see in another novel, I think.

The first four novels were a set that appeared to complete Kathy's story. The next three took us from where she came from to who she is. *Winter House* begins to explore who she can become. Of the eight books, one of the best.

Winter House is the best Mallory novel in some time and essential reading for fans of the characters, who have been feeling neglected since Stone Angel. The story is setup around the death of an intruder at a New York mansion (the Winter House of the title). The victim is a serial killer, originally captured by Mallory (thus her involvement in the case) and the killer is a intriguing, old women who was supposed to have disappearied 58 years before when most of her family was massacred by an ice pick wielding assassin (who was the subject of a Riker family obsession).

The story goes through many twists and turns as should any good mystery, but ultimately it rests on the strengths of the characterizations. Mallory is presented as a feline force of nature. Despite the fact that the series bears her name it is interesting to note that we almost never receive her point of view, but rather observe her second hand through the perceptions of those who love and fear (for) her. Charles, in particular, is often center stage here, and more than ever his own inner strength and basic decency are on display. His love for Mallory is firmly at odds with her methods, and in this case he is willing to directly oppses her (and even usher her out of his home - which would have been a death sentence for many)based on principle. In Mallory's reaction to this we actually get some insight into her troubled psyche and the importance of Charles in her life. A highlight of this is in a brief point of view moment as Mallory is being thrown out, where we see for the first time that icy, young detective might avoid human contact (touch), but is not adverse to it, and perhaps even craves it (also the image of Mallory being put out like a house cat, instead of her usual tigress is quite amusing).

The first 4 Mallory novels represented a fairly tight character based arc, that dealt with events leading from her adopted father's death through the revelation of her past. Subsequent novels, like Shell Game and Crime School, have been entertaining, but were plot based and completely independent of each other, with no noticeable character growth. With Winter House I see the possibility that O'Connell may be back to work on developing these people and their relationships with each other. In order for me to enjoy a series progress has to occur. The mysteries are entertaining, but ultimately what keeps me coming back is my affection Mallory, Charles, Riker, and poker crew. I want them to live and breathe, not be trapped in the amber of a generic police procedural. My hope is the Winter House is a big step in that direction.

The latest Mallory book begins with the dead body of a burglar, apparently killed in self-defence. Except the corpse had been carrying an ice-pick in a house that long ago witnessed the massacre of a family.....all killed with an ice pick.

This book is brilliant, and though I think the whole series is truly amazing, it still stands out.

"Winter House" sees a strong return to the almost supernatural feel of the earlier books and features Charles Butler heavily (which is always a good thing as far as I'm concerned). Also all of the members of the poker group make a welcome appearance.

The book feels like it is firmly rooted into its place in the series (which one or two of the others haven't) and contains subtle references to events in previous books.

Mallory's own emotions are very much in evidence, again giving lie to the idea of a restrained sociopath. And, as this is Carol O'Connell, the plotting is easily equal to the standard set by her stunning writing style.

I read it straight through and then again two days later. It really is exquisite and I cannot recommend it enough, or give it enough stars.

And though it's been said many times before, Carol O'Connell really does transcend the genre and her books are as hard to pigeon hole as Mallory, herself.

If you have never read Carol O'Connell or a Mallory book then start with the first ("Mallory's Oracle") and work your way through the series of, now eight. They are worth every moment you will spend reading them and more.

There are layers upon layers in this story of a house, a family, relationships and greed. I have loved the Mallory series from the start and this is one of the best. You learn more about Mallory's partner Riker and vulnerability of Charles, Mallory's friend and business partner, is a wonderful contrast to the character of Mallory. I would not recommend starting the series with this book, but it is a definitely an excellent addition to the series.

I started to read the Mallory series with "Shell Game", and within a month, I had read all of Carol O'Connell's books. Now, she comes out with this masterpiece!

"Winter House" starts off simple enough: murder of a man, with an ice pick. But like a Russian matryoshka doll, O'Connell gives the mystery layer after layer until the reader is almost overwhelmed with the story. She keeps the reader guessing until the last shot.

We get quite a bit of Charles Bulter (like we did of Riker in the last Mallory book "Dead Famous") and we get more insight into Mallory's character. The usual gang shows up (constant readers will be glad to hear that the poker games are still around). All in all, "Winter House" is a wonderful book...recommended to all Mallory fans.

I simply cannot wait until the next instalment of the Mallory series.

~~~First time readers beware: Begin this series with "Mallory's Oracle". You won't be disappointed.

With great relief to report that Carol O'Connell's latest novel, Winter House, has the top form we have come to expect from her. While the story deals with a mass murder 50+ years ago, one of the siblings disappeared at that time, and the fascination of the book is the respective relationships Mallory and Charles Butler to Neddy (Red) Wright. Charles is charmed by her, but the subtle interest is Mallory's interaction with the woman who disappeared when she was a child. This is close to Mallory's story-being an enigmatic street child, saved by Louis Markowitz, a cop, who brings the child home, and Helen, his wife who decided Mallory was a birthday present. Mallory grows up to be a cop herself. All characters who were featured in previous books that helped raise and love Mallory are included in this book. There is also a hint of magic or occult as Mallory is guided by an old radio playing music of Red's era.
Well written, crisp, it is a must read. O'Connell has evolved into a snappy writer, and in her last 2 novels, has set the bar very high...keep it going, please!!

I fell in love with Mallory in the first book in this series-- such an ice cold, competent cop-- the antithesis of the female stereotype. At the time no one else was writing this type of character (and they are still rare compared to the overwrought, self-sacrificing heroine that appears so often in novels intended for women.) Mallory rarely errs on the side of emotion.

And in this book it is rather interesting to watch Mallory wade through a potentially emotional morass involving Red Winter, the 70's former waif who was unexpectedly returned to her far from ecstatic family after her disappearance at the age of twelve.

O'Connell once more does an excellent job of unwinding the tangled skeins of events. It was only after I had finished the book that I realized that I hadn't caught the resolution of one particular plot thread and had to go back and reread part of it. Otherwise, this is a Mallory novel to shelve with some of her best.

The Kathleen Mallory Series AND Judas Child have been some of the best fictional books I've ever read! I don't agree with the readers who insist that they don't know who Mallory is. PAY ATTENTION!!!!! In every book, you find out more and more about her. She refuses to show love or affection because she keeps losing everything and everyone she cares about.
In every story, there is an act by Mallory to bring you up close and personal with her. Some of my favorites are when she visits the magician, whose lost his memory, (I believe his name was Malachi)in prison regularly to tell him over and over how much he loved his wife and killed to avenge her murder. She even takes a sketch of her to him.
Then she visits Sparrow in the hospital as she's clinging for her life and reads to her. She gets Riker out of the room with her tough persona and once inside she whispers to her "It's me, Kathy" and begins to read to her. Just like when she was a kid.
Who is Mallory? She is a tough, strong, independent, heroine! She's unforgiving when it comes to the bad guys but there is nothing she wouldn't do for the people she cares about. She may be a little rough about getting things done but what do you expect from a kid who lived on the streets of New York and then grew up in the police department.
Carol O'Connell is fantastic! I love her work. Through her words I have hurt for Mallory, fallen in love with Charles and high fived Riker. I take her books with me everywhere and if I have three minutes at the drive thru, I catch up! I would like to see a sequel to Judas Child. More than anything, though, I would like to see Charles just take Mallory in his arms and deliver a big wet one!

I have read all of Carol O'Connell's books. Kathy Mallory is one scary lady and I dont know how she does it. It scares me to death that such a creature might exist, but I LOVE Charles Butler and this story features him in a big way.

The disfunctional family is memorable. Each has a good reason for the way they are and it is terribly sad.

Riker is right in the fray and he, believe it or not, stabilizes Mallory and Charles, but in the end it is Mallory and Charles who feel the most of this terrible crime.

I wait for each of Ms. O'Connell's books. They dont come soon enough.

I have to say, although this was not my favorite plot, O'Connell's Mallory is one of my favorite characters. I recommend Mallory's Oracle often, and buy it constantly to give to people to read and pass along.
That being said, this book showed a touch more humanity on Kathy's part and a little less patience from Charles. I was also disappointed with the fact that Kathy's gift to Charles was "off the mark." Mallory herself is often "off" a bit, a woman who is both superior professionally and broken spiritually, but until this title she did seem to have some understanding of what Charles wanted, even if she was unwilling to give it to him.
The murder suspect's drama was indeed a revelation for Kathy and her own possible future. Although her methods so often seem cruel, Kathy is always brutal enough to make the "kindest cut" to get to the truth.
I found the ice pick story line less interesting and believable. But the fact that O'Connell has gifted us with another Mallory addition to the saga is deeply rewarding.