It Happens in the Dark: Kathy Mallory: Book Eleven

It is best to start with the first book in the series, because than one learns what has made Mallory as she is and much of her back story. That is fascinating as well, as are many of the characters that associate or work with Mallory. This story takes place in the theater, and people in the theater are often times different characters themselves. Many red herrings, many dead ends and always Mallory's unique blend of quick thinking and her original way of garnering justice. This is definitely character driven mysteries, and once again I find myself awaiting the next in series. View all 3 comments.

Oct 31, Monica rated it did not like it Shelves: This book was so bad that I couldn't finish it. The characters - all of them, old and new - were grotesque caricatures, and the plot was miles beyond implausible. It is difficult to make the story of multiple murders in a theatrical setting, with extremely! When I remember how much I liked the earlier books in the series, it makes me sad, and a bit angry.

Aug 04, Wendy Jones rated it it was amazing. Kathy Mallory is a detective with no feelings and a myriad of inner demons. These are so deep seated it makes your average inner demon look al pink and fluffy in comparison. This makes mallory a complex character.

I have to admit that she grows on you throughout the series and she shows flashes of being almost human in this one. There are a number of strands to the book, but the author skil I love Carol O'Connell's Kathy Mallory Books and this one is as good as, if not better than, all the rest. There are a number of strands to the book, but the author skilfully weaves then into one tense whole. The action mainly takes place in a theatre which one would think would limit the drama. However, this is not the case.

The lives of the actors and their characters are so interspersed it is difficult to tell fact from fantasy. This makes for interesting reading and so many twists and turns it made me feel dizzy.

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The theatre itself also provides a sinister backdrop to the story. Mallory is no ordinary cop and the normal rules of investigation do not seem to apply to her. She breaks the rules at any given moment and will do whatever it takes to solve the case. I think this adds a certain something to the whole proceedings as you never know what she is going to do next. Would I recommend this book? However, it may be worth reading some of the previous books in the series in order to get the full measure of mallory's character.

Jul 24, Eyehavenofilter rated it liked it Shelves: I wanted to like this alot more than I did. Sadly I found the characters less than one dimensional and contrived. I did find Bugsy interesting however, sigh the contrivance of a former crime connected to the present serial crimes just took too blasted long for me, and made all the police involved look stupid, l Well I did find Bugsy interesting however, sigh the contrivance of a former crime connected to the present serial crimes just took too blasted long for me, and made all the police involved look stupid, lazy, or witholding evidence for some unknown reason.

Aug 23, Laura rated it liked it Shelves: Maybe I need to go back and re-read some of the earlier Mallory novels, because I just don't remember that those books continually hammered home Mallory's more "interesting" tendencies or that she's lacking in empathy, that the squad looks out for her, etc.. It got in the way of the story at times and if you haven't read one before, you'll be very annoyed.

I get why this stuff needs to be explained, but once per book is fine. Ditto Charles' eidetic memory or technophobia. Once, then move on. As f Maybe I need to go back and re-read some of the earlier Mallory novels, because I just don't remember that those books continually hammered home Mallory's more "interesting" tendencies or that she's lacking in empathy, that the squad looks out for her, etc..

It was never clear to me why anyone paid attention to the ghostwriter's changes, and the copyright issues were a little muddy but that was ok. Bugsy's character was absolutely fascinating; Alma's much less so. Having the new play mimic the plot of the old Nebraska mass killing added an interesting element, but here again there were times when things were rushed. Had we spent more time on the mystery and less on Mallory's quirks, this would have been a solid four or even a five. Jul 06, Colleen rated it it was amazing.

I must confess, I came to the Mallory series late, and so read the first nine books in immediate succession. Sadly, that burned me out on the series and I vowed to steer clear of future additions. I picked this book not really realizing that it was part of the series, and boy am I glad I did. This is an excellent mystery story, and one that also adds interesting revelations about Mallory herself and her relationships with those around her.

I enjoyed it so much I went back and picked up the book I must confess, I came to the Mallory series late, and so read the first nine books in immediate succession. I enjoyed it so much I went back and picked up the book I had missed along the way, happy to once again find myself in Mallory's world. For me at least, these books are best digested a bit at a time- all in one go was just too much and blunted their impact. A great story, but not a great intro into the series so be sure to read them in order if possible!

Sep 13, Wilhelmina Jenkins rated it it was ok Shelves: I have read this series The Kathy Mallory mysteries from the beginning and it was one of my favorites. Sadly, I think that the series should have ended with Find Me , which wrapped up much of the mystery surrounding Mallory's past. The following book, The Chalk Girl , worked because it built on that past. But I'm afraid that the author has run out of things to say about Mallory. This book was very disappointing.

It Happens in the Dark

May 20, Jay rated it really liked it. I received this on a giveaway from Putnam, and dived into it immediately. I love the Mallory series and despite this being 11 it did not feel tired, like other mystery series that revolve around one character's eccentricities. The plot line which involves excerpts from a play was unnecessarily over done, but the character development and the action kept it interesting and moving right along. All in all not my favorite of the series, but more than good enough to make me look forward to the next I received this on a giveaway from Putnam, and dived into it immediately.

All in all not my favorite of the series, but more than good enough to make me look forward to the next one, maybe where Mallory takes on some personal growth. I recommend you get to know O'Connell's Mallory mysteries. Start with the first, or Stone Angel, one of the best. Oct 27, Paula Lyle rated it it was amazing Shelves: I have read all of these and some are definitely better than others. This one is a beaut. An engrossing mystery with an amazing list of perpetrators.

I like it better when no one is explaining how we should feel sorry for Mallory. Mallory just is, she certainly doesn't need my sympathy.

It Happens in the Dark (Kathleen Mallory, #11) by Carol O'Connell

And like a true Mallory all the bad guys got their comeuppances. The ending is brilliant! Unlike the previous Mallory novel I had read, the writer executes the core concept of Mallory's character much better here. What may aid in the portrayal this time around is that more play is given to other members of the special crime detective unit, associate Charles Butler and the cast of a Broadway show where people keep dyi Unlike the previous Mallory novel I had read, the writer executes the core concept of Mallory's character much better here.

What may aid in the portrayal this time around is that more play is given to other members of the special crime detective unit, associate Charles Butler and the cast of a Broadway show where people keep dying. But, you could argue that she hasn't completely divorced herself from humanity in this tale. Mallory feels something for the show's gofer, Bugsy, a tragic figure in his own right. What happens at the ends makes some of those surrounding her wonder is she has found a shred of humanity.

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Multiple suspects, and engaging characters. But, in the background lurks Mallory even when she is not physically there often her presence is felt. Ms O'Connell writes absorbing crime novels you don't want to put down and this one is no exception. A playwright is murdered in his seat on the second night of his play, except it's no longer his play as it has been altered beyond recognition. Without issuing spoilers more bodies appear and links to a 10 year old massacre are uncovered and at the centre of it all Mallory pulls the strings in her usual inimitable style.

This is a clever, compulsive book and a shining example of great writing.

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I e Ms O'Connell writes absorbing crime novels you don't want to put down and this one is no exception. I enthusiastically recommend this as a great read. View all 4 comments. Jun 15, Cheryl Stephens Grimes rated it did not like it Shelves: Jan 22, Beth rated it really liked it. So I was curious and a little trepidatious about reading this one.

I've always been a fan of the Mallory series, but some family members who have also read them didn't like this one at all, and the Goodreads reviews I checked were mixed. Well, I'm still a fan of the series. I did really like this one. Mallory is a fascinating character, but she is a bit of a construct as is Charles, for that matter and her behavior is somewhat predictable.

By that I mean we can always count on Mallory to hack, So I was curious and a little trepidatious about reading this one. By that I mean we can always count on Mallory to hack, track, manipulate, lock pick and law break her way into solving each case. And you can count on Charles to adore and try to protect her. And you can count on her not only NOT thanking him, but going out of her way to torment him for it. And you can count on him to endlessly forgive her and keep adoring her. Riker, a bit less predictable, can also be counted on to protect Mallory by turning a blind eye when needed, and covering for her when necessary.

So she IS fascinating, but she's also impossible. She has eerie intuition, an haute couture wardrobe, supermodel looks, ninja fighting skills, world class computer hacking ability, a seemingly limitless bank account, and detecting talents that would rival Sherlock Holmes. She's also cold, emotionless, aloof, and often cruel.

But here's the interesting thing about this book. Mallory seems almost a sociopath in some books I pretty much gave up on her character but not the series in one book when she was indifferent and unfeeling toward an animal that obviously adored her. That's pretty much how she treats anyone who adores her, and there are many.

It makes me crazy. BUT, in this book, she shows a glimmer just a touch, mind you of tenderness, towards not just one character but several. Interestingly, those characters are sad, tormented, broken souls; yet, in her way, Mallory takes them under her wing and acts for their benefit. She lives in New York City. The World According to Anna. The Unfinished Novel and Other stories. From the Place in the Valley Deep in the Forest. You only underestimate her once. And one question troubles her more than any other: More books by Carol O'Connell.

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