Series
Publication
G.P. Putnam's Sons (1995), Edition: Reprint, 340 pages
Original publication date
1994-05-05
Collections
Genres
Subjects
Awards
Edgar Award (Nominee — First Novel — 1995)
Anthony Award (Nominee — First Novel — 1995)
Dilys Award (Nominee — 1995)
Description
Fiction. Thriller. HTML:Jonathan Kellerman says Mallory's Oracle is "a joy." Nelson DeMille and other advance readers have called it "truly amazing, " "a classic" with "immense appeal." It is all of that, and more: a stunning debut novel about a web of unsolved murders in New York's Gramercy Park and the singular woman who makes them her obsession. At its center is Kathleen Mallory, an extraordinary wild child turned New York City policewoman. Adopted off the streets as a little girl by a police inspector and his wife, she is still not altogether civilized now that she is a sergeant in the Special Crimes section. With her ferocious intelligence and green gunslinger eyes, Mallory (never Kathleen, never Kathy) operates by her own inner compass of right and wrong, a sense of justice that drives her in unpredictable ways. She is a thing apart. And today, she is a thing possessed. Although more at home in the company of computers than in the company of men, Mallory is propelled onto the street when the body of her adoptive father, Louis Markowitz, is found stabbed in a tenement next to the body of a wealthy Gramercy Park woman. The murders are clearly linked to two other Gramercy Park homicides Markowitz had been investigating, and now his cases become Mallory's, his death her cause. Prowling the streets, sifting through his clues, drawing on his circle of friends and colleagues, she plunges into a netherworld of light and shadow, where people are not what they seem and truth shifts without warning. And a murderer waits who is every bit as wild and unpredictable as she.... Filled with deep, seductive atmosphere and razor-sharp prose, Mallory's Oracle is gripping, resonant suspense of tantalizing complexity�??a genuinely unforgettable nov… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member nancyewhite
Kathleen Mallory's beloved foster-father is killed while pursuing a serial killer preying on elderly women in Gramercy Park. Mallory comes out from behind her computer to find the murderer. There are a lot of plot points related to magic and spiritualism until finally the killer is identified.
I
POTENTIAL SPOILERS
I loved the subplot featuring Margot Siddon and found it so haunting and compelling. For me, it echoed one of the saddest stories of my childhood The Little Match Girl. Margot just broke my heart -- so damaged, unloved and literally starving while just steps away from the banquet. When she finally completely loses her mind and begins stabbing strangers who she is convinced are her rapist, it was so inevitable and so preventable. I hope this unresolved thread means this will be re-visited in a future book in the series.
END SPOILER
Some of the ways the book was dated were amusing. Of course, Mallory's mad technical skills are very of the time and it is interesting to see how quickly computer capabiliities changed.
Frankly, the mystery itself was not very interesting to me for some reason. I didn't particularly feel interested in knowing who dunnit so much as in finding out more about the people populating the book.
Generally, this is a promising start to a series. I often find that whether I feel compelled to continue reading any given series has as a lot to do with whether or not the supporting cast interests me. In this case, Carol O'Connell creates fascinating people particularly Charles Butler. I will definitely read the second in the series and hopefully gain a way "in" to Mallory herself.
I
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liked this book. It is very well written with wonderful secondary characters. I did not yet warm to Mallory herself. I think that there are too many references to her beauty of which she is, of course, unaware, her green eyes (a beautiful fictional heroine cliche) and her scariness. I like tough female protaganists, but she is so cold it is difficult for me to actually like her, and I find it mysterious why all of the people in her world--including her beloved parents--do like her so much. POTENTIAL SPOILERS
I loved the subplot featuring Margot Siddon and found it so haunting and compelling. For me, it echoed one of the saddest stories of my childhood The Little Match Girl. Margot just broke my heart -- so damaged, unloved and literally starving while just steps away from the banquet. When she finally completely loses her mind and begins stabbing strangers who she is convinced are her rapist, it was so inevitable and so preventable. I hope this unresolved thread means this will be re-visited in a future book in the series.
END SPOILER
Some of the ways the book was dated were amusing. Of course, Mallory's mad technical skills are very of the time and it is interesting to see how quickly computer capabiliities changed.
Frankly, the mystery itself was not very interesting to me for some reason. I didn't particularly feel interested in knowing who dunnit so much as in finding out more about the people populating the book.
Generally, this is a promising start to a series. I often find that whether I feel compelled to continue reading any given series has as a lot to do with whether or not the supporting cast interests me. In this case, Carol O'Connell creates fascinating people particularly Charles Butler. I will definitely read the second in the series and hopefully gain a way "in" to Mallory herself.
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LibraryThing member Talbin
Mallory's Oracle, by Carol O'Connell, is the first book in a series following NYC cop Kathleen Mallory. Here, Mallory's stepfather, Louis Markowitz, is found dead alongside the third victim of an apparent serial killer. Mallory takes compassionate leave from the department but continues to conduct
Mallory's Oracle was a bit different from most mystery's I read, mostly because it seemed that O'Connell was trying to establish Kathy Mallory's character and background more than focusing on the plot of the murder mystery. At time, it made for awkward reading - the mystery itself was somewhat confusing and seemed to have a lot of stray ends and red herrings along the way. I felt that it could have been tighter and more compelling. As I read the end of the book, I actually didn't really care who did it - I was mostly worried about Charles Butler's fate.
However, Mallory seems as if she's going to be an interesting character as the books move forward. She was found on the streets by Louis and Helen Markowitz at the age of 10, and they took her into their home and tried to "civilize" her. As this book starts, Mallory is 25, is a computer genius, has a somewhat convoluted moral code, and is described as cold-hearted but takes pity on abused children, and is, of course, beautiful without knowing how beautiful she is (oh, please).
Although I found this to be a somewhat uneven novel, I applaud O'Connell for taking a chance on her protagonist, creating a character who should be interesting to follow through the series.
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her own investigation into the serial killings (of older women with connections to New York's Gramercy Park) and Markowitz's murder. Along the way, she involves Charles Butler, a long-time friend of the family with an incredible intelligence and a clairvoyant aunt, and Riker, a colleague of Markowitz who passes her inside information about the official investigation.Mallory's Oracle was a bit different from most mystery's I read, mostly because it seemed that O'Connell was trying to establish Kathy Mallory's character and background more than focusing on the plot of the murder mystery. At time, it made for awkward reading - the mystery itself was somewhat confusing and seemed to have a lot of stray ends and red herrings along the way. I felt that it could have been tighter and more compelling. As I read the end of the book, I actually didn't really care who did it - I was mostly worried about Charles Butler's fate.
However, Mallory seems as if she's going to be an interesting character as the books move forward. She was found on the streets by Louis and Helen Markowitz at the age of 10, and they took her into their home and tried to "civilize" her. As this book starts, Mallory is 25, is a computer genius, has a somewhat convoluted moral code, and is described as cold-hearted but takes pity on abused children, and is, of course, beautiful without knowing how beautiful she is (oh, please).
Although I found this to be a somewhat uneven novel, I applaud O'Connell for taking a chance on her protagonist, creating a character who should be interesting to follow through the series.
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LibraryThing member miyurose
I didn't fall in love with this series. There's no doubt that Mallory is an interesting lead character, but you don't get any chance to really get inside her head and get to know her. I felt more of a connection to Charles than I did with her. The mystery itself is interesting, but I have to admit
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my eyes glazed over a bit with all the financial talk. I have one other book in this series I'll probably read, but I won't go out of my way to seek out more. Show Less
LibraryThing member Lauren2013
Mallory's Oracle
2 Stars
Synopsis:
Kathleen Mallory began life as a thief on the streets of New York City until she was taken in my detective Louis Mankowitz and his wife. Now a police sergeant with an expertise in computer crimes, Mallory must investigate a particularly difficult homicide – the
Review:
I really wanted to like this book but failed in almost every respect. The writing is elliptical and convoluted with too many narrative threads that are difficult to follow and never seem to form a cohesive whole.
None of the characters is particularly likeable, especially the heroine who is a borderline sociopath. Her characterization is too reminiscent of the hero in the television show Dexter, which I stopped watching after three episodes because it is impossible for me to identify with a serial killer no matter how noble his intentions.
The serial killer plot is intriguing and has potential but the paucity of clues makes it virtually impossible for readers to figure it out for themselves. Moreover, the irrelevant subplots involving magicians, mediums and séances add nothing to the suspense, and detract from the murder mystery. In addition, while the identity of the murderer is ultimately revealed, the explanations for his actions are vague and imprecise.
Overall, the disagreeable characters, the excessive number of superfluous conversations and the lack of action make this a difficult book to trudge through. I do, however, recommend another of O'Connell's books - The Judas Child.
2 Stars
Synopsis:
Kathleen Mallory began life as a thief on the streets of New York City until she was taken in my detective Louis Mankowitz and his wife. Now a police sergeant with an expertise in computer crimes, Mallory must investigate a particularly difficult homicide – the
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murder of her adoptive father – which is linked to the deaths of several elderly and wealthy women.Review:
I really wanted to like this book but failed in almost every respect. The writing is elliptical and convoluted with too many narrative threads that are difficult to follow and never seem to form a cohesive whole.
None of the characters is particularly likeable, especially the heroine who is a borderline sociopath. Her characterization is too reminiscent of the hero in the television show Dexter, which I stopped watching after three episodes because it is impossible for me to identify with a serial killer no matter how noble his intentions.
The serial killer plot is intriguing and has potential but the paucity of clues makes it virtually impossible for readers to figure it out for themselves. Moreover, the irrelevant subplots involving magicians, mediums and séances add nothing to the suspense, and detract from the murder mystery. In addition, while the identity of the murderer is ultimately revealed, the explanations for his actions are vague and imprecise.
Overall, the disagreeable characters, the excessive number of superfluous conversations and the lack of action make this a difficult book to trudge through. I do, however, recommend another of O'Connell's books - The Judas Child.
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LibraryThing member amf0001
Beautifully written mystery. The plot was not that interesting but the characters and style were. Lovely depiction of NY and grammercy park and aging. Not a keeper but worth spending time with. Part of series though I haven't read earlier ones and it still worked for me.
LibraryThing member Darrol
I am probably a little dull, but I found the narrative a little confusing. The main character is interesting.
LibraryThing member bjappleg8
This was a read inspired by several conversations on LibraryThing, so I was disappointed and surprised not to like it better.
I found the jumping around from different characters' points of view very distracting. There were too many mysteries, too -- and the resolution not all that clear or
I also agree with another reviewer who said it was hard to figure out what the characters in the book found so compelling about Mallory -- yes she was beautiful but so cold, so calculating, and amoral. So what.
I know negative reviews are unpopular. This isn't a judgement on those who enjoyed the book; I would rather enjoy a book myself than be disappointed. I do appreciate negative reviews that help me decide if it's worth investing my own time. I would rather have avoided this one.
I found the jumping around from different characters' points of view very distracting. There were too many mysteries, too -- and the resolution not all that clear or
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satisfying. I also agree with another reviewer who said it was hard to figure out what the characters in the book found so compelling about Mallory -- yes she was beautiful but so cold, so calculating, and amoral. So what.
I know negative reviews are unpopular. This isn't a judgement on those who enjoyed the book; I would rather enjoy a book myself than be disappointed. I do appreciate negative reviews that help me decide if it's worth investing my own time. I would rather have avoided this one.
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LibraryThing member Df6B_ArielB
This book was a very good read. I really like novels about police work and murder. The characters in this book are her strongest to me. I never thought the professor would kill everyone. Mallory let him out of her sight for ten minutes and he already killed someone. This book was very intensed.
LibraryThing member cmwilson101
This book is one of a series of books by Carol O'Connell about a beautiful, damaged, maverick, and almost sociopathic detective named Kathleen Mallory (who insists on being called simply "Mallory"), and the people that love her despite her flaws: Charles, an intelligent, rich, but ugly family
This story (the first in the series), has Mallory trying to find out who killed Lou.
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friend; Lou, the cop that takes her in; and Riker, her adopted father's partner. The relationships that develop between these characters as they solve crimes together are the focus of the series. This story (the first in the series), has Mallory trying to find out who killed Lou.
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LibraryThing member jastbrown
One of my favorite series. This is where O'Connell really shone, with a protagonist and characters who were both sympathetic and adversarial. I'm looking forward to going back and re-reading all of her Kathleen Mallory stories. They are exceptional.
LibraryThing member Stewartry
Mallory's Oracle was great fun. Everything about it was appealing – from the unique main character (unique in my experience, though I've seen comparisons to Dexter) to the setting to the trappings of the case to the writing.
Kathleen Mallory puts a different spin on "sociopath". I'm used to
All of the characters are wonderful. Louis Markowitz, dead as the novel begins, and his wife Helen, dead several years before, are as much of a presence as Kathy's putative partner Riker. The department lieutenant, Coffey, taking over Louis's office and position, is not welcome by the department, but is not the idiot his new crew assume he is, or perhaps want to believe he is. The inhabitants of the apartment building where Mallory works during her bereavement leave are bizarre flesh and blood – one of the benefits to setting a series in New York has to be the ability to fill the stories with absolutely anyone. Best of all is Charles Butler, the odd and odd-looking friend of the family, some fifteen years older than Mallory and caught in a consciously hopeless love for her. He's another genius, with major flaws and blind spots, and he is rapidly becoming one of my favorite fictional people.
There is an obvious, though not obtrusive, illustration in the cast of characters of nature versus nurture. Louis's affectionate but entirely serious epithet for the Kathy he arrested trying (probably successfully) to break into a Jaguar was "baby sociopath". (Actually, that's becoming a flaw in the series; "baby sociopath", "baby felon"; "baby whore"…) She is barely socialized, barely comprehending of the whys and wherefores of thou shalt nots, and the question is left open of what she would have become had Markowitz not accidentally adopted her. Or even if it had happened later. In the cast of victims and suspects of Mallory's Oracle, there are many damaged people, and the most damaged of them lacked what Mallory chanced onto: love.
The setting is New York, NY, and it's terrific. Rent-control and little oases of green and breathtaking architecture, and blocks that are a whole different sort of breath-taking, with "rats dancing on garbage pail lids" and crack whores, it's NYC, and all-inclusive. I admit to being partial to books set in places I know even a little, and though the commercials made it a cliché I do love New York.
I never expected the thread of the story about Charles's cousin Max Candle and his glorious days of illusion accompanied by his wife, Edith, famous in her own right as a medium. I was surprised by the magic and mediums – and, for once, it was a pleasant surprise. It all tied in together nicely. Detectives strive to solve mysteries, and here was a whole world of mystery not quite amenable to their investigation. It's all fascinating to me, and well used.
I was surprised by the writing. I read one book somewhere in the middle of the series long ago, Stone Angel, put Carol O'Connell on my List, and collected the books as I found them, but was never impelled to read them until now, anticipating the receipt of the latest Kathy Mallory (Chalk Girl) as an LTER. So I had forgotten why I enjoyed it so much. I think the only thing I disliked in this read was the dogs; abused to a horrific degree, they are mentioned without much explanation or any resolution – including one family pet which launched an unprovoked attack.
There is a sense of humor about this book, sometimes wry and sometimes whimsical, never the main object of the text. And alongside the unexpected humor is an unanticipated poetry. Again, it is never the point of the writing, but instead phrases are scattered as grace notes, like a support pillars shaped into acanthus-crowned Corinthian columns instead of plain unadorned square props. I noticed dance referenced often, literally and descriptively: Max danced, and well; one of the victim family member/suspects was a dancer; light danced, and so did rats. Magic and poetry and dance – alongside blood and age and terror, it was unexpected and surprisingly beautiful. It's not, apparently, to everyone's taste; I enjoyed it. I will be working through the rest of the series to better review Chalk Girl, and I plan on enjoying this.
Kathleen Mallory puts a different spin on "sociopath". I'm used to
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thinking of the label as only applying to the ones who go out and kill dozens (and applying to men) (like my former boss), and I suppose there is the seed of the idea that, left to the tender mercies of the city or the foster program, Mallory might have become famous as a rare female serial killer. However, she was not left to any such fate, and while she is far from civilized she is a fierce proponent of the law – when it suits her – as she learned from her foster father, Lt. Markowitz. I'd be curious to read her point of view. As it is, the image of her gained through others' eyes is fascinating – a network has been formed to keep an eye on her, both for her own sake and the rest of the world's. She is beloved – but her leash is kept rather short, as those who care for her never lose sight of the fact that her morality is a thin veneer. What's rather wonderful about her is that, brilliant as she is – and her IQ is substantial – most of her experience as an officer has been in front of a computer. There she has no equal. On a crime scene, though, or working surveillance or questioning witnesses, her inexperience gangs up with her lack of socialization and sets her back rather than moving her forward. She screws up. She'll never admit it, ever, but she does.All of the characters are wonderful. Louis Markowitz, dead as the novel begins, and his wife Helen, dead several years before, are as much of a presence as Kathy's putative partner Riker. The department lieutenant, Coffey, taking over Louis's office and position, is not welcome by the department, but is not the idiot his new crew assume he is, or perhaps want to believe he is. The inhabitants of the apartment building where Mallory works during her bereavement leave are bizarre flesh and blood – one of the benefits to setting a series in New York has to be the ability to fill the stories with absolutely anyone. Best of all is Charles Butler, the odd and odd-looking friend of the family, some fifteen years older than Mallory and caught in a consciously hopeless love for her. He's another genius, with major flaws and blind spots, and he is rapidly becoming one of my favorite fictional people.
There is an obvious, though not obtrusive, illustration in the cast of characters of nature versus nurture. Louis's affectionate but entirely serious epithet for the Kathy he arrested trying (probably successfully) to break into a Jaguar was "baby sociopath". (Actually, that's becoming a flaw in the series; "baby sociopath", "baby felon"; "baby whore"…) She is barely socialized, barely comprehending of the whys and wherefores of thou shalt nots, and the question is left open of what she would have become had Markowitz not accidentally adopted her. Or even if it had happened later. In the cast of victims and suspects of Mallory's Oracle, there are many damaged people, and the most damaged of them lacked what Mallory chanced onto: love.
The setting is New York, NY, and it's terrific. Rent-control and little oases of green and breathtaking architecture, and blocks that are a whole different sort of breath-taking, with "rats dancing on garbage pail lids" and crack whores, it's NYC, and all-inclusive. I admit to being partial to books set in places I know even a little, and though the commercials made it a cliché I do love New York.
I never expected the thread of the story about Charles's cousin Max Candle and his glorious days of illusion accompanied by his wife, Edith, famous in her own right as a medium. I was surprised by the magic and mediums – and, for once, it was a pleasant surprise. It all tied in together nicely. Detectives strive to solve mysteries, and here was a whole world of mystery not quite amenable to their investigation. It's all fascinating to me, and well used.
I was surprised by the writing. I read one book somewhere in the middle of the series long ago, Stone Angel, put Carol O'Connell on my List, and collected the books as I found them, but was never impelled to read them until now, anticipating the receipt of the latest Kathy Mallory (Chalk Girl) as an LTER. So I had forgotten why I enjoyed it so much. I think the only thing I disliked in this read was the dogs; abused to a horrific degree, they are mentioned without much explanation or any resolution – including one family pet which launched an unprovoked attack.
There is a sense of humor about this book, sometimes wry and sometimes whimsical, never the main object of the text. And alongside the unexpected humor is an unanticipated poetry. Again, it is never the point of the writing, but instead phrases are scattered as grace notes, like a support pillars shaped into acanthus-crowned Corinthian columns instead of plain unadorned square props. I noticed dance referenced often, literally and descriptively: Max danced, and well; one of the victim family member/suspects was a dancer; light danced, and so did rats. Magic and poetry and dance – alongside blood and age and terror, it was unexpected and surprisingly beautiful. It's not, apparently, to everyone's taste; I enjoyed it. I will be working through the rest of the series to better review Chalk Girl, and I plan on enjoying this.
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LibraryThing member mysterymax
I like the character of Mallory and will probably read more (I have the second and third in the series already checked out from the library) but the insider trading aspect to the murders didn't really draw me in. So 4 stars for the character, 3 stars for the plot -
LibraryThing member TheLibraryhag
This book is fantastic. Mallory is a very interesting character. A homeless kid who had become a thief, she is taken in by a NYPD detective and his wife. Although surrounded by love, Mallory never loses her survivor instincts and they serve her well as an adult working for the police. But when her
The book moves from one character to another and that took a bit of getting used to. I have not read anything like that recently. But the writing is excellent and really draws you in. The characters are all interesting and Mallory is one of the most original characters I have run into in a while. The mystery is great and the way the crime is solved is first rate and exciting. I am looking forward to the next book.
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beloved father is killed while investigating a murder, Mallory will stop at nothing to find the killer. The book moves from one character to another and that took a bit of getting used to. I have not read anything like that recently. But the writing is excellent and really draws you in. The characters are all interesting and Mallory is one of the most original characters I have run into in a while. The mystery is great and the way the crime is solved is first rate and exciting. I am looking forward to the next book.
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LibraryThing member ecw0647
Sergeant Kathleen Mallory, of the New York City Police Department - but don't ever call her Kathy or Kathleen - was picked up off the streets by detective Louis Markowitz when she was an abandoned street-child of eleven caught stealing .. It was his wife's birthday, and the thought of all the
When Louis is killed by a serial killer, Mallory abandons the sterility of the police computer room to investigate the crime. All of her analytical skills and knowledge of the streets serve her well. Mallory's Oracle by Carol O'Connell is a first-rate first novel. It's almost impossible to classify as to genre for it contains more than a hint of horror, police procedural, suggestions of surrealism, and magic lore. The author has a way with description and images. We never learn anything of Mallory's past, yet its consequences are clear: "That was the sad way of damaged kids. They grew up with distorted mirrors." She is unaware of her beauty's full impact, yet not afraid to manipulate those it hypnotizes. Mallory is an unusual character, strange, yet appealing. I hope O'Connell follows with many sequels
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juvenile department paperwork loomed too daunting, so he took the girl home where she was enveloped by his wife's love and became their daughter. She quit stealing because it made Helen., Louis's wife, cry .. She never lost the thrill of pilfering and turned her considerable investigative and computer skills to purloining evidence from cyberspace for the police department. When Louis is killed by a serial killer, Mallory abandons the sterility of the police computer room to investigate the crime. All of her analytical skills and knowledge of the streets serve her well. Mallory's Oracle by Carol O'Connell is a first-rate first novel. It's almost impossible to classify as to genre for it contains more than a hint of horror, police procedural, suggestions of surrealism, and magic lore. The author has a way with description and images. We never learn anything of Mallory's past, yet its consequences are clear: "That was the sad way of damaged kids. They grew up with distorted mirrors." She is unaware of her beauty's full impact, yet not afraid to manipulate those it hypnotizes. Mallory is an unusual character, strange, yet appealing. I hope O'Connell follows with many sequels
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LibraryThing member libgirl69
I did enjoy this, just had trouble remembering who was who, lol. Very detailed crime, with a couple of good plot twists. The one with his 'ain't was v good, well played out. Mallory did feel at times like a J D Robb/Dallas book without the futuristic universe.
LibraryThing member bookbrig
Very readable with some great characters, but the mystery itself didn't have quite the payout I was hoping for. Might read more in the series though.
Language
Original language
English
ISBN
9781101465936
Pages
340