This is the third in the Mallory series and is the best so far, I think. It is witty, shrewd, sharply satirical, unflinchingly bloody in places and a terrific read.
A killing at an art gallery leads Mallory and Riker into an investigation which soon links to a horrendous crime from twelve years ago, investigated by Markowitz, Mallory’s adoptive father. The tale is convoluted and involves corruption and manipulation in the art world, serious corruption in the police and city officials, a half-crazed art critic camped on the roof of Bloomingdales...and so on.
O’Connell writes excellently and creates great characters, especially Charles and Mallory herself, who is cool, self-possessed but not invulnerable and utterly determined and ruthless. If you’re looking for a charming, likeable protagonist, you’ll have to look elsewhere, but I find her a brilliant companion and a very interesting character study. I also love O’Connell’s jaundiced picture of New York; not just the blatant, criminal corruption but her characters’ world-weary acceptance of political shenanigans and manipulation – like this exchange, for example:
This is a great entry in a great series. Warmly recommended.
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