Killing Critics

Killing Critics follows NYPD detective Kathleen Mallory as she investigates the murder of artist Dean Starr during an exhibition. The killer staged the death as performance art, drawing Mallory into the complex world of New York City's art scene. The investigation reveals connections to a twelve-year-old double homicide at the same gallery - a case that haunted Mallory's adoptive father until his death. Despite official resistance, Mallory and her partner Sergeant Riker pursue both cases, navigating a web of art critics, gallery owners, and long-buried secrets. The novel examines the intersection of art, crime, and human nature against the backdrop of Manhattan's elite cultural institutions. Through its exploration of Mallory's troubled past and the dark underpinnings of the art world, the book raises questions about authenticity, performance, and the true nature of justice.

Readers describe this as a darker entry in the Mallory series with more graphic violence and disturbing elements than previous books. The mystery plot keeps readers guessing until the end. Liked: - Complex layering of art world and murder investigation - Sharp dialogue and dry humor - Character development for Mallory - Tight pacing in second half Disliked: - Slow start with too many art scene details - Some found it unnecessarily violent - Plot threads that don't fully resolve - Less police procedure than other books in series One reader noted "The art gallery sequences drag but the investigation picks up steam once bodies start dropping." Another said "Mallory remains fascinating but this one pushes the darkness too far." Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (120+ ratings) LibraryThing: 4.0/5 (300+ ratings) Most recommend reading the series in order rather than starting with this book.

The Surgeon by Tess Gerritsen A female detective tracks a killer who performs surgical procedures on victims in Boston while confronting her own traumatic past.

The Sinner by Petra Hammesfahr A detective investigates a mother who committed a public murder with no apparent motive, uncovering layers of psychological complexity and buried secrets.

Still Life by Louise Penny Chief Inspector Gamache investigates the death of a beloved artist in a small Quebec village where the murderer hides behind a façade of small-town normalcy.

In the Woods by Tana French A Dublin detective's investigation of a child's murder forces him to confront his own forgotten childhood trauma and unsolved disappearance case.

The Cutting Season by Attica Locke The manager of a historic plantation discovers a murdered woman on the grounds, leading to an investigation that connects present-day crime with historical injustice.

🎨 Carol O'Connell worked as a painter before becoming a crime novelist, giving her unique insight into the art world she depicts in "Killing Critics" 📚 "Killing Critics" is the third book in a series that would eventually grow to 12 novels featuring Detective Kathleen Mallory 🗽 The novel's portrayal of New York City's art scene in the 1990s captures a pivotal moment when contemporary art prices were skyrocketing and performance art was becoming mainstream 👤 The protagonist Kathleen Mallory is known for being a sociopathic detective - a rare character trait for a female lead in crime fiction at the time of publication 🏆 The Mallory series helped establish Carol O'Connell as a pioneer of the psychological thriller genre, moving away from traditional procedural detective fiction