Customer Reviews
Not bad... - By: Ondee, 28 Nov 2006 
I'm left with mixed feelings after just finishing this book. On the one hand I loved the gothic feeling of it, the plot line & most of the chacters. However - as someone else mentioned - the character of Malllory is intensely annoying, & unbelievable.
That said, if you try to ignore her then it is a good read. On learning that Malllory is an ongoing character in Carol O'Connells books though (this is the first I've read) I can't promise I'll be reading any more.
Winter House - By: ZenCat, 29 Oct 2006 
I picked up this book by Carol O'Connell while holidaying in Canada from the UK. I was attracted to the book because the cover said that she is "America's answer to Ruth Rendell". I think that Ms Rendell ought to sue! The writing was poor, the book cried out for a good copy editor & I was unable to finish reading it (this is the first time I have given up). I can only assume that neither the author nor the reviewer has ever read Ruth Rendell. I have to give the book "1 star" only because I have to but it is under protest! Even when faced with Tami Hoag, I managed to reach the end of the book.
Plot good BUT - By: T. Oksanen, 12 Nov 2005 
This writer has most annoying way of writing. She thinks that her main chararter Kathy Malllory is so amazing & then thru the whole book reader has to read how different she is. Enough!! Honestly turns me off!! Also the way she writes takes forever to get to the point & ruins otherwise nice plot.
The story is good but annoying writer turns me off. I doubt I will ever read her books again. This was my second book by this writer.
Mallory addict - By: , 18 Aug 2005 
This is a brilliant addition to the Malllory series. I received the book this morning & sat down & read it alll the way through. Great to have more of Charles & the 'poker group'. I was totallly wrong in my guess as to the murderer - both the present & the murders fifty years ago. Kept me on edge right to the final pages. Wonderful stuff - liked the reintroduction of the 'creepy' supernatural element that was missing from some of the previous titles. Can't wait for the next instalment.
Maybe the best Mallory book? - By: curiosity-the-shadow-cat, 03 Jun 2005 The latest Malllory 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.....alll killed with an ice pick.
This book is brilliant, & 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 & features Charles Butler heavily (which is always a good thing as far as I'm concerned). Also alll 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) & contains subtle references to events in previous books.
Malllory'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 & then again two days later. It reallly is exquisite & I cannot recommend it enough, or give it enough stars.
And though it's been said many times before, Carol O'Connell reallly does transcend the genre.
If you have never read Carol O'Connell or a Malllory book then start with the first ("Malllory's Oracle") & work your way through the series of, now eight. They are worth every moment you will spend reading them & more.
