The Chalk Man: A Novel

The Chalk Man is a fun read with some twists and turns. This was more mystery than thriller, but with some exciting moments here and there. What you have here is a story told in two timelines - 1986, when Eddie is twelve years old, and 2016, when Eddie is 42 years old. That childhood summer is a hazy memory of bikes and hot days, but with more than one odd and frightening event derailing the pre-adolescent lives of Eddie and his friends. 30 years later things have come to head, and it's time to look back at that summer from their adult perspectives. The environment is certainly fun, taking place in an English village, which is a new and interesting view of the eighties nostalgia movement.There is more than one story and mystery that evolves within the pages and the ending is mostly satisfactory on all accounts. I've read lots of (positive and negative} reviews that comment on this book's similarities to some current and cult favorites (Stranger Things, It [most likely based on the success and style of the recent movie release], Stand By Me/The Body, etc.). I do agree this book is an ode to Stephen King, with nods in his direction at most of the climatic scenes. That being said, it has its own original flavor and I think that some of the events are more coincidental than homage, perhaps a victim of how the story should unfold. If you love eighties nostalgia, coming of age, and life-long mysteries, than this book is for you. Even if you've seen and read all of the potential referenced media, you will be in for fun surprises and an ending all its own.If I had a complaint at all, it was Eddie's very personal role and involvement which is perhaps both peripheral and inessential. I'm still considering his role, as well as the role of the other characters, and deciding what I think. It's the title of the book and the related games of the children that make me pause, trying to perhaps make more of something than there is to begin with. It's a difficult position to explain without giving spoilers about characters and happenings, which is the worst a reviewer can do to a reader. So read for yourself and see what you think about how everything connects.The book on its whole is somewhat sad and less fun than those above-referenced books, leaving me with a feeling of wanting more. I wouldn't rate this lower than four stars, however, because it's a proper mystery and well written. I did not walk away angry with the ending or frustrated with plot holes. I suppose in hindsight I shouldn't overthink this one, and just try to enjoy it as it is. Days later this book has stayed with me as I ruminate over the details, so for that, it's definitely worth the investment of time.

Excellent read, very well written. Kept me guessing all the way through. I look forward to reading more by this author!

The Chalk Man was one of those novels that started popping up everywhere I looked. It was on Pinterest, Facebook, my Amazon account, everywhere! People claimed it kept them up at night, that if you are only going to read one book this year (the horror of only reading one book in a year!!) it should be this one. Ooookay, consider my interest peaked. I caved in and purchased The Chalk Man.Personally, I thought it started out slow, and remained slow. As readers, we follow Ed's story, from  when he was a twelve year old, to the present time of 2016. There was a theme in this book of digging up the past. This seems to be a common theme in books I'm reading lately. This one was laced with a bit more mature themes, sad and serious. Ed came across more than any 12-year-old boy should.The end left me sad.... in fact, the entire book left me feeling moody and unsatisfied, which may have been the point. It was a well-written novel, and everything seemed to come to a close, but it didn't seamlessly come together. I suppose, such is the way in life. However, I wouldn't say it ever kept me up at night, and I would definitely not say if you are only going to read one book this year, make it this book.All that being said, I did enjoy the read. The characters developed well, the story was full of twists, and I thought it was interesting to flip back to when Ed was 12 to when he was an adult, looking back at what all he was exposed to but may not have understood at that point of his life. reviews at Amy Reads It, amypauline.com Read more

I mean no disrespect by calling this “Stephen King fan fiction.” I don’t think the author was hiding it either, although “homage” might be a nicer word. There are hints and nods towards “The Shining” and “Salem’s Lot,” but the clearest reference is to “It,” with the jumps between 1986 and 2016, the makeup of the gang, even the characters’ personalities themselves. There are also aspects of Tana French in there. I’m assuming others have already noticed this, so I won’t dwell on that too much. I’ll also try not to spoil it for others who want to read it for themselves.I like that this book was a quick read, something you can finish on a flight or in a few hours on a lazy day or, in my case, when my reading had stalled for months and I needed something to jumpstart it again. It doesn’t weigh down the story with unnecessary flourishes, and its characters are relatively well fleshed-out.I wasn’t crazy about the cliffhanger endings to nearly all the chapters, though. The author even makes an observation about cliffhangers that is perhaps a bit self-conscious. I know authors want us to keep reading, and we will if they keep the plot going. Cliffhangers are just too easy and, at times, unnecessarily melodramatic, especially when the result is a red herring. If you read this book relatively quickly, these cliffhangers start to become predictable.Tudor leans a bit too heavily into Stephen King territory at times. Perhaps readers who don’t know King’s stories will be fine with it. But, as the story ends, Tudor really surprises. It’s almost as if King was a crutch and, by the end, Tudor was ready to take it off. As I believe this is her first book, I am cautiously optimistic and will venture to pick up the next one. I hope the crutches are off by then because there’s clearly a good author in there somewhere who knows how to plan a story. She just needs to be herself more and not be called “The British Stephen King.”

Still ready The Chalk man on my kindle....so easy to find and pay for a book on my Kindle through Amazon.

Another great read. Easy to read and fast paced. Clever twists and turns and I look forward to reading more of her books. Great author. You won't be disappointed

Se lee en dos tardes, es una pequeña maravilla si te gustan las historias de asesinos misteriosos. Con su puntada final y todo.

I thought that I would regret buying this but it was the opposite. CJ Tudor is the next Stephen King

After The Taking of Annie Thorne the second book by Tudor that I've read and I can't decide on which one I enjoyed more! Her storytelling is captivating and she unfolds the story in such a nice way. Not too slow yet not too quick. And with Tudor there are always multiple unexpected plot twists that keep you hooked the entire time! I will definitely order another one of her novels!