The Chalk Man by C.J. Tudor
Review by Lauren
source: copy from BloggingForBooks; all opinions are my own
Official Summary (add to Goodreads): In 1986, Eddie and his friends are just kids on the verge of adolescence. They spend their days biking around their sleepy English village and looking for any taste of excitement they can get. The chalk men are their secret code: little chalk stick figures they leave for one another as messages only they can understand. But then a mysterious chalk man leads them right to a dismembered body, and nothing is ever the same.
In 2016, Eddie is fully grown and thinks he’s put his past behind him, but then he gets a letter in the mail containing a single chalk stick figure. When it turns out that his friends got the same message, they think it could be a prank–until one of them turns up dead. That’s when Eddie realizes that saving himself means finally figuring out what really happened all those years ago.
Review: I was immediately excited about this book when I read the summary, and boy was I right to be! Even if you think you know what’s going on, I dare you to guess all the little twists and turns that The Chalk Man throws at you.
This book goes back and forth between 1986 and 2016, following the character of Eddie in both time periods. There are mysteries in the past and present, and some that transfer over from the past to the present. I just loved all the different reveals; it made the book just that more exciting to read. The basics of this book is that in 1986, someone is found dismembered and the town all automatically choose the culprit. Eddie is never terribly convinced though.
The Chalk Man: A fascinating, shocking mystery that you must read! #ontheblog #bookreview Click To TweetIn 2016, one of his old friends is back and telling him he knows who really killed that person years ago. Besides that, and what the summary tells you, it’s hard to really give much more information because I don’t want to spoil anything in the book. There is a lot of chalk drawings in the book, but The Chalk Man is actually a specific person in the story. Granted, you have to read it to find out just who that is!
What I found fascinating about The Chalk Man – among many others – is that Eddie might be the protagonist, but that doesn’t make him the hero. There are many things that he’s done that come to light throughout the book, and I’m sure you’ll be quite shocked to learn about some of them.
And to finish…what until you read the final pages of The Chalk Man. Just…shocking, and amazing.
The title already grabbed my attention, but this story sounds fantastic. I really enjoy a book that can keep me guessing. Hugs…RO
I had heard of the book before because if I remember some kids around the world were doing crazy stuff because of the book. Sounds like a good read.
This sounds so interesting! I haven’t read a mystery like this in a long time!
I really enjoyed this one as well. I was surprised to have the French translation that early.
This book intrigued me when I saw you mention it on Instagram recently. That does it–adding it to my library list immediately. I love a book with twists, and you sold me on the ending 🙂
This is new to me but it sounds fantastic! Wonderful review!
I was a teenager in the 80s so I’m always attracted to books that are set during this time period. This one sounds very intense!
Oh this looks like something I would love!
This sounds like a book I need stat! Cant wait to read it!
This book def. has some suspense and I’m wondering what the chalk figures mean that they all received.
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
Wow! This sounds gripping! Thanks for sharing it!
Sounds nice and twisty and I love when the *hero* isn’t always what you think he should be.
Karen @ For What It’s Worth
This sounds like a great read! I’ve been branching out and trying new genre’s and looking for recommendations.
Ooh I am SO intrigued! This isn’t typically my genre–thrillers/mysteries always catch my eye and then I end up not liking them, but this sounds different from anything I’ve read!
My sister is about to have surgery and loves mysteries. I’ll have go get this one for her to read while she is recovering. Maybe she’ll let me borrow it when she’s done!
Aw, that’s sweet of you. I hope you BOTH enjoy it and your sister’s surgery goes well.
I love suspenseful books! I might need to pick up a copy of this.
Titles and covers are so important. They make me take a book off the shelf and if it gets into my hands and the first page grabs me, I can’t put it back. Chalk Man is in stage one right now.
I grabbed this one after reading all the brilliant reviews. I am really excited for it. It kind of reminds me of IT by Stephen King.
Oh yay, glad to hear you enjoyed this one. I thought the blurb sounded so good that I entered a giveaway hoping to win a copy but then also requested it from my library.
This book sounds like quite the page turner!
Oh, this sounds like a great read!
This definitely sounds like an interesting (and creepy!) read! I’m adding this to my to-read list! I really like the synopsis! :]
I’d seen this book around, but haven’t given serious thought to picking it up. I know I have to read it now! Sounds like a great mystery! I love it when a book keeps me guessing! I’ll look up an audio copy. That’s the best way for me to squeeze in a read. Wonderful review, Lauren! 🙂
I really enjoyed this one, too! I especially like the “goonies” vibe I got from the kids — even though there was so weirdness amongst them…
Oh wow, sounds like such a thriller! Nice synopsis and review, I’ll have to add this to my goodreads list 🙂
Adding it to my list! Loke a good recommendation, especially a thriller!
Okay, you got me hooked!
I haven’t heard of this one before but it sounds like a great mystery/thriller. And I love those morally grey characters – when the “hero” isn’t necessarily heroic.
I love how much you loved this one! It is a sign of a great mystery to me if the twists and turns really do surprise you. Great review!
I heard this author interviewed on a podcast and the book sounds incredible. Can’t wait to read it!
Oh a shocking and amazing ending! I like those. Sometimes far too often books have endings that seem way too obvious and dull. Thanks for sharing your review!