The Chalk Man: A Novel
"Want to read something good?. . . If you like my stuff, you'll like this."--Stephen King - WINNER OF THE ITW THRILLER AWARD - WINNER OF THE STRAND MAGAZINE AWARD FOR BEST DEBUT NOVEL
A riveting psychological suspense debut that weaves a mystery about a childhood game gone dangerously awry, and will keep readers guessing right up to the shocking ending
In 1986, Eddie and his friends are on the verge of adolescence, spending their days biking in search of adventure. The chalk men are their secret code, stick figures they draw for one another as hidden messages. But one morning the friends find a chalk man leading them to the woods. They follow the message, only to find the dead body of a teenage girl. In 2016, Eddie is nursing a drinking problem and trying to forget his past, until one day he gets a letter containing a chalk man--the same one he and his friends saw when they found the body. Soon he learns that all his old friends received the same note. When one of them is killed, Eddie realizes that saving himself means figuring out what happened all those years ago. But digging into the past proves more dangerous than he could have known. Because in this town, everyone has secrets, no one is innocent, and some will do anything to bury the truth. Praise for The Chalk Man "Wonderfully creepy--like a cold blade on the back of your neck."--Lee Child "An assured debut that alternates between 1986 and 2016 with unpredictable twists. The Chalk Man fits well with other stories about troubled childhoods such as Stephen King's novella Stand by Me. . . . Tudor never misses a beat in showing each character as both a child and an adult while also exploring the foreboding environs of a small town."--Associated Press "Utterly hypnotic. The Chalk Man is a dream novel, a book of nightmares: haunted and haunting, shot through with shadow and light--a story to quicken the pulse and freeze the blood. A dark star is born."--A.J. Finn, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Woman in the Window
"If you can't get enough of psychological thrillers with sharp twists and turns, you need to read The Chalk Man"--Hello Giggles
"I haven't had a sleepless night due to a book for a long time. The Chalk Man changed that."--Fiona Barton, New York Times bestselling author of The Widow
A riveting psychological suspense debut that weaves a mystery about a childhood game gone dangerously awry, and will keep readers guessing right up to the shocking ending
In 1986, Eddie and his friends are on the verge of adolescence, spending their days biking in search of adventure. The chalk men are their secret code, stick figures they draw for one another as hidden messages. But one morning the friends find a chalk man leading them to the woods. They follow the message, only to find the dead body of a teenage girl. In 2016, Eddie is nursing a drinking problem and trying to forget his past, until one day he gets a letter containing a chalk man--the same one he and his friends saw when they found the body. Soon he learns that all his old friends received the same note. When one of them is killed, Eddie realizes that saving himself means figuring out what happened all those years ago. But digging into the past proves more dangerous than he could have known. Because in this town, everyone has secrets, no one is innocent, and some will do anything to bury the truth. Praise for The Chalk Man "Wonderfully creepy--like a cold blade on the back of your neck."--Lee Child "An assured debut that alternates between 1986 and 2016 with unpredictable twists. The Chalk Man fits well with other stories about troubled childhoods such as Stephen King's novella Stand by Me. . . . Tudor never misses a beat in showing each character as both a child and an adult while also exploring the foreboding environs of a small town."--Associated Press "Utterly hypnotic. The Chalk Man is a dream novel, a book of nightmares: haunted and haunting, shot through with shadow and light--a story to quicken the pulse and freeze the blood. A dark star is born."--A.J. Finn, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Woman in the Window
"If you can't get enough of psychological thrillers with sharp twists and turns, you need to read The Chalk Man"--Hello Giggles
"I haven't had a sleepless night due to a book for a long time. The Chalk Man changed that."--Fiona Barton, New York Times bestselling author of The Widow
BUY THE BOOK
Community Reviews
I love a thriller and this one delivered massively! Mystery and suspense and I did not see the twist at the end coming!
*2.5
I didn't really understand this book and it confused me because I wasn't able to follow all of the different threads.
The main character is not really that reliable and although that isn't a requirement for me to enjoy the book, it made it kind of annoying because I didn't know whether he was a good person or not.
Overall it was a bit boring and the ending was unsatisfying.
I didn't really understand this book and it confused me because I wasn't able to follow all of the different threads.
The main character is not really that reliable and although that isn't a requirement for me to enjoy the book, it made it kind of annoying because I didn't know whether he was a good person or not.
Overall it was a bit boring and the ending was unsatisfying.
An engaging read, starts with a lot of Stephen King structure/allusion (deadlights, rock fight, teacher named "Halloran", and red headed tomboy with abusive father) but strikes out on its own halfway and keeps you guessing till the end.
If you grow up in England in the eighties, and enjoy a good physiological thriller, then you’ll love this! Bumbags, Converse boots and going to the local village fair with your mates. C.J. Tudor has found a way to combine this nostalgia with a gripping tale of murder and suspense. A group of friends (with the best eighties nicknames) face a lot: a religious father with secrets, a big brother and his gang of bullies plus a mysterious albino teacher who always seems to be on the outskirts of all the local drama. On top of this, a seemingly innocent game with chalk gets creepier and creepier once a girl is found dead, and other unexplainable events take place around the village. With lots of plot twists and so many strange, new developments you’ll have trouble keeping up with your suspicions! I listened to the audiobook which was really well read by Euan Morton.
See why thousands of readers are using Bookclubs to stay connected.