C.J. Tudor has done a fantastic job of weaving an addicting, mysterious story!

It is the summer of 1986, Eddie and his gang – Fat Gav, Metal Mickey, Hoppo, and Nicky are enjoying their last weeks of summer before school starts back up. They don’t have a care in the world and life is good until things take a turn and their chalk man game takes on a life of its own.

This book alternates between 1986 and 2016. Eddie (Ed) bridges these two time periods. In 1986 he is twelve years old and in 2016 he is a forty-two year old English teacher. Ed is reliving his childhood and trying to make sense of what happened and what those events have to do with the letters he and his childhood friends have received.

I get nostalgic for stories that take place in the 80’s, I’m an 80’s girl at heart, so I love the references to fashion, music, and so on during this time period. We didn’t have handheld electronics devices and the internet was non-existent. In the 80’s kids played outside, rode their bikes, and found ways to amuse themselves just as Eddie and his gang did.

The further I got into this story the more mysterious it got. There were quite a few storylines in both time periods revealing pieces of the puzzle and I was curious how they would all fit together.

When I started this story I was expecting a good mystery surrounding mysterious chalk men. To my surprise this story is much more than meets the eye – it is a coming of age story of friendship, with many important life lessons that can reach beyond the written pages of a book.

I liked the cliffhangers sprinkled throughout the story. I wanted to keep reading it because I wanted to know what would happen next. The ending was a surprise.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review.

Alternating between two timelines, this story centers around Eddie and his childhood friends, Fat Gav, Metal Mickey, Hoppo, and Nicky.  The past focuses on the events that transpired that summer; from the mischief and adventure of their adolescence, to their discovery of a dismembered body. In the present, Eddie is a bachelor still living in his childhood home. One day, Eddie receives a letter containing a chalk man drawing, dredging up haunted memories of a past that was thought to have been put to rest. While uncovering mysteriously drawn chalk man figures, Eddie's ghostly subconscious attempts to make sense of it all. Throughout this novel the reader is drawn into Eddie’s world, but Eddie isn’t the only one seeking answers to the tragedies of the past.

The Chalk Man is a tale that will keep you on your toes until you reach its ending. As the plot thickens, and just as you lead yourself into believing you have it all figured out, Tudor slowly unearthed bits of truth that will leave your head spinning.   To believe that this is a debut is a very hard feat, as C.J. Tudor writes like a seasoned bestselling novelist. This novel gave me the vibes of reading Stephen King. The suspense, the switchbacks, the turns, and the juxtaposition of the characters... Bravo!

I particularly enjoyed how Tudor continuously answered all the questions popping into my head. I love when an author covers all bases; refraining from leaving plot holes. Tudor does this effortlessly, even down to connecting the dots on something as simple as a missing wallet.  The 80’s vibe and music references sprinkled throughout this novel were also excellent additions.

C.J. Tutor’s debut is an enticingly bone-chilling novel with well-developed characters and an intriguing plot. Be forewarned that there are some graphic telling, such as bullying acts, that may make you feel a bit squeamish. Still, no reason to avoid this one. My lack of a star is mainly due to, in my opinion, an implausible ending. While enjoyable, some of the events seemed a bit coincidental and I was left with a lacking feeling of wanting a bit more. All in all, this comes highly recommended and the hype surrounding this novel as a must read for 2018 cannot be more factual. Get this in any way possible, you will not be disappointed.

What a great, creepy mystery, I would definitely recommend!

It’s the summer of 1986. Eddie and his friends are planning a great time: hanging out, riding bikes, and the fair. Eddie’s biggest problem is that his mom forces him to wear his “bumbag” so he doesn’t lose his money. Of course, like any twelve year old boy, he ditches the bag when he’s out of his mom’s sight. Perhaps the event at the fair foreshadows what’s to come that summer, but remember, twelve year old kids are fearless and unfazed.
Multiple factors contribute to the brilliance of this book: characters, setting, unpredictable plotline and of course the writing. There is so much depth to the characters. They are so realistic and timeless; I felt like the author was describing my group of friends back in the 80’s but it could easily have been a group of kids from any time period.
The story is told by Eddie and alternates between the past and the present: summer of 1986 and 2016. Eddie remains in his small town becoming the high school English teacher. One of the old gang returns to town and brings with him the memories and the fears of that summer.
The storyline was extremely unpredictable. There were twists and turns throughout the novel that kept me questioning the characters and their credibility. Who sent the letters? Who drew the pictures? The unknowns in the book drove me crazy!
Finally, the writing, oh the writing!! C.J. Tudor uses descriptive language and literary devices so cleverly in her story telling. She uses vivid details to draw dark and gruesome pictures in some parts, then shifts to poetic descriptions to show sorrow and loss. I was truly pulled into this story because of the writing.
I highly recommend The Chalk Man to readers who love psychological thrillers!
5/5 stars

In 1986, Eddie and his friends are just kids on the verge of adolescence. They spend their days biking around there sleeping English Village looking for any taste of excitement they can get. The chalk men are there secret code: little chalk sticks 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.

It did not take long for me to become engrossed in THE CHALK MAN – it grabs a hold of you on the very FIRST page. Opening with the crime scene – the details of a dismembered body with the dismembered pieces scattered throughout the woods. I LOVED this opening! It had me SO revved up that not only did I read it TWO (2) more times before I continued on - I also read it to my mom, my husband, My dog (lol) and to anyone else that would listen!

The narrator is Eddie. Eddie flips back-and-forth from 1986 (when he was 12 years old) to 2016 (when he is 42). Eddie tells the tale of his childhood friendships and growing up in the 80s – when riding bikes and playing in the dirt were daily occurrences, AND having secret codes, (ie: the chalk men) in your group was a must to communicate secretly. THE CHALK MAN is a fast-paced thriller that’s creepy and twisty and makes you crave more and more of the CRAZINESS,!! Make sure this one is on your TBR list! Buy it, borrow it, go to the library – do what you need to do to get a copy !

This book is fabulous! I haven’t read a book in awhile that has kept me at the edge of my seat like this one. Pure genius! This is my first book by C.J Tudor but it will not be my last. A fantastic suspense thriller with brilliant characters and a super story line . The book alternates between 1986 and 2016. I usually find these kind of books have me confused at what time I am reading in but not with this book. Awesome!

HThe Chalk Man by C.J. Tudor is an intense mystery, part coming of age, part revelation of events children couldn't comprehend or piece together.

In 1986, Eddie and four friends used chalk drawings as a way of communicating. Each friend was different enough to attract incidents of bullying, and the drawings gave them an almost magical sense of secrecy and protection. One day, however, a chalk drawing leads the group to a gruesome discovery that taints their childhood and continues to affect them as adults. Who was responsible for that particular drawing; who led them to discover the body? Who is the Chalk Man?

Twenty years later, Eddie, the narrator, receives a letter containing a stick figure drawn in chalk. The past is not always past, to paraphrase Faulkner. The author moves back and forth in time, alternating between 1986 and 2016.

Everyone has secrets and when chalk figures appear again in 2016, the group of childhood friends, whose remaining attachments are largely a result of the events of that dreadful summer, find themselves nervous and uncertain. The reappearance of one of the old friends who wants to write a book about the events of that summer in 1896 sets in motion another calamity.

Intense and twisty, moving from past to present, The Chalk Man is imaginative and cleverly plotted. An impressive debut that kept me glued to the pages.

Read in Aug.; review scheduled for Jan. 12, 2018.
NetGalley/Crown Publishing
Mystery/Psychological. Jan. 9, 2018. Print length: 280 pages. ad my complete attention from beginning to end! Suspenseful, twisty psychological--an impressive first novel. (full review closer to publication)

The Chalk Man, by C.J. Tudor
Taylor’s debut novel The Chalk Man is atmospheric and truly creepy as it flips from the protagonist’s childhood past in1986 to their present in 2016. The chalk drawings began as a way for the five friends to communicate with each other, but soon became part of a horrific murder. Now, the past is repeating itself and the friends need to figure out who is responsible. Highly recommended for readers who enjoy a suspenseful and riveting psychological thriller.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYWqiVjB9EU&feature=youtu.be

Thank You to NetGalley and C.J. Tudor for the opportunity to read the Uncorrected Proof of "The Chalk Man". This story intrigued me right from the beginning (as very few books really do). Set in both 1986 and 2016, this is the story of one man's coming of age, love, loss, murder, friendship and deception.
The main story is the murder and dismemberment of a young girl during the main characther's formative (teen) years, and how it affected his entire life. Revolving around this plot are stories of the degeneration of one's parents by Alzheimer's, the betrayal of friends, misunderstandings, religious fervor ("it was like fighting a biblical Terminator"), intolerance, deception and many other human foibles - all very well congealed into one (split) narrative.
I would highly recommend this novel to anyone who loves a good book.

I struggle in believing that The Chalk Man is a debut novel for author C.J. Tudor; the writing quality is so excellent you could have told me a seasoned, bestselling author had written this and I would have believed you without question. The complex nature of the story, the insertion of comic relief and dark humor, as well as equal parts action and characterization inserted really made for the trifecta of perfect books. If I could give this novel 100 stars I would do so in a heartbeat! Sometimes you can just tell early on which books will be buzz worthy in the coming seasons, and I truly believe that The Chalk Man will be talked about non-stop by fans looking for their next psychological thriller in the crime fiction realm

A psychotic thrilling murder mystery similar to Gone Girl. The chapters switch between 2016 and 1986 which keeps the pages turning to see how the past affects the present. Then opening prologue takes you into the woods as you gaze upon a dead girl. Someone is touching her hair and then removes the head and places it in a bag. Super creepy and that's just the beginning. We find ourselves in England with five pre-teen kids named Edie, Fat Gav, Mickey, Hoppo and one girl Nicky. They hang out together a lot. They even invented a communication/code game using chalk and drawing chalk stickmen. Each kid has their own color of chalk so they all know who wrote the message. Until of course someone outside their group figures out the game adding even more suspense. There are some graphic parts but they are very much needed to convey the horror. Don't past up The Chalk Man by C.J. Tudor. Grab it, devour it and enjoy the thrill ride.

The sudden reappearance of an old friend and the arrival of a chalk man in the mail sends Eddie spiraling back in time to when it all started…the Waltzer girl, Mr. Halloran, Sean Cooper, the Reverend, and the gradual decline of his father. Eddie is tormented by guilt over what he did and what he didn’t do, but it appears he is not the only one with secrets.
Netflix fans may relate it to Stranger Things….but without the Underworld and with lots of creepy chalk men. The periodic jumps in narrative between 1986 and 2016 keep you on the edge of your seats as you wait to find out what happened next. The writing is polished and the execution perfect that I found it hard to believe it was a debut novel. I loved it and would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a good thriller!

When I was a teenager (and an avid reader even then), I fondly remember devouring every Stephen King book that landed on the bookshelves. Salem's Lot, Pet Cemetery, IT and The Stand are my "classics" and foundation of my reading youth. The reason why I bring this up is, if the author's name was left a mystery, I would have said that Stephen King wrote "The Chalk Man." If I was C.J. Tudor, I would take this as a major compliment. Not only is the writing style reminiscent of Stephen King, but a few things that happened in this book were lifted out of some Stephen King books. Perhaps the author is also a King fan and was paying homage. It didn't feel like plagiarism, it just gave me a feeling of joy and some "aha!" moments and the warm feeling that I still have decades later remembering the Stephen King stories that were so great. There is a scene in this book where a very heated argument takes place at a funeral...and what do you think happens next? Think of the Stephen King book "Pet Cemetery" where passions are heated at the wake for a little boy and a physical fight breaks out. They careen into the coffin as they fight and as it is upended the lid opens and closes a little, revealing a pale hand. I got a thrill when this happened in "The Chalk Man" as I was already sensing and enjoying the "King-like" writing. This funeral incident had to be "King" homage or a major writing coincidence. Some other "King" similarities I picked up on were:

-Eddie Adams is 12 years old when he sees his first dead body. This theme also occurs in the Stephen King novella and movie, "Stand by Me."

-The theme of kids who bond in friendship, the magic of childhood; something bad happens in their youth and they reunite/revisit the situation as adults- reminiscent of the Stephen King book "IT".

The Stephen King similarities aside, this book stands on its own magnificently. There were so many moments when I literally had my mouth open in awe at yet another shocking incident that either opened or closed a chapter. Just to give a general synopsis, in 1986 England, a group of 5 friends on the cusp of being teenagers have a very eventful year. It all starts at the annual fair which they look forward to attending every year (sorry, but I have to bring up Stephen King again...he uses this setting a lot). At the fair, a very shocking and unexpected event occurs, and the book takes off from there. The reference to "The Chalk Man" is twofold; one of the boys gets a mystery birthday gift of a big pail of colored chalks. At first he thinks the gift is lame, until their strange albino teacher Mr. Halloran explains how these chalks can be used as a secret code for the friends to meet up with each other. Then all of a sudden the chalks become the latest "thing," but also become frightening symbols when crude chalk drawings of stick figures portend chilling acts. The story weaves back and forth from 1986 through 2016. Although it is set in England, I kept feeling as though I was reading about a town in the USA.

I started to get a bit inpatient during the last 15% of the book for the murder mystery to finally be revealed. However, the beginning of the book lined up in perfect, beautiful symmetry with its ending to my total satisfaction. This was a very fine first book for an author I will now follow with keen interest.

Many thanks to Crown Publishing who provided this advance reader copy via NetGalley in exchange for my fair and honest review.

Thanks to Netgalley for my copy.

This is a story set in 1986 of a group of friends called Eddie, Fat Gav,Hoppo, Nicky and metal Mickey. Come on who didn't have friends when teenagers with nicknames like these even if they are cruel. Nicky is the only girl in the gang. They communicate with each other by drawing coded messages using stick men and different coloured chalk. This is a story of friendship, teenage angst and loyalty.

Fast forward to present day and Eddie is now a teacher living in his parents old house with a crush on his female lodger. He receives a chalk man through the post and soon his life is turned upside down. His old friends have also received them and they soon realize how sinister this is when one of them winds up dead. The past has come crashing back into Eddie's life with a vengeance.

There are some memorable fantastic characters in this story and I find it so difficult to believe this is a debut book. The writing is unique, original and totally mesmerizing. I loved it, it's gruesome, dark and highly entertaining. Hopefully this author can keep to this standard for the next one and I for one can't wait.

Read/Listened for Review (Publisher)
Overall Rating: 3.75
Story Rating: 3.50
Character Rating: 4.00

Audio Rating: 4.50 (not part of the overall rating)

Quick Thoughts: The complicated and rich characters (not likable but identifiable) are what really stood out to me in this thriller. I had a few problems with the way the story ends and some unverified answers. I do get that happens in real life--I just like my fiction a little more tidy. Just a personal preference. That being said, the story flowed really well. That is hard to do withtwo timelines. It was choreographed well and with the characters really pulling you in, overall this was a pretty good listen! I would read/listen more by C.J.

Audio Thoughts:

Narrated by: Euan Morton/Length: 9 hrs and 50 mins


This is my first audiobook by Euan but it won't be my last. He nailed everything from the little kids voices to the adults. I was impressed with his pacing and ability to bring each character alive. It was very well done!

3rd book of 2018

I had very mixed feelings about this book. When I read the synopsis, my initial thougts were "I HAVE TO HAVE THIS BOOK RIGHT NOW." Creepy randomly drawn chalk men in the woods? Yes please. Coming of age plot with a Stand By Me vibe? I am all in. While the premise is unique and kept me intrigued , there was so much weirdness (and not in a good way). Eddie is seriously disturbed.... how is it that not a single character sees this? With each twist reveal I found myself thinking "I'm sorry, what?" to the detriment of the story,

Now I loved the whole 80s vibe of the book.... my summers were spent riding my bike with the neighborhood pack, going home only once the street lights came on.... so I really enjoyed the feelings of nostalgia I had as I read. Overall, as a thriller, this just wasn't my favorite.

"Look out for the chalk men."

I've seen The Chalk Man featured on several "most anticipated" lists, and every blogger who has reviewed the novel has been enthusiastic in their praise of it. When the publisher provided me a copy of the novel to read and review, I was eager to see what all of the hype was about. I wasn't prepared for the story that I was about to read. I wasn't prepared for the sleepless nights and unproductive days I would spend glued to the pages of the novel. This will, no doubt, be one of the must read thrillers of the year. Just know, you'll have no power in putting it down until you finish. Consider yourself warned.

In 1986, twelve-year-old Eddie and his gang of friends are at the local fair. The waltzer ride malfunctions, sending a car with two girls flying into the pathway. Eddie is one of the first people on the scene along with an odd looking man dressed in all black with white skin and extremely light hair. At the time, both males are hailed as heroes. The man, it turns out, has just moved to town to be a teacher at the school. As time progresses, Eddie and his friends develop a secret code to communicate with each other. They leave little stick figures drawn in chalk for the others to find. The codes start innocent enough, but the kids could never have imagined what would happen if their secret messages could be used by someone else...someone with intentions that are purely evil.

The year is 2016, and Eddie finds himself living in the same house and same town that he grew up in. He watched as his father battled and ultimately succumbed to Alzheimer's. His mother, finally free from the burden of caring for her ill husband, remarried and began traveling. Eddie stayed behind. One day, he receives a letter containing a stick figure drawn in chalk, a haunting relic from his childhood. Eddie thought the tragedies associated with the chalk figures were long behind him. When he learns that each of his former friends received similar letters, he knows those days are back. He must face the realities of secrets he tried to bury years ago.

The Chalk Man is a novel that instantly drew me in and kept be enthralled until the very last page. C.J. Tudor writes chapters that alternate between past and present. I'm not normally a fan of this narrative device, but Tudor uses it to maximum effect here. The juxtaposition between the child and adult versions of the characters brings a greater depth to them, allowing the reader to experience their growth over a longer period of time. Switching between time periods also allows Tudor to end each chapter on a mini-cliffhanger. She deftly pulls the reader deeper and deeper into her eerie story, winding the tension and expectation a bit tighter with each page. Beyond the thriller beats, Tudor weaves in larger themes of love, friendship, and a tense debate of science vs. religion. The Chalk Man concludes with revelations that are sensational, tragic, and completely satisfying to the marvelous story that precedes it. We may only be two weeks in, but The Chalk Man may be one of the best thrillers of the year!

This is a read that doesn't draw you in, it sucks you in like a vortex, takes you on a thrilling, scary, not-to-be-forgotten-if-I-live-through-this ride and shoots you out the other side! WOW!

All of us as children had creepy stories, boogiemen, the man in the mirror, and any number of other things that scared us, made our hearts beat faster, gave us a chill of terror that we could not ignore, and kept us up more nights than we'd like to admit. Well this book is like that too! In fact, it is EXACTLY like that for a group of 4 boys and one girl who are near-teenaged and friends. Told by one narrator, Eddie/Ed, in two time periods, 1986 and 2016, Ed is the one who keeps it real for us, and makes us feel as if we are one of the gang.

As the book starts, they decide to spend the day at the fair. A perfect day, they are looking forward to riding the rides, laughing, eating junk food, and a day full of the exuberance that comes from just being kids. All of that changes in an instant, a very gruesome instant. Mysteries, bullying, secret codes, dead people, and lots of living people who are creepier than they should be, there is plenty here to hold a reader's interest.

It's hard to discuss in depth without giving away any spoilers, and I don't want to ruin one minute of the fun for any reader. Suffice it to say, this book will keep you guessing, make you want to sleep with the light on, and have you wondering how this could POSSIBLY be a debut novel by a new author! Kudos C.J. Tudor - you've got a best-seller on your first try!!

Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, & Crown Publishing for allowing me to read an e-ARC of this book. All opinions are strictly my own.

Edward Adams, who narrates C. J. Tudor's "The Chalk Man," is a forty-two year old English teacher who tells a large part of the story in flashback. In 1986, when Eddie was twelve, he spent much of his time with his best friends, Mickey Metal, Hoppo, Nicky, and Fat Gav in the small English town of Anderbury. It is now 2016, and Ed mulls over a series of eerie crimes that occurred thirty years earlier and were never solved. Readers can play sleuth along with Eddie, but like him, they will find it difficult to separate fact from fiction.

When he was a kid, Eddie did what children usually do. He went to school, rode his bike, hung around with his mates, and collected things. He was both sensitive and observant; therefore, a series of horrific events that he witnessed left an indelible mark on his psyche. Among them were a terrible accident at a fairground; the deaths of several acquaintances; and the tragic illness of someone he loved. The author juggles a large cast and her overstuffed plot involves a fire-and-brimstone preacher who is intolerant of dissent; a woman who helps girls in trouble; a May-December romance; and a number of deaths, some accidental, others intentional.

This book's chief flaw is one found in many debut works of fiction. In an effort to keep us guessing, Tudor throws in so many twists and turns that we soon tire of the far-fetched developments. A few surprises are fine. However, when they are this numerous, they become tedious and irritating. The tone is unremittingly grim, and few of the characters are likeable (some exceptions are Eddie's goodhearted parents and a caring educator). The worst of the lot are selfish, sadistic, and deceitful. Even Eddie admits that he has committed transgressions that weigh on his conscience. By the time the dust settles, we are left with a high body count and a confirmation of the theme that justice is elusive, especially when the police take what they see at face value. "The Chalk Man" is a bleak thriller that focuses on some of least attractive traits of human behavior, such as hypocrisy, selfishness, and vindictiveness. The concluding pages add a macabre and melancholy finishing touch to a novel that is already steeped in misery and grief.