Color Blind: A Novel of Suspense

In THE DEATH ARTIST artist turned author Jonathan Santlofer introduced readers to ex-cop turned art expert Kate McKinnon. Kate McKinnon is recruited back into the grayish grisly police world after a seriel killer leaves paintings behind as his calling card. As additional incentive for Kate to discover the truth it appears there is a connection between her and the killer. This could be considered a five star thriller for half of the tale. However unfortunately the first half while being a solid thriller in its own right setting up the plot and delving deeper into characterization lacked a certain je ne sais quois. It appeared average, but ironically lacked color making it seem a little drab to Santlofer's debut offering and leading me to have a light feeling of disappointment. Santlofer, it seemed almost tried too hard to tie in the color blind aspect of the novel into his prose too closely, writing cleverly but without neccessarily enhancing the plot in any meaningful way. The second half more than makes up for this slight shortcoming in picking up steam and pace in an almost manic pitch. Without sacrificing any thematical points or writing style Santlofer offers more of the villian's mindset and leaves readers turning pages frantically as the plot thickens(as they say in clicheville). Altogether another nerve wracking and readable thriller from Santlofer again not for the faint of heart but a very worthy read for genre fans, and people looking to fill the void Harris's relatively silent pen hasd left behind.

THE DEATH ARTIST introduced Kate McKinnon, former cop turned polished art historian with her own PBS series. A serial killer who strikes too close to home draws Kate back into the police station and her former life. And she becomes the only one who can find the death artist. Kate returns in Jonathan Santlofer's sophomore effort, COLOR BLIND. Happily married and well respected in Manhattan art circles, Kate has put the previous murders behind her. She is focusing all her time and energy on her marriage, her volunteer work, and her career. But two eviscerated bodies found with oddly colored paintings lead the police to call on Kate's expertise. Despite her reluctance, she agrees to offer her opinion on the troubling pieces of art. And then, before she can extricate herself from the case, she is once again drawn in by a personal --- and devastating --- connection. Grieving and angry, Kate teams up with her former partner, now chief, Floyd Brown to track down the homicidal maniac the police have dubbed the Color Blind Killer. As in THE DEATH ARTIST, Kate's involvement in the case transcends an investigatory role and she becomes pivotal in future crimes. She immerses herself in a world better known to the people who live on the streets or behind bars. She is equally comfortable and believable as a character in the world of cops and socialites. Santlofer has drawn a likeable and convincing female in Kate. Vulnerable, pained, smart and strong, Kate returns to the mean streets of Manhattan in an exciting, fast-paced and worthy sequel to Santlofer's first book. --- Reviewed by Roberta O'Hara

NYPD Detective Floyd Brown does not want to leave the "City" for his old working area, the Bronx, but the two repulsive mutilated corpses are there. The killer has left a trademark at each crime scene, weird arranged colorful paintings. Baffled by the "clues", he decides he needs a consultant and the obvious one is his former partner turned art historian Kate McKinnon who worked on the Death Artist case that somewhat seems eerily similar to Floyd. Kate refuses to get involved as she likes her work, loves her successful wealthy lawyer husband Richard Rothstein, and never fully recovered from the Death Artist investigation though the MO excites her. However, when apparently the painter murders Richard, the investigation turns personal. Now the homicidal artist who happens to be colorblind and the art expert play cat and mouse, but who is really the hunted in this deadly game? This exciting serial killer tale is well written and spiced up by insight into the art world from painting techniques to attending a show, etc. The story line hooks the reader once Kate becomes involved. However, the deranged culprit except for his reaction formation to his only able to see the world in shades of grey comes out of serial killer 101 even similar to the Death Artist as Floyd notices. Still this is a fine thriller enhanced by the "City's" art scene. Harriet Klausner