7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A combination of a graphic and conventional novel, in the context of the NYPD, May 29, 2007
This review is from: Anatomy of Fear: A Novel of Visual Suspense (Hardcover)
Jonathan Santlofer has hit upon an interesting concept, combining visuals and narrative to create novels that are not quite graphic works yet are more than text supplemented with illustrations. He actually incorporates his artwork into the storyline, which works very well in ANATOMY OF FEAR.
Santlofer's fourth novel introduces Nate Rodriguez --- former New York City street cop, current police sketch artist, and son of a deceased NYPD narcotics officer killed in the line of duty. Rodriguez has an uncanny ability to produce amazingly lifelike drawings of unknown subjects, combining his innate talent with a gentle but firm witness-questioning technique. Terri Russo, an NYPD homicide detective, brings Rodriguez into an investigation involving a series of brutal homicides in which the killer leaves a drawing of the murder at the scene of the crime. Rodriguez is a natural for the case, as he is able to intuit elements from the drawings that a non-artist might miss. He must slowly come to grips with the fact that he possesses a sixth sense enabling him to see beyond that which is on the printed page.
Santlofer avoids the easy temptation of turning Rodriguez into Houdini; his visions, if you will, are imperfect, imprecise and only lead him in a certain direction rather than provide him with complete answers. Rodriguez is also assisted by his grandmother, a Santerian practitioner who almost functions as a deus ex machina as Rodriguez closes in on the killer.
Santlofer brings a number of interesting elements to the table here, including Rodriguez's mixed-race heritage (Jewish and Puerto Rican), the simmering attraction between Rodriguez and Russo, and the description of Santerian rituals, including one in which Rodriguez is a reluctant participant. While Santlofer's plotting isn't perfect, his illustrations, which intermittently pepper the text, make up for any deficiencies, as they flow with the narrative rather than interrupt it. Santlofer is a highly respected artist in his own right, and the concept behind the book, as executed here, raises this work beyond the level of an interesting novelty.
The conclusion of ANATOMY OF FEAR leaves the door open for a sequel, which undoubtedly would expose more people to Santlofer's art, both written and graphic.
--- Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Really unique, July 3, 2009
Anatomy of Fear is the first book in a series starring Nathan Rodriguez, a police sketch artist with the NYPD. It's a very different book because it not only details the life and work of a sketch artist, but also has scores and score of drawings by 'Nate' which form an essential part of the plot.
Although the author still has some work to do in character development (he is way ahead of his earlier The Death Artist with this series), the combination of the drawings, the compelling story line, and the numerous side topics covered make this a really distinctive work which I am recommending to all of my crime fiction fan friends.
I want to call out three things that I really like about this book. First of all, the work of a psychologist named Paul Ekman plays heavily throughout. Ekman developed the practice of studying facial musculature movement to ascertain what is really going on in people's minds. It's fascinating work. The author is a big fan of it and understands it well. He gives us enough detail for it to be important without bowling us over.
Secondly, the character of Nate's grandmother is very well developed and she is very interesting. She has the roll that a strong bass player has in a small jazz group; set the pace and keep things moving!
Finally, I love the feel for Puerto Rican culture in NYC portrayed here, especially the detail on Santeria, a religion from the Caribbean. Not since Ernesto Quinonez's wonderful debut novel, Bodega Dreams, has the Puerto Rican culture of New York been so well detailed.
If you're new to Santlofer, the author, start with this series. I'm pushing myself through The Death Artist right now, and it is nowhere near as good as the first two books of the Rodriguez series. I'm looking forward to number three!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
