Book Review: Color Blind

Reviewed By: Pat Reid - RAM

Color Blind     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Jonathan Santlofer
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Woman Main Character   Serial Killer
Series: Kate McKinnon # 2
Harpertorch, 2004, 437 pps.

Kate McKinnon, former policewoman, and now author, art historian and PBS television host is living the good life with her husband when suddenly tragedy hits and turns her life upside down. A murderer is on the loose. He not only kills but also mutilates the corpses. The fact that he leaves a painting at each crime scene brings Kate into the picture. She is called in by the police to consult on the case but soon has a more personal interest in catching this killer.

The killer calls Kate the art her-story-in. He calls his colors by names like razzmatazz, fuchsia and salmon. He has the mind of a child in the body of a man and thinks the only way he can see his colors is through killing and mutilating.

Although the killer shows no mercy to his victims when his true story comes out I couldn’t help but feel some sympathy for him and the tragedy that caused his “affliction” as he refers to his injury.

The author makes several references to events that occurred in his previous book “The Death Artist”. Since I hadn’t read that book I would have enjoyed the current book more if those references had been left out or explained in more detail. Of course, this could be considered a good selling point because I have purchased “The Death Artist”.

Pat Reid - RAM

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Pat Reid - RAM

Please Note: Books reviewed are usually provided by the publisher, author, or an agent. Reviewers usually get to keep the book.