Book Review: Color Blind

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

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
Morrow, Nov 2004, $24.95, 352 pp.

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

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner