Άνατριχιαστικό και γεμάτο σασπένς. Ένα κλασικό θριλεράκι του πρωτοεμφανιζόμενου Santlofer που δεν έχει να προσφέρει κάτι ξεχωριστό από τα υπόλοιπα του είδους εκτός από την πρωτότυπη ιδέα: θύματα-αναπαραστάσεις πινάκων ζωγραφικής! Έχει σασπένς, έχει υπόπτους, έχει κόντρα στο χρόνο, έχει παιχνίδι γάτας-ποντικού, έχει serial killer, σου σπάει τα νεύρα όταν όλοοι οι ύποπτοι εξοντώνονται αλλά προσωπικά δεν κόλλησα εκεί. Είναι αξιοπρεπές, είναι καλοστημένο, έχει ζωντανούς διαλόγους και ναι θα το ήθελα σε ταινία. Η αστυνομικός είναι το θύμα-πολύτιμο τρόπαιο που κυνηγάει ο καλλιτέχνης του θανάτου και σε αυτήν απευθύνεται και αυτή θα είναι το κλείσιμο της καλλιτεχνικής του καριέρας. Οι αναπαραστάσεις των πινάκων καλύπτουν όλα τα φάσματα της τέχνης και είναι ανατριχιαστικά στις περιγραφές και στις σκηνές του φόνου-αναπαράσταση. Ακόμη και η λύση του μυστηρίου έρχεται βήμα-βήμα, ακόμη και κίνηση έχει η Νέα Υόρκη1 :) Θα περάσετε "καλά" πάντως και θα μείνετε ξάγρυπνοι για να το τελειώσετε. Η λίστα των πινάκων που διαλέγει ο δολοφόνος (γιατί δεν έχει ένα παράρτημα το βιβλίο; αφού είμαι περίεργος, τι να κάνω):http://el.wikipedia.org/wiki/%CE%9F_%...http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-ent...?www.artchive.com/artchive/T/titian/fl...http://hirshhorn.si.edu/dynamic/colle...http://www.designboom.com/history/bas...http://www.artemisia-gentileschi.com/...Στα ελληνικά από τις εκδόσεις Bell το 2003.
The Death Artist is the first in a series of three books featuring Kate McKinnon, former police officer turned art world darling. After marrying, Kate left the force to return to her first love, art history. Now a well-known figure in the New York art scene, Kate finds herself sucked back into the police world when an art-related pattern emerges in a series of murders that seemed to be aimed at Kate. It takes her vast knowledge of art to reveal the pattern and find the truth behind the murders before she becomes the death artist's next victim.Though the concept is interesting, the execution leaves a little to be desired. Kate is sometimes a little slow on the uptake. As a reader, I was frustrated when she seemed unable to work out the seemingly obvious clues set before her. I also expected a higher quality of writing to convey this high-minded concept, but I suppose an artist can't be expected to be a great writer as well. That's right, Jonathan Santlofer's first creative outlet was art. You can see some of his pieces on the Pavel Zoubok Gallery website.Despite my criticisms, I still found The Death Artist an enjoyable read overall. The mystery was good enough to make me keep reading. I wanted to know how it turned out even if it wasn't the most well-constructed narrative I've ever read. I also continued on to the other two Kate McKinnon books since I already had them.Bottom line? I wouldn't rush out to get the Kate McKinnon series, but I also wouldn't turn it down if someone offered to let me borrow it. If you are intrigued by Jonathan Santlofer and the concept of integrating art into murder mysteries, you might want to bypass his early efforts and start with Anatomy of Fear, the first in the Nate Rodriguez series. From the reviews I've seen, it is here that Santlofer really begins to hit his stride.http://iubookgirl.blogspot.com/2010/0...
What do You think about The Death Artist (2003)?
I found and read this book a few years ago now, back when I was still in high school. When I found it at the second hand book shop I didn't realise it was a series, but honestly, I think this first book wraps it up nicely for me to not want to read the other books, because of how much I really enjoyed this book on its own.At the time (and still now) I find it really hard to find a really well written crime book and this book is definitely one of the very very few crime books I enjoyed. It's different to other crime books because the plot line and not to mention the clues the serial killer leaves behind is exciting and different than other books I've read. It's definitely worth picking up!
—Shellie
I couldn't completely buy into this story. The main character was unbelievable. An unlikely combination of working class cop/high society art historian socialite. The story ran a bit long for me. There was a lot of talk of race and distinctions based on race that felt a bit pointless to me. Maybe the author, who is very familiar with the art world, was trying to paint a realistic picture of the art world and the different subgroups of artists that exist. I don't know but I just felt race seemed needlessly emphasized.
—Tanya
Artist Jonathan Santlofer’s debut novel of suspense, takes the reader into the New York art scene. Ex-cop turned philanthropist, Kate McKinnon, is drawn back into the sleuthing world when a series of ritualistic murders are occurring to the people around her. The victims are gruesomely arranged to look like famous works of art. Suspecting everyone around her, Kate must uncover the identity of the killer before he/she strikes again. Oh, how I do love my serial killer novels. Full of vivid description and plot twists, this original thriller had me hooked from the first page. With my limited knowledge of art (a couple of introductory art history classes), I felt compelled to look up the paintings while reading the book…this really helps with the mental images…
—Shiela
