ANATOMY OF FEAR: A Novel of Visual Suspense
Jonathan Santlofer
William Morrow
Thriller
ISBN-10: 0060881976
ISBN-13: 9780060881979

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

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