In this compelling thriller, Jonathan Santlofer has successfully combined two art forms into a novel of “visual suspense”. He’s added graphics to an already compelling story, and added a very interesting twist to the genre. Nate Rodriguez is a police sketch artist who sees and thinks in pictures – a good thing, since he makes his living drawing. As the story opens, Nate is interviewing a crime victim; by ‘seeing’ the young woman’s words, Nate is able to produce an eerie likeness of the bad guy. But soon, Nate is drawn into a case where the killer, a lunatic racist, shares his artistic skill. The perpetrator leaves drawings at each crime scene. So it becomes artist versus artist, and the question is, which man can outwit the other. And which man will survive. Santlofer has created an intriguing world here, peopled with well-rounded characters, and telling a fascinating story. It’s to be hoped we see more of Nate Rodriguez.

Rae Helmsworth