El artista de la muerte

Kate McKinnon #1

by Jonathan Santlofer, Mercè Diago (Translator), Abel Debritto (Translator)

Un asesino en serie tiene aterrorizado al círculo artístico neoyorquino. Uno a uno, los cuerpos de las víctimas son hallados recreando el cuadro de algún pintor reconocido.
Kate McKinnon, una ex-policía convertida en reputada historiadora de arte, deberá resolver quién es el asesino en una carrera contrarreloj, ya que no hay duda de que ella es la última pieza de la macabra colección de éste. Un thriller inteligente que ahonda en las complejas relaciones entre éxito y fracaso, muerte y deseo.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Thriller, Crime, Suspense, Horror, Art

496 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Jonathan Santlofer is the author of five novels and a highly respected artist whose work has been written about and reviewed in the New York Times, Art in America, Artforum, and Arts, and appears in many public, private, and corporate collections. He serves on the board of Yaddo, one of the oldest artist communities in the country. Santlofer lives and works in New York City.

Reviews

[Tore Boeykens · Rating 2 out of 5]

Volgens mij ben ik klaar met misdaadthrillers

[Lauren Mitchell · Rating 1 out of 5]

When I picked this up I thought it would possibly be a bit trashy but entertaining. I was wrong. It was totally trashy and not entertaining.

The brand name dropping was reminiscent of someone trying to pretend they got what Bret Easton Ellis was doing with that in American Psycho. For a book that was clearly pushing the 'smoking is evil and gives you cancer' angle, maybe the author shouldn't have mentioned Marlboro like he was getting a blowjob for each mention.

I finally pitched this waste of paper into the recycling bin when I got to the part where the female main character muses on how she feeds her husband's secretary chocolate truffles to make sure she stays 'plus-sized', and hopes that said secretary stays in her role until after retirement age. Because of course if the secretary is fat and/or old, the husband won't fuck her. I can deal with thrillers being trashy and derivative but piling on the misogynistic body shaming was just too much.

I am rating this one star because unfortunately the rating system doesn't go into negative numbers. Beauty school dropout, go back to art college.

[Tanya · Rating 2 out of 5]

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.

[Yiota Vasileiou · Rating 4 out of 5]

«Ο καλλιτέχνης του θανάτου» είναι το πρώτο βιβλίο του καλλιτέχνη που έγινε συγγραφέας». Εγώ όμως το διάβασα αμέσως μετά τις «Σημειώσεις για δολοφόνους» το οποίο με ξετρέλανε και ενώ μου άρεσε πάρα πολύ, δεν ένοιωσα τον ενθουσιασμό που μου χάρισαν οι «Σημειώσεις». Το μυστήριο ήταν αρκετά ελκυστικό ώστε να με κρατήσει προσηλωμένη στην ανάγνωση. Μάλιστα το στήσιμο της πλοκής γίνεται με φόντο τον κόσμο της τέχνης, μέσα από πολύ ενδιαφέρουσες ιστορικές αναφορές για καλλιτέχνες και το έργο τους. Ο Santlofer γνωρίζει την καλλιτεχνική σκηνή της Νέας Υόρκης και φαίνεται. Αναπνέεις, ακούς και μπορείς σχεδόν να αγγίξεις την ατμόσφαιρα των γκαλερί, των μουσείων και την ιδιαίτερη ατμόσφαιρα των ανθρώπων, σε αυτόν τον κύκλο. Τώρα που έχουν περάσει μήνες από τότε που το διάβασα, θεωρώ ότι το αδίκησα – ή ίσως να αδίκησα τον εαυτό μου - που δεν άφησα να περάσει λίγος χρόνος πριν το διαβάσω.

[Eos BookCar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Un thriller che avevo trovato tempo fa al mercatino, con un titolo ed una trama quasi identici ad un altro thriller che avevo letto anni fa, in cui c'è un fattore in comune, le scene del crimine si ispirano a famosi dipinti.
Una ex poliziotta, ora esperta d'arte, dovrà lottare contro il tempo per fermare un pericoloso serial killer.
Finale non scontato, buone le descrizioni degli ambienti e personaggi ben delineati.
Interessante anche per chi, come me, capisce poco di pittura.

[Auzin · Rating 3 out of 5]

entertaining but hard to follow

[Julie Doan · Rating 2 out of 5]

2/10 loved the concept but having 3rd person AND 1st person pov was too much and the death artist being who it was made no sense

[Pianobikes · Rating 4 out of 5]

“En primera plana, nada menos. Quienquiera que dijera que una cultura recibe lo que se merece no andaba desencaminado” ~ El artista de la muerte de Jonathan Santlofer.

El artista de la muerte es la primera entrega de una saga protagonizada por Kate, una experta en arte y que ha trabajado como policía. Ahora, la vuelven a reclamar para unirse a un equipo que está investigando la aparición de cadáveres en escenografías que imitan a cuadros famosos. Así que ya os podéis imaginar de qué va la historia: psicópatas y un juego de gato-ratón entre el asesino y Kate ya que le va enviando pruebas que ha de resolver antes de cometer el crimen. Muy peliculero.

Siendo el comienzo de una saga, ya sabemos que el libro va a ser de difícil arranque porque hay que conocer a los personajes y ver dónde se sitúan. A partir de ahí todo va rodado aunque en esta historia en particular ha costado pillarle el punto al estilo. No me digáis por qué pero en el comienzo andaba perdida y no era cosa mía porque mi compañera de lectura estaba igual que yo. Eso sí, una vez que le pillamos el punto nos ha durado un suspiro y ya nos hemos volcado en Daltónico, la segunda entrega, y que tiene el mismo aspecto de libro usado de biblioteca que El artista de la muerte. Supongo que eso es por algo.

La historia no está mal, tiene partes muy peliculeras y nos han quedado algunos flecos y bastantes preguntas sin responder pero la verdad es que lo hemos pasado tan bien que nos ha dado un poco igual. Creo que echábamos de menos una novela negra con investigación y que no fuese un desfile de posibles sospechos sin ton ni son y, además, no hemos acertado con el culpable ni de reojo.

[Πάνος Τουρλής · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Shiela · Rating 5 out of 5]

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…

[Ed · Rating 3 out of 5]

#1 in the Kate McKinnon series. I'll give the series another chance, but this entry was unsatisfying.

Kate McKinnon is a New York cop turned art historian tracking down a serial killer who mutilates his victims to make them look like famous paintings. While many in the ostentatiously elegant cast of self-serving artists, curators, patrons and patronesses hide ugly secrets, only one takes the idea of the tortured artist to the extreme.

[Prisma021 · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sé que no volveré a leer a Jonathan Santlofer...

[Sophie · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5 If I had to use one word to describe this book it would be “disappointing.” I was very much looking forward to seeing a murder mystery tied into the complexities of art history. There are so many interesting pieces of art history and artists themselves that could’ve been delved into and used to create a unique captivating mystery, but I feel The Death Artist thoroughly missed the mark with this. Though it does of course bring in many aspects of art and some surface level art history facts, it typically veers toward the art ‘world’ or more specifically the rich elitist art society within NYC. I’m not saying that focusing on this aspect makes the book disappointing but it’s explored to an extent that’s simply boring. I felt like I have received more insightful and elaborative art history anecdotes from a tiktok or YouTube video than this entire book. Art history and the actual meaning of each art piece was severely underutilized within the narrative of this novel.

If this wasn’t enough, I lacked any feelings towards the MULTITUDE of characters, most of them practically interchangeable. Our main character seems like a strange mix between a ‘rough former cop’ and ‘rich art socialite’ that was fleshed out very little by the author. Her constant mention of the difference between her and whatever group she’s within gets very irritating and often confuses her character. Many characters lack distinct personalities and the plethora of art collectors, curators, artists, etc. mix together quickly and I often acknowledged many names as something I could forget after a couple pages without consequence. Which proved very wrong at the end of the novel.

The ‘big reveal” of the death artist was beyond disappointing and frankly didn’t fit right with me. Maybe it was my lack of interest that made me blind to the foreshadowing, but I didn’t expect it all (in a bad way). Actually, with the strange seemingly random movement of the plot and investigation, I wasn’t able to try and ‘solve’ the case myself AT ALL. I was along for the ride blindly following without any opinions or care for what Kate found out next.

Lastly, most of the suspense and tension was completely ruined with the POVs of the Death Artist and some victims. As the detectives are trying to figure out who the Death Artist is targeting next, where he’s going, how he’s going to kill then….we get a ‘subtle’ POV change to some other ‘random’ character and immediately know it’s the DA’s next victim. I’m addition the DA reveals an OVERWHELMING amount of the mystery in his POVs before the info feels like an actual payoff of investigation and suspense. I get why the author included this because it is interesting to see his “artistic” process, but most of what the reader receives from the POV’s is very dry motives ( if u could consider them that) and some uninteresting and thoughtless backstory.

[Patriii · Rating 1 out of 5]

Libro de 500 páginas que se podría haber contado en 250 de no haber sido por la gratuita concienciación de clases (mal hecha), comentarios de raza que no tenían ningún punto para la historia, comentarios machistas hacia el cuerpo de la mujer (le regala a la secretaria de su esposo chocolates para que engorde y no se la quiera follar? ¿Me estás vacilando?) puntos de vista que te hacían salir totalmente de la historia y completamente innecesarios, la cantidad ingente de personajes inútiles que se nos presentan para hacer bulto, la sobre explicación de CUALQUIER cosa que se hacía (¿me estás diciendo que un poli de unos 40 tacos no va a saber ni de lejos lo que es el claroscuro??).
La historia estaba TAN claramente escrita por un hombre que daba hasta asco. ¿Comentarios aleatorios sobre el sujetador de la protagonista entrando en una sala donde igual se encontraba al asesino? ¿Continuas frases de parte del asesino sobre lo mucho que odia a las mujeres (súper gratuitamente porque ni si quiera mataba mujeres principalmente)?
La protagonista es una mezcla de clase trabajadora, pero ahora tiene dinero y lo derrocha como nunca, odia a los polis, pero ella fue (y durante el libro es) una...

Vaya que le doy una estrella porque el sistema no me deja dar 0. Una pérdida de tiempo por la esperanza de que igual mejorara... Pista: no.
La revelación del asesino no me puede dar más igual, y la resolución de los hechos también. Además, vaya basura de insinuación de que era el marido el que iba matando, era predecible desde el primer momento que Kate iba a sospechar de él.

Surrealista la cantidad de relleno en el libro para semejante final de mi*rda.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Death Artist combined three things that I love - Thrillers, art, and a badass female protagonist. And it's all set to the backdrop of the New York City luxury art lifestyle.

But it isn't all glitz and glam. This book takes you from big penthouse suites that overlook Manhattan to the darkest hidden corners.

I guess The Death Artist actually combined four things I love. The fourth, and final, being a mystery that kept me guessing until the reveal. I can't help but try to guess the twist the entire time I'm reading a book. It's unfortunate since I enjoy being surprised. I wish I could just enjoy the ride and see how it plays out. I feel like most readers who devour mysteries are the same as me, though. So it's always a delight to read a book that I can't guess. This was one of them.

I was also delighted to discover The Death Artist is the first book in a trilogy involving protagonist Kate McKinnon. I'm not sure how I came to be interested in her character, but I was bummed out when the book was over - until I learned there were two more. Now, I can't wait to jump into those!

If you're into mysteries and have even the smallest interest in art, give this book a try.

4/5 stars because it took me a few chapters to really want to dig into it. It didn't hook me right from the jump.

Memorable Quote: “Artists, they’re vain but insecure. They want attention, like you said, but hide behind their work. They like to be alone, but want their work in the public eye. Artists are all about the work.”

[Olivia · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was ok. I did like the concept of a murder mystery being centered around the art world, and having a former cop turned art historian be the main character for the story. I appreciated Kate’s own expertise being used to solve a crime in which, under normal circumstances, would be very difficult to figure out without knowing anything about art history. I thought from the second chapter that I knew who the murderer was going to be, but I was wrong. Never would have guessed Mills would be the killer, I thought it was going to be Kate’s husband, and I still think it should have been. To me, Mills wasn’t brought up enough throughout the book to even be considered a suspect. I know it’s supposed to be who you least expect, but come on, the husband could have easily been the killer. I also think it would have made the connection he feels with Kate even more chilling, to think that he was married to her and that there was a side of him that she never knew about. All the business trips he would go on could just have been an excuse, and he was connected to all the victims through Kate herself. I think that would have been a better ending but that’s just my personal opinion. I do think it’s interesting that the author himself is an artist, and he gives a very interesting perspective into what the art world looks like and the different types of people that all play their own role within that world. The perspective of the art world was my favorite part of the book.

[L.M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable read which keeps you guessing, but one in which the protagonist is just a little too perfect; it’s as if she can do no wrong - never making a wrong decision, a friend to everyone, super smart, super strong, and obviously ridiculously skilled at anything she needs to be at any given moment. Seemingly, the only thing she does wrong is that she’s a little late to a crime scene and misses the killer, but is this not what the killer wants? I think the point I’m trying to make is that, while she’s pretty cool and likeable, she’s a bit of a Mary Sue and could stand to make a mistake every once in a while.

Overall, I enjoyed the way this was written, and had a little extra fun google image searching the artistic works referenced - it was clear that the author was passionate about art, and wasn’t at all pompous or patronising toward the reader. I’d be really interested to read more of Santlofer’s work in the future, and may even reread this book at some point.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

There’s a murderer preying on the art world. He carefully stages the victims in tableau inspired by classic paintings. This is the world Kate McKinnon Rothstein knows well even though her past life includes the years she spent on the Astoria homicide squad. As you might expect it doesn’t take much for Kate to assume her prior role as an investigator especially when the murderer starts sending her illustrations of the murder scenes.

This is book one in a series featuring Kate McKinnon, a New York tv personality married to a wealthy attorney, and I will definitely be reading the rest of this trilogy especially since books two and three are already on my shelf.

There are lots of art references, a quick pace, and a devious plot—plenty to like in this one.

[Faith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings about this book. The overall plot was rather interesting, a good mystery set in the world of art. It was a fairly typical expert in non-police area helps solve a case. A slight twist was that Kate, the protagonist, was a police officer before pursuing her interest in art history and becoming a well-known expert. At least, she had some idea of how to be semi-competent while working with the police.

What got me bogged down in the beginning of the story was the amount of detail into the world of art. More than I ever wanted to know or really needed for the purpose of the story.

[Ruth Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't usually buy a book that I've never heard of the Author. I buy most of my books at a thrift store. This one day they didn't have any books that I would usually buy and was getting ready to leave when I noticed this book, it looked interesting and it was a hard back in like new condition and only 99 cents. I'm so glad that I bought it because I really enjoyed reading it. Now I need to get Book 2

[Carol Gronli · Rating 2 out of 5]

I hate when this happens. New author, new series, all excited - begins with an okay premise, characters interesting, then BAM the story disintegrates into a contrived mess. The plot wobbled around, the characters went unfocused, and my interest in the story died. I really hate when this happens.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This murder mystery was engaging enough to keep me occupied and distracted from being sick this winter. Read it for the art world setting, which lacked robust details and felt like a schematic org chart listing the players in it -- performance artist? check. curator? check. dealer? check. collector? check. Did enjoy the art historical references being interwoven into the crimes.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75☆
Bit of a busy beginning as the many characters were unveiled. A unique platform, Art vs Real Life and the sinister and twisted mind of the guilty, the massive egos and attitudes of the movers and shakers and the dedication of the hunters.
The pages are filled with suspense, art history and speculation. The reader can't help but see shadows of quilt at every corner.

[Iv Dunkelheit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Si te gustan los libros sobre crímenes obviamente este libro es para ti; te atrapa desde la primera página invitando al lector a poner atención hasta en el más mínimo detalle para tratar de adivinar la identidad del asesino mientras navega entre el drama y la frivolidad del mundo del arte.

Para este agárrate un vinito y unas aceitunas preparadas porque: Amiga, eres arte.

[Marlise · Rating 3 out of 5]

The content and dialogue are just too crude and gruesome for me. Be warned - the murders are very graphic. Written in 2002, I think it hasn’t aged well - I almost DNFd it. But, in the end, I had to find out who the killer was so….

If you like a blood and gore thriller, this is for you. If you are squeamish, don’t read it.

[Javiera Gutiérrez López · Rating 3 out of 5]

Me gustó el libro, aunque el comienzo del libro estuvo muy flojo, me costó demasiado entender de que trataba y como se vinculaba cada cosa, cada personaje, quizás con una mejor introducción hubiese dado 5 estrellas.

[Wayne Kearney · Rating 2 out of 5]

I just could not get myself to care about this main character. She seemed like a spoiled rich bitch that I could never like. I never found any interest in the mystery. The main character (Kate) ruined it for me. I could not finish the book.

[Janice Workman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hard to really get into and stay in it. Just wasn't for me. Characters were okay, but the interactions were dull, slow, and and uninspiring. I set it to the side a few times and picked it up again when I thought maybe I was just tired, but - not the problem. I couldn't relate - enough said.

[Delaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was really good!! It was so well written and an exciting thriller mystery. But as a warning, it is reallyyyy graphic at times which kind of grossed me out. I would recommend if you are into dark murder mystery thrillers.

[Victor Rotaheche · Rating 3 out of 5]

Primera novela de una persona que solía ser pintor e incluso divulgador de arte. En un principio no m estaba gustando nada, pero después... me lo devoré por completo. El final es medio apresurado, pero me gustó.