Book Review: The Body Reader by Anne Frasier

 

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Content Warning: death, violence, murder, kidnapping, grooming, minor/adult relationship, rape, sexual assault, misogyny.

It's been three years since Detective Jude Fontaine was kidnapped. And for the entirety of those three years, she's been kept in a tiny cell, in the darkness, her only contact with humanity her captor. Now that she's finally free, Jude finds herself able to read people's expressions and emotions with ease, in spite of her disconnect with her own feelings. Hoping to turn this darkness into something that can help others, Jude fights to get back onto the Homicide team, and along with her new partner, Uriah Ashby, seeks to uncover a murderer and kidnapper of teenage girls. But what if this murderer is closer to home than any of them could possibly imagine?

I don't read thrillers as much as I used to these days, and to be perfectly honest, I've been missing that particular feeling you get when you pick up a good mystery. Since The Body Reader has been on my list for quite a while, I figured it was about time for me to pick it up and give it a chance! My initial interest in this series (yes, there are two other books so far) had to do with its intriguing premise and the fact that it seemed as if Detective Fontaine might be a riff on the ever-popular, inimitable Lisbeth Salander.

The idea of our heroine having been kidnapped herself is a fascinating concept that Frasier delivers on. While Jude is mostly concerned with trying to capture a possible serial killer, she's also dealing with her own problems and the way her experience has changed her. Instead of trying to go back to being the "old Jude," she makes an attempt at embracing this new version of herself, however difficult it is for her to let go of the past. But the past is determined to insert itself into her life, no matter how much she wishes to move on.

There are some similarities between Lisbeth and Jude (a checkered past, alleged instability, trauma that both strengthens her but makes it harder for her to reach out to others), but, thankfully, she is not a carbon copy like some other characters. Her perspective is unique now because she has been a victim, and because she can read others as easily as reading a page; she struggles to connect or understand her own emotions, but she's motivated primarily by kindness, by the desire to both put away evil and to do some good in this often too-cruel world. I liked her partner well enough, and he has his own conflicts he's struggling with, but he was never as compelling as Jude.

My only real complaints with this novel mostly concern the ending. This book is full of high-risk and lots of building tension, but in a strange way, the climax was a little disappointing. It was too quick, especially considering how much attention and detail were put into every other aspect of this book. It felt too easy, particularly since the stakes are just so damn high with what Jude and Uriah end up dealing with. My other problem is one that I can't fully discuss in a review like this, at least not in a way that does it justice, but I was bothered by Uriah's comments about people hating the police. Does he not, perhaps, think that there might be a reason why 80% (I believe that's the percentage he states) of the public have a negative view and experience with police officers? 

All in all, though, I think this was a fun experience and I would recommend it to others. I enjoyed the plot and pacing, but it's Jude that makes this worth reading, and it's her that makes me want to continue on with this series. Definitely look into this if you're interested in mysteries, and especially if you are a Lisbeth Salander lover like myself!