REVIEW:

Here’s a 4-star review with a whole lotta caveats:

• I listened to the audiobook, which has an outstanding, topnotch full cast. Given this novel’s structure as essentially the transcript of an episodic (fictional) true crime podcast or docuseries made into book form, I’m not sure how that translates on the page.

• This is a retelling of Theodore Dreiser’s 1925 classic, An American Tragedy, which I have not read, and which was adapted into the Academy Award-winning film, A Place in the Sun, which I also have not seen. All are based on a real 1906 murder. I suspect if you have any affection for the source material, The Anatomy of Desire might offend by its modernity. Also, the AAT audiobook is 34 hours, compared to TAOD’s 8 hours. Take from that what you will.

• You probably really need to enjoy true crime podcasts and/or courtroom thrillers to gel with this book. If you seek beautiful, thought-provoking prose, keep on browsing.

• Influencers, influencers, influencers. Can you stand them? This story is about a “fitfluencer” who is accused of murdering her girlfriend after she falls in love with another Youtube star. Themes of fame, spirituality, and pansexuality are explored through the lens of fairly vapid characters.

BUT, I was engaged from start to finish. While The Anatomy of Desire’s audiobook was a truly enjoyable listening experience for me, it may not be for you.

PUBLISHER SYNOPSIS:

Performed docuseries style by a star-studded full cast including Santino Fontana, Shelby Young , Marin Ireland, JD Jackson, Dan Bittner, Vikas Adam, Gabra Zackman, Fred Berman, Darrell Dennis, Oliver Wyman, Jonathan Davis, Hilary Huber, and Lisa Flanagan.

For fans of riveting true crime docuseries a la “Serial” and “Making a Murderer,” The Anatomy of Desire is a modern tale of crime and punishment exploring unbridled ambition, blinding passion, and the dark side of desire

Claire Griffith has it all, a thriving career, a gorgeous boyfriend, glamorous friends. She always knew she was destined for more than the life her conservative parents preached to her. Arriving in Los Angeles flat broke, she has risen to become a popular fitness coach and social media influencer. Having rebranded herself as Cleo Ray, she stands at the threshold of realizing her biggest dreams.

One summer day, Cleo and a woman named Beck Alden set off in a canoe on a serene mountain lake. An hour later, Beck is found dead in the water and Cleo is missing. Authorities suspect foul play, and news of Cleo’s involvement goes viral. Who was Beck? An infatuated follower? Were she and Cleo friends or lovers? Was Beck’s death an accident . . . or murder?

Told in the form of an immersive investigative docuseries, L. R. Dorn’s brilliant reimagining of Theodore Dreiser’s classic crime drama, An American Tragedy, captures the urgency and poignance of the original and rekindles it as a very contemporary and utterly mesmerizing page-turner.