SIX CANVASES

by Thomas Bauer

A Manhattan art dealer becomes obsessed with an artist dying young and the enigmatic woman he loved. When he discovers strange canvases the artist hid in his attic, he embarks on a quest to solve the mysteries of the artist's life. The small fishing village the artist lived in, the beautiful Cory Forbes, and the canvases take him on a journey that leads him to the brink of murder.

Paperback

Published December 7, 2021

Reviews

[Book Reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thomas Bauer’s Six Canvases can only be described as enchanting. It follows the life of Foster Benjamin, aka Foss, after he encounters a painter called Tyler Dobbs in the small fishing village of Williamsport. Convinced of Tyler’s genius, Foss offers to sell his art pieces in his New York gallery. However, Tyler dies shortly after, sending Foss into investigator mode. While trying to understand who Tyler was and the scope of his work, Foss makes a lot of shocking discoveries and interacts with a variety of different people. He even embarks on an unexpected love affair. Ultimately, this alters the way Foss thinks and even behaves.

If there is one thing that the author of this book does well, it’s that he keeps readers on their toes. From the beginning of the book to its end, you can’t predict what will happen next – this makes it very entertaining. Not only are its characters complex and fully developed, but the life situations that surround them are realistic. In many ways, the narrative gives readers a front-row seat to their grief, love, remorse, anger, faith, and even confusion.

The language used in this complex book is lovely – it is descriptive and artistic yet light and easy to read. Truth be told, this book reads like an intimate poem. It handles heavy themes like rape, murder, and revenge in an utterly humane way. Readers get to see the characters as who they are without feeling that the author judges them in any way. Even parts of the book make the reader dive into the psychology of the oppressed, who finally lash out at their oppressors. The author helps readers understand the importance of letting go of anguish and what happens if it consumes us.

Six Canvases is a beautifully written book about the human condition that captures how we all grapple with tragedy, loss, career slumps, and relationships. This captivating novel is filled with adventure, mystery, and drama.

[Thomas Bauer · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first decided to read Six Canvases, I didn't immediately realize this was the same author who wrote The Assassin, a book I featured on my twelve best reads of 2021. I knew immediately that I was going to love this book, a psycho thriller, and I did. The main character of Foster Benjamin leaps off the pages. He is clearly defined and when his personality is attacked, it almost feels personal. Little by little, as the scandals and secrets of a village on the East Coast of America come to light, the pieces of the puzzle fall into place, yet there is an underlying sense of mysticism. Is it Foss himself, or Cory the dead artist's model and fiancee, who is possessed? Right up to the final page, I had no idea what was going to happen. Attitudes toward characters changed as they morphed, one moment beatific, the next verging on evil. Once again, Thomas Bauer has produced a book that is unique, disturbing, and thoroughly enjoyable. Lucinda E. Clarke