Helpful Score: 2
'Silence of the Lambs' meets Jack the Ripper (so to speak Reviewer: "seasidewanderer" (Portland, OR United States)
New York City, 1896. A serial killer is on the loose, gruesomely preying upon cross-dressing boy prostitutes. Police detectives are making no progress solving the ghastly crimes. In fact, someone with power or influence seems to be bent on silencing witnesses and thwarting any investigation. Reform-minded police commissioner Theodore Roosevelt (yes, the same TR who later became president), determined to catch the killer, assembles an unconventional group of investigators headed by "alienist" Dr. Lazlo Kreizler. (In the 19th century, when psychology was in its infancy, the mentally ill were considered "alienated" from themselves and society, and the experts who treated them were known as "alienists.")
Dr. Kreizler's team includes his former Harvard classmate, New York Times crime reporter John Moore; Moore's longtime friend, spitfire heiress-turned-NYPD-secretary Sara Hamilton; and two former mental patients who now work as his servants.
To help identify the killer--who leaves behind very few clues, manages to spirit his victims out of locked rooms, and passes through the city unnoticed--the team attempts to develop a psychological profile of the type of person who would be capable of such horrendous deeds. The novelty of their approach does not win them any fans from the mental-health establishment or most NYPD detectives, and throughout the novel, they attempt to keep their involvement secret.
Author Caleb Carr puts his historical background to fascinating use. "The Alienist" is filled with rich details about both the seamier underside and more privileged parts of late-19th-century New York City and the then-novel crime detection techniques. Detectives Lucius and Marcus Isaacson, assigned to assist the investigation, employ the not-yet-accepted science of fingerprinting and other methods of identification in their hunt for the killer.
"The Alienist" is one of the few murder mysteries that I have ever enjoyed reading a second time. The characters are memorable, dryly amusing at times, and always fascinating. Carr portrays his victims as humans and individuals, rather than sensationalizing their professions. The plot, including a race against time once the team predicts when the killer is likely to strike again, moves along at a brisk pace. The historical detail advances the plot rather than bogging it down.
Lovers of historical fiction and detective mysteries will find a treat in "The Alienist."
New York City, 1896. A serial killer is on the loose, gruesomely preying upon cross-dressing boy prostitutes. Police detectives are making no progress solving the ghastly crimes. In fact, someone with power or influence seems to be bent on silencing witnesses and thwarting any investigation. Reform-minded police commissioner Theodore Roosevelt (yes, the same TR who later became president), determined to catch the killer, assembles an unconventional group of investigators headed by "alienist" Dr. Lazlo Kreizler. (In the 19th century, when psychology was in its infancy, the mentally ill were considered "alienated" from themselves and society, and the experts who treated them were known as "alienists.")
Dr. Kreizler's team includes his former Harvard classmate, New York Times crime reporter John Moore; Moore's longtime friend, spitfire heiress-turned-NYPD-secretary Sara Hamilton; and two former mental patients who now work as his servants.
To help identify the killer--who leaves behind very few clues, manages to spirit his victims out of locked rooms, and passes through the city unnoticed--the team attempts to develop a psychological profile of the type of person who would be capable of such horrendous deeds. The novelty of their approach does not win them any fans from the mental-health establishment or most NYPD detectives, and throughout the novel, they attempt to keep their involvement secret.
Author Caleb Carr puts his historical background to fascinating use. "The Alienist" is filled with rich details about both the seamier underside and more privileged parts of late-19th-century New York City and the then-novel crime detection techniques. Detectives Lucius and Marcus Isaacson, assigned to assist the investigation, employ the not-yet-accepted science of fingerprinting and other methods of identification in their hunt for the killer.
"The Alienist" is one of the few murder mysteries that I have ever enjoyed reading a second time. The characters are memorable, dryly amusing at times, and always fascinating. Carr portrays his victims as humans and individuals, rather than sensationalizing their professions. The plot, including a race against time once the team predicts when the killer is likely to strike again, moves along at a brisk pace. The historical detail advances the plot rather than bogging it down.
Lovers of historical fiction and detective mysteries will find a treat in "The Alienist."
Amy B. (BaileysBooks) reviewed The Alienist (Lazlo Kreizler & John Moore, Bk 1) on + 491 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
The Alienist is a 19th century murder mystery set in New York...it's CSI meets Sherlock Holmes.
A serial killer is loose in the underbelly of the city, and a very unlikely group of people band together in an attempt to solve the murders. It's a story about cutting-edge criminal technology: fingerprinting, character profiling, handwriting analysis, creative detective work, and the stealth required to pull off such an investigation without the real authorities catching on.
I found this book to be exactly what I am looking for: 19th century authenticity; a Holmes-like main character with competent and likeable sidekicks, an intelligent investigation, plenty of action, and an overall great plot.
I find this book to be an absolute must-read and I highly recommend it.
A serial killer is loose in the underbelly of the city, and a very unlikely group of people band together in an attempt to solve the murders. It's a story about cutting-edge criminal technology: fingerprinting, character profiling, handwriting analysis, creative detective work, and the stealth required to pull off such an investigation without the real authorities catching on.
I found this book to be exactly what I am looking for: 19th century authenticity; a Holmes-like main character with competent and likeable sidekicks, an intelligent investigation, plenty of action, and an overall great plot.
I find this book to be an absolute must-read and I highly recommend it.
If you are interested in forensics & the beginning of the science of forensics, historical fiction with a great character lineup,& a great murder mystery that will keep you reading then this book is for you. The setting is the turn of the century New York, characters like Theodore Roosevelt, as police commissioner will peak your interest. You are given an insight few will ever know about the seedy side of New York City. You will watch the psychological development of a character who is unknown but is a serial killer. This book is a "hard subject read" because it deals with child protitution, pedophellia, child abuse and murder. Great book to read.
Helpful Score: 1
Love the way this writer writes~ fantastic book!
Helpful Score: 1
This was a great read. Great characterization of what it was like in New York in the late 1880's. Great historical information. The book started out slow but the pace got faster throughout the book. I loved the ending.
Helpful Score: 1
Enjoyable and engaging look at a the beginning of profiling as part of the criminal justice system through historical crime fiction. The characters are complex and interesting, and the story was a fun read. I highly recommend this book!
Helpful Score: 1
Excellent historical novel. It's March of 1896 in New York City. The term Alienist in that time period is what we would call a psychiatrist today. Someone is killing young male prostitutes in a most grotesque and horribly way. A newspaper reporter for the Times, the alienist himself, two police detective brothers and the female secretary from the police department come together as an unlikely team to catch the murderer. At a time when psychology was viewed with great skeptisim by the public they work in secret with the aid of Theodore Roosevelt serving then as Police Commissioner, They seek to know what drives the killer. The brainstorming of these collective minds is nothing short of brilliant. And I learned much along the way.
I very much enjoyed this novel. It was as if I was an invisible participant in the long and tedious process before the aid of technology. The use of Roosevelt gave this fictional story a realism a reader could appreciate. Superbly written in 500 pages that flew by. Criminal profiling at it's dawn. I highly recommend this book. (less)
I very much enjoyed this novel. It was as if I was an invisible participant in the long and tedious process before the aid of technology. The use of Roosevelt gave this fictional story a realism a reader could appreciate. Superbly written in 500 pages that flew by. Criminal profiling at it's dawn. I highly recommend this book. (less)
Very interesting book about early New York.
Best historical fiction I've read.
nice read
DEBORAH D. (maximumverbosity) reviewed The Alienist (Lazlo Kreizler & John Moore, Bk 1) on + 2 more book reviews
This was a very, very good book. Extremely disturbing in parts, gut wrenching.
One of my favorite books!
FYI... mine is a library copy - stamped withdrawn on the page edges.
FYI... mine is a library copy - stamped withdrawn on the page edges.
Read this book some time ago and it still remains one of my favorites. The writing is supurb and the story moves right along
