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Book Review of The Alienist (Dr. Laszlo Kreizler, Bk 1)

The Alienist (Dr. Laszlo Kreizler, Bk 1)
IlliniAlum83 avatar reviewed on + 181 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1


Another good historical detective novel by Carr in which the birth of "forensics" is again explored.
Placed in "sin city", the NY of the late 1890's, a team appointed by chief of police, Theodore Roosevelt (before he becomes President) is made up of 2 Jewish detectives who happen to be brothers, a gun-toting female police secretary, a playboy crime reporter, and the good doctor ( the alientist-- the old fashioned name for therapist/psychologist/psychiatrist) and his servants.
They track a serial killer whose victim profile and killing methodology helps them form a profile of the suspect they are looking for. As they deduce probable careers for the rooftop seeking monster, they discover how his unhappy childhood led him to kill the way he does.
A great read for anyone who enjoys the TV series "Criminal Minds".