The Alienist

Great Read...Like CSI NYC - 1896

Wow. What a read. I don't think I've gone through 600 pages faster than I did with "Alienst" over the past week. The story is exciting. The writing is vivid. And the characters are interesting.

Think of this as CSI - New York - 1896. The story: a turn of the century psychologist, a crime reporter, Theodore Roosevelt, and a few other detectives and support staff search for a serial killer who's horribly butchering children in New York City.

There are virtually no lulls in the story, as author Carr drops clue after clue, and slowly builds up an empirical profile of the mysterious killer. There are no obvious points to put the book down and take a breather, as I continuously found myself staying up later and later following each new lead and discovery.

The book is a bit gory. There's nothing held back in the details of bloody murders, and reflections on stories of abuse. If you're able to accept this level of realism, then I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this book.

6 out of 7 people found this review helpful.

Thriller Fans, put this at the top of your lists!

I am typically a very slow reader, but when I get something really great, I go through it too fast. This is one of those books. The characters are compelling, but the plot and setting are so unusual. The historical details are so interesting. It is hand over fist one of the most intelligent thrillers I have ever read. I generally love historical thrillers anyway, but this one is top notch. If you are a fan of the genre and haven't yet read it then this must go to the top of your list!

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

This is a great book. The story is intriguing and the writing st

This is a great book. The story is intriguing and the writing style engaging and fun. The time is 1896 and the place is New York City. Police commissioner is Teddy Roosevelt, the future President of the US. And the search is on for a serial killer of children, mainly young boys involved in the sex trade. The story is fictional but uses real scientific premises and psychological/forensic theories to contextualize the story of the young investigators, including the first New York City Police female secretary. She is also a good shot with a revolver and an early feminist advocate. The murderer is a fiendish, very damaged individual and how the investigators search out clues, tease out his psychology and finally set their trap makes this novel a great read.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Good, but not thrilling enough

Set at the end of the 19th century in New York and with a dark, gloomy Edgar Allan Poe savor, this original novel approaches the crime genre from another angle, profiling, that is, getting into the mind of a serial murderer, step by step through forensic deductive sciences and psychological insights arising from the knowledge and technology available at that time. The plot featured as a blend of historical fiction and psychological thriller, it is well constructed, but it goes at a very slow pace sometimes with very tedious pitfallings. Though in general has a fair resolution, the events that give way to the definition suddenly speed up too much in relation to the very long slow prior structure of the plot, subtly tarnishing the quality of the story overall. Deep and complex requires concentration and patience

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A rewarding read!

I absolutely loved this book!
There is a little bit of everything in this novel--part murder mystery, part psychological thriller, with a generous dose of historical accuracy thrown in. The reader is thrown into New York City at the turn of the 20th century, where the field of psychology is fighting to emerge into legitimacy. A rag-tag team is formed to stop a serial killer brutally murdering child prostitutes using rudimentary criminological science. It's fusion with real characters of the time (Theodore Roosevelt, J.P. Morgan) with an electrifying story made it impossible to put down. I can't wait to read the sequel!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

dissapointing

For a book that i heard so much about when it was published, i was rather surprised to find how dull it was. it's an interesting subject, but the author just couldn't pull it off.

1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Cannot put it down

Marvelous account of the "birth" of forensic psychology in crime solving. Dark, disturbing, and full of intriguing historic detail, plus a team of oddly assorted investigators wjo rival anything currently on television. A fantastic read.

Best book!

Fantastic turn of the century historical fiction.

Awesome page-turner!

Loved this book! I found the story gripping, the plot well-planned, and the book itself written very well. I have never read this author before but am now looking to see what else he has written.

An excellent historical mystery

I've read this book twice now. The depiction of turn of the century New York is richly envisioned. Teddy Roosevelt is fascinating. The characters are fully developed people you can care about.

Its not bad

There are parts when its too narrative and bland. But the exciting parts make it worth it!!!

Love this book

Great book! Was assigned reading in college, liked it so much went on to read the next one

LOVED this book.

Although it was gorey, I loved this book because it also dealt with historical information of the era in which it took place. I couldn't wait to find out WHO the villain was and how it would be handled. I don't normally read daily, but this was one of those books I couldn't put down. I highly recommend it, although it is quite graphic. Not something I would normally read because of the graphic portrayals, but I'm glad I did read it. Excellent glimpse of a really bad era of history when children were treated so terribly and so uncared for.

If you like Sherlock, you will like The Alienist

Oh, how I wish Carr would continue this series. Carr spins a wonderful tale with a diverse array of characters. I actually read the Dark Angel first and was so excited about it, I had to find other books by this author.

Mr. Carr....please give us a few more installments!!

Excellent

I originally read this when it first cam out and recently reread it to see if it held up. Gladly, I found it remains a shining example of the genre. Instead of the familiar whodunit type novel Carr has written a book that goes much deeper, and tries to find the root of why it happens. What events in a man's life could cause him to execute the most brutal of crimes. The book can be dark, gritty and lighthearted in a very short time, but it always feels real. One of the best depictions of turn of the century New York ever.

Great for Histrorical Mystery enthusiasts!!!!

Good book, a bit long winded at times, but built up to a very impressive climax. Great for those who enjoy suspense/historical thrillers and well worth the wait for the end. I might read other books based on the author.

One of the best books I have read

I wont lie when I saw this book in stores I wasn't really sure about it, but then of course I bought it for my nook. I couldn't put it down, the characters, the plot, the mystery, everything about this book sucked me in. If you are a fan of historical fiction at its best I highly recommend this book.

Gripping!

The Alienist is a favorite to which I return time and time again. I find it to be cinematic in its representation of an era in America's past in which uncountable social, economic, and industrial changes occurred. I can only imagine the thrill a film of could provide with the perfect cast and director. I only wish this imagined film production could be realized. What a thrilling film it would be!

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Thriller

The Alienist was just a pick from a used book store.
Couldn't put it down, but made sure the doors were locked
at night.
Very good. Now I am going on line to fine other books by
Carr.

Great Read

If you like histroically styled murder mysteries then this is for you. I read this book not sure what to expect. Once it began I couldn't put it down. It takes place right at the turn of the 20th century when they were devoloping the techniques for what is now typical crime scene evidence collection. Also using psychology as a major part of the investigation. Just read it!!!