honestly, one of the best books i've read in a long time. there are times where there is a lot of techincal medical jargon, but you make your way through it just to see what will happen next. many a night has been spent with a room full of friends trying to figure out who would play what character if they ever decided to make it into a movie. if you are interested in forensic pathology, this is definitely a book for you. you should also invest in angel of darkness as well. it's a continuation of the same characters in a different case, but just as engaging as the alienist.

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In the spring of 1896 the New York City police department is faced with a dilemma. Someone is mutilating and murdering young male prostitutes. Commissioner Theodore Roosevelt brings together Dr Laszlo Kreizler, a controversial profiler (aka alienist), John Moore, the police beat reporter for the Times, and an assorted cast of trustworthy detectives and friends to take the case. Can this team of unexpected investigators find the murderer before he strikes again??

Overall, I enjoyed Carr's vivid description of turn of the century NYC and his ability to write in response to the time period's needs. I don't think he missed a single detail. The ending was slightly anti-climactic though I would not hesitate to recommend the book to anyone interested in this type of novel.

The Angel of Darkness is more adventures of this funny, endearing group of characters. Sorry, had to get that recommentdation in too!

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I love historical fiction and felt that Caleb Carr did a great job of transporting me to 19th century New York City, particularly the idea that this type of psychological analysis of a killer was breakthrough detective work of the period. Suspenseful read and many interesting and sympathetic characters.

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I read The Alienist with my face-to-face bookclub this month and was immediately excited for a couple of reasons. First, we needed a change, having focused on "issue" books primarily, and second, I love serial killer mysteries. There's nothing like a great thriller to keep you company on a rainy afternoon. And this was no exception.
It's Spring, 1896, and the New York City police department is faced with a dilemma. Someone is murdering and mutilating young male prostitutes. Commissioner Theodore Roosevelt brings together Dr. Laszlo Kreizler, a controversial profiler (aka alienist), John Moore, the police beat reporter for the Times, and an assorted cast of trustworthy detectives and friends to take the case. Can this team of unexpected investigators find the murderer before he strikes again?? Guess you'll have to buy the book to find out...

Overall, I enjoyed Carr's vivid description of turn of the century NYC and his ability to write in response to the time period's needs. I don't think he missed a single detail. The ending was slightly anti-climactic though I would not hesitate to recommend the book to anyone interested in this type of novel. I'm on my way to find The Angel of Darkness for more adventures with this funny, endearing group of characters.
AMAZON.COM READER'S REVIEW

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Very well-written book. Full of mystery, the haunting sites and sounds of a day gone by, and a clever hero who clutches the reader and takes them on a wild ride into one of the strangest crimes to haunt New York City in history.

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This book will leave you spellbound until the last pages as a who done it at the turn of the century. The members of this group of detectives and the new head of NY's police dept, Teddy Roosevelt, really become a team utilizing a new method to solve the killer of young boys as it drags you through the seedy bars and sex dens of the period. History, science, psychology, and good police work will keep your eyes glued to this book, and guarantee you will be recommending it like me.

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Love the historical fiction!

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This is a terrific, atmospheric, book on the detective work involved in hunting down an insane killer who can pass for normal while he selects his innocent victims. Caleb Carr writes with such skill and empathy that you forget it's fiction! Don't let the length deter you - that just means there's more to enjoy! A tight-knit group of friends all follow a psychologist Dr. Laszlo Kreizler (psychologists were known in those days as an "alienist" since people with mental problems were "alienated" by society.) It's practically a Patricia Cornwell book in early-New York clothing. This is just a wonderful, intriguing story which will leave you well satisfied that this was a good way to spend your time.

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Hard read, I couldn't get into it at first but I finished it and it was good.

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A very good historical mystery/ thriller. The Alienist is a profiler trying to locate a serial killer in NYC during the days of Teddy Roosevelt's tenure as chief of police.

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it's been a very long time since i read this, but i remember enjoying it immensely

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Set in New York City in 1896 Police Commissioner Theodore Roosevelt is up against a killer who preys upon young male prostitues. Set against the backdrop of police corruption and disparities of rich and poor Roosevelt turns to a renowned "alienist" Dr. Laszlo Kreizler to help him "profile" the killer. The pyschological profiling of murderers is still in it's infancy and a note in the beginning of the book states that prior to the 20th century experts who studied mental pathologies were known as alienists.

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If you like history, mystery, and psychology you will like this book. A great story with some unexpected twists in 19th century New York City. Enjoyed it a great deal.

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The 1890's was a period of incredible change and New York City was a center for a lot of that change. The Alienist is essentially a murder mystery set during this time in New York City, but it is much more than that. An alienist is the term used for a psychiatrist, in that time when psychiatry was barely recognized as a science, if it was recognized at all. This story weaves the many changes in attitude towards women, classes of people, law enforcement, with the physical changes taking place in the city of New York. This is a very enjoyable read.

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I found this book fascinating and could not put it down. I loved the CSI aspect of it, especially the historical details of how psychological profilers worked a century ago. I loved the detail Carr went into and even the side stories had me on the edge of my seat. I simply didn't want the story to end.

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