Rating: 
Summary: Wonder Twin Powers-- Activate
Review: I agree with the comments of the other reviewers-- this book is a major disappointment considering the author's previous two novels. Where Carr seemed masterful in his other books describing, in exquisite detail, the historical surroundings in which his characters found themselves, we are treated to none of that in this book. While the premise is interesting, it is certainly nothing original to science fiction fans-- this same premise has been written better and with more style many times before. The worst disappointment has to be the character development (a strong point in Carr's earlier novels). These characters are paper-thin and cliche. Halfway through the novel, I came to the startling revelation that the characters were less like the sort I would expect in a Caleb Carr novel-- and more like what I would find in a saturday morning episode of the Superfriends (I half expected the female romantic interest to whip out a lasso of truth). Galavanting around the world in various unbelievable episodes, these characters were merely plot devices for Mr. Carr's diatribe against our growing ignorance and dependence on "information" from a multitude of sources.
Rating: 
Summary: Run away, run very far away
Review: I have attempted this book three times. I give full credit that sometimes my inital impression of a book is based on mood. Mine. However if they are really good writers they can change my mood. I read this when issued. I read it a year later and I just attempted it again. It does not, like a good wine, improve with age. If fact if I had my choice we would have a neg rating. The book gives the impression of being extremely disjointed. It never comes together into a cohesive whole. Mr Carr is a fantastic historian. His historical characters breathe with a life of their own. The events are page turners and even the slow sections are interesting bits of historical insight into not only the era but the character. Can I apply this to Killing Time? You have to be joking. I had to struggle thru even the fast sections [there were none] The characters had so much personality I was sort of hoping they would have an accident in time and elimate themselves [the butterfly effect] We were not so blessed. This Genre is NOT his strong point. It didn't even make it to a point. If you must, read it in the library and save carrying a book home for one that is worth it. It won't take long I promise you.
Rating:
Summary: He swings and misses
Review: To keep it short- Caleb Carr needs to stick to historical fiction. This novel was well below the standard he created from both "The Alienist" and "The Angel of Darkness".
Rating: 
Summary: Forget his previous novels and keep an open mind
Review: What the heck? Everyone attacked "Killing Time" because it didn't read like Caleb Carr's previous historical fiction works. And while I admit it wasn't as intriguing as "The Alienist" or "The Angel of Darkness," (and fortunately, also not as long), I thought it WAS perfectly acceptable science fiction, albeit clipped, serialized sci-fi. If you read the note at the end of the book first, you'll see that Carr was asked to write a serial story of life in the near future. I thought he did an admirable job with his "internet information controls convential wisdom" plotline. And the ending was surprisingly upbeat considering the apocolyptic tones of the rest of the book. I would've given the book 3 1/2 stars if able because, while "Killing Time" wasn't as good as Carr's first two books, it was perfectly acceptable as science fiction. So keep THIS day job, Mr. Carr!
Rating: 
Summary: Intelligent & philosophical/not a "thriller"
Review: In answer to those who think the writing is too overdone (like Henry James) I say that actually it's not; it's just intelligent. If you are going to converse on important issues you're going to have to use a few three-syllable words. I actually experienced this book through the unabridged audiobook version, and I had no trouble with the language. It sounded like natural speech between intelligent people. I would say that even though there is adventure in this book, it's not trying to ride on it's thrill-level. The best part of this book is cerebral and issues about the shape of the ship are really inane. If a ship's shape matters to you, you might be a little bored with this book. (...) I'm not saying there is no adventure, but you'll have to keep skipping over large parts of the book to get to it and the action will seem rather pointless.
Rating:
Summary: Jules Verne meets George Orwell- and neither are impressed.
Review: Reviewer: Robert Crawford from Hudson, MA
In KILLING TIME, fans of Caleb Carr's seminal thrillers THE ALIENIST and THE ANGEL OF DARKNESS will no doubt experience the same disappointment that I had. When I'd first seen KILLING TIME in the bookstores last year, I was thrilled that Mr. Carr had stretched his wings and attempted science fiction. Since the narrative, characterization and plot in his two thrillers were winners in my book, I figured, How could he fail?
Carr found three ways- With his narrative, characterization and plot. If Jules Verne had been transplanted via time machine to our generation, this is what he would've produced. I cannot fathom why Carr's spaceship/submarine is deliberately made to look like something from a turn-of-the-century silent sci-fi film, nor why the characters speak like Henry James automatons. I picture all of them strutting about in puffy shirts and pomaded hair. Nor can I divine why Carr felt it necessary to introduce his own pet paranoias into a book with such a promising concept. With no solution offered, all the reader is left with is a vague sense of "This is what will happen to us", not that many of us are in the catbird seat of Destiny as regards US-Chinese trade relations, The Internet, etc.
KILLING TIME could've been turned into quite a winning and intriguing murder mystery if it had been confined to the assassination of President Forrester and the doctored video of her murder. Instead, this incredible story takes a backseat to an ailing little megalomaniac, his nymphomaniacal, homicidal sister, their motley crew of prevaricating nerds and sundry, and assorted psychos.
I have been unable to finish it, a rarity for someone who loves good authors.
Rating: 
Summary: new genre but same quality writing
Review: Being a big fan of THE ALIENIST and ANGEL OF DARKNESS (which I actually liked better), I quickly devoured this latest novel by Caleb Carr. If you're familiar with Mr. Carr's work you'll know he usually writes period thrillers which introduce real-life people and events into a fictional tale. While I knew (from advance reviews) that this book wasn't historical (actually, it's set in the near future), I found the writing style and unique tone to be very smiliar to Mr. Carr's other novels. The book gets off to an exciting start with the main character of Dr. Gideon Wolff running from pursuing enemies in Africa - from page one I was sucked in and wanted to learn more. The story itself and it's central subject matter are fascinating - I don't want to give away any of the plot secrets, but overall the book is about how "truth" is easily manufactured by the public's willingness to believe whatever information the media and internet feed us. Even though this book is a new genre for Mr. Carr, I think you will find it an engrossing and timely read.
Rating:
Summary: He swings and misses
Review: To keep it short- Caleb Carr needs to stick to historical fiction. This novel was well below the standard he created from both "The Alienist" and "The Angel of Darkness".
Rating:
Summary: An oldfashioned future
Review: Caleb Carr is a wonderfull writer. I loved both 'Alienist' and 'The Angel of Darkness'.
This book ... well, it was different. It's Carrs look into the future, written in the style of Jules Verne and H.G. Wells.
The marriage of a century old style with modern ideas is an interesting one. The drawback is that Carr uses the same plot devices as the old masters. And for people who have read enough it's the same as giving away the plot.The idea of information as a weapon is not novel, but it is well argued here. Definetly, with the development of technology such use of history is possible.
If this short novel was a part of an anthology - I would have nothing to say against it. But I won't say that you have to buy the anthology just to read it.
It's a pleasant enough read, it's just can't be priced the same as 'Alienist'. Take it out of the libriary, but don't buy it.
Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable....
Review: I listened to the audio version of this novel (narrated extremely well by the author), and I must say that after a slow beginning I found this novel to be quite exciting. Doctor Gideon Wolfe is a criminal Psychologist, specializing in you guessed it, Criminal Psychology AND conspiracy theories. When his best friend winds up dead because of mysterious photos discovered on an encrypted disc given to him by a client, Gideon finds himself sucked into a bizarre world of 'information sabotage,' ran by a reclusive genius Malcolm and his beautiful sister.At first I found the beginning WAY too fantastic, especially the 'jailbreak' scene, but I quickly found myself sucked into Carr's world of information sabotage, and enjoyed this audio book immensely. I loved the character of Leon who kept saying EVERYTHING had "Immense Sexuality." Too funny. Things I didn't like: the author used "Killing Time" to soap-box a bit about social and moral issues. Messages such as: Internet = Evil and 'information is NOT knowledge' made me want to grind my teeth after the third or fourth time I heard it. Also the narration where the author gives us a 'forsight' into future story events was bothersome. The novel is littered with phrases like: "If I had known then what I know now, I would never...." I HATE it when authors tell us in advance something bad will happen. I like to find this out for myself, thank you. Otherwise, loved this tape! Loved the character Leon and Malcolm, and really really hope there is a sequel featuring these characters.
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