Rating: 
Summary: Great mystery. Amazing Historical novel. Just really good
Review: I am reading the sequel to this book right now and I am remembering exactly why I love this book. It's well researched with engaging characters, a realistic portrayal of turn-of-the-century New York as well as Criminology methods and it's just all around a great read.The book begins with the death of Theodore Roosevelt and then goes back to the time when Roosevelt was in charge of cleaning up New York City's corruption. The narrator, a drunk journalist, then relates the story of Dr. Lazarus, an ahead of his time psychologist, working to solve a serial killing spree that involves boy prostitutes. All of the secondary characters are fully fleshed out transcending their story roles (the investigators, the juvenile deliquent, the feminist who wants to be a police detective) It isn't surprising that Caleb Carr used another character in order to narrate the second book. All of the characters could narrate their own books and you'd be intrigued to hear what they have to say. The historical portions don't fall to the level of "I know what's going to happen" smirking that historical books tend to have, as the characters use the "experimental" procedures including fingerprinting and limb length measurements, while using various psychological schools of thougt without Freud overtaking everyone. In fact, William James is the main psychologist for these characters. Weighing in a over 500 pages, this book successfully passes the time check. You don't see the pages go by. You don't feel like you are reading a long novel. In fact, once it's over you wish that you could linger in the Victorian New York for just a little longer with these people. This is a great book and I'm only 100 pages into the sequel but that one is amazing as well (although the sequel seems less violent) so here's hoping that Caleb Carr does many more books with these characters.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best researched historical mystery
Review: I always look for a new book from Caleb Carr since reading this one and his other book. I am always disappointed when I don't find a new one out or available. He cannot write fast enough to please me. His historical mysteries are not the lightweight reading that most of the female writers of this genre are. His books are heavy with history and information, heavy on atmosphere, heavy subject matter to deal with the seamier sides of life in the 'good old days.' From the nonfiction history I've read and Carr's books, I am thoroughly glad I didn't live in the good old days. His books draw what seem to be accurate pictures of New York City at the turn of the century, and his use of an alienist as psychologists were called then, is an interesting and different means of looking at crime. Many people feel that crime is more prevalent now then eighty years ago, but that isn't necessarily true. We just are informed of it more often through improvement in media, and they can do a better job of linking people to crimes through improvement in criminology (fingerprinting, DNA use, etc.). Many of the things that were acceptable behavior back then are regarded as criminal today, such as spousal and child abuse, and people just didn't talk about private matters such as this. Caleb Carr's book The Alienist brings the world of that time period alive for those interested in it. Karen sadler, Science Education, University of Pittsburgh
Rating: 
Summary: A good story marred by cardboard characters...
Review: A good serial-killer story in a well researched and reconstructed historical background. Too pity the characters are mere stereotypical cardbord figures more suitable for comics than for a serious novel as this one.
Rating:
Summary: Sad evidence of consumer control
Review: This plodding work is direct confirmation of a long-held fear of mine: that the American reading public can be quite deftly bamboozled into buying just about anything. I was shocked to read the other reviews of this title, which with its 'brilliant cover' and the splashing across the top border of its bestselling status , seem to be the main agents of coercion. The idea for the book isn't bad, but Carr just falls short of achieving a well-written narrative. One can barely distinguish the voice of either the Alienist or Angel of Darkness (equally disappointing) despite the fact that we're supposed to believe it is two different people speaking to us. His prose is flat and condescending. I usually shy away from contemporary American authors, finding the majority of them contrite and puerile, but was attracted by the novelty of this novel's plot. Kreizler just seems to die out about halfway through the book. He is the title character yet he bumbles through the case with a coterie of accidental intellectuals who are the ones that do all the real work. Kreizler just seems to stand around in front of a blackboard musing thoughtfully while the other characters vie for his attentions with all the glee of a schoolchild who does indeed know what the capital of Burkina-faso is. He just doesn't work, and thus, the entire novel fails. His ideas and theories are too sleek and regimented, as if he were a wayward, time-travelling therapist trapped in fin-de-siecle New York. I am, perhaps unfairly, comparing the character to other lone heroes, such as Holmes, but this line of reasoning falls short of the criticism that one cannot expect one man to do it all himself; Holmes was based on a real person, a Dr. Bell, so why deem it impossible? As for the other characters, throughout both novels, they seem to drift like some sort of sophmoronic somnambulists going through the motions of existence like clockwork: Sara Howard whines incessantly over her treatment and then casually pulls guns on her partners; Cyrus plays the piano and makes coffee ("Make it strong, Cyrus." "Of course, Doctor," Cyrus smiled.); Stevie is just superfluous; the Isaacsons resemble those two bitchy Muppets who sat up in the balcony; Moore is just a womanizing yes-man without an iota of personality. Yaaawn...
Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Novel! A Real Page-Turner!
Review: I absolutely loved this book. I couldn't stop reading. But it wasn't for that cheesy idea it was just a good mystery. But the setting, as well. The mental picture painted by Caleb Carr are amazingly astonishing. He makes a world that the reader get submersed into and never wants to leave until the last page. It was an excellent, excellent book. I would recommend it to anyone! Even the meanest Science-Fiction readers might like this one (don't get me wrong, I love Sci-Fi). This is the story of a serial killer. Most people would say, so what? The thing is, the novel's set in 1896, and what's so interesting about that is that they've never had a serial killer in that time, and when they stumble across his killings, it's both frightening and exhilarating. Some readers might find some of the mental images a bit hard to stomach; if you don't like gruesome descriptions of murders scenes, you might want to abstain on this one... in other words... you didn't like anything to do with Jack the Ripper, you won't like this. This is essentially a twisted account of the murders of Jack the Ripper- different victims, but same setting point. If you like things and are interested with Jack the Ripper, than you'll love this. I found it quite interesting. It really depends on your view of Jack the Ripper as whether you should read this or not. A.A.
Rating:
Summary: The Alienist
Review: After reading Harold Schecter's book about 19th century serial killer, HH Holmes (the title of the book escapes me, Depraved maybe), I really found this a facinating book. With the history of crime fighting and the real atmosphere of old New York, I completely enjoyed this rather large volume. I am not generally one that goes in for such tombs, but you will not be disappointed by sticking with it! Sara Howard is one of my all time favorite characters!
Rating:
Summary: Simply couldnt put it down!
Review: This is not ordinary suspense novel. You are dropped in the late 1800's New York. Caleb Carr does a marvelous job of bringing this era to life. His descriptions of locals are very imformative and easy to picture. This novel is a topsy turvy thrill ride where his main character Dr. Lazlo is searching for a killer. But not your turn of the 20th century killer - a serial killer. I have recommended this book to friends and family and none were disappointed. If you enjoy suspense and the thrill of the chase. You will not be either. Happy Reading!
Rating:
Summary: Gripping and Insightful
Review: Both a fictionalized social history and a gripping murder-mystery thriller, "The Alienist" slowly draws the reader in then doesn't let go.
Rating: 
Summary: NOT BAD AT ALL
Review: This was a fun book to read. I like the fact that the story is set in New York at the turn of the 20th century. The discriptions of living conditions at the time given by Carr are fascinating. It seems that Carr really did his homework.I found the historical info to be just as interesting as the story itself. I don't have a problem recommending this story at all. Good entertainment at a great Amazon.com price!
Rating:
Summary: GREAT Mystery!!!!!
Review: This is a great mystery story. Carr's writing style is similar to Dickens style. This is a terrific gothic style story. In addition to great wiriting I loved the charcters even the murderer was interesting. I also loved the setting. I am a New Yorker and loved reading a novel set in 19th century NY. The one thing I did not like about this book was the ending. The end of this story leaves somes very important questions unanswered. It seems Carr got tired of writing the story and wanted to wrap it up as fast as possible. This does not make for a very satisfying ending. On the whole I would recomend this book to anyone who wants to read a good mystery story with good writing.
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