Rating: 
Summary: Great read
Review: The first hundred pages or so are very slow paced. The book picks up suddenly and it becomes very hard to put it down. Yet the ending was, very expectable, slow and ... disappointing. Never the less, I felt I was there, in New York, I thought I could smell and see everything. Great mood setting descriptions. I'm not sure what happened towards the end of the book, it's as if the author was tired of writing and out of ideas. I wished there was a twist at the end but there wasn't. The unexpected thing about this book is that it had some very funny moments. I caught myself laughing out loud in a certain train scene. It's not an easy read, not just because of the elaborately long story telling but also because of the grizzly subject matter which is told in agonizing details. Over all, I linked it very much though.
Rating: 
Summary: An excellent mix of fact and fiction!
Review: Hannibal Lecter and Clarice in Horse and Buggy. Caleb Carr has produced a fantastic novel with The Alienist. Carr does an amazing job of weaving actual events of American history into his fictional tale of a deranged serial killer. The story takes place at the turn of the century in New York City. Carr uses his knowledge of historical NYC to paint a vivid picture of the life and times of a group of would-be detectives working with Theodore Roosevelt to stop a string of child murders. If you are a fan of American history, psychology, or crime stories this is an excellent book for you. And if you enjoyed this book, do yourself a favor and pick up Carr's follow up, The Angel of Darkness. Another winner by Carr.
Rating:
Summary: Instant Classic!
Review: Caleb Carr is a master wordsmith. he has created a style all his own and is able to offer you incredible detail without ever seeming overly wordy. Enough about his ability, the story he creates is pure classic mystery. I was beginning to wonder if the was an original mystery plot left. He proves that there is and he leaves you wanting more. Read this if you dare.
Rating:
Summary: The first profiler?
Review: Imagine New York at end of the last century, it hadnt much to do with the city of today: a bad place, full of violence and corruption... There was no Giuliani looking for order :) The police is incompetent, using violence rather than criminological techniques to find the criminals, currupt and fiercly racist. And suddenly, a gruesome murder happens: but who would care about a teenage male prostitute in such a city? Nobody except the talented Mr. Kreizler, a psychologist having a practice for children with mental problems, and his friends, a journalist, young smart woman and, surprise! Teddy Roosevelt, future president, and two smart Jewish detectives, using the newest and latest procedures (fingerprints!) to detect any trails on the crime scenes... What is particularly fascinating is the long process of profiling our protagonists are going through, getting closer and closer to the this terrible murderer - harassend and hindered by the corrupt police force and the mob - , finally discovering that this "monster" is nothing else than a victim himself...
Rating:
Summary: Brilliantly written and enthralling
Review: I remembered seeing many copies of this book toted by people a few years back, and finally gave it a whirl. I'm pleased I did - it was written with the precision of a master, but yet not in a snobbish, show-off style. The characters are endearing and realistic and the historical aspects are excellent. The plot is truly gripping and the style of the investigation is much deeper than the usual "question and hunt". Carr is a master and I'm already more than halfway through the sequel to this, "The Angel of Darkness". Don't miss either!
Rating: 
Summary: Extremely wordy!
Review: I was really hoping to enjoy this book. Instead it killed me to try and finish it. Mr. Carr is far too wordy and describes impertinent information throughout the entire book. I did however, enjoy the 19 century era of the book.
Rating:
Summary: I could not put this book down.
Review: This is an absolutely compelling novel that depicts a group of people, each a specialist in his or her own field, struggling to track down a serial killer back in the days when "serial killer" was an unknown phrase. The process they use to catch this killer--"profiling" as it known nowadays--is untested and unreliable at their point in history. What is fascinating about this book is not watching these people track down a killer, but watching them discover HOW to track down a killer. The point of this book is the journey, not the destination. And what a journey! Carr is a vivid writer, bringing each character to life so clearly that I could see the story unfold in my mind as clearly as if watching it on a movie screen. You've read the phrase "couldn't put this book down?" I called in sick to work to finish this book.
Rating:
Summary: A great historial fiction mystery
Review: This book compares to Robert Harris's excellent "Fatherland," in the way it sets a muder mystery upon a sweeping historical landscape that the author seems to know as if he lived there. Inserting Theodore Roosevelt into the proceedings (in small doses) was a masterstroke. And the mystery itself is as compelling as the backdrop. Also featured, the first steps toward using psychological profiles to track a serial killer. This is a superior work of historical fiction.
Rating: 
Summary: Well written, but...
Review: A former member of my book club recommended that we make this one of our selections to read. I was very intrigued by the style and the problems inherent in writing a story that took place over one hundred years ago, as if it were written by a contemporary author. The characters were well developed, the plot kept me interested, and I think Mr. Carr did an admirable job emulating the rhythm and vocabulary of late nineteenth century New York. My only problem with the book is with some of the more graphic descriptions of the murderer's actions. I guess I just don't see the point of describing such sick and disturbing scenes. I would have believed him if he had just told us they were sick and disturbing! I think he could have made his point with a much lighter touch. It's not that I doubt that these things take place in the world, or that I want to ignore them; I just don't find it necessary or desireable to read about them when I am reading a book for pleasure. It makes me wonder who actually does enjoy reading such vivid, gut-wrenching descriptions of someone getting sexually excited by torturing small animals and little boys. It was a good book, but there are lots of other good (and better) books out there that do not evoke such feelings of disgust. If I had known this before I read the book, I would have chosen another way to spend my time. I won't be reading any more of Mr. Carr's books.
Rating:
Summary: Seemed like a good idea at the time ...
Review: once upon a time I was in a large bookstore and after some poking around, I stumbled upon this book's front cover-I perused the back cover as well as some of its innards and was intrigued. However, after several nights of what can best be decscribed as highschool homework-forced reading, I had to abandon this book. TOO CONTRIVED. How fortunate that Kreizler (sp ?) was able to come up with the whole suspect-profile? Then again, Delmonico's seems like a swell place to eat.
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