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Summary: Late 1800's psychological mystery
Review: Not really my cup of tea. Guess I like more action in current times. But if you like piecing together muders through psychology then you will probably enjoy this. It was interesting to see Theodore Roosevelt in action. I didn't like the references to future events not related to the story, such as the comments about T.R. beign president. I think the author should stick to the story at hand.
Rating: 
Summary: captivating
Review: Carr does an excellent job setting up a mystery. This isn't your average mystery story -this one draws you in and and keeps you until the very end. Written in an easy to read style, the story follows some famous historical figures and their friends on a quest to find a murderer using methods that had not been employed in such a way before.
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Summary: Alienist is disturbing, literate, with historic value
Review: The chief value of this book is the most excellent job the author has done in detailing life in 1890s NYC, from the parlors of a robber baron to the sleazy nightclubs which operate in a world of corruption and organized crime. The media get a beating, although a journalist is a main protagonist. There is a preoccupation with food and fine dining, which reminded me of Mann's "The Magic Mountain". The plot is sensational and gory, but well within bounds of reality(re: Ripper, Jack). The references to contemporary figures such as Freud and TDR ring true. There is so much psychological trauma and violence that at the end the story bows from its own weight. Still, this is a well-written shocker which compares favorably to anything by Stephen King or Patricia Cornwell.
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Summary: One of the best books I have read in ages.
Review: This is a fascinating, totally believable historical mystery.Like stepping back in time to NYC 100 years ago.
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Summary: Carr should forget mysteries
Review: I love history. I especially love New York history since I was born there. That was part of the appeal to me of the book. And that part of the novel did not dissapoint me. Carr has all the knowledge of turn of the century NY and can present the feeling and look of the city flawlessly. What he can't do is make an exciting mystery, which is what he intended to do. The idea is intriguing. A late 1800's serial killer on the loose in NYC. And the historical figures we meet on the way (Teddy Roosevelt, J.P. Morgan), make the book more enjoyable. But the plot is not up to snuff. The plot just seemed like a vehichle for Carr to expound all of his fancy vernacular and knowledge of old NYC. In the end that was the downfall of the book. Better than most efforts out there, but not the great book most will lead you to believe.
Rating:
Summary: A must for fans of psychological profiling and thrillers
Review: Caleb Carr has written a book that should be read by everyone! The Alienist has something for all readers. Calebs detail of New York in 1896 makes you feel as if you have been transported back in time and are following Moore, Kreizler, and the others on their thrilling adventure into the darkside of man. I guarantee that once you pick up this book half of it will go by without you even knowing it.
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Summary: Deep, Dark, Disturbing-- and Definitely Worth It
Review: This book gives you what is rare in a novel-- an engrossing tale, a vivid picture of history, and an elequent narrative. Be forewarned-- this is not a popsicle book-- it cannot be quickly consumed or easily forgotten.
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Summary: Non-stop action - just try to put it down!
Review: Caleb Carr has done an excellent job of hooking the reader early on and holding their attention to the very end. This was by far the shortest 600 page book I've ever read. Carr's writing reminds one of the early (pre-Palm Springs) Joseph Wambaugh - excellent and absolutely spell-binding. I can't wait for his next book.
Rating: 
Summary: Wordy, self conscious and gratuitous
Review: Carr's writing style is really a problem here. A great English teacher once told me to write a sentence, then rewrite it at least twice to make it shorter. Before he ventures into another novel I would suggest he reads a few Hemingway novels to cut the unecessary verbage out of his work. I also can't help but think that the author had visions of a movie deal in his head the whole time he was writing this book; the dialogue is very self conscious and unrealistic. Finally, the violence is way overboard - gratuitous and totally unecessary to make the story successful.
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Summary: Couldn't put it down!
Review: I read this book almost three years ago, but I haven't forgotten what a great read it was. I had to put my two cents in and defend it against other readers who said it was boring. I found The Alienist totally fascinating. Loved the characters! I nearly read it from cover to cover without any breaks. Rush to get The Angel of Darkness, it is just as good.
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