Rating: 
Summary: Original and gripping
Review: Alec Michod's The White City is terrific book. More than that, it's a rare and unique book-a tour de force of language, imagery, and plot-from an author who writes like no one else writing today. In a series of concentrated, high-relief scenes, Michod orchestrates a gripping thriller, presenting by turns the adventures of a lost boy; the deterioration of grieving parents; the machinations of a big city police department and the growing panic of the city itself. Michod's detective, Dr. Elizabeth Handley, is a Victorian iconoclast whose investigation exerts a gradually widening pull on the reader's attention; the author's technique in bringing her center stage is sneaky and deft, and several of the later scenes are breathtakingly suspenseful. But the best reason to read this book is for the writing, which is gorgeous and original throughout.
Rating:
Summary: Original and gripping
Review: Alec Michod?s The White City is terrific book. More than that, it?s a rare and unique book?a tour de force of language, imagery, and plot?from an author who writes like no one else writing today. In a series of concentrated, high-relief scenes, Michod orchestrates a gripping thriller, presenting by turns the adventures of a lost boy; the deterioration of grieving parents; the machinations of a big city police department and the growing panic of the city itself. Michod?s detective, Dr. Elizabeth Handley, is a Victorian iconoclast whose investigation exerts a gradually widening pull on the reader?s attention; the author?s technique in bringing her center stage is sneaky and deft, and several of the later scenes are breathtakingly suspenseful. But the best reason to read this book is for the writing, which is gorgeous and original throughout.
Rating:
Summary: Mysteriously wonderful
Review: Have not found a book so detailed yet not embelished in a long while. Could not believe that this was from the hands of an amateur writer. Can see the places and events as I had been reading because of the depth and time spent uncovering the truths of what happened during the period. Cannot wait for more.
Rating:
Summary: Good fun read
Review: I enjoyed the read...And am not quite sure how any one could write such a rant against an interesting story.
Rating:
Summary: A Dark & Twisted Thriller
Review: If you liked "The Alienist" you'll love "White City." Author Alec Michod delivers a dark and twisted tale that I found myself unable to escape from. The sensory details that Michod paints with such immediacy lingered in my thoughts even after I put the book down. Other reviewers decry the lack of historical accuracy, but a gripping tale such as this is far harder to come by than a historically correct one. So check your note pad at the door and be prepared to enter the seedy underbelly of the beast with this riviting mystery that leaves you hungry for more.
Rating:
Summary: Great, refreshing thriller...
Review: It is clear that Alec Michod is on the verge of becoming a great novelists. I would recommend this book strongly to any fans of the thriller/suspense genre, as well as fans of historical novels.
Michod does a great job of recreating the 1930's World's Fair, with a poetic style, that carries a wicked beat. The chapters are quilted together nicely to tell a wonderfully original story of Kidnap and despair, culminated by a nicely written chase.
Rating: 
Summary: Unlikable characters weaken novel
Review: The great 1893 World's Fair in Chicago is marred by the kidnappings, murder, and vivisection of several boys and psychologist Elizabeth Handley is sent to Chicago to see whether her profiling can help solve the case. She arrives just as another boy vanishes--this one the son of a wealthy capitalist. But Billy's kidnapping seems different--especially when a underworld leader approaches Billy's father with a deal--give him the contract for a skyscraper if he ever wants to see his son again. THE WHITE CITY switches between Handley's investigation, impressionistic views of Chicago at the turn of an earlier century, and Billy's plight in the hands of his kidnapper. Author Alec Michod is at his best as he describes the early Chicago but far weaker when he deals with characters. I found THE WHITE CITY to be a bit of a mishmash. None of the characters, not even the annoying Billy, is especially sympathetic. Handley's investigation seems to consist of unmotivated wandering around and discovering of bodies. But Michod doesn't make the criminals any more sympathetic. Their terroristic plan to blow up the electrical building, and Skurlock's desire for Billy seem unmotivated and poorly thought out. THE WHITE CITY is Michod's first novel and he's obviously trying hard. But mystery fans will want to hold off until Michod moves beyond mood and city and discovers characters, motivation, and engaging the reader's sympathy.
Rating:
Summary: A Stunning Debut
Review: The White City is a stunning debut novel. Michod's first book brims with suspense as well as many colorful descriptions (literally!) I would recommend The White City to anyone from Chicago, America, or the world. Fans of historical fiction, nonfiction, mystery, or corpulence will not be let down by this authoritative read. Let's hope this robust writer keeps churning out the thrills!
Rating:
Summary: A Stunning Debut
Review: The White City is a stunning debut novel. Michod's first book brims with fiery suspense as well as many colorful descriptions (literally!) I would recommend The White City to anyone from Chicago, America, or the world. Fans of historical fiction, nonfiction, mystery, or plain old corpulence will not be let down by this authoritative read. Let's hope this robust writer keeps churning out the thrills! This book (not to mention the author photo in the book jacket) makes me want to absolutely kiss Alec Michod for his profoundly literate public service to the readers of America!
Rating:
Summary: A Stunning Debut
Review: The White City is a stunning debut novel. Michod's first book brims with suspense as well as many colorful descriptions (literally!) I would recommend The White City to anyone from Chicago, America, or the world. Fans of historical fiction, nonfiction, mystery, or corpulence will not be let down by this authoritative read. Let's hope this robust writer keeps churning out the thrills!
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