A new breed of evil in Old New York
New York, 1986: Lower Manhattan's underworld is ruled by a new generation of cold-blooded criminals...Police Commissioner Theodore Roosevelt battles widespread corruption within the department's ranks...and a shockingly brutal murder sets off an investigation that could change crime-fighting forever.
In the middle of a wintry March night, New York Times reporter John Moore is summoned to the East River by his friend Dr. Laszlo Kreizler, a brilliant pioneer in the new and much-maligned discipline of psychology, the emerging study of society's "alienated" mentally ill. There they view the horribly mutilated body of a young boy, a prostitute from one of Manhattan's infamous brothels. Supervised by Commissioner Roosevelt, the newsman and his "alienist" mentor embark on a revolutionary attempt to identify the killer by assembling his psychological profile - a dangerous quest that takes them into the tortured past and twisted mind of a murderer who has killed before...and will kill again before the hunt is over.
As rich in vivid period ambience as Ragtime and Time and Again, and as relentlessly suspenseful as Red Dragon or The Silence of the Lambs, The Alienist will take you to a New York that no longer exists - to confront an evil of timeless savagery.
©1994 Caleb Carr (P)2012 Simon & Schuster Audio
"Outstanding on several levels."
No fluff here! The listener gets real depth in plot, history of the times, application of method of finding out why people do what they do and interesting characters. PLUS, one of the best narrators around today, George Guidall. He is terrific! A born storyteller. He blends so well into the book that you forget he is there. He is part of the story.
"Serial murder mystery back in 1890's New York City"
Yes
Its a fascinating look at the lifestyle of late 19th Century New York City
From the sights and smells of a culture just beginning to move from being a horse drawn society to the "Toasted Angels" ( bacon wrapped oysters broiled ) of Delmonico's Restaurant, its a glimpse of a time long gone and yet still effects us today
I generally read science fiction or military history, but this book is part of my permanent library. It recreates a world with the same depth and development as Frank Herbert's "Dune" or Larry Niven's "The Mote in Gods Eye"
If you like historical novels about subjects not normally addressed, you should enjoy this book.
"Exciting!"
The best one yet.
Yes! I couldn't wait to hear what would happen next.
No
A dramatic story of crime history.
"Immerses you in the past"
A very richly detailed, dark story of turn of the century New York City. I don't quite agree with the narration choice. I think a younger sounding man would have been a better choice but George Guidall does a good job.
I've purchased the second in the series and am currently listening to it.
"Great performance and great writing."
The detailed writing and characters really take you back to the time period. Great listen!