The Alienist

De: Caleb Carr

Narrado por: George Guidall

The year is 1896, the place, New York City. On a cold March night New York Times reporter John Schuyler Moore is summoned to the East River by his friend and former Harvard classmate Dr. Laszlo Kreizler, a psychologist, or "alienist." On the unfinished Williamsburg Bridge, they view the horribly mutilated body of an adolescent boy, a prostitute from one of Manhattan's infamous brothels.

The newly appointed police commissioner, Theodore Roosevelt, in a highly unorthodox move, enlists the two men in the murder investigation, counting on the reserved Kreizler's intellect and Moore's knowledge of New York's vast criminal underworld. They are joined by Sara Howard, a brave and determined woman who works as a secretary in the police department. Laboring in secret (for alienists, and the emerging discipline of psychology, are viewed by the public with skepticism at best), the unlikely team embarks on what is a revolutionary effort in criminology-- amassing a psychological profile of the man they're looking for based on the details of his crimes. Their dangerous quest 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.

Fast-paced and gripping, infused with a historian's exactitude, The Alienist conjures up the Gilded Age and its untarnished underside: verminous tenements and opulent mansions, corrupt cops and flamboyant gangsters, shining opera houses and seamy gin mills. Here is a New York during an age when questioning society's belief that all killers are born, not made, could have unexpected and mortal consequences.

©1994 Caleb Carr (P)2012 Simon & Schuster Audio

Excellent Story, Great Characters and narration

Having read this book when it first was published, I knew I was in for a good story and wasn't disappointed. The characters are just as interesting as the first time around and George Guidall is an excellent narrator, with great distinction of characters' voices. I've enjoyed his performance in several other books. Excellent murder/mayhem psychological thriller!

Interesting period piece

Taking place at the same time as Sherlock Holmes, though written 100 years later, the book sets up a Holmes-and-Watson relationship between a psychiatrist ("alienist") and a reporter, the story's narrator in true Watson fashion. The story is fairly good, though not as clever as the Holmes stories. What weakens the book is the author's harangue that evil is brought about solely by poor nurturing (bad parenting) and does not exist by nature. But I suppose if we take the book as a 19th century story, it would be 50 years before DNA would be discovered. Medicine still is so amazingly unscientific sometimes.

Couldn’t put it down.

This book brought an insight into the earliest uses of profiling. It held my attention in every aspect. George Guidall’s narration was spot on. His intonation was perfect.

Excellent.

The narrator did an excellent job. The story is very interesting, I couldn’t put it down. Finished it in a week and could’ve have finished it in a couple of days if I had the time.

Awesome

Loved it, very colorful, detailed and engaging! I will definitely check out Caleb Carr's other books!

Good Read/Listen

The Story was very interesting and Carr's work with detail and sequence was great. The performance was OUTSTANDING! Guidall is one of my new favorites for sure. The only recommendation I would give is if you're not interested in long story/scene development I would go with the abridged version.

history and suspense a fascinating story.

this book made may commute very enjoyable. I look forward to the next book in the series.

Excellent!!

a deliciously intriguing story that makes you think! Beautifully narrated. 20 hours sail by. Thank you!

such a great book

I listened to it none stop. It kept me wanting more with each passing word.

brilliant

Any additional comments?

Looking forward to more from this author!

And Guidall yet again shows why he is a favorite narrator.