Rating: 
Summary: Fantastic!
Review: Really a great, interesting book. I would recommend it highly! I can't wait to read "Angel of Darkness".
Rating:
Summary: Good Atmosphere, Decent Story, Florid Writing
Review: Caleb Carr has written a good tale. I think this one rates about three and one-half stars. This 1896 murder tale is gruesome and intelligent at the same time. The murder scene descriptions are grotesque, but do not seem gratuitous in this tale of the search for a serial killer by an unusual team of investigators. (Although I would not recommend the book for early or mid-teenagers. This is a PG-17 novel). The investigators are a psychologist (alienist), journalist, two police detectives and a woman. This allows the author to explore psychology, the muckraking and reform press, a police force transitioning from corrupt to professional methods and the nascent woman's movement. On the positive side, anyone interested in historical fiction will be enthralled by the descriptions of turn of the century New York. Historical figures abound, prominently police commissioner Roosevelt (although he comes off as a bit cartoonish for anyone who has read Roosevelt biographies). J.P Morgan and Anthony Comstock also make appearances. Mr. Carr does great justice to atmospherics. The tenement houses reek in the imagination and New York's cold and wet streetscape chills the reader thanks to very good descriptive writing. Anyone interested in the founding of modern psychology will enjoy the great debates that attended its birth. Psychological analysis is the backbone for this murder investigation, as are "new" police methods such as fingerprinting and handwriting analysis. The story itself is enjoyable, although for some reason it took me three tries to get into this book. One reason is that Mr. Carr uses a lot of words to tell his tale. No new noun is introduced without its background being explored or appearance described. I thought at one point that had Mr. Carr's editors banished the dash (--) and comma (,) from this book, the tale would have remained but been told in about half the pages. This makes for at times a languid pace of reading. Fortunately, there are periodic surprises and major plot developments to the murder investigation that generally keep one's interest and generate enough anticipation that the reader wants to find out "who dun-it."
Rating: 
Summary: Not Just A Great Story -
Review: But an educational one as well. I wrote this review: :Scarlet Women, by J.D. Christilian is just as captivating and similar in style to the Alienist. I would highly recommend this book for fans of The Alienist" - a while back but decided that further must be said since I just re-read it - again. The Alienist was much better than the follow-up to this stunner but it is still a must read for ever mystery lover, New Yorker or history buff. Caleb Carr weaves real life historical figures into his brilliant fictional novel - it is so well done that it is scary. If you liked it read Scarlet Women and Time and Again by Jack Finney.
Rating:
Summary: Great ambience, wonderful characters, excellent detail
Review: The plot was not earth-shakingly different and some plot elements could be spotted a mile off, but the mood of the piece, strong characterization, and obvious research that went into this book make it a wonderful read. The author does an excellent job of conveying how forensic techniques that are commonplace now were once viewed as bizarre, and leaves the reader with a true feeling of affection for the city of New York -- not an easy feat! The early chapters might drag a bit, but patience is well rewarded.
Rating:
Summary: Catchy Title
Review: Without ever having read Caleb Carr, I found this book intriguing. Carr's style, though a little slow at times, is simple and enjoyable. The content however, is fanscinating. Like a true crime story, it is gripping. It's setting-NYC about a hundred years ago, before the evolution of modern investigation-is what gives this novel it's flare. Don't expect intellectual stimulation, but fun...it's jam packed.
Rating:
Summary: I love this book!
Review: This is a wonderfully written, marvelously researched book. Bought Angel of Darkness the day it came out and can't wait for his next book.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent book ! A must for mystery buffs !
Review: This is one book one cannot put down. Caleb Carr has done an excellent job of incorporating real life figures and facts into his fiction. I've sat many a nights, wondering if some of the things he's written are for real ! The characters are very vivid ! You'll feel like you're there with them on this adventure! The twists and turns of the story is pure excitement. This book is for people interested in mysteries, suspense , forensics and psychology.. .. and even if you're not, Caleb Carr will sure give you a ride in this awesome roller coaster of a book !
Rating:
Summary: This book is a twisted murder mystery that grabs your atten.
Review: This novel is amazing because of its unexpected turns. The novel is a twisted murder mystery that grabs your attention and is so descriptive that it makes you think phychologically. You keep on guessing and try to make your own assumptions but you never will guess.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent!
Review: An unbelievable book! I was disapointed when it was over!
Rating:
Summary: Intriguing, detailed historical fiction
Review: I enjoyed this book immensely. As a New Yorker, I was fascinated with detailed descriptions and a look back at the area where I work and live. It is extremely wordy, with excessive description and dialogue, but if that is your cup of tea, this is the book for you! The crimes were rather graphic, dealing with children, and that was a bit rough but the means of solving the crime appealed to me, as I am involved in the forensic mental health area. If you like the intellectual calistentics of Sherlock Holmes and the wordiness of Charles Dickens, please read this book. It is long but worth the read!
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