Rating: 
Summary: Return to the dark psyche of 19th century New York City
Review: Angel of Darkness returns us to late 19th century New York, and the horrors that permeate the city. The same cast of characters is present, although this time, seen through the eyes of Stevie Taggert, a former street urchin. For those who read The Alienist, this is an enjoyable take on the familiar investigators. Stevie, his adult cohorts, and a trained ferret named Mike, track a female serial killer and bring her to trial in upstate New York. The soon-to-be famous Clarence Darrow is brought in by Cornelius Vanderbilt to defend the woman and the state of motherhood itself. Roosevelt makes a cameo appearance as does the Spanish-American War. New York City is as finely rendered as before, you can feel the menace as the sleuths stalk the streets, trying to find the next child to die, and uncovering the stories of the children killed before her. However, the story does not flow as inevitably as the first story- the hunt for the serial killer John Beecham. This story has a forced feel as if the author were consciously trying to top the last novel- to work in more horror and more famous characters. That criticism aside, this is an entrancing story, well worth the readers time. And with all the vices it reveals, it shows us that there is nothing new under the sun. Our societal problems today are simply the doomed repetition of the history we have forgotten
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent Thriller
Review: Caleb Carr finds his voice for "The Angel of Darkness" through the eyes of the reformed street urchin, Stevie Taggert. The backdrop of this story takes place in a gang-ridden neighborhood in lower Manhattan; with the threat of war against Spain looming in the distance. Stevie tells the story in a flashback-- roughly a year after "The Alienist" took place. The cast of characters is familiar to anyone who's read "The Alienist", although Carr gives sufficient background in this novel as well; first time Carr readers should not be confused by the large team of characters who work together in attempting to catch Libby Hatch, a woman accused of stealing another's baby. What starts out as a simple diplomatic incident quickly grows into a monster-- one gets the feeling that one kidnapped baby really is 'the tip of the iceberg'. What follows is a classic cat-and mouse chase that leads Dr. Lazlo Kreizler (alienist and child psychologist) and his team all over the state of New York. What results is a unique perspective on criminals, and the damage (both psychological and physical) that she inflicts on individuals, and entire towns. Carr is an excellent and versatile writer. He demonstrates here that he can write as an uneducated street rat just as well as he can a well-bred doctor, which he does in "The Alienist". He, much like Toni Morrison, finds his voice within the characters of his story. The story itself is fascinating from many different perspectives; albeit a bit long. The author tends to get caught up in side stories- which makes the read a whopping 630 pages. However, the tangents that Carr occasionally follows are a tantalizing glimpse into the lives and psyche of the characters. I was disappointed with the side-story of the Spanish-American situation of the time-- he introduces these tensions at the beginning of the novel, and we think that it must thus be very important to the plot of the book-- which it is not. Instead, Carr puts this aspect of the book away without addressing it until the last few pages, and then only uses it to preach to the reader about how arrogant the Spanish have become. In my opinion, the book would have been much better had he placed less emphasis on this almost inconsequential part of the story.
Rating:
Summary: Now you're reading!
Review: A much better book than the first (The Alienist), this sequel is well worth checking out! Narrated by Stevie Taggart, Dr. Kreizler's servant and now on his own, owner of a tobacco shop, this story details the kidnap of the daughter of a Spanish diplomat, just as the diplomatic efforts between the U.S. and Spain are imploding, leading to the Spanish-American War. The major characters are fully-blown here, oddly human and very real - each has his or her own limitations which are very well explored in the novel. The minor characters could use a little more fleshing out - but the murderer is very well explored and there is a great deal more plot to this book than the previous one.
Rating:
Summary: Carr's inimitable style strikes again... Suspenseful & more
Review: A Mesmerizing Tome, ANGEL OF DARKNESS is a sequel to Carr's "The Alienist". This reader, as am sure there are others, appreciate continuity in writings that carry forward some of the same characters, even though the narrator is a different person -- the street youth whom Dr. Kriezler "adopted", and rescued from a life of crime -- Stevie Taggart. After all, proteges are developed by other narrators, and in other fields as well - this slant in THE ANGEL OF DARKNESS is no exception. I have an appreciation for authors who bring in true-to-history participants -- e.g., Clarence Darrow; Theodore Roosevelt; & Mrs. Cady Stanton. -- after all, didn't they play a part in history?
Author Carr is a master storyteller, with hard-to-put-down books, very engaging trade dialogue with a style of 'teller to listener'. Added are the glimpses with a clear visual field from a window on life during the early 20th century New York City time period.
ANGEL OF DARKNESS is a riveting tale of a tormented murderess, facing crime & punishment for actions applicable to latter 19th century. Albeit an evil, cunning female would be difficult to believe in that era of history, with the "feminine" roles women were assigned then - more so than today.
Libby Hatch compares in stature with villain John Beecham. Added spice is a first-rate mind that is always calculating the next move; Mr. Carr enfolds readers with examples of dark society, with excellent, poignant, & some humorous dramatization. The author raises this story to a plateau of the black underside of human psyche, including madness, frailty of the human mind & development of socio-political forensic science methods, combining criminology & psychology with deepening nooks and crannies creating a suspenseful read.
As with any book of this nature, plot, scope and length there are bound to be a few flaws... however, the reader becomes entranced with the story's path that flaws matter none. The narrative style contains some inconsistencies in which no single character nor sub-plot is given the in-depth development it could have been assigned, but perhaps readers can then expand their imaginations?!
This reader boasts proudly of having met Caleb Carr at his signing at the famous NY theme -- "NEW YORK IS BOOK COUNTRY" -- Annual Book Fair, 5th Avenue... Biblioholic heave! This review is based on hardcover first edition 1997. Be sure to read author Carr's KILLING TIME.)
(This reader also recommends a same century read: CITY OF LIGHT by Louise Balfour, set in burgeoning Buffalo, NY and Niagara Falls with Pan Am Expo & other historical events, cast of note.)
Rating:
Summary: A worthy sequel
Review: "A sequel to 'The Alienist'? YES! " I actually shouted that out loud in a library when I was told about "The Angel of Darkness." Again, Caleb Carr paints an intricate portrait of Golden Age New York, and brings back all the great characters from "The Alienist," utilizing a unique twist in changing his narrator from society reporter John Moore to the street-smart Stevie Taggert, whose less-than-perfect grammar doesn't obscure his keen observations. Again, Carr utilizes real-life historical figures, most notably a young Clarence Darrow, to bring authenticity to the story of a female child-murderer and the investigation that brings her heinous crimes to light. So why only four stars? Those of you who have read Ann Rule's "Small Sacrifices" will see a lot of Diane Downs in murderer Libby Hatch--in fact, Carr cites Rule's book as an influence. Overall, though, a great sequel--can't wait for the next one!
Rating:
Summary: The Angel of Darkness Evaluation
Review: I truly enjoyed The Angel of Darkness. I found the novel to be very interesting and suspenseful. So suspenseful in fact that at times I didn't want to put the book down. Caleb really out did him self in this novel, he took the book to a plateau of the dark underside of human psyche. Caleb was really able to show the madness and Macomb of the human mind. Caleb as well as doing that was able to throw some forensic science methods which at that time were just starting to become popular. Caleb's ability to tie those two components together is what really made me fall in love with this book. I recommend this book to anybody and on a scale 1-5 I give it a 7 it is amazing. By Matt McCallum
Rating:
Summary: A sequel and a winner - a rare combination
Review: After the exquiste ALIENIST I was prepared for a letdown with this latest novel. We are again back in turn of the century New York City and the description is just as real as before. Only this time the cast of characters has been augmented by a servant boy who becomes the narrator. This gives the story a whole new twist. This time we are chasing a female criminal, an evil woman, and an apparent rarity in those days where women were viewed as the gentler sex. She is a cunning criminal with a first-rate mind that is always calculating the next move. Again we have the intelligent and beautiful Ms. Howard going where no woman has gone before. She is a modern woman for her times but never for effect. SOme reviewers have criticized the inclusion of "famous" people but this was accomplished with a subtle touch and therefore is perfectly acceptable. Again, one is mesmerized at the writing and description as much as the witty dialogue and swift action.
Bravo!
Rating:
Summary: Inconsistently excellent--but recommended
Review: Mr. Carr's first book, THE ALIENIST, gripped me as it did most other readers. This sequel came close to doing the same but there were some jarring moments that took the pleasure out of it. For instance, I loved the choice of Stevie Taggert as the narrator for this installment because he was an interesting character in THE ALIENIST. The problem was that this semi-literate young man's writing style was just as professional as the narrator of the first book, the journalist John Moore. (For example, "The sunlight came in softly through big rectangular windows, reflected off ceilings and moldings what were also bright white, and also off the polished red marble floor. The wood paneling on the walls, by way of contrast, was dark and together with the arched doorways gave the place a kind of stately feel." Not exactly Henry James, but pretty accomplished given his background.) Also there are so many unnecessary cameo appearances by historical figures--Mrs. Cady Stanton, Clarence Darrow, Cornelius Vanderbilt II, Teddy Roosevelt (AGAIN!), Charles Delmonico, Albert Pinkham Ryder--the willing suspension of disbelief begins to strain. I guess Thomas Edison, Stanford White and Oscar Hammerstein were too busy to appear. Okay, enough with the negatives; I still recommend this novel. There is far too good a story here to be damaged by my previous criticisms. Libby Hatch is every inch a frightening villain as John Beecham had been in THE ALIENIST. Plenty of great twists and turns, and the scenes with the Hudson Dusters gang are first rate. If you get by some of what I've mentioned, you're in for a wonderfully suspenseful story!
Rating:
Summary: A good follow-up to The Alienist
Review: I really enjoyed The Alienist, the first book by Caleb Carr about Dr. Laszlo Kreizler and his "colleagues". When I finished that story, I was very curious for more details. Angel of Darkness picks up soon after the previous case, and the action begins almost immediately. This story is narrated by the teenage Stevie Taggert, the street kid that Dr. Kriezler has taken in, and saved from a life of crime. A Spanish diplomat's child is kidnapped in public, and the mother sees her daughter a few days later on a train. She is not able to confront the woman, and soon enlists the services of Sarah Howard, who has started an investigation service. In a short amount of time, Sarah reassumbles the group and they pinpoint the suspect as Elsbeth Hunter. Yet, the deeper they dig into the woman's past, the more they discover of the hideousness nature of her crimes. With her many aliases, Elsbeth has traveled around New York kidnapping, and killing children. Like the previous book, there were some cameos with great historical figures. Teddy Roosevelt makes a special appearance, this time as the Assistant Secratary of the Navy. Another historical figure that plays a small part in the story is Clarence Darrow (pre-Monkey Trial) when he defends Mrs. Hunter (or Hatch, or Frasier, Franklin... whichever name she decides to use!). Carr is a gifted storyteller, and his books are hard to put down. I love the glimpses of early 20th century New York life. Stevie's narration of the story was a nice touch, and I appreciated seeing it from his vantage point. Other readers have said that this does not compare to The Alienist, but personally I thought it was a very good follow-up.
Rating:
Summary: Yard Sale Book, Bought the 1st book 2 days later.
Review: I bought this at a yard sale for $0.50. I wanted something to read while waiting in line at DMV Monday. It was so engrossing, I missed my number being called! I had trouble putting it down and was sad when I reached the end & the 1st book, The Alienist hadn't arrived. I realize the book is VERY long, but it is VERY good. It is exciting! It is deep! It is historically accurate! It is very well written! It is engrossing to the point of provoking obsession in the reader! I can not wait until another book about these characters is written. The author ingeniously wrote from the perspective of one of the characters in a reflective story telling fashion and did not stray from that character's perception. He stayed in character for the >700 pages. Each character was well developed and full of human qualities. Each character was accurate for the setting. I usually stick with Robert Ludlum, Tom Clancy & Vince Flynn, the classics of western civilization and history/biographies. This was GREAT! You will enjoy it! It is disturbing. It can really conjure fright in your imagination while reading and give you a feeling of being one of the characters obserbing the whole story.
|
