The Angel of Darkness

Rating:
Summary: A Nice Follow-Up to 'The Alienist'
Review: Having recalled the marvelous time I had reading 'The Alienist', I had no question that I should pick up Carr's new novel, 'The Angel of Darkness'. I agree with some of the other reviewers that the Roosevelt episode and final resolution to the pursuit of Libby Hatch comprised a change in style from subtle plot shifts to a more obvious and less creative ending. Even the revelation of Hatch's legacy and its stark contrast with her previous behavior lacked a certain impact. It was interesting, but not as compelling as the novel had been building to. Regardless, though, it is the sense of place, of history, captured within the fictional narrative that works so well. The characters are as fully realized as any within suspense fiction, the ensemble of protagonists, deserving much more than the restriction of just two novels. You become so involved in their preparation for the court case that when Mr. Darrow shows up and begins to tear their case apart, you emotionally fal! ! l apart with it - likely the best fictional court case I've read. The battle of Darrow and Picton was a great read. Other elements are equally fascinating and suitably creepy. The only disatisfying elements of the story are the rather convenient ways plot conflicts end up becoming resolved. The fact that certain characters you have grown to love find their end at the hands of Hatch still doesn't give enough edge to the storyline. Overall, the book was a great read, and impossible to put down at the end. I wonder, though, what might have resulted if Mr. Carr chose to get a bit darker, and perhaps less accomodating of the main characters. This was a story whose loose ends might have been more compelling if a few were left untied. But I protest too much: read the book. It is the first best book of my Summer...

Rating:
Summary: Entertaining but not up to prequel
Review: It took me a long time to get into this book. I was travelling for business and took this for my plane and hotel read. Sorry to say after 2 weeks I hadn't gotten past page 50.

The writing did not convey the atmosphere of turn of the century New York as The Alienist did.

The story was more predictable with fewer surprises.

Many reviewers lament the fact that Stevie is the narrator for this episode. I found nothing wrong with the story from his point of view, it just wasn't a very good story.

Perhaps Mr. Carr is intending to have each of his characters narrate future volumes. An interesting idea if so.

Rating:
Summary: This novel is contrived, awkward, amateurish.
Review: I'm only compelled to write because I'm irritated by this book. It is not nearly as atmospheric as its wonderful cover photo. All of the characters are shallow, thinly characterized. The voice of the narrator is distracting. The only nod to authenticity is the author's over use of the word "what" in the narration. There is no other indication that Stevie is a "real" person -- in the manner of Huck Finn or Holden Caulfield, or even James Watson (Carr borrows shamelessly from a much better writer in both of his bestselling mysteries -- the cabs, the ruffians, the cops, the swells -- the whole Victorian deal transferred to NYC and the American aristocracy).This book (and the earlier one) have been too obviously researched. Rather than being woven into the story as complements to a powerful plot and vivid characters, the period detail and the historical figures seem pasted on to impress the reader. Carr has not created a world ; he has pulled it from old Delmonic's menues and turn-of-the-century copies of the NY Times. I don't mean to be mean-spirited, but it is irritating when this kind of stuff is so highly successful. I do get the impression that Carr is a strong academic and historian.I wish he had stuck to his true calling. But he does have my portion of the royalities from a hardcover "Alienist" and a trade paper "Angel."

Rating:
Summary: When will the next Carr masterpiece hit the shelves?
Review: The angel of Darkness was a first rate suspense novel. Mr. Carr was able to keep me turning the pages as fast as I possibly could. I just wish I hadn't finished so quickly. The book takes a bit too long to get going, but once it starts it takes off like a rollercoaster. Having Stevie narrate was brilliant, it gave a fresh insighful view into Carr's page burner. The worst part of this book is that I finished it without knowing if Mr. Carr planned to follow up with another great book.

Rating:
Summary: The Angel of Darkness left me yearning for more!
Review: The greater mystery of The Alienist and The Angel of Darkness will unravel when Mr. Carr shares with us the murky motivations driving Dr. Kriezler's associates! They are Laszlo's most challenging children and Mr. Carr did not disappoint in revealing even more tantilizing clues to their human frailties and uncommon courage in The Angel of Darkness. After The Alienist, my hunger to know the "context" of each character left me in need of a session/sequal with Dr. Kriezler. To again put aside the pressures of my 21st century world and venture once more into 19th century New York to marvel still more at the triumphs and failings of America's first guilded age--all while indulging again in the innerworkings of Mr. Carr's unforgettable characters. I closed The Angel of Darkness only to find myself back where I was at close of The Alienist--Please, Mr. Carr, give us Moore! And, more of the cautiously detached Doctor; more Moore, Miss Howard, Cyrus and The Detective Seargents-- As for The Stevepipe, he left a tear in my eye at the close The Angel of Darkness and I was relieved to learn what had and would become of him. Even better, I was delighted that such a "plain man" could render such a wonderfully memorable tale! Bravo!

Rating:
Summary: Deus ex machina rears its ugly head!
Review: Disappointing sequel to a superb historical thriller (The Alienist). This one was much too long, the villain was much less persuasive, and the ending was a lame use of deus ex machina ("God from the machine"), a completely artificial intervention by a powerful outside force to "save the day."

Rating:
Summary: Carr Does it again!
Review: For fans of the Alienist, I would highly recommend this book. I found it compelling and very entertaining. Those who enjoyed the first novel, may be amused by the point-of-view Carr takes in this Sequel. Instead of John Shuyler Moore, we see through the eyes of Stevie Taggert. Some may find it amusing that the view of Moore is drastically different than that of the first novel. My only complaint concerns the strange use of Teddy Roosevelt in this novel. Carr portrays him as a superhero, who is able to do no wrong, and will rescue justice without regard to cost. Although I believe Roosevelt was an execeptional person, and a great president, his protrayal was a bit over done and superfical. However, any fan of the first book will surely enjoy the Angel of Darkness!

Rating:
Summary: s- l-o-w beginning followed by fast, exciting conclusion
Review: If you've already read "The Alienist" you can skip the first 100 pages of this book, it takes that long for Carr to settle into telling the story of Libby Hatch. Whereas "The Alienist" was told from the viewpoint of John Moore, a journalist for The New York Times, "The Angel of Darkness" is narrated by Stevie Taggart, one of the characters from that first book. Once the book actually gets going, however, it's first-rate, in particular the courtroom scenes with Clarence Darrow and the sections in which Stevie and Miss Howard (also from the first book) drive around upstate New York searching for information about the elusive Libby. Theodore Roosevelt makes a reappearance in this book as well although I thought his whole reason for getting involved in the case was a bit contrived. On the whole, however, it's a well-written and interesting book. Carr twice hints that the next book will be written from the perspective of the independent and energetic Sara Howard, which should be most interesting.

Rating:
Summary: The best I have read since "The Alienist"
Review: I have often described "The Alienist" as the best book I have ever read. I was reluctant to read "Angel" since I was fearful of a huge letdown. I could not have been more wrong. If "The Alienist" is a 1 then "Angel" is 1A. I am only half way through but am finding it equally as engrossing as Carr's first book. The characters have returned like old friends and are even more appealing and eccentric. The new characters are both riotous and downright scary. Knowing the identity of the title character but moving through a maze of intuitive reasoning only makes the book more spellbinding. I also love the detail of New York and the references to upper state where I like to visit. All in all, a first rate journey into the criminal and investigative mind.

Rating:
Summary: complete waste of time
Review: if you read above the sixth grade level, don't waste your time with this book. walt disney, however, may want to make this book into a movie...for children...not adults. 700 pages of pure dribble.