The actual story -- an unlikely team works together to create a psychological profile of a serial killer in late 19th century New York -- was very good, but it gets bogged down in details. Caleb Carr is a historian and can't seem to resist including unnecessary details. Maybe if I lived in NYC, I would find all that fascinating, but I felt like the Carr could have cut 100-200 pages of extraneous information and had a much tighter narrative. ( )

A gripping historical mystery set in New York, 1896. Alienist (psychologist) Dr. Laszlo Kreizler and his reporter friend John Schuyler Moore embark upon investigation of a case nobody wants to acknowledge: the murder and mutilation of an adolescent boy. One minute delving into the darkest, seamiest aspects of society, the next crossing paths with the powerful and wealthy, the duo embarks upon a revolutionary undertaking: stopping a killing spree through psychological profiling.

Carr's novel is both gripping and disturbing, illuminating and haunting. He does a fantastic job of putting readers on the scene and immersing them in the time and place. The novel is peppered with historical figures, the most prominent being Theodore Roosevelt. All in all, this is a great read. ( )

I'm not big on detective/ mystery books. I thought this one was well-written, and really graphic in the depictions of the corpses. It unsettled me more than I want to admit. I chose to read this to see what all the fuss was about. Now I can say: Been there. Done that. ( )

"of all the people who were up there tonight, who do you think is really the most dangerous to the boys uptown?"

This is a very interesting story about criminology and possibility of understanding and trying to predict and stop serial killers. It's a brutal read, full of gore and violence. It's wholly fascinating, though, to go through the minds of the characters and try to predict the next move of the killers. Especially when there are names like Teddy Roosevelt through in. And a setting of New York in its infancy. Add in Sara, a girl trying to push her way through the world without a man, and you have the makings of a very fascinating book. Definitely one I enjoyed and series I plan to continue.

Side note, I didn't love Kreizler but I think it's in line with his personality. I loved Sara and Moore. I'm glad that it seems their two other police sidekicks will stick with them as well as Stevie appeared okay and Cyrus was too! ( )

Very good mass murder mystery set before turn of 20th century. Characters included Teddy Roosevelt and J.P. Morgan. Main character was psychologist (alienist) Laszlo Kreizler.

I bought the book to see whether I wanted to watch the upcoming TNT series. This book was very difficult to put down. I especially enjoyed the descriptions of turn of the century New York neighborhoods. And, the interplay among the various characters in the book was fascinating as well. This book's status as a best seller is well-deserved. ( )

I read half and then…didn’t care enough to finish. I guess it is supposed to be an interesting examination of early psychiatric forensics, but it was not that interesting. Kind of boring.

100 pages didn’t draw me in. Moving on. ( )

Caleb Carr's novel of a serial killer on the loose in turn of the century New York, and the dangerous pursuit of him by Dr. Lazlo Kreizler and his friends is a truly wonderful read. This has so much period atmosphere the reader can almost hear the hoofbeats trotting over the cobblestone streets beneath gaslit street lamps. It is long and exciting, yet not long enough, because by the time you finish, you'll feel like many of these people are your friends, and want to spend more time with them.

The riveting story is narrated by Dr. Kreizler's good friend, John Moore. Before you are finished reading this delicious historical mystery you will meet an array of interesting and memorable characters you'll come to cherish. Sara Howard is a pretty and extremely capable woman ahead of her time. Sara and Kreizler's pal, Moore, push the investigation forward against strong opposition from conventional law enforcement. Two New York cops also ahead of their time, Lucius and Marcus, will use footwork and cutting-edge investigative techniques to catch a dangerous killer. A young street urchin, Stevie, saved from a miserable future by the good doctor, and a very loyal servant named Cyrus round out this rag-tag group that confront the unthinkable. They will break new ground, using Lazlo's "profile" to catch a serial killer.

When Lazlo's old friend, Theodore Roosevelt, now head of the New York Police Department, is confronted with several murders of boy prostitutes so gruesome in nature that even the most seasoned and hardened of professionals can barely stomach being called to the murder scenes, he makes a decision that will change the face of police-work forever. He unofficially allows Kreizler to form a small group to pursue the killer through psychological profiling. Police secretary Sara Howard, and crime reporter John Moore, a man who knows the underbelly of New York all to well, are two of the main players in this exciting mystery. As they close in on the killer through Kreizler's use of psychological profiling, danger hits closer to home than any of our friends had expected.

There are moments so full of flavor in this fine historical mystery that you'll feel like you are sitting alongside the characters at Delmonico's as they enjoy a good meal, and plan their next move. This fine novel is truly memorable, and holds a special place among books I've read. If you love historical mysteries you do not want to miss this one! ( )

Some nuggets, but a lot of work to get to them.
Should have been pared down 150-200 pages. ( )

Despite the fact that this book indeed reads like a Sherlock Holmes mystery of sorts, I found this novel utterly enjoyable and read it in only a few sittings. As a fan of historical fiction, I fell in love with the trueness Carr portrayed to the era and setting as well as the characters. Although not a huge fan of murder mysteries or psychological thrillers, Carr drew me into the world of the early 1900s New York effortlessly, kidnapping my attention as I grappled with recent discoveries and turning points in the investigation of this tale. I found myself eagerly plotting my next opportunity to read this amazing work and would definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys murder mysteries or is interested in forensics/criminology. ( )

#854 in our old book database. Not rated. ( )

So, I found this book on my shelf and thought it sounded good and that I would sit down and read it. I read the first paragraph and thought .. wait a minute, this is familiar.. then I remembered that I had read it over the summer. Now, you would think that this would mean this book was forgettable, something to read if you have nothing else - but as I flipped through the pages to remind myself, I remembered ... it was an excellent read. Why did I forget it? I don't know.. the writing is fluid, moving you along a story with descriptions that should make the reader shy away but are done almost respectfully.. the smells of the city streets accompanies you through ... is there a second, I think I have to go check now! ( )

Well it was a long haul but I made it through. Don't get me wrong, this novel is very good but I have to say the Netflix series was so much better! I wish I had read the book first. The beginning of the novel gave all the background info on the characters but, of course, since I had already watched the show, I felt a bit bored. I recommend this novel but be sure to watch the show after reading! ( )

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. ( )

The Good: Good plot, well-written and takes us on a journey of historical significance (with Teddy Roosevelt as a supporting character and financier, J.P. Morgan in a “cameo”). This novel is very descriptive and very detailed. As it progressed, I began to notice investigative details that you would see in current crime shows such as CSI, Criminal Minds, etc (things that most of us, as average reader, probably would not have expected from a novel published in the mid-90’s), and for that it took on a sort of fascination, connecting old world with new.

The Bad: As I stated, the novel was descriptive and detailed. While that was good, it was also bad. At times the novel became too mundane and I had to put it down and take a break before I could continue again (several times during my course of reading). There were scenes (at least a couple) that I felt added nothing to the story, but to be filler.

According to imdb, there is currently a TNT mini-series in development. This is very much something I would like to see if it does come into fruition, as I do enjoy watching period piece movies/shows (particularly those set in this era).
( )

What a fantastic book and well worth pulling off the shelves for a re-read (I know it was a re-read because the bookmark was still in place!). Told with all the grime and opulence and change that was 1896 New York City, it also describes the work of an early psychologist or Alienist, as the title was at the time.

The book opens (after a chapter giving the details of their lives told over dinner decades later) with John Schuyler Moore, a police beat reporter, and his friend, Laszlo Kreizler, investigating what becomes a string of murders of young boy prostitutes. The burgeoning idea of speaking to the insane without the use of drugs and recognizing the effects of abuse on children has influenced Kreizler to use his methods to find this killer.

Woven into this story is the new Commissioner of Police, Theodore Roosevelt, and a woman who wants nothing more than to investigate crimes with the police department. On her own terms. A pair of brothers rounds out the investigative team and their methods that are commonplace today: finding an isolated room for their research, writing ideas onto chalkboards to find commonalities, and knocking on door after door to find and track down possible clues. Each new set of ideas brings different aspects of New York's City life to the growing investigation.

Putting together the pieces of this murderer, what motivates him to choose his victims, what his childhood was like, and when he might strike next are brilliantly done. I have not seen the TV series based on this book so there were no spoilers for me. Just good, gritty, historical story-telling at its finest. ( )

This book was compelling in the way its mystery was told and unraveled. Trigger Warning: sexual assault of a child. This story felt like a Victorian era retelling of an episode of Bones. It was dark, twisted, and well thought out. Each character has their own obstacle to navigate as the book goes on, all having something to prove. Dr. Laszlo Kreisler (what a name) desperately wants behavioral science and psychology to be credited. Sara Howard wants to prove she's as good as any man in solving mysteries. John Moore plays a journalist trying to strike it big. ( )

Pretty graphic, but very good writing and storytelling. ( )

Loved the 1890s history of NYC wrapped in a mystery. Found myself researching a lot; I LOVE when a book makes me do that! This book was like CRIMINAL MINDS' techniques applied in the 19th century. Plus, the writer's dad was "the glue" of the Beat generation = total geeky awesomeness. #randomfact

Favorite Quote: "Absolutely nothing brings out the killer instinct in the upper crust of New York society like a charity function." ( )

For some reason, it took me a while to get into this book. Maybe it was because of the time period. But once I got to know the characters and late 19th century New York City (which is almost a separate character in itself), I found it hard to put the book down. In an odd way, I see similarities between this book and the Lincoln Rhyme books I enjoy. The difference is that Lincoln uses forensic evidence to put together a profile of the killers and Laszlo Kreizler uses psychological evidence to put together a profile. He and his colleagues try to determine what kind of person would commit the murders and from there they're eventually able to find the killer. I found the story fascinating and the characters well rounded. I am looking forward to reading the second book he wrote with these same characters. ( )

*** ITA/ENG ***
Ho apprezzato molto alcuni aspetti realistici del romanzo: Laszlo e i fratelli Isaacson hanno idee moderne per il loro periodo, che per noi risultano invece in alcuni casi giustamente datate, anche se dal punto di vista morale mi sono sembrati un po' edulcorati per adattarsi alle nostre sensibilità.

Lo stile 'memoriale' alla dt. Watson, mi ha però impedito di immergermi nella narrazione: con momenti di tensione importante, un protagonista che ha delle reazioni anche inconsulte, persino un accennato triangolo amoroso... questo stile mi ha un po' azzoppato la narrazione, lo trovo più adatto a storie dove la parte emotiva è un po' in secondo piano, come appunto uno Sherlock Holmes.

Anche qualche taglio al testo non avrebbe guastato, secondo me. In alcuni punti si cade un po' nello spiegone, capisco che sono romanzi storici e alcune cose potrebbero non essere note a tutti, ma se proprio si vuole approfondire si potrebbero aggiungere della appendici al testo.
**************

One thing I particularly liked was that the author tried to be careful of the setting: Laszlo and the Isaacson brothers ideas are surely advanced for their time, but for our time, because of course, they are in the '800. It seems obvious, but I've seen a lot of 'historical novels' where the protagonist(s) are just 'transplanted' from our era. The characters are still a bit white-washed to appeal more to the public, I think, but not in a cringe-worthy way for me.

My main problem with the novel is that it wasn't able to involve me emotionally. Mostly because of the style: a memorial (reminiscent of the Sherlock Holmes novels) that made the narration somewhat detached for a book that includes some strong moments and even a somewhat-hinted-love-triangle.


Il Club del Libro
Libro del mese di Novembre 2019 ( )

I wanted to give it zero stars. No true character development, obvious plot design, anachronistic chatacters and details, predictable ending and no sense of scene or time. ( )

I didn't realize that this was an abridged version (I was lured by the 4 hour duration, considering how far behind my reading goal I am), so it was a little disappointing. The characters were surface level only and the action went in leaps and bounds rather than in a measured pace. That being said, I was able to follow the story even if a lot of the detail was left out and I can see the appeal of some of the characters. ( )

Excellent, intricate thriller. ( )