The Alienist
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • NOW A TNT ORIGINAL SERIES • “A first-rate tale of crime and punishment that will keep readers guessing until the final pages.”—Entertainment Weekly
“Caleb Carr’s rich period thriller takes us back to the moment in history when the modern idea of the serial killer became available to us.”—The Detroit News
When The Alienist was first published in 1994, it was a major phenomenon, spending six months on the New York Times bestseller list, receiving critical acclaim, and selling millions of copies. This modern classic continues to be a touchstone of historical suspense fiction for readers everywhere.
The year is 1896. The city is New York. Newspaper reporter John Schuyler Moore is summoned by his friend Dr. Laszlo Kreizler—a psychologist, or “alienist”—to view the horribly mutilated body of an adolescent boy abandoned on the unfinished Williamsburg Bridge. From there the two embark on a revolutionary effort in criminology: creating a psychological profile of the perpetrator based on the details of his crimes. Their dangerous quest takes them into the tortured past and twisted mind of a murderer who will kill again before their hunt is over.
Fast-paced and riveting, infused with historical detail, The Alienist conjures up Gilded Age New York, with its tenements and mansions, corrupt cops and flamboyant gangsters, shining opera houses and seamy gin mills. It is an age in which questioning society’s belief that all killers are born, not made, could have unexpected and fatal consequences.
Praise for The Alienist
“[A] delicious premise . . . Its settings and characterizations are much more sophisticated than the run-of-the-mill thrillers that line the shelves in bookstores.”—The Washington Post Book World
“Mesmerizing.”—Detroit Free Press
“The method of the hunt and the disparate team of hunters lift the tale beyond the level of a good thriller—way beyond. . . . A remarkable combination of historical novel and psychological thriller.”—The Buffalo News
“Engrossing.”—Newsweek
“Gripping, atmospheric . . . intelligent and entertaining.”—USA Today
“A high-spirited, charged-up and unfailingly smart thriller.”—Los Angeles Times
“Keeps readers turning pages well past their bedtime.”—San Francisco Chronicle
“Caleb Carr’s rich period thriller takes us back to the moment in history when the modern idea of the serial killer became available to us.”—The Detroit News
When The Alienist was first published in 1994, it was a major phenomenon, spending six months on the New York Times bestseller list, receiving critical acclaim, and selling millions of copies. This modern classic continues to be a touchstone of historical suspense fiction for readers everywhere.
The year is 1896. The city is New York. Newspaper reporter John Schuyler Moore is summoned by his friend Dr. Laszlo Kreizler—a psychologist, or “alienist”—to view the horribly mutilated body of an adolescent boy abandoned on the unfinished Williamsburg Bridge. From there the two embark on a revolutionary effort in criminology: creating a psychological profile of the perpetrator based on the details of his crimes. Their dangerous quest takes them into the tortured past and twisted mind of a murderer who will kill again before their hunt is over.
Fast-paced and riveting, infused with historical detail, The Alienist conjures up Gilded Age New York, with its tenements and mansions, corrupt cops and flamboyant gangsters, shining opera houses and seamy gin mills. It is an age in which questioning society’s belief that all killers are born, not made, could have unexpected and fatal consequences.
Praise for The Alienist
“[A] delicious premise . . . Its settings and characterizations are much more sophisticated than the run-of-the-mill thrillers that line the shelves in bookstores.”—The Washington Post Book World
“Mesmerizing.”—Detroit Free Press
“The method of the hunt and the disparate team of hunters lift the tale beyond the level of a good thriller—way beyond. . . . A remarkable combination of historical novel and psychological thriller.”—The Buffalo News
“Engrossing.”—Newsweek
“Gripping, atmospheric . . . intelligent and entertaining.”—USA Today
“A high-spirited, charged-up and unfailingly smart thriller.”—Los Angeles Times
“Keeps readers turning pages well past their bedtime.”—San Francisco Chronicle
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Community Reviews
Caleb Carr's nonfiction background is very apparent in this novel as he pays a lot of attention to details. As a social worker I found the historical and political significance of behavioral analysis fascinating. At points the details were a bit much but overall it was a great read. The description of Theodore Roosevelt's home made me want to visit.
It is a good mystery and a good who done it and why. I was captured by the story from the get go. Most importantly, I love Sara Howard and how tough as nails she was back in that timeframe. She wasn't going to take the backseat and be the fainting lady that we've gotten accustomed to. I also truly enjoyed how they went through trying to find out who it was and how he came to be (the killer). I'm trying exceptionally hard not to give it away but it's a fun ride.
I'll be honest, I mostly read it because I don't get TNT and I can't watch it solely for Luke Evans. So I decided to read it instead.
I'll be honest, I mostly read it because I don't get TNT and I can't watch it solely for Luke Evans. So I decided to read it instead.
Normally, I’m not a huge fan of historical fiction, but I loved the atmosphere this book was set in. The author put so many details about turn of the century NYC that you couldn’t help but see it all clearly in your mind, even if you had no idea what this era was like before reading this book. Setting this murder against the backdrop of 1890s NYC gave it something to make it stand out from all the other murder mysteries out there.
I also really liked the mix of real and fictional characters. Having some real historical figures on the story helped make it as engaging as the other general details. Finally, the look into police and forensic work at the end if the last venture was pretty facinsting. Back then it seemed like things never got dealt with. It's a wonder we've all managed to survive that long!
The main group of characters were what really made book for me. I felt like I could really be friends with most everyones in the book. I really enjoyed the supporting characters the most. Despite not getting as much screen time as the main characters, I definitely felt the same amount for them too. Anyone who likes psychology and crime should check this book out!
I also really liked the mix of real and fictional characters. Having some real historical figures on the story helped make it as engaging as the other general details. Finally, the look into police and forensic work at the end if the last venture was pretty facinsting. Back then it seemed like things never got dealt with. It's a wonder we've all managed to survive that long!
The main group of characters were what really made book for me. I felt like I could really be friends with most everyones in the book. I really enjoyed the supporting characters the most. Despite not getting as much screen time as the main characters, I definitely felt the same amount for them too. Anyone who likes psychology and crime should check this book out!
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