- Paperback: 534 pages
- Publisher: Sphere; New edition edition (12 Jan 1995)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0751512958
- ISBN-13: 978-0751512953
- Product Dimensions: 12.6 x 4 x 19.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 201,423 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Review
'Carr's stylish tale is brilliantly researched and written with commanding elegance and supreme confidence.' IRISH INDEPENDENT 'a vivid picture of fin-de-siecle New York.' TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT 'This first novel, superbly written and transfixingly gripping, is an extraordinary achievement.' SCOTSMAN 'Superb. Too good to leave on a beach.' MAIL ON SUNDAY
Book Description
Reissue of this ground-breaking historical whodunnit, in which 1890s New York is as much a character as the investigators
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
19 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A corker of a book! Carr's obviously done his research here (and judging from 'the devil soldier' he's more than capable). The combination of history, history of forensics and forensic psychology, profiling, etc., all mixed together with a healthy dose of psycho/sociopath on the loose is gripping stuff. How much is factually accurate, I know not but I'm not going to argue the point. His characters are likeable and fun, albeit a rather eccentric bunch; his villian is villianous and his plots twist and turn like twisty turny things. I first borrowed and read this several years ago, then bought a copy for myself - I've now lent that to a friend and not seen it since so will be replacing mine again soon. It will be one that remains in my collection to be read again and again.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
An average crime story without surprises and twists. When I think about that book it reminds of a phrase I heard a long time ago: ‘Everything has been said before!’ Nothing in the story plot is surprising or exciting. The chase after the murder is a straightforward plot and not even the end of the story offers interesting or surprising moments. Why would you read that book? Because of the vivid and historically well researched descriptions of New York and its people in 1896. The book is also an interesting read if you enjoy forensics and the history of it. However, the character development is kind of odd and not very realistic in some instances. For example, the forensic team investigating the murders consists of a woman and a black man. Back at that time, the level of involvement of these characters would have been rather impossible or at least very different. I got the impression the author tried to be too politically correct. Another odd part is Kreizler’s mysterious childhood which influences his decisions in some cases. This part of the story is not sufficiently enough addressed and contradicts with the overall approach of explaining everything in great detail. All in all an average crime story and nothing you have to read.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
One of my better 'bargain bin' discoveries, this one. I picked it up for a mere 20% of the cover price.
Let's get to the point: what makes for a good character in a book or film? A character that you can really identify with? One that you really care about? Caleb Carr will show you the answer to that question: each of the characters in this book has a history, a background of events that caused them to become who they are.
Result: as the reader, you actually give a damn about what happens to them. You understand the basis for the decisions they make, the actions they take, the feelings they have, and ultimately what becomes of them.
The plot is well thought out, with a few sub plots and red herrings thrown in for good measure. Mr Carr's writing style is perfect for the job too: reminiscent of old classics from the 19th century, yet fast-paced enough to keep the reader interested. The setting of old New York is vividly brought to life, street by street, building by building, and the communities it houses are portrayed with sympathy and realism. Truly Caleb must have spent many a long night doing his research.
The conclusion is logical and satisfactory - no need for a hackneyed twist in the tail or a cliched moral lesson.
I read somewhere that he's sold the film rights for a large sum of money. Good for him. This book will make a great film, particularly if the producers put the emphasis on quality drama, beautiful cinematography and competent acting, rather than hollywood glitz or gore...
I read one review on Amazon.co.uk that gave the book a poor review due to it's lack of fear and tension. I feel that's missing the point somewhat. If you want horror, go read Stephen King or one of his ilk. This book is about criminal psychology - what makes a man into a killer? And as such nobody - but NOBODY - has done a better job than Caleb Carr.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Almost perfect
Carr has almost everything he needs to make a memorable book: Fascinating characterization, deep story, riveting portrayal of early psychological analysis and a setting full of... Read more
Published 13 months ago by ElvenAngel
Really gripping, unusual thriller
Give yourself a few pages to get used to the 19th century, 1st person narrative. It's a little wordy and - at first - a little tiresome, but the voice of our narrator, Moore, soon... Read more
Published on 28 Aug 2009 by daisyrock
Good but somewhat flawed
This was bought for me for Christmas a couple of years back. The giver knew I like thrillers and crime shows on TV and also knew I was an avid reader. Read more
Published on 18 July 2009 by Shutsumon
Meaty and satisfying
A real meaty read this - about 500-600 pages in paperback and all of them worth reading, it gripped me from start to finish, and for my money it deserved its 25 weeks in the... Read more
Published on 28 July 2008 by Erastes
Very Good
I set up this pseudonymous reviewer account because, frankly, I'm sick of fanboys (and girls) throwing up 5 star reviews for their latest flavour-of-the-month read, and drizzling... Read more
Published on 13 Aug 2007 by The 'Simon Cowell' of the Book World
Superb novel written by a historian-professor
Apocryphally, Caleb Carr's publishers thought this was originally a factual historical book when they first received it, but then discovered it moved a little more quickly and... Read more
Published on 17 Feb 2007 by Spinning Jenny
If this book were a movie, it'd be sixteen hours long. And dull.
This story is a hideously protracted piece of work with almost no twists of note. And none at all if you exclude the ridiculous. Read more
Published on 31 Aug 2006 by Mr Malark
Excellent first novel
In the USA at the end of the last century, an "alienist" was one who studied and treated the "alienated", or mentally sick. Read more
Published on 27 Aug 2006 by Pitoucat
A real page-turner
The Alienist was recommended by a friend who thought it might be right up my street. As usual I approach such recommendations with a certain trepidation, however I was not at all... Read more
Published on 9 May 2004 by Robin Gower
Not really a page turner but
An average crime story without surprises and twists. When I think aboutthat book it reminds of a phrase I heard a long time ago: 'Everything hasbeen said before! Read more
Published on 27 April 2004 by Christoph Strizik
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