The Alienist

By: Caleb Carr

Narrated by: George Guidall

A new breed of evil in Old New York

New York, 1886: Lower Manhattan's underworld is ruled by a new generation of cold-blooded criminals...Police Commissioner Theodore Roosevelt battles widespread corruption within the department's ranks...and a shockingly brutal murder sets off an investigation that could change crime-fighting forever.

In the middle of a wintry March night, New York Times reporter John Moore is summoned to the East River by his friend Dr. Laszlo Kreizler, a brilliant pioneer in the new and much-maligned discipline of psychology, the emerging study of society's "alienated" mentally ill. There they view the horribly mutilated body of a young boy, a prostitute from one of Manhattan's infamous brothels. Supervised by Commissioner Roosevelt, the newsman and his "alienist" mentor embark on a revolutionary attempt to identify the killer by assembling his psychological profile -- a dangerous quest that takes them into the tortured past and twisted mind of a murderer who has killed before...and will kill again before the hunt is over.

As rich in vivid period ambience as Ragtime and Time and Again, and as relentlessly suspenseful as Red Dragon or The Silence of the Lambs, The Alienist will take you to a New York that no longer exists -- to confront an evil of timeless savagery.

Favorite Book of All Time

Mr. Carr can weave an amazing story. The fact that much of it is historically accurate is an added plus. Just wish he'd write Sarah's story. I'd buy it in a heart beat.

great listen

A great detective story taking place in late 19th century NYC with referances to actual people and places. good narration and a decent pace.

Excellent read

Wonderful historical mystery. Read this book in my 20’s and just finished the audio version 15 years later. If you like a good murder/serial killer mystery, you’ll love this one.

Criminal Minds in 1890s Manhattan

One of the best historical mysteries I've found in a while. A rich period piece that explores some very dark social and psychological themes without being depressing. This is largely due to Mr. Carr's creation of a wholly likable ensemble of smart, witty, flawed sleuths that not only entertain but endear themselves to the listener. The brilliant but wounded Dr. Kreizler, the intemperate, dry-witted NY Times reporter John Schuyler Moore, the genteel, derringer-packing, aspiring woman-detective Sara Howard, and the comical bickering Detective Sergeants, the Isaacson brothers.

The world of 1890s New York City--from Delmonico's to Five Points--is brought vividly to life by Mr. Guidall's accomplished performance of The Alienist. A thoroughly enjoyable novel.

Well wrought but over written

The Alienist is dense, slow, and heavy on description. As a historian, Carr did his best to recreate late 19th century New York life. But unlike Dickens, his story suffers and drags until almost half way through the novel. When it finally catches the imagination it moves quite swiftly but I almost gave up on it several times.