Caleb Carr's The Alienist garners praise for its gripping plot, rich historical detail, and well-developed characters. Critics appreciate its blend of psychological and crime thriller elements, though some find the pacing uneven and certain subplots underwhelming. Overall, it is lauded as a compelling read for fans of historical fiction and crime mysteries.

Readers who revel in historical mysteries with psychological depth will be captivated by Caleb Carr's The Alienist. Fans of Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes series or Erik Larson's The Devil in the White City will appreciate its rich depiction of 1896 New York City and complex criminal investigations.

Set in 1896 New York City, Caleb Carr's historical thriller The Alienist follows Dr. Laszlo Kreizler, a psychologist, as he leads a covert investigation into the brutal murders of commercially sexually exploited children. Assisted by New York Times reporter John Schuyler Moore, aspiring detective Sara Howard, and the forensic-minded Isaacson brothers, Kreizler builds a psychological profile of the killer amidst opposition from the city's powerful elite, supported clandestinely by Police Commissioner Theodore Roosevelt. The book includes graphic depictions of violence and discussions of the commercial sexual exploitation of children.

Mysterious / Dark / Suspenseful / Gritty / Melancholic

Caleb Carr

Adult

Novel

Dr. Laszlo Kreizler

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

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Overview

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1: “Perception”

Part 1, Chapters 1-13

The Alienist Part 1, Chapters 1-13 Summary & Analysis

Part 2: “Association”

Part 2, Chapters 14-29

The Alienist Part 2, Chapters 14-29 Summary & Analysis

Part 3: “Will”

Part 3, Chapters 30-47

The Alienist Part 3, Chapters 30-47 Summary & Analysis

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Character Analysis

The Alienist Character Analysis

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The Alienist

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