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scheu's review against another edition
4.0
I am not a mystery reader, so under normal circumstances I would not have picked this up. I heard Lynsday Faye on NPR talking about 'Three Books You Must Read' and much to my surprise they were all fantastic books I worship. I didn't know what to expect, but I enjoy well-researched historical fiction and I really liked (the first two of) Caleb Carr's books, so there I went.
I am still not a mystery reader. I don't care who did it, or why they did it; I'm always more interested in the characters and the world and the bits in-between. Faye is deft with all three. She made me pick up a copy of Gotham (the nonfiction), actually PAY for it too, because it's much too large to finish over the course of even a few library renewals. She made me nose around her blog and copy her cocktail recipes. She did not make me drive past her house, I'm happy to say.
I will read the next Wilde book, though, if only to see if things get better for everyone.
I am still not a mystery reader. I don't care who did it, or why they did it; I'm always more interested in the characters and the world and the bits in-between. Faye is deft with all three. She made me pick up a copy of Gotham (the nonfiction), actually PAY for it too, because it's much too large to finish over the course of even a few library renewals. She made me nose around her blog and copy her cocktail recipes. She did not make me drive past her house, I'm happy to say.
I will read the next Wilde book, though, if only to see if things get better for everyone.
jengirlreads's review against another edition
3.0
Really, I'd give this 3.5 stars. Good read, interesting plot, but more of a character study than a straight-up whodunit. It's got the historical bent of The Alienist, but it's not nearly as technical or forensic.
sandin954's review against another edition
5.0
A really good historical mystery. Set in 1845 when New York City formed its first police force, this had lots of great historical detail, vivid descriptions, interesting characters, and a serviceable enough plot. Listened to the audio version which was narrated by Steven Boyer who I found very engaging.
cloudy__queer's review against another edition
5.0
High quality escapism with a likeable main character. I felt sympathy for Timothy Wilde, losing everything including his work. Taking on a new career with great compassion for the poor, the young, the disadvantaged and not only showing compassion but helping as many as he can along the way.
leahreadsalot's review against another edition
4.0
I love a good historical novel and this captures the grit, language, and grime of 1800s NYC (or at least the way I picture it). Fast-paced and suspenseful, this one will pull you in. Some parts don't quite tie together but for a good thriller, a solid 4 stars
joelkarpowitz's review against another edition
4.0
I'm a sucker for historical fiction crime novels (The Alienist, etc.) and The Gods of Gotham ranks up there as both fascinating history of New York in the 1840s (mistrust of Catholic and Irish, the first city police force, the political infighting, etc.) and a pretty good little mystery novel. Faye had me guessing right up to the end, and some of the relationships between several characters didn't fall out the way I expected them to--and that's a good thing. I know there are at least two other books in this series, and I will probably pick them up at some point. Lots of fun.
nevclue's review against another edition
4.0
Set in New York City in 1845 and spectacularly atmospheric. The bigotry, racism, prejudice, poverty, and general filth of the city is never ignored. In particular the politics surrounding the Irish immigrants is unfortunately quite timely. Despite the horrific things that happen in book and the occasional hate filled rhetoric, it is always clear that the main character and the story itself condemns it.
Mystery was good, although I guessed the killer at about the halfway point. Characters were very well drawn, in particular the fact that Timothy could be so insightful with complete strangers and so very blind with those he was closest to.
Mystery was good, although I guessed the killer at about the halfway point. Characters were very well drawn, in particular the fact that Timothy could be so insightful with complete strangers and so very blind with those he was closest to.
lavoiture's review against another edition
4.0
Great book in what is hopefully a series of 19th century mystery novels set in NYC. I wasn't sure about it at the beginning, and it took me awhile to get into it, but then I couldn't put it down. It wasn't exactly a quick read, but I'd happily read more with the same characters.
yario's review against another edition
5.0
This is the most surprising young adult novel about the Holocaust that I have ever encountered. The author takes a well-trodden topic in literature - the Holocaust -, mixes it up, turns it around and out comes a surprising, suspense-filled novel that portrays a week in the lives of a group of young people from very different backgrounds (I don't want to spoil the story, but I can say that this cast of people was a first for me in any kind of Holocaust-related literature) as they struggle to survive the genocidal cleansing of Berlin in 1945. To top it off, the author, who is a Holocaust scholar, has invented his story around real historical events. So the book is also highly educational. I read 200 pages of the book in one sitting, and the rest the next day. To conclude: this is a wonderful novel - for youths and adults alike.