A review by peace_tea
The Alienist by Caleb Carr

challenging dark emotional informative sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

This book was intense, emotional, and an incredibly insightful work of historical fiction. When study of the human psyche and its use in criminal profiling was just beginning to stand on its own two feet, and ‘serial killers’ were remotely unheard of. This book made me cry, and the only reason it’s not a five star is because the beginning was slow going.