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Review title: Better as a Historical Story
Product review: I enjoyed reading the Alienist, but I wouldn't describe it as a "mystery" or even a "thriller." It is an extremely well-written story of turn-of-the-century New York -- a story which centres around a murder investigation. I found the historical aspects of the story the most interesting, as Caleb Carr's detailed descriptions bring to life the city, people's attitudes and other aspects of life 100 years ago. No surprise, as the liner notes state that he was educated as a historian, and is a native New Yorker.As for the murder investigation, although it's interesting, it's not a "page turner" story. It is a very intellectual story with bits and pieces of action. Caleb Carr doesn't manage to convey the drama of the action quite as well as he conveys the historical aspects of the story. And I found the conclusion of the story unsatisfying.I agree entirely with the 4/5 rating this book gets (to date) -- 5 for the historical part of the story, 3 for the murder investigation.
