I've had this book for two years--not sure why I took so long to read it; it was very good.
Dr. Laszlo Kreizler is the Alienist of the title. A Note helpfully explains:
Prior to the 20th Century, persons suffering from mental illness were thought to be "alienated" from the rest of society as well as their own true natures. Those experts who studied mental pathologies were therefore known as "alienists"
John Schuyler Moore, a New York Times crime reporter joins his friend Kreizler at the gruesome murder scene of a boy prostitute. Kreizler and Moore lead a shadowy investigation into the boy's murder. Theodore Roosevelt, the new police commissioner is an ally, but cannot formally approve an investigation headed by an alienist. Alientist theories threaten the power and standing of the rich, the corrupt police force, and the Catholic and Episcopal Churches.
I loved reading about how the team conducted their investigation despite opposition and interference from the elite, their limited technology, and prejudice against new techniques such as fingerprinting. Interactions between the fictional characters with historical figures were done well. (They reminded me of Dreamland and Ragtime.)
I'll look for the mini-series and the sequel.
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