The Alienist

It is 1896, and a serial murderer is on the loose in New York City. The twist here is that the unofficial investigation (sanctioned by Chief of Police Theodore Roosevelt) uses a doctor specializing in the new science of psychology to help solve the crimes. The result is a fascinating discussion of a city poised on the edge of modernity, expertly narrated by George Guidall. Besides creating numerous characters, Guidall builds excitement with masterful pacing, effective pauses, and an omnipresent understanding of the text. Guidall uses his voice both to smooth out Carr's narrative wrinkles and to capture a city about to emerge as a major force in the twentieth century. R.I.G. (c) AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine

What creature stalks lower Manhattan at the turn of the century and mutilates its victims in unspeakable ways? John Moore, New York Times reporter and Lazzlo Kreizler, "alienist" (psychologist) combine efforts with the police, headed by Theodore Roosevelt, to track down this ruthless killer. Seemingly disconnected events, autopsies and actions build the profile of the mutilator/ murderer as the central question of free will versus psychological determinism is played out. Edward Hermann reads the part of each character with spine-tingling accents which range from New York and Massachusetts vowels to Eastern European intonations. Hermann switches seamlessly from character to narrative, using the natural breaks in the story to punctuate the horror of the plot. The abridgment is subtle, holding the story lines together. The action, investigation and conclusion leave the listener breathless to the very end. M.B.K. Winner of AUDIOFILE Earphones Award (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine