• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Menu
Community Library Logo
Search
  • Search the CATALOG for books and more
  • Search the CALENDAR for programs and events
  • Search the WEBSITE for general information
  • I Want To
    • Use My Library Account
    • Get a Library Card
    • Reserve a Room
    • Find Books and More
    • Renew or Place a Hold
    • Request an Item
    • Digital Collections
    • Computers and Printing
    • Ask a Librarian
  • Visit
  • Use the Library
    • Books, eBooks, and More
    • Children’s and Young Adult Library
    • Research and Learn
    • Center for Regional History
    • Computers and Printing
    • Reserve a Room
    • Library Policies
    • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Programs and Exhibits
    • Calendar of Events
    • Program Archive
    • Regional History Museum/Exhibits
    • Children’s and Young Adult Library
    • Ernest Hemingway Seminar
    • Sun Valley Early Literacy Summit
    • To Taste Life Twice Seminar
  • Hemingway
    • Hemingway House and Preserve
    • Writer-in-Residence Program
    • Ernest Hemingway Seminar
  • Our Story
    • Staff and Board of Trustees
    • Library Blog
    • Newsletters and Reports
    • Employment & Volunteer Opportunities
    • Gold Mine Stores
Give and Support
  • The Community Library
  • Gold Mine Stores
  • Center for Regional History
    • Regional History Museum/Exhibits
    • Hemingway in Idaho
    • Regional History Reading Room
    • Historic Photographs
The Community Library Association
  • The Community Library
  • Gold Mine Stores
  • Center for Regional History
  • Get a library card
  • I want to
    I Want To
    • Use My Library Account
    • Reserve a Room
    • Find Books and More
    More
    • Renew or Place a Hold
    • Request an Item
    • Use Our Digital Collections
    • Use a Computer/Print/Scan
    • Ask a Librarian
Community Library Logo
  • I Want To
    • Use My Library Account
    • Get a Library Card
    • Reserve a Room
    • Find Books and More
    • Renew or Place a Hold
    • Request an Item
    • Digital Collections
    • Computers and Printing
    • Ask a Librarian
  • Visit
  • Use the Library
    • Books, eBooks, and More
    • Children’s and Young Adult Library
    • Research and Learn
    • Center for Regional History
    • Computers and Printing
    • Reserve a Room
    • Library Policies
    • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Programs and Exhibits
    • Calendar of Events
    • Program Archive
    • Regional History Museum/Exhibits
    • Children’s and Young Adult Library
    • Ernest Hemingway Seminar
    • Sun Valley Early Literacy Summit
    • To Taste Life Twice Seminar
  • Hemingway
    • Hemingway House and Preserve
    • Writer-in-Residence Program
    • Ernest Hemingway Seminar
  • Our Story
    • Staff and Board of Trustees
    • Library Blog
    • Newsletters and Reports
    • Employment & Volunteer Opportunities
    • Gold Mine Stores
Search
  • Search the CATALOG for books and more
  • Search the CALENDAR for programs and events
  • Search the WEBSITE for general information
Give & Support

Book Review: “The Alienist”


Peter Matschek, Gold Mine Processing Associate, recommends The Alienist by Caleb Carr.

Note: The term “alienist” comes from the fact that, prior to the twentieth century, people who were mentally ill were considered to be “alienated” from society. Those who studied them were therefore called alienists. It was not a field that received a lot of support at that time.

The Alienist takes place in 1890s New York City in the slums. In some of the seediest establishments, there are children who dress up as women and prostitute themselves. And somebody is killing them. 

Since the police at that time were heavily corrupt and couldn’t be trusted, the police commissioner (who was hired to clean up the corruption) put together a team to work outside the system. This team consisted of an investigative reporter who was familiar with the criminal underworld, a woman who was smart, ambitious, and hoping to advance beyond her present secretarial job, and an alienist who was brilliant but beyond arrogant. They had to work in secret locations in the evenings and weekends to avoid getting caught. They faced constant hostility from several sources, not the least being the police (since the police-being unable to locate the killer-felt threatened). 

They started out with the alienist’s theory that peoples actions as adults are influenced (or dictated) by their life’s experiences as a child, which was a very controversial view at that time. They tried to get inside the mind of this evil person and answer the question: How could somebody do this to children and why?  They brainstormed ideas and as the murders continued, they were able to create a plausible psychological profile of the killer. Then, through good old-fashioned detective work, they were able to pinpoint a likely suspect (after many failed attempts) with the hopes of catching him before he could kill again.

I liked this book since it is a classic detective story which focuses of the team’s investigation of the murders rather than focusing on the murderer himself (or herself). It does not describe the crime scenes, so we are spared the gory details of the murders, thank goodness. It’s also a period piece of 1890s New York, which was pretty interesting as well. 

Find it in print, eaudiobook, and ebook here.

Filed Under: Library Blog

Primary Sidebar

  • Staff and Board of Trustees
    • Board of Trustees Meeting Schedule
  • Library Blog
  • Newsletters and Reports
  • Employment & Volunteer Opportunities
  • Gold Mine Stores
    • Gold Mine Donation Guidelines
    • Gold Mine Shopping Guide/FAQ
Comlib

Support the Library

The Community Library’s free resources and services reflect the generosity of community members like you!
Donate
Gold Mine Stores
Volunteer

The Community Library

Location

415 Spruce Ave. North
PO Box 2168
Ketchum, ID 83340

Hours

Sunday
closed
Monday
10:00am - 6:00pm
Tuesday
10:00am - 8:00pm
Wednesday
10:00am - 8:00pm
Thursday
10:00am - 8:00pm
Friday
10:00am - 6:00pm
Saturday
10:00am - 6:00pm

Contact

208.726.3493
info@comlib.org

About us

  • Our Story
  • Staff and Board
  • Give & Support
  • Volunteer

Site Map

  • Home
  • Visit The Community Library Association
  • Events
  • Programs and Exhibits
  • Use the Library
  • Catalog
Got a question? Ask Us

THE COMMUNITY LIBRARY ASSOCIATION

  • The Community Library
  • The Jeanne Rodger Lane Center for Regional History
  • The Gold Mine Stores

MAILING ADDRESS

PO Box 2168
Ketchum, ID 83340
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
2023 © The Community Library Association, Inc. All Rights Reserved | The Community Library is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization | Federal Tax ID 82-0290944