My husband and I watched the TV show on TNT before I read this book. I know, I know. Bad form. But it was actually quite good and followed the book as best as a TV series could. Before that I had never even heard of this author or his books. Amazingly my husband and I were quite fond of psychological thrillers and this was right up our alley. History is his all time favorite subject and I am in love with everything Victorian era.
The novel introduces us to Victorian era New York and the beginning of mental disorders. Instead of simply locking them away or killing them, Dr Lazlo Kriezler is attempting to understand them and thus give them a voice. However, this particular killer doesn't seem to want to be understood as they go around killing young boys who dress up as killers and prostitute themselves. There seems to be a particular behavior that the killer looks for in his victims and its up to Lazlo, Moore, and others to stop him.
I was drawn in immediately as I had just started my job at a psychiatrist office. I was curious to see how the actors would portray the disorders, and I thought they did it justice. The books were wonderfully descriptive as to the various behaviors and oddities. I also found myself perplexed with John Moore as he tried to understand his friend's Kriezler. I will have to take a point off as sometimes the writing became a little "off center" for me. There were various passages that felt wrong to the story overall.
The characters were explicit and well rounded. They had flaws and fears, and Caleb Carr did a magnificent job of bringing them to life. I found myself enraptured with John and feared for his life as well as Stevie's and Cyrus.
Overall I recommend reading the book for I give it 4 out of 5 stars. Then I recommend watching the TV series to give your own opinion as to whether or not the actors and directors did their very best.
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