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The Angel of Darkness

Book 2 in the series:Dr. Laszlo Kreizler

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'The Angel of Darkness' is a sequel to the novel 'The Alienist' by Caleb Carr. The story is set in late 19th-century New York City and follows Dr. Laszlo Kreizler and his team as they investigate a female serial killer targeting children. The narrative is rich in historical details, featuring real figures like Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Clarence Darrow. The plot explores themes of forensic profiling, court trials, and the challenges of solving crimes in a corrupt society.

is narrated from the perspective of Stovepipe Stevie, offering a unique insight into the characters and events. The writing style is described as well-researched and historically accurate, with a blend of mystery, thriller, and historical fiction elements. Despite some pacing issues and a few criticisms of certain plot developments, the book is praised for its depth, psychological aspects, and the gripping nature of the story.

Characters:

Characters are well-developed with complex motivations, contributing to a rich exploration of themes such as morality, feminism, and psychological complexity.

Writing/Prose:

The prose is rich and descriptive, effectively weaving historical detail with character-driven narrative.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative revolves around a kidnapping intertwined with political tensions, revealing layers of horror and moral complexity as investigators delve into a series of murders.

Setting:

The setting reflects the intricacies of turn-of-the-century New York City, enriched by social and political tensions.

Pacing:

The pacing is uneven, opening slowly but gradually escalating to a more intense conclusion.
The first thing to do, along these plain lines, is to say why I’ve closed the shop up and come into the back office on a night when there’s still plenty of business that might be done. It’s a fine eve...

Notes:

The Angel of Darkness is a sequel to The Alienist.
The story is set in 1897 New York City, during political tensions between the US and Spain.
The plot revolves around the kidnapping of a diplomat's baby daughter.
Sara Howard, a private detective, leads the investigation with help from her old colleagues.
Stevie Taggert, the narrator, is a teenager reflecting on past events.
Historical figures like Theodore Roosevelt and Clarence Darrow appear in the story.
The kidnapper's identity is known early, shifting focus to motives and background.
Carr's writing style is described as Victorian and rich in detail.
The book explores themes of female criminality and societal perceptions of women.
Forensic science techniques like fingerprinting are emerging themes in the plot.
The pace is slower than The Alienist, focusing more on character development and courtroom drama.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings for The Angel of Darkness include themes of child kidnapping, murder, violence (especially towards women and children), psychological trauma, and depictions of a female serial killer.

From The Publisher:

In The Angel Of Darkness, Caleb Carr brings back the vivid world of his bestselling The Alienist but with a twist: this story is told by the former street urchin Stevie Taggert, whose rough life has given him wisdom beyond his years. Thus New York City, and the groundbreaking alienist Dr. Kreizler himself, are seen anew.

It is June 1897. A year has passed since Dr. Laszlo Kreizler, a pioneer in forensic psychiatry, tracked down the brutal serial killer John Beecham with the help of a team of trusted companions and a revolutionary application of the principles of his discipline. Kreizler and his friends - high-living crime reporter Schuyler Moore; indomitable, derringer-toting Sara Howard; the brilliant (and bickering) detective brothers Marcus and Lucius Isaacson; powerful and compassionate Cyrus Montrose; and Stevie Taggert, the boy Kreizler saved from a life of street crime - have returned to their former pursuits and tried to forget the horror of the Beecham case.

But when the distraught wife of a Spanish diplomat begs Sara's aid, the team reunites to help her find her kidnapped infant daughter. It is a case fraught with danger, since Spain and the United States are on the verge of war. Their investigation leads the team to a shocking suspect: a woman who appears to the world to be a heroic nurse and a loving mother, but who may in reality be a ruthless murderer of children.

Fast-paced and chilling, The Angel Of Darkness is another tour de force from Caleb Carr, a novel of modern evil in old New York.

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About the Author:

Caleb Carr is the critically acclaimed author of The Alienist, The Angel of Darkness, The Lessons of Terror, Killing Time, The Devil Soldier, The Italian Secretary, The Legend of Broken, and Surrender, New York. He has taught military history at Bard College, and worked extensively in film, television, and the theater. His military and political writings have appeared in numerous magazines and periodicals, among them The Washington Post, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal. He lives in upstate New York.

 
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