The Angel of Darkness

Starred review from September 1, 1997
The multitudes who enjoyed The Alienist are in for a surprise when they open this comfortable sequel to that mega-seller. Gone is the crisp, educated narration of New York Times reporter James Moore, replaced by the hotter, more ragged tones of former street urchin Stevie, a relatively minor figure in the first novel. That's a bold move on Carr's part--Conan Doyle never replaced Watson--but not too bold, as it cuts staleness. Otherwise, the novel retreads its predecessor's prowl through Olde New York and resurrects its catchy crime-busting crew of alienist Laszlo Kreizler and his carefully typecast assistants, as well as a flurry of historical figures (Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Teddy Roosevelt, et al.) whose appearances again blend into the action like stones into cake batter. Why tinker with success? Carr doesn't really, though for variety's sake he takes Kreizler and company upstate for a spell as they gather evidence against the monstrous Libby Hatch, a serial killer whose kidnapping of an infant gets Kreizler on her trail and smack up against society's sentiments about the sanctity of women. Carr also offers some courtroom dramatics as Libby is put on trial, defended by Clarence Darrow. Like The Alienist, this is a talky thriller, paced less by its bursts of violence (culminating in the U.S. Navy invading Greenwich Village) than by its broodings--psychological, moral, legal--about the roots of evil. To experience it is to plunge into a meticulously reconstructed past where ideas count and where the principals take their time exploring them. Just so, readers will want to take their time exploring Carr's cleverly crafted sequel, a novel whose myriad pleasures exude the essence of intelligent leisure reading. 250,000 first printing; major ad/promo; author tour.

It is 1897 in New York City, where the 14- month-old daughter of a Spanish embassy official has been kidnapped. No complaint can be made, however, because of the explosive nature of our relations with Spain, so Dr. Lazlo Kreizler, familiar to readers of Carr's first novel, The Alienist, investigates with his team of oddly assorted friends. Foremost among these is the narrator, Stevie Taggert, whose colorful language and acquaintances pepper the narrative. George Guidall reads Stevie's rough street talk with the same ease he shows with the elegant probing of Dr. Kreizler. He even manages startling cameo performances of Teddy Roosevelt and Clarence Darrow. Most impressive, however, is that Guidall finesses Carr's vast background detail to pique suspense rather than weaken it. Carr and Guidall have teamed to produce a gripping thriller rich with historical and human interest. P.E.F. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award (c) AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine