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    The Angel of Darkness
    The Angel of Darkness
    The Angel of Darkness
    Audiobook25 hours

    The Angel of Darkness

    Written by Caleb Carr

    Narrated by George Guidall

    4.5/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    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.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherSimon & Schuster Audio
    Release dateNov 6, 2012
    ISBN9781442362482
    The Angel of Darkness
    Author

    Caleb Carr

    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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    Reviews for The Angel of Darkness

    4.5/5

    131 ratings46 reviews

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    • 5/5
      Early on in the book, I thought I wouldn't like this as much as I did _The Alienist_. But what I didn't realize then was that this book has different strengths from the first of the Kreizler books. While the first was imbued with the details of period New York and the giddiness of then-revelatory new methods merging detection and the sciences, _Angel_'s strength is in drama. From the gripping highs and lows of the courtroom to Herr Doctor's internal conflict to the harsh emotional journey of Stevie Taggart, this book raked me over the coals. I want to simultaneously hug and smack Carr for what he put me through.
    • 4/5
      I enjoyed the historical detail. Carr is a master of setting, really evoking the time and place. However, this book really dragged for me. Every scene just always felt a bit too long. While I enjoyed the 'intrusion' of historical characters into the narrative, I thought the ending was really contrived with the inclusion of Teddy Roosevelt and the U.S. Navy. I was also on the fence with the character of El Nino. He just wasn't believable. I liked to focus on a female criminal and the way she broke the existing stereotypes for women of the era, even as she tried to conform to them. I would have liked more psychology and less about gangs. The criminal trial was very interesting, with the surprise inclusion of Clarence Darrow, but again went on too long.
    • 4/5
      Good story beautifully written but tedious sometimes be a use of unnecessary detail. At 600 pages, too long.
    • 4/5
      again with the graphic, again with the good storytelling
    • 5/5
      It is hard not to compare this to the Alienist even thought it is nothing like it. Same characters but a little older and more mature due to the happenings and tribulations of the first novel. Carr really fleshes out the lesser discussed characters like Stevie and Cyrus in this novel. The whole brawl at the end of the book is kind of cheesy but well done. Our little Philipino friend is kind of campy but understandable. All in all this a great book. Very suspenseful, and thought out. Our villain is a true villain. A very scary individual to say the least.
    • 4/5
      Years later but another good entry in the interesting series.
    • 5/5
      I'm still not sure why I read the first of this series - The Alienist. I generally turn my nose up at historical fiction. But, I did read The Alienist so I grabbed The Angel of Darkness the minute it came out. Carr has out done himself. Both stories take place in Manhattan in the 1880's. Dr. Lazlo Kriegler is comparable to today's forensic psychologist. This tale is told in the voice of Stevie whom Dr. Kriegler adopted from the street. When Dr. Kriegler is asked to help the wife of a Spanish diplomat find her stolen baby, he and his band of helpers, instead, find a female serial killer. The story is fascinating and beautifully told. Can't wait for his next one.
    • 3/5
      Set in late 19th century New York City, this mystery features Laszlo Kreizler, an "alienist" (psychologist) and his cohorts as they track down and capture a truly villainous woman. I did find it slow going and often wished that the team would pick up the pace a bit.
    • 5/5
      I love the cast of characters. Fantastic sequel!
    • 5/5
      Very few sequels live up to the original. This is a rare exception. Once again, Caleb Carr blends Historical Fiction with the Detective Novel to produce an outstanding look at life, and crime, in early New York City. Carr does an admirable job of exposing the "good old days" and showing us they were truly the "bad old days". Another superb story that will leave you feeling as if you are truly there.
    • 5/5
      "Angel of Darkness" is Caleb Carr's wonderful sequel to late nineteenth historical crime drama set in NYC, "The Alienist". Carr brings back all of his primary characters, but moves the narrative perspective to the eyes and voice of the young Stevie Taggart, Did I enjoy the book? I stayed up until ridiculously early into the morning, in back-to-back evenings, and basically ignored my 3 kids and dog so that I could burn through the final 350 pages."Angel of Darkness" is part CSI, part "Law & Order", with maybe a pinch of Thomas Harris thrown in for good measure. The story revolves around a woman sought for and ultimately accused of murdering her own children. Numerous subplots are seamlessly woven into and around the core mystery, crime procedural, and courtroom drama, that ultimately unravels to a satisfying suite of conclusions. I wouldn't characterize the book as full of 'action', per se. There's a lot of chasing, talking, analyzing, gathering new information, and analyzing some more. Carr dedicates a lot of ink to the exploration of the female psyche, through the eyes of many of his characters, but particularly Dr. Kreizler and Sara Howard. Each shed light on the burgeoning intellectual pursuits of feminism and modern psychology near the turn of the century.Carr does a fantastic job of building the reader's experiences in the key locations of turn-of-the-century NYC and upstate NY. He displays a mastery of bubbling up the tension of the plot while teasing out key clues, all while incorporating a few enjoyable surprise visits from key personalities from this timeframe."Angel of Darkness" is enjoyable and satisfying, and is an extremely fast read even at it's 750 pages.
    • 3/5
      The story is told by Stevie Tagett's point of view.It's 1897 and someone attacks Senora Isabella Linares, wife of a Spanish official. They hit her on the head and steal her baby.Stevie Tagett is a former street urchin and street smart. He is with a team of characters; Sara Howard, who totes a derringer and just opened a PI business, John Schuyler Moore, a crime reporter, Marcus and Lucas Isaacson, New York City detectives. They are led by the analytical Dr. Laslo Kreizler.They find the details of the kidnapping and have Isabella go to an artest to make up a sketch of the attacker. With the copies of the sketch, the Isaacsons check police files and find a match. Nurse Elspeth Hunter, aka, Libby Hatch, who was investigated for a number of deaths in a New York Hospital. The children were under Libby's care and all died of the same respiratory ailment. Libby was questioned and resigned.The group comes to her home. She lets them in but they don't find any evidence of the child. Later, Stevie breaks into the home with an acquaintance who has a dog that can smell scents. They find a hidden room but the door is steel and they can't open it. The group gets hair fibers that they identify so they know Libby is involved but that's not enough evidence. Needing more proof, they travel up the Hudson by boat and go to upstate New York to learn more of Libby's background.The book goes into such extensive detail that it becomes too long. The slow reading causes the story to stall and interest to lag but there was a satisfactory resolution. It was very historical. The characters were interesting but fairly cardboard figures. Not much character build up but much historical information.The ending was satisfactory but also a relief to get there.
    • 3/5
      If you enjoyed the alienist, you will like this book even more. Not only because there is more to like but because many if the weaknesses of the first book are missing in the second.

      Now, it is a long slog but it is a pleasant one. While there are a few patches that drag and many of the authors foibles are on display (character after character constantly saying "I'll tell you what I've learned as soon as we get with everyone else and sit down to a fine meal." And then several pages describing the walk to the restaurant before the character tells his tale. ) the choice of voice in this book (as compared to the alienist) seems to smooth over these patches.

      As usual, the author has a fine eye for per turn of the century New York but he does not let it get in the way.

      All in all worthwhile.
    • 5/5
      Superb entertainment. Love the team of diverse characters and gender. Absolutely ahead of its time with the story det in the late 19th century in terms of gender and racial issues. The audio performance was immaculate to say the least. Loved the debate on the ethics and usefulness of the death penalty. After all, didn't Jesus say: Let the one without sin cast the first stone.
    • 4/5
      1897 in New York City. Horse and buggies are still seen on the streets. Police sciences are still being developed. Psychiatry is also a fairly new practice. Dr. Laszlo Kreizler is an alienist, a doctor of personality disorders. Stevie Taggert, the Doctor's 13 year-old-ward, comes from a life in the rough-and-tumble streets. Given a chance for a better life and education by the Doctor.

      Sara Howard, a derringer toting woman detective, calls on Dr. Kreizler to help in a kidnapping case. The sticking point is that mother of the child is Señora Linares, the wife of one of Spain's diplomats. With the U.S. on the lip of possible war with Spain, this kidnapping cannot be public.

      Señora Linares has seen the child in the arms of another woman but could not get close to get the child. When a sketch is made of the woman, it is found that she has a reputation of being a caring and nurturing child nurse, but there is a shadow that she could be responsible for multiple murders of babies. To add to the difficulty of approaching her, she is also the girlfriend to the notorious gang leader of the Hudson Dusters, cocaine distributors and feared by regular citizens and police alike. Libbie Hatch is a dangerous woman in her own brutal way.

      Historical figures also have roles in this story. Theodore Roosevelt, Clarence Darrow, Elizabeth Cady Stanton are just a few. The depiction of the era with descriptions of life, manners and dress take you back to the period. There is a tension that keeps you reading as layer by layer the story and characters develop.

      Not a book to read fast, but to enjoy and take time.
    • 5/5
      Sequel to The Alienist.A 14 month old baby is forcibly taken from the wife of an important member of the Spanish consulate in New York City. In 1897, tension between the United States and Spain, already high, is being ratcheted higher by the war parties of both nations. The abduction has the potential of setting off the spark that ignites a war.The mother, Señora Linares, appeals for help to Sara Howard, who has opened her own detective agency specializing in services for women. Sara, in turn, turns to her old colleagues for help in obtaining Ana Linares' return.The story is narrated by Stevie Taggart, writing in 1919 as part of a bet he has made with John Schuyler Moore, still an off-again, on-again journalist for The New York Times. At the time of the kidnapping, Stevie, still in his teens, was working for Dr. Lazlo Kreizler, the controversial "alienist" (psychiatrist). The old team assembles; when Kreizler and the others hear Señora Linares' story, they respond sympathetically and agree to search for Ana. True to Kreizler's principles, the team searches for the kidnapper's origins and motives as the way to track down Ana. What is uncovered along the way is a series of horrifying murders that both unnerve the members of the group and serve to complicate the search further.This is the foundation of the most terrifying thriller I have ever read, with a truly memorable villain. There is very little "mystery" to the story; the kidnapper's identity is known early on. The book has a deceptively slow start, but the tension builds remorselessly. At one point about 2/3 of the way through the book, I had to put it down; I was at the point where I was afraid to read further for fear of encountering the villain once more--I've never been so engaged before that I have deliberately chosen to break the tension. I give great credit to Carr's writing. In that respect, his style is deceptive because it does not depend on 4-letter words, obscenities, gory descriptions of mutilated bodies or other devices so well used and abused by other writers of the genre--the style is almost Victorian in keeping with the era--but on the subtle and extraordinary power of well-chosen words.All the old members of the investigative team are back--Moore, Howard, Kreizler himself, Cyrus, Stevie, and the Isaacson brothers. So is Theodore Roosevelt in a crucial role. In addition, in various well-written appearances, Clarence Darrow and Elizabeth Cady Stanton contribute to the twists and turns of the plot.The pace and tension never let up until the climax, which is a little far removed from the end of the book. However, this is a minor structural flaw. A word of advice: in order to fully appreciate this book, it really is necessary to read The Alienist. What is remarkable about the two books is their very different structure in terms of focus. The Alienist really concentrates on the characters of Lazlo and the others and they work against time to identify and capture a serial killer. Angel of Darkness concentrates far more on the actual search for the villain's origins--it's much more like a traditional police procedural. I think that part of the power of the book rests with the prior knowledge of the personalities involved and the complex interactions between and among them, which can only be fully appreciated from The Alienist. I find it remarkable that Carr took the risk of digressing from a best-selling approach to write a somewhat different book. In my opinion, the risk paid off spectacularly.Highly recommended. Too bad there's no rating higher than 5 stars.
    • 4/5
      I do enjoy a good historical mystery. It makes me think not just about the crime but about the times the crime was committed. The book is set in New York (city and state) in 1897 and the details are so vivid that I felt like I was walking those streets and riding those horse-drawn vehicles.The story is told by Steve Taggert from the vantage point of several decades after the action. In 1897 Stevie was a fourteen year old boy who had grown up on the streets of New York City from which he was saved by noted child psychologist Dr. Kreizler. There was a previous book, The Alienist, which detailed how Dr. Kreizler and Stevie and others caught a notorious criminal. In this book the oddball group from that book have reunited to solve the kidnapping of the infant daughter of a Spanish diplomat. In addition to Dr. Kreizler and Stevie the group consists of Miss Sara Howard (a detective specializing in female clients), Mr. John Moore (a journalist), Cyrus Montrose (Dr. Kreizler's aide), and Detective Sargents Lucius and Marcus Isaacson (police detectives who are trying to introduce forensic science into the police department). They quickly determine that the kidnapper is Libby Hatch but Mrs. Hatch is protected by a gang of toughs known for selling and using cocaine. Dr. Kreizler feels that the best chance of getting a conviction against Hatch is to explore her history which leads the group to upper New York state near Saratoga. A friend of Mr. Moore is assistant Deputy Attorney there and he has been wanting to charge the woman with the murders of two of her children and the attempted murder of her daughter some three years previously. Mr. Picton is rather an unusual character but he is an excellent lawyer and with the help of the group of friends he brings Mrs. Hatch to trial. Although evidence against her looks watertight her lawyer, Clarence Darrow before he achieved national fame, manages to decimate every piece. It looks like Libby Hatch might go free to bring harm to the kidnapped girl and possibly more children. And then things get really interesting.I did feel that there was a little too much time spent on describing the build up to the trial and then the conclusion seemed rushed. All in all it is a solid story though and I'm glad I read it.
    • 4/5
      Sequel to The Alienist. This time the story is told from the perspective of Stovepipe Stevie, Dr. Kreizler's adolescent charge and the investigation of fictional multi-murderess, Libby Hatch. Displays current ideas of the late 1800s, set in New York City and upstate New York, creating a feel for NY at the turn of the 20th century. Again both historical and fictitious characters are entwined convincingly, including Clarence Darrow, and Elizabeth Cady Stanton.
    • 4/5
      I liked this novel alot and plan on reading The Alienist in the near future. It seems as though a decade of creative energy and research produced it. Intense character development takes place as the plot unfolds with definite suprises. Teddy Roosevelt and the pygmy El Nino seem unlikely characters but one must remember that this is a crime novel with a historical setting in turn-of-the-century New York not historical fiction portraying a real series of events. Some women may not like content of this novel out of context and people of Irish ancestry may just not like it. It is a stand-alone novel although it has primary characters and setting are those of the earlier novel, The Alienist. I hope Caleb Carr writes more novels(or short stories) in the "Alienist world"8-)
    • 3/5
      This book is the sequel to The Alienist which I rated four stars. What I loved in that book was the sense of time and place--New York City during the "Gilded Age" of the 1890s. I loved the way Carr took us through a tour of my city through familiar streets and landmarks and loved the mix of mystery/thriller during an age when forensics, psychological and thriller was just emerging. So what went wrong here in the sequel I'd rate it so much lower? Well, first, I think the choice of narrator was a mistake. In the first book, that was John Shuyler Moore, a New York Times reporter who was an integral part of the investigative team headed by his close friend Laszlo Kreizler, an "alienist," ie a psychologist. This story is the first person account of a character much more peripheral to the investigation, Stevie Taggert, a young street smart kid employed by Kreizler. Carr tries to create a voice for Stevie of an urban Huckleberry Finn, which seems to consist mostly of replacing "that" with "what" and it grates, especially in a work of this length. And because Stevie isn't part of the investigation, Carr has him do thinks such as eavesdrop on conversations and other clunky devices to allow him to tell us what happens. And there's that length. I've often noticed that the problem with successful authors, from Stephen King to Tom Clancy, is that as a result of success they gain a lot more leeway which often leads to bloat--and this is the case with The Angel of Darkness. I found The Alienist at a bit less than 500 pages a fairly taut thriller--I certainly was never bored. That wasn't the case with the sequel, at almost 750 pages, which often dragged and I wasn't half-way before I was skipping to the end to find out what happened, since I was no longer willing to wade through hundreds of pages. Yes, I get it. Woman can be violent, can be evil, and the Victorian tendency to put them on a pedestal doesn't do any one any good. But really, Libby Hatch--and we learn her identity very early in the book killing any suspense--isn't anywhere near as fascinating to me as Carr seems to feel she is.
    • 4/5
      sequel to the worthwhile novel "The Alienist" i felt this book failed to live up to its predecessors potential. the cast of characters is much the same, but the intensity and charm of the first novel has been diluted and cannot be recaptured. the change of voice to a narrator that has difficulty maintaining a consistent voice was a poor choice, and the villain is both more a caricature and less interesting than the killer of the first tale.a less than stellar follow up effort.
    • 5/5
      The story is compelling and the language very descriptive. The narrator’s voice and style are ideal for this book. Loved every minute!
    • 1/5
      I really loved The Alienist, so I was eager to read this one...what a disappointment! Not nearly as good - I could barely make myself finish it.
    • 5/5
      A crack team of investigators looks into an unusual kidnapping.This is the sort of book you just want to wallow in: big and detailed and evocative, and ponderous in the best way possible. It’s slow, yes, but it’s never boring. I was always more than eager to dip back into the story.THE ANGEL OF DARKNESS is that rare, wonderful thing: a book with an equal focus on plot and character. Every scene, every detail, either adds to our understanding of these characters or furthers the plot. Often, it does both. It’s beautifully done, and it made this book a joy to read. I cared about these people, and I wanted to see them bring the criminal to justice. I was glad it took them so long to do it, as it let me spend more time with them.Carr builds his world with such care that it’s tough to tell what’s real and what’s invented. Plenty of historical figures make cameos of varying lengths; Franz Boas’s brief appearance tickled me pink, and I’m sure other readers will be pleased to see the likes of Clarence Darrow and Theodore Roosevelt play their roles in the story. Their integration is seamless; these folks work very well indeed alongside Carr’s fictional protagonists. The settings, likewise, are blended into the story so nicely that this non-New Yorker found it impossible to tell what was imaginary and what really exists outside the author’s mind. I had a blast with it.And the forensics… man, did I ever love the forensics! The book is set in 1897, so sciences like fingerprinting and ballistics are brand new. I found it fascinating to watch the investigators employ these new techniques, and I shared their frustration when they found it impossible to convince others of the truth behind their findings.I did find the second half slightly less enjoyable than the first, but I think this was mostly a momentum thing. I had something of a forced break from the book. I doubt I'd have had a problem if I'd read the whole thing straight through, sans interruptions.All in all, this was a fantastic book. I enjoyed the hell out of it, and I’m looking forward to reading more of Carr’s work. I do think it’s a shame, though, that he’s only published one other book featuring these characters. There are hints, here and there, that he originally planned at least one more book. I’d love to read it.
    • 5/5
      Another excellent novel by Caleb Carr. His descriptions are amazing to say the least. I felt like I was there. It wasn't quite as fulfilling, for me, as the first book, The Alienist, But still very suspenseful.
    • 4/5
      Dragged a bit but quite readable.
    • 4/5
      I enjoyed this as much as or perhaps a little more than the Alienist. I read this in 3 days - just could not stay away from the book..
    • 5/5
      Another great book by Caleb Carr. I find myself wishing there was a whole series with these characters that follows the development and use of forensic profiling. The book is well-written for the times it is set in which I gather we can thank the author and his research for. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves history, thrillers and mysteries, or the TV show "Criminal Minds". This book reminded me of that show quite a bit.
    • 3/5
      This is an old-style mystery, set in a town laden with interesting characters and people with motivations they keep to themselves. The daughter of an aide to the Spanish ambassador has been kidnapped, and, strangely, her father doesn't seem to want her back. It's a chunky book, filled with lots and lots of backstories, all of them fascinating, but perhaps not suitable for late night reading as I occasionally lost sight of the focus. So well-written, though, it deserves an afternoon read in front of a fire, especially with a snifter of brandy or something harsher at your side.
    • 3/5
      Not as compelling a read as The Alienist, but still a decent story. After The Alienist, however, a bit of a let-down.