The Lovely Bones

This book starts with a horrible, very descriptive bang and doesn't really stop. I read this right on the tail of The Alienist, and so had already been up to my eyeballs in crime and violence - and yet this one was of a totally different nature and feeling. So much of it was about the effect it had on the poor family, the neighborhood, and her friends. I appreciated her ability to tell this story...and I did like it. I loved her creative and rather beautiful viewpoint on the afterlife. Though the topic is harsh and some parts are difficult to read about, it was definitely worth reading. It's so easy to forget such things happen all the time...all around.

The Alienist

It's turning out to be that one of my favorite historical times to read about in this country was in the late 1800s, and this book fits right in with Devil in the White city (which I adored), though as genius historical fiction written of that time. It was fascinating to read how psychology and mental disease were viewed in that time, not to mention the crime solving techniques just coming out, and how one in particular used his skills to create a profile (the first of its kind) for a serial killer. The main characters of course use this radical concept and go after him, making the story extremely gripping - I couldn't put it down. Well written and historically relevant and accurate - I really, really liked it and thank my husband for the recommend. Caleb Carr is an author I intend to read to the exhaustion of his works.