Reading Maisie Dobbs made me wish for a historical mystery with more complex characters and a grittier feel. That led me to The Alienist, which turned out to be exactly what the doctor ordered.

The Alienist takes place in turn-of-the-century New York. The title refers to one of the protagonists, Dr. Kriezler, who specializes in forensic psychology (though at the time such a term didn't exist). Kriezler is accompanied by the novel's narrator, New York Times reporter John Moore. They, along with a colorful, complex team of compatriots, attempt to track down and bring to justice a brutal serial killer.

Although the novel is long and full of historical detail, it manages to move quickly, almost to the point of being a page-turner. Good stuff.