It is with considerable relief that I turn from contemplating The Alienist to Cercone's book. It is the second book in a series set in in Pittsburgh in 1905, but completely self-contained. In every other respect I can think of, however, Blood Tracks is far superior. The dialogue does not crawl across the page like a winded slug. The reader learns plenty, but does not have to endure constant info-dumps.
Murders take place for perfectly rational reasons, and are solved without sham psychology.
Cameos by the famous are minimal, and don't strain credulity. The plot moves briskly, despite taking several surprising twists. This is, in short, a very well-constructed and intelligent entertainment, far more enjoyable than Carr's and less than half the length. I can't imagine reading any other fiction by Carr, unless similarly trapped by circumstances and my own poor planning.