Scarlet Women [Mass Market Paperback]

J. D. Christilian (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1997

Hired to find the missing young wife of a prominent New York attorney in 1871, a private detective named Harp descends into the city's underworld of corruption, blackmail, lust, and murder in search of a bestial murderer. Reprint. PW. NYT. LJ.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

New York, 1871. A prostitute named Alice Curry is found murdered near the East Street docks. Not unusual, except that the clothes the victim is wearing belong to the missing wife of an aristocrat. Street-smart private investigator Harp takes on the case. When a restaurateur who was the closest thing Harp had to a father is also murdered, the two cases prove to be related. Harp, the son of a prostitute, once a street urchin and apprentice thief, possesses a sometimes unbelievable encyclopedic knowledge of the city. He knows everybody who is anybody in every dance hall, brothel, precinct house, and gambling parlor. Though less about the lives of prostitutes than the title implies, this novel invites readers onto the streets of Victorian New York and steeps them in its vivid stories of danger, corruption, destitution, and obsession. Harp's flawed but heroic triumphs prove highly entertaining. Christilian is the pseudonym of an author of historical nonfiction and fiction, screenplays, and contemporary suspense. Recommended for public libraries.?Keddy Ann Outlaw, Harris Cty. P.L., Houston
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

The setting is New York City, the year 1871. A prostitute has been found in a warehouse, her throat slit. The cops don't have time to spend on the murder of a "scarlet woman," especially when they've got the Tammany Hall corruption scandal to worry about. So solving the crime falls to private investigator Harp (no first name given). A former street kid who learned early to live by his wits, Harp is a nineteenth-century version of the hard-boiled hero: tough exterior, cool demeanor, and a looking-over-his-shoulder alertness, all of which belie his real emotions. With many connections among the city's poorest citizens, Harp excels at finding information in the city's subterranean reaches. The talented Christilian (a pseudonym) provides a wonderfully evocative picture of nineteenth-century New York--the people, places, problems, and pleasures of the city and the terrible disparity between its rich and its poor. The plot is gripping and the characters are fascinating, but it's the charismatic and elusive Harp who really makes the story come alive. Emily Melton --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Signet (January 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451190963
• ISBN-13: 978-0451190963
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,875,263 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Caleb Carr imitation or is Christilian his pseudonym?, June 14, 2000

By 

Gabor Lake (Berlin) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Scarlet Women (Mass Market Paperback)

I do know that Christilian is not the real name of the author, as it reads on the cover "J.D. Christilian is the pseudoynm of an author of historical nonfiction and fiction, of succcessful screenplays, and international bestselling contemporary novels of suspense".

Now look what the jacket of Caleb Carr's "Angel of Darkness" reads: "In addition to fiction, Mr. Carr writes frequently on military and political affairs and is a contributing editor of MHQ: The Quarterly Journal of Military History. His previous books include "The Alienist" and "The Devil Soldier". He also worked in television, film, and the theater". Sure it could be a coincidence, but it matches pretty close.

Some might argue that the writing style is different and indeed it is, but as an author you can change that... "Scarlett Women" looks to me like a less intellectual more action-driven version of "The Alienist", playing in the same universe, with the same elements: corrupt authorities, pervert rich people, dirty violent city... Amazing, huh?

Its a good book, not as good as "The Alienist", but its a good alternative if you think that "The Alienist" is too long or too complex. I am wondering if we will read more from "Christilian" one day :)

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Read!!, September 6, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Scarlet Women (Mass Market Paperback)

Yes, if you liked "The Alienist" then this is the book for you! It is just as good if not better than Carr's novel. There is alot more depth to the main character, Harp, and the descriptions are not too drawn out. The book moves along and keeps you hooked from the beginning. Alot shorter than "The Alienist" and everything comes together perfectly! A must-read! If it weren't for other customer comments about "The Alienist" on Amazon, I would have never found this book! It is fantastic! I wish this author would write another.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you like Carr's Alienist, then you MUST read this book., July 26, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Scarlet Women (Mass Market Paperback)

After reading Carr's Alienist and Prince of Darkness, I went on a hunt for similar content in books. The bookstore employee recommended this book and I can't thank her enough.

In many ways, this book is more captivating than the Alienist and as another reviewer put it, much shorter and yet just as exciting.

If you like period writings about New York City, want the excitment of your imagination going back to the 1800's and getting into the story as if you were tagging along with the characters, then this is a must read.