"The Alienist opens when a series of haunting, gruesome murders of boy prostitues grips New York City. Newly appointed police commissioner Theodore Roosevelt calls upon criminal psychologist (aka alienist) Dr. Laszlo Kreizler and newspaper illustrator John Moore to conduct the investigation in secret. They are joined by Sarah Howard, a headstrong secretary determined to become the city's first female police detective. Using the emerging disciplines of psychology and early forensic investigation techniques, this band o fsocial outsiders set out to find and apprehend one of New York City's First serial killers."