Instruct: Classify the given review as either positive or negative.
Query: A good book on it's own.

I enjoyed the book on it's own merit. Not having read "The Alienist" first, as many people have, I found this work interesting and fun to read. The historical aspect drew me in like a magnet and the association of Stevepipe with the Doctor reminded me somewhat of "Sherlock Holmes". Perhaps the ending wasn't the greatest but the story and setting was excellent.