You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
Good story with a familiar crew. Tightly plotted, like an episode of your favourite cop show.
informative
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The series returns to the format that makes it so good. Added bonus: the word "fuck" finally makes an appearance
I started re-reading these novels when I came across a podcast (Hark!) by three British chaps who enjoy Ed McBain and who devote an episode or two to each of the 50+ 87th Precinct books. I don't know too many people who read Ed McBain, so it’s nice to hear views about each book. I got all excited. This is one of the better novels.
A woman is murdered and a burgler is immediately found and confesses. I really, really liked the first 3/4 of this book. The latter half sortof fell flat. Don't know what happened.
I've never tried to read the 87th precinct books in order, and I only read them sporadically so I'm not sure if the detectives do age or change in situation as the series goes on. Certainly things always seem to be much the same in the squad room to me. This book was written in 1972 and struck me as aged more than many books do. Carella refers to serving in World War II and the descriptions of electronic surveillance devices and the introduction of direct dial telephones seem to set this book back in pre-history more than I've noticed before in other episodes in this series.
In only 160 pages this is more of a novella than a novel and the plot is strangely transparent. I'm wondering if I missed something because it seemed obvious to me what happened both to "Sadie when she died" and how the case was going to be solved. No real surprises for a mystery and especially disappointing for a mystery that is featured on a 100 favourite mysteries of the 20th century list.
Readable. I figured it out before the end. I've never decided if I like it when that happens.
Seasonally appropriate procedural with some mixed up notions of love and addiction and the things that drive men to murder.
Poor Bert Kling, so unlucky in love.
Poor Bert Kling, so unlucky in love.