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Matthew Hope #3
Beauty And The Beast
Third in the series starring Matthew Hope
199 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1982
85 people are currently reading
220 people want to read
About the author
Ed McBain
710 books668 followers"Ed McBain" is one of the pen names of American author and screenwriter Salvatore Albert Lombino (1926-2005), who legally adopted the name
Evan Hunter
in 1952.
While successful and well known as Evan Hunter, he was even better known as Ed McBain, a name he used for most of his crime fiction, beginning in 1956.
He also used the pen names John Abbott, Curt Cannon, Hunt Collins, Ezra Hannon, Dean Hudson, Evan Hunter, and Richard Marsten.
While successful and well known as Evan Hunter, he was even better known as Ed McBain, a name he used for most of his crime fiction, beginning in 1956.
He also used the pen names John Abbott, Curt Cannon, Hunt Collins, Ezra Hannon, Dean Hudson, Evan Hunter, and Richard Marsten.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
February 25, 2013
The characters, especially the protagonist, and the storyline in books have about equal value when I rate books.
Although this book is number three in the series, of attorney Matthew Hope, it’s the fourth book in the series which I’ve read and my bonus for all of them is that they are set on the southwest coast of Florida, south of Tampa, in fictional Calusa.
It was good, don’t get me wrong but the storyline left a lot to be desired. To top it off, the reader learned of insignificant law cases, mostly real estate cases, that Matthew and/or his firm was involved with. This is what I call ‘fluff’ in the book, nothing which adds to the storyline at all.
What is enjoyable to me is how Matthew can battle with his divorced wife and seems to always come off on top (and the more rational and sensible parent) and finds a solution to their joint responsibility and custody for Jessica, their very bright 14 year-old daughter. And I always enjoy his interaction with Dale, his sweetheart who is also a lawyer; ditto for his law partner, Frank, a transplanted New Yorker who contends that everyone has either a fox face or a pig face. Matthew supposedly has a fox face and Frank, a pig face.
Another thing I like about Matthew is his ‘one-liners,’ his quick wit. I’m sure too, that he takes in little kittens from the rain; such a kind heart, Matt Hope representing people without a penny in their pocket, which, of course, annoys law partner Frank the more practical half of the firm.
This storyline is threadbare hardly intertwined enough to stay together to have any twists whatsoever. Matthew Hope though, is the only thing that keeps it from falling apart altogether.
Although this book is number three in the series, of attorney Matthew Hope, it’s the fourth book in the series which I’ve read and my bonus for all of them is that they are set on the southwest coast of Florida, south of Tampa, in fictional Calusa.
It was good, don’t get me wrong but the storyline left a lot to be desired. To top it off, the reader learned of insignificant law cases, mostly real estate cases, that Matthew and/or his firm was involved with. This is what I call ‘fluff’ in the book, nothing which adds to the storyline at all.
What is enjoyable to me is how Matthew can battle with his divorced wife and seems to always come off on top (and the more rational and sensible parent) and finds a solution to their joint responsibility and custody for Jessica, their very bright 14 year-old daughter. And I always enjoy his interaction with Dale, his sweetheart who is also a lawyer; ditto for his law partner, Frank, a transplanted New Yorker who contends that everyone has either a fox face or a pig face. Matthew supposedly has a fox face and Frank, a pig face.
Another thing I like about Matthew is his ‘one-liners,’ his quick wit. I’m sure too, that he takes in little kittens from the rain; such a kind heart, Matt Hope representing people without a penny in their pocket, which, of course, annoys law partner Frank the more practical half of the firm.
This storyline is threadbare hardly intertwined enough to stay together to have any twists whatsoever. Matthew Hope though, is the only thing that keeps it from falling apart altogether.
March 4, 2018
The Matthew Hope character continues to develop with a story of a white wife of a black husband being beaten one night and murdered the next. Hope gets dragged into the case despite not being a criminal lawyer and finds the racial tension in SW Florida still alive and well in 1982.
August 23, 2015
This is a beauty and the beast meets In The Heat of the Night (TV show). It's was interesting. This French beauty meets and falls in love with an army guy, a big hulk-like black man (described as King Kong, black as coal, ugly as hell etc).
She shows up to a lawyers office requesting a divorce due to spousal battery and the next day, she's found beaten to death. The town is an uproar over the beast killing the beauty and all the hidden racial animus bubbles to the surface. However, this story illuminates that beauty on the outside isn't necessarily the same as beauty on the inside. Many rushed to judgment based on looks, but it had to do with racial prejudices.
This one was ok and could have been done better. There is such an emphasis on sexual relations when people think of interracial. Couples and not enough on enjoyment of company. I wanted something less shallow
She shows up to a lawyers office requesting a divorce due to spousal battery and the next day, she's found beaten to death. The town is an uproar over the beast killing the beauty and all the hidden racial animus bubbles to the surface. However, this story illuminates that beauty on the outside isn't necessarily the same as beauty on the inside. Many rushed to judgment based on looks, but it had to do with racial prejudices.
This one was ok and could have been done better. There is such an emphasis on sexual relations when people think of interracial. Couples and not enough on enjoyment of company. I wanted something less shallow
February 15, 2018
Older story. I thought it was well told - I listened on audio.
March 16, 2020
Beauty And The Beast is my first Matthew Hope novel. This is a delightful read, full of classic skillful McBain dialogue, sense of place, and a great plot twist.
Matthew Hope is a good character, with enough going on in both his public and private realms to remain interesting throughout. The only weakness that I would point out was an over abundance of cooperation between Mr. Hope and Det. Bloom, the local cop investigating the story’s murder. It seemed as though Hope was acting more as an investigator for the police than as an attorney defending his client against a potential conviction and lethal injection.
Nevertheless this was a terrific entry point for me into something other than the 87th Precinct series which I have all but exhausted. I’m guessing I will be reading more of the Matthew Hope series in the future.
Matthew Hope is a good character, with enough going on in both his public and private realms to remain interesting throughout. The only weakness that I would point out was an over abundance of cooperation between Mr. Hope and Det. Bloom, the local cop investigating the story’s murder. It seemed as though Hope was acting more as an investigator for the police than as an attorney defending his client against a potential conviction and lethal injection.
Nevertheless this was a terrific entry point for me into something other than the 87th Precinct series which I have all but exhausted. I’m guessing I will be reading more of the Matthew Hope series in the future.
June 23, 2020
A Matthew Hope novel set in Florida. Divorce lawyer is drawn into a criminal case when he must defend the seemingly guilty Beast for murdering his wife, the Beauty. Not just murdered, but burned to death on the beach. Only the day before, she had come to hope for help in getting a divorce. Hope somehow has faith in the beast and painstakingly, against the odds, works for his client.
This is a good mystery that McBain succeeds in drawing the reader in and leading along. He explores an area that was not common in the 1980s when this story was published—interracial marriage. The pace is good though slowed down at times. While Hope’s personal life is an essential part of this series, I felt that, in this case, it slowed the story down. Otherwise very good.
This is a good mystery that McBain succeeds in drawing the reader in and leading along. He explores an area that was not common in the 1980s when this story was published—interracial marriage. The pace is good though slowed down at times. While Hope’s personal life is an essential part of this series, I felt that, in this case, it slowed the story down. Otherwise very good.
October 17, 2018
Enjoyed this, just like the previous books.
April 27, 2014
I liked it a lot. I really enjoy the Matthew Hope mysteries. It's interesting that McBain can have the character leading a relatively normal life while having all these things happen around him, and yet it doesn't slow down the book's pace. Nicely handled. I've read several others in this series and likely will read them all.
July 10, 2025
Attorney Matthew Hope returns for the third time around. This time he's in over his head. Matt needs to defend a local businessman charged with the brutal assault and, a day later, the murder of his wife. And the odds are rapidly stacking up against Hope and his client...
On Saturday, November 14th, Matthew Hope and his girlfriend (fellow attorney Dale O'Brien) spot a young woman walking on the North Sabal Beach. She is about 5'9" with alabaster skin and long black hair. Matthew is privately enamored by this beauty, and it won't be the last time he sees her.
On Monday morning, November 16th, the young woman walks into Matthew Hope's law office. Michelle Harper, a native of Paris who now lives in Calusa, Florida with her husband, has been savagely beaten--two black eyes, three missing teeth, a broken nose and bruises all over her torso. Michelle claims that her husband, George N. Harper, did the violent assault on her. Matthew takes Michelle to the local police station to file the necessary reports. He promises to phone her the next morning for any updates and to see how she's doing.
But sadly, Detective Morris Bloom contacts Matthew early on Tuesday morning instead. Bloom tells him that Michelle Harper was found on a beach bound with wire hangers and burned to death. An empty gasoline can was found by her corpse along with her purse and clothing. And her husband's fingerprints are soon found on the gas can.
George N. Harper, a large African-American man, walks into the Calusa Police Station later on Tuesday after hearing of his wife's murder. George adamantly denies any wrongdoings regarding the vicious beating and murder of his wife. He tells Bloom and Matthew (who represents him at the police interview) how much he loved Michelle before he breaks down crying. Somehow, Matthew believes George Harper is telling the truth. So do Mrs. Harper (George's mother) and his one friend Andrew Owen. Both say how George was a devoted husband to Michelle. He could never hurt her; he's a gentle giant.
But there are others out there who think otherwise. Sally Owen, Andrew's ex-wife, despises George Harper and told Michelle to report the beating to Hope, who handled Sally's divorce. Kitty Reynolds, who caused the dissolution of the Owens' marriage, also shows contempt towards George.
Lloyd Davis, who served with George with the Military Police (MP) in Bonn, Germany, served as the best man at the Harpers' wedding the previous year. Davis tells Matthew Hope that George had a penchant for violence and used his billy club on drunks when he was an MP. Both Davis and Harper each own a junk business in their respected city. (Lloyd and his wife Leona live in Miami.)
Unfortunately, George Harper is soon arrested and charged with his wife's murder. (Bloom and Hope, in the meantime, keep Michelle's beating out of the local media.) Bail has been denied due to the heinous nature of the crime. And the trial may not begin until early next year.
Since Matthew is not a criminal lawyer, he needs to find an attorney in that field. Benny Weiss thinks George is "guilty" and refuses to lead the defense. Jim Willoughby does though, according to Matthew's partner Frank Summerville, Jim's on a "personal vendetta" and a glory hound who'd make Matt do all the work AND incur all the expenses required to build a strong defense. Frank becomes livid by the work his partner signed himself up for--and who can blame him?!
Between building the defense and interviewing witnesses, Matthew's looking forward to a nine-day vacation to Mexico. He, his daughter Joanna and his girlfriend Dale O'Brien will head south the day after Thanksgiving (November 27th) and return home on Saturday, December fifth.
Shortly after the Thanksgiving dinner, Bloom phones Matthew. George Harper just broke out of jail, knocked down a sheriff and stole his patrol car. There's nothing for Matthew to do but to head south to Mexico the next day. He, Dale and Joanna enjoy four days in Puerto Vallarta before they are set to spend the five days in Mexico City.
Then on Monday, November 30th, Morrie Bloom phones Matthew in Mexico. Sally Owen, Michelle's friend, is found dead in her kitchen. Sally's head has been crushed with a hammer that has the initials G.N.H. burned into the wood. As with the gasoline can found at the beach two weeks prior, George's fingerprints are also found the hammer.
On December first, Matthew returns home to Florida on Bloom's request. Dale and Joanna continue on to Mexico City for the remaining five days of their trip. As the two gals enjoy themselves, Matthew's next five days find him in the eye of a legal hurricane. Between going on local TV to locate George, numerous death threats towards him and his client, and people who seem to be lying to him, Matthew's in WAY over his head! He not only needs to find Harper but also find out what "personal" things that George is hiding from his lawyer. Is it enough to keep him out of the electric chair? And could the wrong man be executed while a murderer still walks free?!
Then Jim Willoughby resigns as counsel to Harper's defense. Both Matthew Hope and George Harper now find their reputations and lives on the line. Can Matthew and Detective Bloom find a few missing links to prove George's innocence? Or will everything go up in smoke? Ed McBain will have his readers guessing until the final chapter.
"Beauty and the Beast" is a tale of tragedy where some still believe that one could be "guilty before they're proven innocent." It shows how "beauty" is still in the eye of the beholder. This introspective work also tells us that what one sees on the outside can be unrelated to what's on the inside. Ed McBain proves that his third Matthew Hope novel can be charm this time around.
Rating: ****
On Saturday, November 14th, Matthew Hope and his girlfriend (fellow attorney Dale O'Brien) spot a young woman walking on the North Sabal Beach. She is about 5'9" with alabaster skin and long black hair. Matthew is privately enamored by this beauty, and it won't be the last time he sees her.
On Monday morning, November 16th, the young woman walks into Matthew Hope's law office. Michelle Harper, a native of Paris who now lives in Calusa, Florida with her husband, has been savagely beaten--two black eyes, three missing teeth, a broken nose and bruises all over her torso. Michelle claims that her husband, George N. Harper, did the violent assault on her. Matthew takes Michelle to the local police station to file the necessary reports. He promises to phone her the next morning for any updates and to see how she's doing.
But sadly, Detective Morris Bloom contacts Matthew early on Tuesday morning instead. Bloom tells him that Michelle Harper was found on a beach bound with wire hangers and burned to death. An empty gasoline can was found by her corpse along with her purse and clothing. And her husband's fingerprints are soon found on the gas can.
George N. Harper, a large African-American man, walks into the Calusa Police Station later on Tuesday after hearing of his wife's murder. George adamantly denies any wrongdoings regarding the vicious beating and murder of his wife. He tells Bloom and Matthew (who represents him at the police interview) how much he loved Michelle before he breaks down crying. Somehow, Matthew believes George Harper is telling the truth. So do Mrs. Harper (George's mother) and his one friend Andrew Owen. Both say how George was a devoted husband to Michelle. He could never hurt her; he's a gentle giant.
But there are others out there who think otherwise. Sally Owen, Andrew's ex-wife, despises George Harper and told Michelle to report the beating to Hope, who handled Sally's divorce. Kitty Reynolds, who caused the dissolution of the Owens' marriage, also shows contempt towards George.
Lloyd Davis, who served with George with the Military Police (MP) in Bonn, Germany, served as the best man at the Harpers' wedding the previous year. Davis tells Matthew Hope that George had a penchant for violence and used his billy club on drunks when he was an MP. Both Davis and Harper each own a junk business in their respected city. (Lloyd and his wife Leona live in Miami.)
Unfortunately, George Harper is soon arrested and charged with his wife's murder. (Bloom and Hope, in the meantime, keep Michelle's beating out of the local media.) Bail has been denied due to the heinous nature of the crime. And the trial may not begin until early next year.
Since Matthew is not a criminal lawyer, he needs to find an attorney in that field. Benny Weiss thinks George is "guilty" and refuses to lead the defense. Jim Willoughby does though, according to Matthew's partner Frank Summerville, Jim's on a "personal vendetta" and a glory hound who'd make Matt do all the work AND incur all the expenses required to build a strong defense. Frank becomes livid by the work his partner signed himself up for--and who can blame him?!
Between building the defense and interviewing witnesses, Matthew's looking forward to a nine-day vacation to Mexico. He, his daughter Joanna and his girlfriend Dale O'Brien will head south the day after Thanksgiving (November 27th) and return home on Saturday, December fifth.
Shortly after the Thanksgiving dinner, Bloom phones Matthew. George Harper just broke out of jail, knocked down a sheriff and stole his patrol car. There's nothing for Matthew to do but to head south to Mexico the next day. He, Dale and Joanna enjoy four days in Puerto Vallarta before they are set to spend the five days in Mexico City.
Then on Monday, November 30th, Morrie Bloom phones Matthew in Mexico. Sally Owen, Michelle's friend, is found dead in her kitchen. Sally's head has been crushed with a hammer that has the initials G.N.H. burned into the wood. As with the gasoline can found at the beach two weeks prior, George's fingerprints are also found the hammer.
On December first, Matthew returns home to Florida on Bloom's request. Dale and Joanna continue on to Mexico City for the remaining five days of their trip. As the two gals enjoy themselves, Matthew's next five days find him in the eye of a legal hurricane. Between going on local TV to locate George, numerous death threats towards him and his client, and people who seem to be lying to him, Matthew's in WAY over his head! He not only needs to find Harper but also find out what "personal" things that George is hiding from his lawyer. Is it enough to keep him out of the electric chair? And could the wrong man be executed while a murderer still walks free?!
Then Jim Willoughby resigns as counsel to Harper's defense. Both Matthew Hope and George Harper now find their reputations and lives on the line. Can Matthew and Detective Bloom find a few missing links to prove George's innocence? Or will everything go up in smoke? Ed McBain will have his readers guessing until the final chapter.
"Beauty and the Beast" is a tale of tragedy where some still believe that one could be "guilty before they're proven innocent." It shows how "beauty" is still in the eye of the beholder. This introspective work also tells us that what one sees on the outside can be unrelated to what's on the inside. Ed McBain proves that his third Matthew Hope novel can be charm this time around.
Rating: ****
April 12, 2025
Big fan of the 87th, bled over into Matthew Hope, hoping it would carry the same gravitas and interest. So far it hasn't.
Hope is in Florida, not NYC, the rest goes downhill from there.
More specifically, this entry dwelled more on the lawyer taking a vacation out of country with his significant other and his daughter, while his former wife is crying breach of settlement to hinder his happiness. There was a murder, then another, but they got lost in the pages beneath Hope's family drama, day-to-day of being a lawyer, and the historical lineage of Thanksgiving and the Calusa tribe's demise. Not kidding.
There is a longer, contrived, and racially inflamed, back story to support the mixed couple relations, the local hatred, and motivation for the crimes, but they seem way out of date given when it was written versus when it is being read.
Hope solves the mystery, they catch the bad guy, and then the story just ends, no follow-on details, no happily ever after, just full stop. The graphic nature of the motive for the crime was taboo in the 80's and today is just people being people. Just a short romp, pun intended, to sell a book is what it felt like to me.
Wouldn't recommend except for McBain fans (those still living, I guess.)
Thanks for reading
Hope is in Florida, not NYC, the rest goes downhill from there.
More specifically, this entry dwelled more on the lawyer taking a vacation out of country with his significant other and his daughter, while his former wife is crying breach of settlement to hinder his happiness. There was a murder, then another, but they got lost in the pages beneath Hope's family drama, day-to-day of being a lawyer, and the historical lineage of Thanksgiving and the Calusa tribe's demise. Not kidding.
There is a longer, contrived, and racially inflamed, back story to support the mixed couple relations, the local hatred, and motivation for the crimes, but they seem way out of date given when it was written versus when it is being read.
Hope solves the mystery, they catch the bad guy, and then the story just ends, no follow-on details, no happily ever after, just full stop. The graphic nature of the motive for the crime was taboo in the 80's and today is just people being people. Just a short romp, pun intended, to sell a book is what it felt like to me.
Wouldn't recommend except for McBain fans (those still living, I guess.)
Thanks for reading
March 2, 2024
First book I have read in years, and has gotten me back into reading! Brilliantly written, good end twist that wasn't just completely obvious at the start of the book. My only quarrel with the story is I believe they could have elaborated more for the ending. in the end George, the main character turns out to have not killed his wife but rather his good friend had, but it never said what happened to George once they caught his friend. I wanted to know where he went from this he had his wife murdered, found out the love of his life was secretly sleeping with his good friend their whole relationship, and then gets blamed for her murder!! But still it was a good ending I was happy with, but would have been ecstatic if they talked more about George
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 23, 2024
After I had been on my “87th squad” obsession for a while, I decided to branch out to other Ed McBain series. I enjoyed this one. Matthew is an attorney in town but he doesn’t usually handle murder cases. He gets involved with this one and it is a doozy. His client is a huge Black man who IS NOT ATTRACTIVE. He is married to a beautiful French woman. She is found dead. Matthew doesn’t particularly like his client but he has a FEELING that he is innocent. There are lots of people lying to him though. It takes a while, but it all becomes clear.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 2, 2025
Ok, this is not great literature but it's a good read. Matthew Hope is not a detective but gets roped into these cases that make him into a pseudo detective. In this case he has to defend a person he knows. Matthew has to follow many different threads to get to the end, keeps you turning the pages. Ed McBain writes some great lines such as, " Billie's voice reached for a high note, found it, teased it, slid down the other side of it", wow what a line. Highly recommended.
May 19, 2020
All five stars...
The stars have aligned for an engrossing story. The good and bad are present, but who is whom becomes the question as we read through the happenings of the day. A bit deeper psychologically than other books, but an enjoyable story with both light and dark moments.
The stars have aligned for an engrossing story. The good and bad are present, but who is whom becomes the question as we read through the happenings of the day. A bit deeper psychologically than other books, but an enjoyable story with both light and dark moments.
May 5, 2021
Meh.
Meh. The book wasn't bad. Maybe I expect too much having read so many others of his books. Then again, it could be that the story is a product of a different time. Anyway, it's not horrible.
Meh. The book wasn't bad. Maybe I expect too much having read so many others of his books. Then again, it could be that the story is a product of a different time. Anyway, it's not horrible.
October 13, 2022
This was a much better book than entry #2 in the Matthew Hope series. Lot of things happening in Calusa and Hope actually solves the mystery. The other two books had subplots that were very good but this one stays focused on the mystery of who killed Michelle Harper.
October 24, 2017
Hope is a great character, but it can only carry a series so far.
September 27, 2018
Beauty and the Beast
Always enjoy Ed McBain's books. Especially Mathew Hope stories. Always a good read. Have read so many it's hard to find a new one.
Always enjoy Ed McBain's books. Especially Mathew Hope stories. Always a good read. Have read so many it's hard to find a new one.
August 17, 2019
I think I read this, but not sure.
September 4, 2020
#3 in the Matthew Hope series. Some interesting observations about race relations of the era.
November 24, 2021
Good Entertainment
This was a page turner. The author kept the mystery going and then he dropped hints, one by one. Cringe-worthy violence, not sure that was to my liking.
This was a page turner. The author kept the mystery going and then he dropped hints, one by one. Cringe-worthy violence, not sure that was to my liking.
March 25, 2022
Very entertaining.
April 6, 2024
I liked the conflict Matthew had with Frank about the business. Matthew stuck with his case. They were not lying because of drugs but sex.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 27, 2025
The huge part a non-criminal lawyer plays in these criminal investigations are more than a bit far-fetched! x
September 11, 2014
I read a description of this series somewhere that tagged it as 'X-rated fairy tales.' I guess the idea of racial mixing was a lot more horrifying to people in the early 80s, when a black man and a white woman having sex didn't even bear thinking of. While this book does use a lot of visual imagery that is erotic, I've read pulp romances with more actual sex in them. I guess that's not the point of a mystery, even a supposed sexy mystery.
The writing style and the characters in this book strongly evoke an Updike novel. This is not a point in its favor since this means it uses a lot of food imagery to describe women's bodies, and also the protagonist is a divorced man totally focused on how the women in his life make him feel rather than reciprocating by doing stuff for them. He's just kind of drifting through life, interacting with people and not really connecting, just doing stuff on a whim and what "feels right."
Overall not too bad a relatively short mystery, just kind of dated.
The writing style and the characters in this book strongly evoke an Updike novel. This is not a point in its favor since this means it uses a lot of food imagery to describe women's bodies, and also the protagonist is a divorced man totally focused on how the women in his life make him feel rather than reciprocating by doing stuff for them. He's just kind of drifting through life, interacting with people and not really connecting, just doing stuff on a whim and what "feels right."
Overall not too bad a relatively short mystery, just kind of dated.
January 30, 2016
Matthew Hope was on the beach with his girlfriend, Dana when they noticed a beautiful woman jogging down the beach. The next time Matthew saw her, she was dead and her husband has asked Matthew to represent him when is is charged with murder. Not a criminal attorney by experience, he is reluctant to take the case but finds no other reputable attorney is willing to represent George Harper and Matthew feels obligated to try.
October 13, 2023
This is another one that I haven't read in years, most likely not since I was 14-16, somewhere around there. I found it while searching through a Half Price Books with my father and thinking it was of the fairy tale variety, was instead pleasantly surprised by the subject matter. An excellent novel that preys on people's preconceived notions, and one where I truly believe the ending is nearly impossible to predict.
October 21, 2010
It was no Ian banks.
April 20, 2011
It reminds me a lot of Lawrence Sanders' Archy McNally Series, only the protagonist actually has a job.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews