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87th Precinct #37
Lightning
Lightning strikes with repeated terror as a diabolical hangman murderer leaves one pretty coed after another dangling from the city's lampposts.
Lightning rends the night sky with searing acts of violence as a serial rapist returns or the same victims again and again.
Lightning blazes through the 87th precinct as the dedicated men and women who wear the gold badge push themselves to the limits of danger...because they know that behind each strike of lightning lies the darkness of a criminal's twisted mind.
Lightning rends the night sky with searing acts of violence as a serial rapist returns or the same victims again and again.
Lightning blazes through the 87th precinct as the dedicated men and women who wear the gold badge push themselves to the limits of danger...because they know that behind each strike of lightning lies the darkness of a criminal's twisted mind.
312 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1984
99 people are currently reading
476 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 81 reviews
May 29, 2015
In this installment of the 87th Precinct series, the precinct's male detectives spend their days and nights hunting someone who is killing young women and then hanging their bodies from lampposts around the city. They are assisted in their investigation by Fat Ollie Weeks of the 83rd Precinct and, as always, this is something of a mixed blessing.
Meanwhile, Eileen Burke of the Rape Squad is undercover, attempting to catch a particularly sadistic rapist who continues to attack the same few women over and over again. Burke is acting as a stand-in for one of the victims, hoping that she will be able to decoy the rapist into attacking her and that this will give her the opportunity to arrest him.
As always, the story is well-written; the police procedures are interesting and the by-play among the detectives is entertaining. But there's a certain creepiness factor involved with both storylines that kept me from enjoying the book as much as I otherwise would have. I'm not normally overly sensitive to this sort of thing, but in this case McBain is so good at creating truly repulsive situations that I found myself wanting to cover my eyes at some points. Thus three stars for me rather than four.
Meanwhile, Eileen Burke of the Rape Squad is undercover, attempting to catch a particularly sadistic rapist who continues to attack the same few women over and over again. Burke is acting as a stand-in for one of the victims, hoping that she will be able to decoy the rapist into attacking her and that this will give her the opportunity to arrest him.
As always, the story is well-written; the police procedures are interesting and the by-play among the detectives is entertaining. But there's a certain creepiness factor involved with both storylines that kept me from enjoying the book as much as I otherwise would have. I'm not normally overly sensitive to this sort of thing, but in this case McBain is so good at creating truly repulsive situations that I found myself wanting to cover my eyes at some points. Thus three stars for me rather than four.
October 15, 2025
★★★★
A strong and often unsettling entry in the 87th Precinct series, with an unusually wide scope and sharper than usual social commentary.
The book follows two cases. One involves a killer targeting female athletes and staging the bodies in public. The other concerns a rapist who returns to the same victims. Both are disturbing in different ways and McBain uses them to explore fear, control, institutional failure and public reaction. Some moments are genuinely uncomfortable, but never gratuitous. The social critique feels deliberate and mostly well handled.
Character work is solid throughout. Eileen Burke is central here, both in the investigation and in her personal life. Her dynamic with Kling develops in believable ways, and her emotional and professional reactions are given proper space. Carella works more in the background, but is still drawn with care. Fat Ollie turns up too, his usual mix of comic relief and provocation.
One thread I found particularly interesting was the recurring mention of Hill Street Blues. I grew up watching the show and loved it. It is actually what led me to McBain's books. Here, he clearly calls out the similarities, sometimes through his characters, and not always subtly. It is a mix of irritation and dark humour. He clearly felt the series borrowed from his own work without credit, and Lightning makes that point part of the texture. For someone who admires both, it adds a strange but enjoyable layer.
As always, Isola feels alive. McBain gives the city texture and weight. It is not just a backdrop but a shaping force in the lives of everyone in the book.
It is longer than many of the earlier titles and a few threads could have been trimmed, but the pace mostly holds. The ambition, the mood and the character work make it one of the more memorable later entries
A strong and often unsettling entry in the 87th Precinct series, with an unusually wide scope and sharper than usual social commentary.
The book follows two cases. One involves a killer targeting female athletes and staging the bodies in public. The other concerns a rapist who returns to the same victims. Both are disturbing in different ways and McBain uses them to explore fear, control, institutional failure and public reaction. Some moments are genuinely uncomfortable, but never gratuitous. The social critique feels deliberate and mostly well handled.
Character work is solid throughout. Eileen Burke is central here, both in the investigation and in her personal life. Her dynamic with Kling develops in believable ways, and her emotional and professional reactions are given proper space. Carella works more in the background, but is still drawn with care. Fat Ollie turns up too, his usual mix of comic relief and provocation.
One thread I found particularly interesting was the recurring mention of Hill Street Blues. I grew up watching the show and loved it. It is actually what led me to McBain's books. Here, he clearly calls out the similarities, sometimes through his characters, and not always subtly. It is a mix of irritation and dark humour. He clearly felt the series borrowed from his own work without credit, and Lightning makes that point part of the texture. For someone who admires both, it adds a strange but enjoyable layer.
As always, Isola feels alive. McBain gives the city texture and weight. It is not just a backdrop but a shaping force in the lives of everyone in the book.
It is longer than many of the earlier titles and a few threads could have been trimmed, but the pace mostly holds. The ambition, the mood and the character work make it one of the more memorable later entries
September 9, 2017
Two parallel investigations of very unpleasant crimes - murder with the victims left hanging, and multiple rapes. Carella, Hawes, Kling and fat Ollie all involved tracking the perpetrators, with Eileen Burke, now Kling's girlfriend as a rape decoy again. Quite a shocking book in many ways.
October 26, 2021
At 334 pages this is another long book compared with most of the 87th Precinct novels. The extra length gives more details but I also think the story loses some of the tightness, with quite a bit of superfluous filler. There was one whole chapter that just went over what all the detectives were doing at home that night and seemed to have no bearing on the plot whatsoever.
The detectives work two major crimes in this book. One is a killer from whom the book gets it's title and the other a serial rapist. The crimes were bad enough, but in both cases the motives of the criminals were a bit disturbing.
Interesting to note how the police procedures have changed as this series progressed over the years. Much less of the sidewalk pounding in the early books. Now the importance of forensics and computer police records subtly changes the way the detectives operate.
Looking forward to the next book as this one ends with a hint of what's coming next, even indicating the title of the next story. That's also a first, none of the other books have had any clue of what's coming next.
The detectives work two major crimes in this book. One is a killer from whom the book gets it's title and the other a serial rapist. The crimes were bad enough, but in both cases the motives of the criminals were a bit disturbing.
Interesting to note how the police procedures have changed as this series progressed over the years. Much less of the sidewalk pounding in the early books. Now the importance of forensics and computer police records subtly changes the way the detectives operate.
Looking forward to the next book as this one ends with a hint of what's coming next, even indicating the title of the next story. That's also a first, none of the other books have had any clue of what's coming next.
September 19, 2022
The killer is once again causing havoc for the 87th Squad. And a rapist is repeatedly raping the same women. Both cases have some odd features. It's classic Ed McBain, always interesting characters, and often mysteries with a twist.
April 20, 2024
Another slightly longer addition to the series. It contains two of the more interesting cases that the precinct has investigated, but there was a lot of padding to get the book to 300 pages.
August 6, 2013
Two good plots again, with some good natured ribbing of Meyer Meyer, who sports a wig in this novel. A rapist is repeatedly attacking the same women, bringing Kling's new girlfriend to act as a lure. However, another female cop figures out the motive and then finds the criminal with terrific detective work. Meanwhile, young female track stars are being hung from lampposts, and Fat Ollie Weeks beings his bigotry down to the 87th to help solve the case.
November 15, 2021
"And then, suddenly, a sharp click.
'What's that?' Meyer asked. 'Did he turn off the recorder?'
'No, sir,' Ollie said.
'I thought I heard...'
'You did. That's [...]'"
(A fragment of dialogue in the novel. The readers will have to find out on their own what that click meant.)
It is mid-November and I am three books behind the schedule in my 2021 Reading Challenge. I am overloaded with work this semester and barely have any time for reading. I want to complete the challenge so I will sacrifice the principle of alternating "serious" reads with "unserious" ones, which I have followed for over 900 reviewed books. I may have a chance to read and review 11 "unserious" books in the remaining days of 2021.
Lightning (1984) is the 37th installment in the famous 87th Precinct series by Ed McBain (that is, Evan Hunter). The novel begins when detectives Carella and Genero find a body of a young woman hanging from a lightpost. The narration then switches to a rapist exhilarated about the power he wields over the women he violates.
The multi-threaded narration alternates between the two cases and recounts the 87th Precinct detectives' methodical work on catching the killer and the rapist. Of the 17 novels in the series that I have reviewed on Goodreads, Lightning is the strongest on the procedural aspect of police detectives' work. The investigatory approaches, forensic science methods, and crime scene techniques are described in meticulous detail. The fragments of detectives' D.D. reports are included in the text as are the copies of some of the victims' diaries (chronology happens to play a role in getting closer to solving one of the cases).
The author also includes some sharp social commentary on poverty, crime, and their roots. The novel is only 37 years old, yet I think it could not have been published in 2021 without editing for phrasing; some fragments of the text would violate today's strictly regimented language when referring to certain social issues. I like the straightforward and uncompromising language, and I miss it in today's careful prose. The descriptions of the crimes are chilling, yet certainly not gratuitous.
Despite my aversion to the "conceptual continuity" of a long series of novels - the repeating motifs in most books in a series - I like this installment of the 87th Precinct saga, and recommend it without hesitation. A solid mystery, outstanding procedural, and quite a good read!
Three-and-a-half stars.
'What's that?' Meyer asked. 'Did he turn off the recorder?'
'No, sir,' Ollie said.
'I thought I heard...'
'You did. That's [...]'"
(A fragment of dialogue in the novel. The readers will have to find out on their own what that click meant.)
It is mid-November and I am three books behind the schedule in my 2021 Reading Challenge. I am overloaded with work this semester and barely have any time for reading. I want to complete the challenge so I will sacrifice the principle of alternating "serious" reads with "unserious" ones, which I have followed for over 900 reviewed books. I may have a chance to read and review 11 "unserious" books in the remaining days of 2021.
Lightning (1984) is the 37th installment in the famous 87th Precinct series by Ed McBain (that is, Evan Hunter). The novel begins when detectives Carella and Genero find a body of a young woman hanging from a lightpost. The narration then switches to a rapist exhilarated about the power he wields over the women he violates.
The multi-threaded narration alternates between the two cases and recounts the 87th Precinct detectives' methodical work on catching the killer and the rapist. Of the 17 novels in the series that I have reviewed on Goodreads, Lightning is the strongest on the procedural aspect of police detectives' work. The investigatory approaches, forensic science methods, and crime scene techniques are described in meticulous detail. The fragments of detectives' D.D. reports are included in the text as are the copies of some of the victims' diaries (chronology happens to play a role in getting closer to solving one of the cases).
The author also includes some sharp social commentary on poverty, crime, and their roots. The novel is only 37 years old, yet I think it could not have been published in 2021 without editing for phrasing; some fragments of the text would violate today's strictly regimented language when referring to certain social issues. I like the straightforward and uncompromising language, and I miss it in today's careful prose. The descriptions of the crimes are chilling, yet certainly not gratuitous.
Despite my aversion to the "conceptual continuity" of a long series of novels - the repeating motifs in most books in a series - I like this installment of the 87th Precinct saga, and recommend it without hesitation. A solid mystery, outstanding procedural, and quite a good read!
Three-and-a-half stars.
September 4, 2022
"…lightning couldn’t strike twice, could it? Ah, but it could. And it did.” And 3 times? And 4? The rapist in this story goes back to his same victims as many times as he can. And his reason for doing so is HORRIFYING! The 87th, along with Annie Rawles and Eileen Burke have their hands full trying to stop this psycho. This is one of the best books in this series, hands down. So much darker and deranged than the previous ones. In the other story line, a man is killing young women and hanging them from lamp posts throughout the city. Which brings Fat Ollie Weeks back to the 87th (lucky them!). And HIS reasons are insane! Two total nut jobs in one book!
“There is a ring to the truth, and it shatters the night like a hammer striking a gong.”
The previous activities of the Deaf Man are summarized herein and he ‘appears’ at the end, setting up the next book.
“There is a ring to the truth, and it shatters the night like a hammer striking a gong.”
The previous activities of the Deaf Man are summarized herein and he ‘appears’ at the end, setting up the next book.
January 24, 2022
I did not enjoy this book in the 87th Precinct series. The crimes depicted were graphic and all were assaults against women. I don’t find the detailed descriptions of sexual and physical assaults to be entertaining. The crimes may be integral to the story, but the leave-nothing-to-the-imagination style of storytelling was gratuitous and unnecessary. I hope future volumes will show much more discretion.
May 24, 2018
While I have some reservations about this entry in the 87th Precinct series, it definitely kept me reading. The novel concerns itself with two investigations. In one, two female track stars are found hanging from lampposts in very well-lit areas; the other concerns a series of rapes.
I must say that there are certain elements of these later books that bother me even though I enjoy the mysteries themselves. I really wish Fat Ollie Weeks hadn't been introduced into this series. His constant bigoted remarks get on my nerves. I suppose they are meant to add some humor to the stories a la Archie Bunker, but it just doesn't work for me. Reading this series in order is proving to be quite interesting. I find that the earlier entries, the ones written in the 50's and 60's, actually seem to hold up much better than their more recent counterparts. I would think that the opposite would be true. I'm getting tired of some of the banter that takes place between the cops about the females they encounter and the silly conversations between the cops and their lovers are also getting old.
Will I keep reading the series? Yes, as long as the stories themselves hold up. But I really wish these later entries had the spark and creativity of the earlier ones.
I must say that there are certain elements of these later books that bother me even though I enjoy the mysteries themselves. I really wish Fat Ollie Weeks hadn't been introduced into this series. His constant bigoted remarks get on my nerves. I suppose they are meant to add some humor to the stories a la Archie Bunker, but it just doesn't work for me. Reading this series in order is proving to be quite interesting. I find that the earlier entries, the ones written in the 50's and 60's, actually seem to hold up much better than their more recent counterparts. I would think that the opposite would be true. I'm getting tired of some of the banter that takes place between the cops about the females they encounter and the silly conversations between the cops and their lovers are also getting old.
Will I keep reading the series? Yes, as long as the stories themselves hold up. But I really wish these later entries had the spark and creativity of the earlier ones.
August 1, 2020
Possibly my least favourite McBain book. It's a shame because it's still full of good stuff, the usual things I love about his writing.
The main issue I have here is its treatment of violence to women, and rape in particular. The rape scene itself is nasty and unnecessarily detailed, imo, and the whole book seems to demean women, from the victims in both of the cases we follow, to the women police officers jumping into bed with our heroes. I don't think McBain is necessarily trying to be exploitative, it feels like he's trying to write more female characters and to tackle the horrors of rape honestly, as well as characters of their abusers, but he just does it so badly. The motivations of the perpetrators of all this carnage inflicted on women are unusually, confusingly vague, too. It all feels very 80s, very sensationalist and shallow.
Also, f**k you Ed for the 'both sides' nonsense at the end where you try to frame a psychotic misogynist rapist as representing the flipside to the anti-abortionists. Eeesh.
The main issue I have here is its treatment of violence to women, and rape in particular. The rape scene itself is nasty and unnecessarily detailed, imo, and the whole book seems to demean women, from the victims in both of the cases we follow, to the women police officers jumping into bed with our heroes. I don't think McBain is necessarily trying to be exploitative, it feels like he's trying to write more female characters and to tackle the horrors of rape honestly, as well as characters of their abusers, but he just does it so badly. The motivations of the perpetrators of all this carnage inflicted on women are unusually, confusingly vague, too. It all feels very 80s, very sensationalist and shallow.
Also, f**k you Ed for the 'both sides' nonsense at the end where you try to frame a psychotic misogynist rapist as representing the flipside to the anti-abortionists. Eeesh.
May 4, 2009
I like the writer's style, I like the characters except for the ones I'm not supposed to like. McBain can write really unpleasant characters when he decides to.
I listened to the abridged version - two cassette tapes - and the story was probably abridged TOO much. At the halfway point I was tempted to abandon the book because I wasn't really all that interested in either of the cases. I'm glad I stuck with it, the endings were worth it.
That's another thing - since McBain is a new-to-me author, I have not yet gotten the rhythm of his writing. I keep expecting the two cases to merge or overlap and they don't. Not a bad thing, just different for me.
I will continue to read this author.
I listened to the abridged version - two cassette tapes - and the story was probably abridged TOO much. At the halfway point I was tempted to abandon the book because I wasn't really all that interested in either of the cases. I'm glad I stuck with it, the endings were worth it.
That's another thing - since McBain is a new-to-me author, I have not yet gotten the rhythm of his writing. I keep expecting the two cases to merge or overlap and they don't. Not a bad thing, just different for me.
I will continue to read this author.
August 1, 2020
Carella fails to ask the right questions and Ollie weeks helps to save the day by kicking in a door, as the boys go after a serial killer. Meanwhile Kling's girlfriend Eileen Burke is in danger as an undercover decoy.
Fast moving action in the 87th precincts usual style. This covers the attitudes and crushing effects of rape and a serial killer who is targeting young female athletes. The action remains frenetic although there have been fewer shoot outs in the recent stories. Still a good pick me up when unable to find the next book.
4 star material for me.
Fast moving action in the 87th precincts usual style. This covers the attitudes and crushing effects of rape and a serial killer who is targeting young female athletes. The action remains frenetic although there have been fewer shoot outs in the recent stories. Still a good pick me up when unable to find the next book.
4 star material for me.
July 8, 2020
Not fantastic, but very solid procedural details and two compelling enough serial offenders to deal with. As other reviewers have noted this one has a pretty goddamn disturbing serial rapist in it, so much so that i just felt gross reading it at several moments so if that doesn’t sound like your cup of tea you can happily skip this one. Some of the banter was amusing enough. Thanks to the dude that leaves these at the little mini library at my doctor’s office.
November 8, 2021
české vydání - Postrach
87. revír nečtu popořadě a v případě Noci kouzel zbavené jsem udělala velkou chybu.
Postrach jí předchází a tady je to podstatná návaznost.
Postrach asi tím pádem hodnotím trochu i hvězdičkama z Noci, ale dostal se mi pod kůži víc, než jsem chtěla.
87. revír nečtu popořadě a v případě Noci kouzel zbavené jsem udělala velkou chybu.
Postrach jí předchází a tady je to podstatná návaznost.
Postrach asi tím pádem hodnotím trochu i hvězdičkama z Noci, ale dostal se mi pod kůži víc, než jsem chtěla.
October 3, 2021
This is a nice one, full of humor and compassion. Different takes on sexual relations, from boyfriends/girlfriends - husbands/wives to serial serial rapists and their prey. Also an appearance by Ollie Weeks, as obnoxious--really just noxious--as he is entertaining. We all have known our own versions of him, brilliantly rendered by narrator extraordinaire Dick Hill. The book even offers a take on the 87th Precinct/Hill Street Blues controversy. McBainHunter makes his point, if no other way than by putting it in the begrimed mind and mouth of Ollie himself.
November 5, 2020
Další velmi kvalitní díl… dá se říct, že totální sázka na jistotu. Jsou tu dva případy, oba týkající se mladých žen. Je tu série vražd a série znásilnění. V obou běží čas, v jednom riskuje krk i jedna ze známých policistek. Sázky jsou vysoké, pátrání jede, sledujeme detektivy i pachatele… a i motivy jsou dost zajímavé. Aby byl úspěch knihy jistý, nosí v tomhle díle Myers Myers paruku (v minulém experimentoval s klobouky) a opět se do příběhu zapojí Ollie Weeks, aby nechápal, proč se všichni uráží, když je oslovuje rasistickými přezdívkami – a v podstatě všechno vyřešil.
Pořád tady fungují jednotlivé scény, jak humorné, tak napínavé, víc se tu hraje na psychologii (a přes dobu vzniku to není úplně pitomé) a McBain se soustředí i na osobní životy svých hrdinů (hlavně milostné životy).
P.S. Postava mizerného policajta Andyho Parkera se objevila v prvních knihách a už dlouhou dobu je někým, o kom se občas jen někdo zmíní a v příbězích se vůbec nevyskytuje. Za týmového pitomce je tam teď Richard Genero, který je ovšem za naivního a pozitivního pitomce. A za agresivního rasistu Ollie Weeks, který je ovšem zase inteligentní. Takže jednu postavou autor rozdělil na dvě - a originál odsunul stranou.
Pořád tady fungují jednotlivé scény, jak humorné, tak napínavé, víc se tu hraje na psychologii (a přes dobu vzniku to není úplně pitomé) a McBain se soustředí i na osobní životy svých hrdinů (hlavně milostné životy).
P.S. Postava mizerného policajta Andyho Parkera se objevila v prvních knihách a už dlouhou dobu je někým, o kom se občas jen někdo zmíní a v příbězích se vůbec nevyskytuje. Za týmového pitomce je tam teď Richard Genero, který je ovšem za naivního a pozitivního pitomce. A za agresivního rasistu Ollie Weeks, který je ovšem zase inteligentní. Takže jednu postavou autor rozdělil na dvě - a originál odsunul stranou.
January 10, 2012
McBain does it again, his ability to submerge the reader into the psyche of the "squad room", from the perspective of multiple squad members; each with their own thoughts, theories and nuances about the cases...which incidentally involve a sadistic serial rapist AND a lunatic who has decided to hang women from lampposts. I often think McBain has changed the focus of the mystery genre...from who-done-it , to who-solved-it. As his cast of police characters each scramble through the unending reports, interviews, surveillance and searches to get to collar up on the perp they are chasing. Flawlessly developed with just the right crescendo of suspense and side bar relief...this one is McBain at his very best.
November 3, 2016
This was a story about two horrific crimes against women. McBain did a fantastic job of unfolding the foul play while including a thorough investigation and apprehension of the perpetrators. In the first case the 87th received help from Ollie Weeks, who is usually a little hard for me to stomach but did a fine job helping out with the arrest. In the second story, Officer Eileen Burke was placed in danger to lure a rapist while Detective Annie Rawles from the Rape Squad per sued the rapist with relentless investigation and the eventual collar. There was even a short side story concerning an infraction against Carella's wife, Teddy. A very satisfying read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 9, 2010
I'm not a fan of mystery/murder books like this one. Sherlock Homes is nice, Agatha Christie is nice, but definitely it's not the kind of story I enjoy too much. This one is probably my favourite book within this genre. I like it because I think the story is very well constructed and very logical. I found the ending truly surprising and very clever. I can't say much more without revealing details of the story, so I'll finish my review here :)
August 22, 2012
[PT]
Ed McBain entrou na minha vida de uma forma bastante agradável, com esta obra. 'Os Crimes do Relâmpago' foi uma surpresa muito boa e, além disso, uma ótima iniciação nos policiais.
Ed McBain escreve o terrivel de uma forma sóbria e as suas personagens são muito vivas, distintas e versosimeis. Gostei do conteúdo e facilmente o via como uma série ao estilo de C.S.I.
Gostaria de ler a continuação deste, gostaria de saber mais sobre o Homem-Surdo.
Ed McBain entrou na minha vida de uma forma bastante agradável, com esta obra. 'Os Crimes do Relâmpago' foi uma surpresa muito boa e, além disso, uma ótima iniciação nos policiais.
Ed McBain escreve o terrivel de uma forma sóbria e as suas personagens são muito vivas, distintas e versosimeis. Gostei do conteúdo e facilmente o via como uma série ao estilo de C.S.I.
Gostaria de ler a continuação deste, gostaria de saber mais sobre o Homem-Surdo.
November 8, 2013
A typical crime novel by McBain. A police precinct in an unnamed large city where women are being hanged upside down in public places. This is a delightful book, using stereotypical crime and police characters. The reader often gets ahead of the writer because of the multitude of clues. This is a delightful quick read.
April 24, 2015
I've read many 87th precinct books when I was in the Navy 35 years or so ago they have always been easy to read and fast paced. I like the way McBain writes about police techniques in their investigations and interviews. I may be getting a little soft as I age...but even though I realize the realism of the inner city, some of the language and activities can be a bit vulgar.
May 17, 2018
While this is not one of my favorite books by Ed.McBain, it is a good book. Characters were well developed, story line well written. Without giving away a spoiler to this title, one of the main characters receives a letter on the last page of the book, which left me wanting to know what happens in the next book, Eight Black Horses.
August 29, 2021
Spoilers Alert
This book reads as if McCain was obligated to provide his publisher a book but lacked enough fresh material, so he cannibalized revious works. He discloses the plots and outcomes of several of his previous books---a big mistake for a writer if of serial mysteries. This is two short stories strung together by synopses of some of his earlier works.
This book reads as if McCain was obligated to provide his publisher a book but lacked enough fresh material, so he cannibalized revious works. He discloses the plots and outcomes of several of his previous books---a big mistake for a writer if of serial mysteries. This is two short stories strung together by synopses of some of his earlier works.
July 1, 2011
I think it was a very interesting book in many ways. The thrill and the twisted minds of the rapist and the murderer were fascinating. Ed McBain managed to find a reason for their horrible crimes! That's very hard to do when our heart tells us to feel repulsed about those lunatic attitudes.
June 29, 2020
Docked a point for sheer vehemence and the racist tediousness that’s Ollie Weeks. I’m amused by McBain’s seeming high dudgeon over Hill Street Blues, too, but the lethal relentless of the crimes against women depicted here make this a tough read.
August 20, 2014
Felt like an average police crime book. I also felt that maybe I should have had read some other books from the 87th Precinct series before I read this one.
January 11, 2016
It held my interest throughout but I felt it could have had a better ending.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews