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"PLEASE..."
the beautiful model whispered as a savage killer slashed his knife across her naked flesh.
"PLEASE..."
she whimpered as she died!
Through the thin bedroom wall 5-year-old Anna could hear her mother dying. As she clung to her doll, Anna listened to the maddened killer scream obscenities...then there were footsteps in the hall.
Detective Steve Carella, 87th Precinct, sickened by the senseless brutality, wanted to find this murderer fast. And he did...only to become a pawn in a deadly fight for his life!
the beautiful model whispered as a savage killer slashed his knife across her naked flesh.
"PLEASE..."
she whimpered as she died!
Through the thin bedroom wall 5-year-old Anna could hear her mother dying. As she clung to her doll, Anna listened to the maddened killer scream obscenities...then there were footsteps in the hall.
Detective Steve Carella, 87th Precinct, sickened by the senseless brutality, wanted to find this murderer fast. And he did...only to become a pawn in a deadly fight for his life!
148 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1965
3 people are currently reading
430 people want to read
About the author
Ed McBain
674 books674 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 96 reviews
October 3, 2017
Ed McBain’s Doll is absolutely one of the best in the 87th Precinct series. The opening scene of a woman being slashed to death, while her little girl sits in the next room comforting her doll, is both harrowing and gritty, setting a somewhat darker tone for this entry than many in the series. As with all the 87th Precinct novels, especially the better ones, there is a lot more going on here than the murder and the investigation.
This one follows the death of someone in a previous entry, and Kling is so messed up over it he’s about to be booted off the squad. When Carella catches the call of the murder of model Tina Sachs, he requests Kling, hoping he can rehabilitate him and return him to the cop he was before Claire’s death. Fat chance. Kling is surly and cares little about interviewing skills.
When Carella and Kling finally have a blow-up, Carella waffles on bringing someone else with him to check out a lead on the case. Carella decides to go it alone, and next thing you know, his charred body is discovered. It’s up to the grieving boys of the 87th to retrace Carella’s steps, and make sense of how he ended up dead. Kling’s blow-up with Carella, of course, gets plenty of play, since his taking off early ended up with Carella being murdered.
I’m not marking this as a spoiler, but if you've never read the series, or don't know anything about it, you might want to skip this paragraph and drop down to the next. Frankly, especially after all these years, everybody knows Carella is a mainstay of the 87th throughout the entire series, so obviously he isn’t dead. When the boys discover he went back to the crime scene and exited carrying a child’s doll, it makes no sense. Until the violent and shocking end. Before we get there, McBain creates a sadistic femme fatale as memorable and nasty as any in fiction. She makes Ann Savage in Detour look like Doris Day singing in the streets.
This is an absolute pleasure for anyone who enjoys this series. An ex-husband who won’t reveal a secret about the slain model, a man nicknamed Cyclops, and ultimately, a child’s doll, all figure into this one. McBain was a terrific writer and here he is hitting on all cylinders. Gritty, violent and intelligent, an 87th Precinct story you don’t want to miss.
This one follows the death of someone in a previous entry, and Kling is so messed up over it he’s about to be booted off the squad. When Carella catches the call of the murder of model Tina Sachs, he requests Kling, hoping he can rehabilitate him and return him to the cop he was before Claire’s death. Fat chance. Kling is surly and cares little about interviewing skills.
When Carella and Kling finally have a blow-up, Carella waffles on bringing someone else with him to check out a lead on the case. Carella decides to go it alone, and next thing you know, his charred body is discovered. It’s up to the grieving boys of the 87th to retrace Carella’s steps, and make sense of how he ended up dead. Kling’s blow-up with Carella, of course, gets plenty of play, since his taking off early ended up with Carella being murdered.
I’m not marking this as a spoiler, but if you've never read the series, or don't know anything about it, you might want to skip this paragraph and drop down to the next. Frankly, especially after all these years, everybody knows Carella is a mainstay of the 87th throughout the entire series, so obviously he isn’t dead. When the boys discover he went back to the crime scene and exited carrying a child’s doll, it makes no sense. Until the violent and shocking end. Before we get there, McBain creates a sadistic femme fatale as memorable and nasty as any in fiction. She makes Ann Savage in Detour look like Doris Day singing in the streets.
This is an absolute pleasure for anyone who enjoys this series. An ex-husband who won’t reveal a secret about the slain model, a man nicknamed Cyclops, and ultimately, a child’s doll, all figure into this one. McBain was a terrific writer and here he is hitting on all cylinders. Gritty, violent and intelligent, an 87th Precinct story you don’t want to miss.
August 7, 2021
When a model is murdered, Carella gets the case, and chooses as his partner Bert Kling, a cop who's on the verge of being fired over his obnoxious behavior since the loss of his girlfriend. Kling steps up admirably when the investigation hits a snag, and Carella is "indisposed." This was a better than average entry in the series, with an involving plot, and some unexpectedly touching moments.
April 1, 2014
Number 20 in the 87th Precinct series opens with a woman being brutally slashed to death while her young daughter cowers in the next room, playing with her favorite doll. The victim is a beautiful model who would have naturally attracted the attention of a good many men, but why would one of them want her dead?
Meanwhile, back in the squad room of the 87th Precinct, trouble is brewing as well. Detective Bert Kling is still grieving the loss of his fiancé and is alienating everyone on the squad, including the lieutenant, with his surly behavior. The Lieutenant has decided to transfer Kling out, and Kling's only remaining defender is Steve Carella. Carella asks the Lieutenant to partner him with Kling in an effort to solve the murder of the beautiful model.
Carella hopes that there's still time to salvage Kling, who was once a productive member of the squad. But early on in the case, Kling manages to alienate even the last friend he has in the precinct, and Carella orders him to go home. Just then, Carella discovers a clue that may break the case wide open, but absent a partner, he decides to pursue it alone.
Well, every reader knows this is going to be a huge mistake and the result is a very gripping tale with some interesting twists and turns. The result is one of the more entertaining books in this long-running series. A quick but very satisfying read.
Meanwhile, back in the squad room of the 87th Precinct, trouble is brewing as well. Detective Bert Kling is still grieving the loss of his fiancé and is alienating everyone on the squad, including the lieutenant, with his surly behavior. The Lieutenant has decided to transfer Kling out, and Kling's only remaining defender is Steve Carella. Carella asks the Lieutenant to partner him with Kling in an effort to solve the murder of the beautiful model.
Carella hopes that there's still time to salvage Kling, who was once a productive member of the squad. But early on in the case, Kling manages to alienate even the last friend he has in the precinct, and Carella orders him to go home. Just then, Carella discovers a clue that may break the case wide open, but absent a partner, he decides to pursue it alone.
Well, every reader knows this is going to be a huge mistake and the result is a very gripping tale with some interesting twists and turns. The result is one of the more entertaining books in this long-running series. A quick but very satisfying read.
June 15, 2025
Another very good, albeit bleak, 87th Precinct novel by McBaine here, and one that deviates substantially from the previous ones I have read. This starts off with super model Tinka Sachs being brutally murdered in her apartment while her 5 yo daughter hears everything through the wall. The 'bulls' seem to be progressing nicely on the case and even have a description of the killer; in their lingo, it was rolling sevens! The one thematic element that shares with other 87th Precinct novels is that the woman, Tinka, is something of a mystery. Unlike other installments, this one centered just on the Tinka case. I really love the humility of the cops here and yes, McBain's trademark repartee keeps the novel flowing. 4 stars!!
January 10, 2018
You just have to sit right down and read these great little books through! A mannequin is slashed to death with a kitchen knife while her 5 year old daughter sits next door with her doll. Detective Bert Kling has recurring attitude problems since the death of his girlfriend some four years ago. Steve Carella asks to give him a last chance working this case together. Following a disagreement Steve goes of on his own with disastrous consequences. Meyer Meyer and Kling eventually come to the same conclusion and go in with guns blazing.
Wonderful. 4 stars.
Wonderful. 4 stars.
May 9, 2016
Originally published in 1965, this is the 20th book in the 87th Precinct series and one of the most suspenseful. Steve Carella, Bert Kling, and Meyer Meyer investigate the brutal murder of a fashion model. I enjoyed the fast paced plot and the squad's interactions.
August 31, 2021
For being written in 1965 this book is one hell of a shocker.
May 12, 2025
★★★
An odd one, this. Not better or worse than others in the series, just different. Every so often McBain steps away from the usual 87th Precinct formula to try something else, and while this one works, I wasn’t quite as engaged as I’ve been with other titles.
The tone here is much darker than the average installment. It delves into drug addiction, which I wasn’t expecting. I imagine it would have been a much bigger shock to readers when it was first published. There’s also a strand of psychological torture when Carella is held captive, though that didn’t fully work for me. Those scenes felt a little flat and lacked the tension McBain usually manages so well.
What I did appreciate was the chance to explore more of Kling’s struggles. It’s about time really. I think it’s quoted here as four years since the murder of his girlfriend, and it’s good to see how it’s continued to affect him and those around him. That thread was one of the stronger points in the book.
The ending was satisfying enough but felt a touch rushed. I’d also have liked to see more of Teddy and how she coped with believing Carella was dead. It felt like a missed opportunity to add a bit more emotional weight.
A different kind of entry in the series. Not a favourite but worth a look.
An odd one, this. Not better or worse than others in the series, just different. Every so often McBain steps away from the usual 87th Precinct formula to try something else, and while this one works, I wasn’t quite as engaged as I’ve been with other titles.
The tone here is much darker than the average installment. It delves into drug addiction, which I wasn’t expecting. I imagine it would have been a much bigger shock to readers when it was first published. There’s also a strand of psychological torture when Carella is held captive, though that didn’t fully work for me. Those scenes felt a little flat and lacked the tension McBain usually manages so well.
What I did appreciate was the chance to explore more of Kling’s struggles. It’s about time really. I think it’s quoted here as four years since the murder of his girlfriend, and it’s good to see how it’s continued to affect him and those around him. That thread was one of the stronger points in the book.
The ending was satisfying enough but felt a touch rushed. I’d also have liked to see more of Teddy and how she coped with believing Carella was dead. It felt like a missed opportunity to add a bit more emotional weight.
A different kind of entry in the series. Not a favourite but worth a look.
August 28, 2019
An above average novel for the series. Perhaps not the best to start the series, but I have read a number of the previous entries and this one really entertained me. McBain has a knack of focusing on characters and showing what they do to infer how they feel. The plot here moves along briskly and kept me turning the pages. The characters have already been established in the series, so I was interested from the start. Highly recommended for people who have read some of the series already.
February 20, 2026
"Doll" (1965) has a sharp and frightening setup; a beautiful woman is murdered slasher-style, and her daughter in the next room hears everything. Detective Carella catches the case and starts his investigation.
Detective Bert Kling, meanwhile, is on an anger-bender. His fiance was murdered a while back and seems to be taking out his frustrations on the world, even his own squadmates, and the Lieutenant wants to get rid of him. Carella convinces him to make Kling his partner on this case to see if he can save his job.
Then things get scary and creepy as heck (and yes, I'm keeping in mind the horrific event that opened this tale), and from there we get a more modern horror-thriller as Carella, Kling, Meyer, Brown, and other members of the 87th Precinct Detective squad start to put together the facts that lead to why this woman was killed and by whom.
Kling's B-story character path in this one is what will stick with you, despite the A-story perils that befall our hero spoiler-removed when things go bad. Maybe it is because I've seen this coming over the past few episodes of the series, but Bert is a relatable and capable young cop who has a lot to do in this investigation and it is smartly used here.
Verdict: A smart, tragic, frightening, and creepy episode of the 87th Precinct series, "Doll" has the detective squad working to find a killer, this time a knife-wielding maniac who murdered a beautiful woman. The detectives are the stars in this one, and those are the best of these stories.
Jeff's Rating: 4 / 5 (Very Good)
movie rating if made into a movie: R
Detective Bert Kling, meanwhile, is on an anger-bender. His fiance was murdered a while back and seems to be taking out his frustrations on the world, even his own squadmates, and the Lieutenant wants to get rid of him. Carella convinces him to make Kling his partner on this case to see if he can save his job.
Then things get scary and creepy as heck (and yes, I'm keeping in mind the horrific event that opened this tale), and from there we get a more modern horror-thriller as Carella, Kling, Meyer, Brown, and other members of the 87th Precinct Detective squad start to put together the facts that lead to why this woman was killed and by whom.
Kling's B-story character path in this one is what will stick with you, despite the A-story perils that befall our hero spoiler-removed when things go bad. Maybe it is because I've seen this coming over the past few episodes of the series, but Bert is a relatable and capable young cop who has a lot to do in this investigation and it is smartly used here.
Verdict: A smart, tragic, frightening, and creepy episode of the 87th Precinct series, "Doll" has the detective squad working to find a killer, this time a knife-wielding maniac who murdered a beautiful woman. The detectives are the stars in this one, and those are the best of these stories.
Jeff's Rating: 4 / 5 (Very Good)
movie rating if made into a movie: R
November 18, 2018
A fashion model is murdered in her apartment and there is a good description of the suspect. It matches that of her manager so it should be an open and shut case. Of course it's not and things take a few odd turns that leave the detectives confused.
Another solid book in the series. Events at the end of this book look like they will be a turning point in Detective Bert Kling's career, so I will looking out for that in following books.
Another solid book in the series. Events at the end of this book look like they will be a turning point in Detective Bert Kling's career, so I will looking out for that in following books.
October 16, 2023
The 7th of nine featured in Crime Fictions of the 1960s and the best story overall so far. It’s just a good crime story with gritty attitudes and 1960s sensibilities.
All the stories featured so far and this one is not an exception endorses ‘cocktail party psychology’, after all, everything that was determinative within society during the 1960s told the world that was the way things were. It also has the feature of making women as a devious other; the author’s description of all female characters makes them seem as if they are not worthy of full inclusion in society and are not fully functioning members of society and by implication not deserving of full status as humans. Also, there is the given that marijuana is the gateway drug to other drugs and that first toke will inevitably lead to a life of drug addiction.
As a set these books standout for how we saw ourselves in the 1960s, and this one is a just a good detective story.
All the stories featured so far and this one is not an exception endorses ‘cocktail party psychology’, after all, everything that was determinative within society during the 1960s told the world that was the way things were. It also has the feature of making women as a devious other; the author’s description of all female characters makes them seem as if they are not worthy of full inclusion in society and are not fully functioning members of society and by implication not deserving of full status as humans. Also, there is the given that marijuana is the gateway drug to other drugs and that first toke will inevitably lead to a life of drug addiction.
As a set these books standout for how we saw ourselves in the 1960s, and this one is a just a good detective story.
February 14, 2024
3.5 stars. A short, compelling crime fiction novel where the lovely fashion model, Tinka Sacks, is stabbed to death while in the next room in Tinka’s apartment, her 5 year old daughter Anna, is listening to the murder whilst holding her doll.
A quick read with interesting characters and a couple of plot twists.
This book was first published in 1965. (This book was included in Library of America publication, Crime Novels, Four Classic Thrillers 1964 - 1969).
A quick read with interesting characters and a couple of plot twists.
This book was first published in 1965. (This book was included in Library of America publication, Crime Novels, Four Classic Thrillers 1964 - 1969).
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January 1, 2024My first of the Library of America Crime Novels of the 1960s, and it’s seriously good. The writing’s modern and sharp, and the use of visuals innovative. Have high expectations for the next three in Volume 1.
November 15, 2018
I have been a HUGE fan of Ed McBain (Evan Hunter) for many years, ever since I was a kid and sneaked a peek at an 87th Precinct novel that my mom was reading. Still, I was just a kid, so I had no real appreciation of what a damn fine writer he was. Since then, I have read quite a bit of his work and I have never been disappointed.
DOLL is one of the best in McBain's long-running 87th Precinct series. Dark, violent, and decidedly adult, this entry really demonstrates McBain's keen knack for creating memorable characters in all their beauty and ugliness. Shocking, suspenseful, and sad, DOLL is a gem in the genre, not to be missed.
***I read the British paperback edition, published in 1976 by Pan Books Ltd.
DOLL is one of the best in McBain's long-running 87th Precinct series. Dark, violent, and decidedly adult, this entry really demonstrates McBain's keen knack for creating memorable characters in all their beauty and ugliness. Shocking, suspenseful, and sad, DOLL is a gem in the genre, not to be missed.
***I read the British paperback edition, published in 1976 by Pan Books Ltd.
September 11, 2012
One of the better 87th Street Precinct novels. A model is slashed to death, with her five year old daughter in the next room. A one-eyed elevator operator describes the perpetrator to Detectives Steve Carella and Bert Kling, but Bert is nasty when the agency owner seems to match the description causing a rift with Steve, who then solves the mystery on his own, only to have the murderer get the upperhand and leave Steve in mortal peril. When a dead body is found badly burned in Carella's car, everyone assumes the worst, but Detective Meyer Meyer and Bert Kling working separate leads arrive in time to save the day. Superb title with multiple meanings in the story.
January 10, 2014
A model is murdered and Carella figures out pretty quickly who did it, although this information is not revealed to us. McBain puts a twist on the proceedings when Carella is taken prisoner by the very suspect he was out to catch and is tortured by that man's mistress in a very nasty fashion. The book then alternates between Carella's psychological descent and the boys at the 87th trying to figure out what happened to him. This is a tough, short, and very suspenseful book with some haunting sequences and a villain you will not soon forget.
August 10, 2015
Had a really hard time finding this book and finally found it at the awesome used book store Hooked on Books in Wildwood, NJ. Maybe one of my top 3 favorite 87th Precinct novels to date. Insane, violent and exciting stuff. Breezed through it on a lazy Friday morning down the shore.
December 23, 2017
I remembered the denouement of this one going into it, but it’s still a really great read. Fast paced with a great conclusion and a nice twist. It’s maybe a bit short on punchy dialogue, but other than that it’s a very solid entry in the series.
May 4, 2020
Další den, další McBain. Je fakt, že výhoda jeho knížek je ta, že je máte přečtené během jedné delší jízdy tramvají… což ještě umocňuje skutečnost, že stojí hodně na dialozích.
Tohle byla klasika, dokonce existovala i česká televizní adaptace, kde Mayera Mayera hrál samozřejmě Miloš Kopecký. Sice nikoliv plešatý, ale plnil aspoň tu židovskou část role. A Carellu Josef Abrahám. A Ameriku hrála plechovka coca coly.
Jinak je to další kniha, kdy někdo málem zabije Carellu. Já na jeho místě bych ráno ani nevylejzal z postele. Plus se tam pracuje s krizí Berta Klinga, která mi tedy přišla trochu opožděná, pět knih po smrti jeho přítelkyně, jako by si McBain najednou vzpomněl, že mu zabili holku… nebo spíš teď se to zrovna hodilo do příběhu. Díky tomu tam může dělat rozkol v oddělení a jedna z postav může bojovat za odčinění své chyby. Což vždycky dodává příběhu vnitřní napětí.
Ale pořád to šlape, je to jeden z příběhu s vážně obrovským až thrillerovým tempem. Dá se říct, že jediné úskalí toho všeho je fakt, že tam McBain staví na tématu, které bylo v té době možná nové a šokující, dneska se na to spíš člověk dívá jako na skoro běžný jev.
Tohle byla klasika, dokonce existovala i česká televizní adaptace, kde Mayera Mayera hrál samozřejmě Miloš Kopecký. Sice nikoliv plešatý, ale plnil aspoň tu židovskou část role. A Carellu Josef Abrahám. A Ameriku hrála plechovka coca coly.
Jinak je to další kniha, kdy někdo málem zabije Carellu. Já na jeho místě bych ráno ani nevylejzal z postele. Plus se tam pracuje s krizí Berta Klinga, která mi tedy přišla trochu opožděná, pět knih po smrti jeho přítelkyně, jako by si McBain najednou vzpomněl, že mu zabili holku… nebo spíš teď se to zrovna hodilo do příběhu. Díky tomu tam může dělat rozkol v oddělení a jedna z postav může bojovat za odčinění své chyby. Což vždycky dodává příběhu vnitřní napětí.
Ale pořád to šlape, je to jeden z příběhu s vážně obrovským až thrillerovým tempem. Dá se říct, že jediné úskalí toho všeho je fakt, že tam McBain staví na tématu, které bylo v té době možná nové a šokující, dneska se na to spíš člověk dívá jako na skoro běžný jev.
March 11, 2024
A superb crime novel, one of the best I’ve ever read.
If you love detective stories, this is for you!
If you love detective stories, this is for you!
July 19, 2017
This is the first '87th precinct' story I have read and I really enjoyed it.
October 1, 2023
I read the estonian translation. The plot of the story was very predictable and cliché. The transltion, however, was so bad that it was amazing.
November 14, 2016
"[...] the knife slash across her throat poring blood onto the canvas, setting her hair afloat in a pool of red that finally overspilled the oaken frame and ran onto the carpet.
Next door, the child Anna clung fiercely to her doll."
Ed McBain's (the pseudonym of Evan Hunter) Doll, the third novel in my "Selective McBain Re-read" project and the 20th installment in the 87 Precinct series, was published in 1965. I like this book more than the tenth item in the series, King's Ransom , and much more than Cop Hater that gave beginning to the whole series.
Five-year-old Anna clutches her doll and consoles it with soothing words while her mother, a beautiful fashion model, is being brutally murdered in the next room. The strong beginning sets the tone for the entire novel which describes the 87th Precinct detectives, Steve Carella, Bert Kling, and Meyer Meyer conducting the investigation. Carella, a father of twins, is so appalled by the brutality of the model's murder that he neglects to follow the police procedure when he finds the clue that will lead him to the murderer; the nature of the clue is not revealed until the end of the novel. I am unable to provide further synopsis without spoiling the mystery: this is especially important because - for once - the publishers were careful not to provide any spoilers on the cover of the paperback.
The author paces the captivating plot well and Doll is a great short book for readers who like the so-called page turners. Yet the novel is marred by implausibility of several events and the use of situational and dialogue clichés, which are - sadly - the author's trademark. The entire Bert Kling thread, well-intentioned as it may be, comes across as naive, didactic, and stereotypical. The woman torturer is a grossly exaggerated, cartoon-level portrayal and lame, stilted dialogues further spoil the author's effort.
Neither do I care for the manner in which the solution is explained. It does not read well when one of the characters' diary is used to elucidate the background of the case. On the positive side, the author again shows his strength in realistic depiction of the police procedure and several passages are quite well written, above the bare minimum literary competency that characterizes most mysteries and thrillers.
Anyway, I recommend the novel because of its suspense and mystery value. Readers who can tolerate psychological clichés and implausibilities may find this book outstanding. Although my enthusiasm is quite moderate, this installment of the 87th Precinct series certainly makes me want to read more books in the series, from the later time frames. For the next re-read I will jump to the beginning of the 1970s.
Three stars.
Next door, the child Anna clung fiercely to her doll."
Ed McBain's (the pseudonym of Evan Hunter) Doll, the third novel in my "Selective McBain Re-read" project and the 20th installment in the 87 Precinct series, was published in 1965. I like this book more than the tenth item in the series, King's Ransom , and much more than Cop Hater that gave beginning to the whole series.
Five-year-old Anna clutches her doll and consoles it with soothing words while her mother, a beautiful fashion model, is being brutally murdered in the next room. The strong beginning sets the tone for the entire novel which describes the 87th Precinct detectives, Steve Carella, Bert Kling, and Meyer Meyer conducting the investigation. Carella, a father of twins, is so appalled by the brutality of the model's murder that he neglects to follow the police procedure when he finds the clue that will lead him to the murderer; the nature of the clue is not revealed until the end of the novel. I am unable to provide further synopsis without spoiling the mystery: this is especially important because - for once - the publishers were careful not to provide any spoilers on the cover of the paperback.
The author paces the captivating plot well and Doll is a great short book for readers who like the so-called page turners. Yet the novel is marred by implausibility of several events and the use of situational and dialogue clichés, which are - sadly - the author's trademark. The entire Bert Kling thread, well-intentioned as it may be, comes across as naive, didactic, and stereotypical. The woman torturer is a grossly exaggerated, cartoon-level portrayal and lame, stilted dialogues further spoil the author's effort.
Neither do I care for the manner in which the solution is explained. It does not read well when one of the characters' diary is used to elucidate the background of the case. On the positive side, the author again shows his strength in realistic depiction of the police procedure and several passages are quite well written, above the bare minimum literary competency that characterizes most mysteries and thrillers.
Anyway, I recommend the novel because of its suspense and mystery value. Readers who can tolerate psychological clichés and implausibilities may find this book outstanding. Although my enthusiasm is quite moderate, this installment of the 87th Precinct series certainly makes me want to read more books in the series, from the later time frames. For the next re-read I will jump to the beginning of the 1970s.
Three stars.
February 19, 2019
The series continues in this 20th edition as a better TV show than any produced during its time. The cops are people. They are real people with real flaws who are trying to bring the criminals to heel. The grittiness of the life makes you wonder why anyone wants to be a detective and McBain knows you wonder so he reminds you of the adrenaline of catching the criminal despite the long hours and frequent boredom.
This particular episode centers on Steve Carella who asks for the surly Bert Kling to be his partner in a homicide investigation. Kling was once a rising star but has never been the same since the murder of his fiancée several books earlier. Carella is a good detective and a kind man, a natural leader. He sees Kling's demons as something to overcome rather than something to shun. Kling just needs to regain his own footing and that is much of what this tale accomplishes.
The essence is that a beautiful and successful model is murdered and the motive is so obscure that the team is baffled. Could it be her agents? Her Ex-Husband? Carella is going to find out to get some of that adrenaline. It might not come easy for him.
When is Mrs. Carella going to insist he sell insurance or something? He must have more scars than Tom Berenger from Platoon.
This particular episode centers on Steve Carella who asks for the surly Bert Kling to be his partner in a homicide investigation. Kling was once a rising star but has never been the same since the murder of his fiancée several books earlier. Carella is a good detective and a kind man, a natural leader. He sees Kling's demons as something to overcome rather than something to shun. Kling just needs to regain his own footing and that is much of what this tale accomplishes.
The essence is that a beautiful and successful model is murdered and the motive is so obscure that the team is baffled. Could it be her agents? Her Ex-Husband? Carella is going to find out to get some of that adrenaline. It might not come easy for him.
When is Mrs. Carella going to insist he sell insurance or something? He must have more scars than Tom Berenger from Platoon.
March 20, 2022
“In the bedroom next door, her mother was being murdered.”
Then, investigating that murder, Steve Carella gets taken hostage, and it’s set up to appear that he’s dead (poor Teddy…). And Bert Kling is still torn up about his girlfriend's, Claire Townsend, death (in book #14). And now Carella's too. It's a really good story, tense and violent. My only problem is - how many times is poor Carella going to be knocked out in this series? It seems like he's definitely taken a blow or two in at least half of the twenty so far! C'mon - give the poor guy a break!
Then, investigating that murder, Steve Carella gets taken hostage, and it’s set up to appear that he’s dead (poor Teddy…). And Bert Kling is still torn up about his girlfriend's, Claire Townsend, death (in book #14). And now Carella's too. It's a really good story, tense and violent. My only problem is - how many times is poor Carella going to be knocked out in this series? It seems like he's definitely taken a blow or two in at least half of the twenty so far! C'mon - give the poor guy a break!
August 29, 2021
An excellent novel in the series. Been reading them in order and the last one, He Who Hesitates, was a weaker one. In this one Steve Carella has to investigate the murder of a fashion model. Finds the answer pretty quick, though he told no one and he was captured by the unknown killer. The other cops have to find out what he knew and where he is if he is even alive..
Highly recommended, one of the better ones in a series that can be uneven.
Highly recommended, one of the better ones in a series that can be uneven.
December 6, 2015
This is the darkest and most serious entry in the series so far. The team of the 87th get to work on a brutal murder with drugs involved. The character development gets more pronounced and the activities surrounding the investigation get more dangerous.
I really do enjoy this series.
I really do enjoy this series.
January 6, 2017
A dark and complex plot, with Carella at the centre, but Kling and Meyer playing key roles. Excellent writing by McBain.
October 13, 2015
Pulpy murder mystery police procedural. Picked it up at a thrift store and was entertained!
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