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87th Precinct #31
Dokud vás smrt nerozdělí
Detektivové z 87. policejního revíru mají velký den. Jejich nejmladší kolega Bert Kling se žení. Po dvou láskách, které dopadly špatně – první byla zavražděna a druhá si našla jiného – si bere krásnou modelku Augustu. Obřadu se účastní celá pátračka i s manželkami a poručíkem Byrnesem, je veselo, tančí se. Augustin starý ctitel a přítel Alexandr Pike při obřadu i oslavě neúnavně mačká spoušť svého fotoaparátu. Konečně se novomanželé octnou sami ve svém hotelovém pokoji a Kling se jde jako první osprchovat. Když se za deset minut vrátí, pokoj je prázdný a nevěsta není k nalezení. Kling se domnívá, že jde o žert, protože kamarádi předtím vtipkovali o zvyku unášet nevěsty. Zůstává tedy klidný a čeká. Po chvíli však v pokoji objeví kousek vaty nasáklý chloroformem a jeden Augustin střevíček. Je jasné, že nejde o žádný žert. Rozběhne se horečné pátrání. Pomáhají v něm Pikeovy snímky a osvědčí se i staří známí donašeči a kolega ze sousedního revíru Špekoun Ollie Weeks…
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First published January 1, 1976
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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 71 reviews
February 3, 2015
It's a happy day for the detectives of the 87th Precinct when one of their own, Bert Kling, marries his beautiful girlfriend, a very successful model named Augusta Blair. After the wedding party is over, the newlyweds retire to their hotel room and Bert decides to take a shower before the real festivities begin. But when Burt gets out of the shower, he discovers much to his dismay, that his bride has disappeared.
At first, Bert thinks that his pals have pulled the old "Kidnap the Bride" wedding trick and that they will be holding Augusta hostage downstairs in the hotel bar until Bert comes down and buys enough drinks to ransom her back. But then Bert discovers one of Augusta's shoes abandoned on the floor and even worse, finds a chloroform-soaked rag in the wastebasket. Obviously, this is no joke.
The detectives of the 87th spring into action to investigate the kidnapping, expecting that Bert will soon receive a ransom demand. But hours later, the kidnapper has not called and there is no news of the disappearing bride. At this point, Fat Ollie Weeks inserts himself into the case, even though he's assigned to another precinct. Nobody in the 87th can stand Fat Ollie, even though most of them admit that he's an excellent detective. And as it turns out, they're going to need all the help they can get if they have any hope of recovering Augusta alive.
This is among the better books in the series, at least among the first thirty-one of them, and it's fun to watch the detectives work this case which really hits home for them. Another great read from one of the masters.
At first, Bert thinks that his pals have pulled the old "Kidnap the Bride" wedding trick and that they will be holding Augusta hostage downstairs in the hotel bar until Bert comes down and buys enough drinks to ransom her back. But then Bert discovers one of Augusta's shoes abandoned on the floor and even worse, finds a chloroform-soaked rag in the wastebasket. Obviously, this is no joke.
The detectives of the 87th spring into action to investigate the kidnapping, expecting that Bert will soon receive a ransom demand. But hours later, the kidnapper has not called and there is no news of the disappearing bride. At this point, Fat Ollie Weeks inserts himself into the case, even though he's assigned to another precinct. Nobody in the 87th can stand Fat Ollie, even though most of them admit that he's an excellent detective. And as it turns out, they're going to need all the help they can get if they have any hope of recovering Augusta alive.
This is among the better books in the series, at least among the first thirty-one of them, and it's fun to watch the detectives work this case which really hits home for them. Another great read from one of the masters.
January 6, 2018
We're up to the mid 1970s now and Bert Kling is finally tying the knot and on his wedding night his bride is kidnapped by a nutty stalker from the honeymoon suite. Obvs. Bert Kling is literally the unluckiest guy in literature. From that point on it's s super efficient procedural with informers grilled, leads chased down and bad guys braced. Fat Ollie makes his biggest contribution so far and he's an interesting addition to the team leaving Carella conflicted. In the hands of any other writer, he'd be a two-dimensional bit-player, but McBain offers him up unvarnished and forces us to find value in the least likely of places. The closing scene where Ollie acts without hesitation while Carella and Kling pause, is simple and stunning. Love these books.
April 12, 2017
#31 in the series, and Detective Bert Kling, he of the previously doomed love life, find himself marrying a top fashion model, with most of his Precinct colleagues in attendance. Disaster strikes when his bride is abducted from the honeymoon hotel. This is another book with a single plot, which I think I prefer to some of the earlier books with several investigations happening simultaneously, and sees another significant appearance by Fat Ollie, the racist detective from the 83rd Precinct
December 19, 2019
This was easy reading between heavy-duty cleaning, giving me a chance to rest my back before going back at it. I do realize I would have enjoyed this book more had I been familiar with this cast of characters. I know the series has a good tribe of followers.
Have to admit this was quite a wedding night!
Kindle Unlimited
Have to admit this was quite a wedding night!
Kindle Unlimited
July 28, 2025
★★★★
One of the more gripping entries in the series. McBain tightens the format again with a single storyline from start to finish, and it works. The stakes are clear and urgent from the start: Kling's new wife vanishes on their wedding night, and the whole book moves with that anxious energy.
This one leans more towards thriller than procedural, and the narrower focus gives it a different feel. The pacing is sharp and the structure tight. Everything revolves around the investigation, and it’s well balanced throughout.
Kling’s terrible luck in love continues to be one of the more sombre threads in the series. First his girlfriend is murdered, then another leaves him, and now this. Augusta is more than just a victim here though. She has presence and a sense of resolve, and her scenes are some of the strongest in the book.
Fat Ollie Weeks returns and has a genuinely important part to play. With one of their own in danger, the detectives at the 87th are emotionally invested in a way that leaves room for error. They miss something, and that same issue reappears right before the resolution. If Fat Ollie hadn’t been there, the outcome might have been very different. His involvement highlights just how easily blind spots can form when the case hits too close to home.
A strong and tightly written instalment. I really enjoyed this one.
One of the more gripping entries in the series. McBain tightens the format again with a single storyline from start to finish, and it works. The stakes are clear and urgent from the start: Kling's new wife vanishes on their wedding night, and the whole book moves with that anxious energy.
This one leans more towards thriller than procedural, and the narrower focus gives it a different feel. The pacing is sharp and the structure tight. Everything revolves around the investigation, and it’s well balanced throughout.
Kling’s terrible luck in love continues to be one of the more sombre threads in the series. First his girlfriend is murdered, then another leaves him, and now this. Augusta is more than just a victim here though. She has presence and a sense of resolve, and her scenes are some of the strongest in the book.
Fat Ollie Weeks returns and has a genuinely important part to play. With one of their own in danger, the detectives at the 87th are emotionally invested in a way that leaves room for error. They miss something, and that same issue reappears right before the resolution. If Fat Ollie hadn’t been there, the outcome might have been very different. His involvement highlights just how easily blind spots can form when the case hits too close to home.
A strong and tightly written instalment. I really enjoyed this one.
November 18, 2019
Another throughly entertaining police procedural from McBain. This isn’t a mystery as such, but it is incredibly gripping, with the bulls in a race against time to save Kling’s kidnapped bride, Augusta.
Despite the woman in peril plot, McBain gives Augusta a lot to do and she’s far from a helpless victim. Her assailant is creepy as hell and some of the scenes between them are disturbingly effective. This is countered by the investigation, which is often humorous thanks to the presence of Fat Ollie Weeks.
All this combines to make an 87th novel that is simpler than many, and not that deep, but very enjoyable.
Despite the woman in peril plot, McBain gives Augusta a lot to do and she’s far from a helpless victim. Her assailant is creepy as hell and some of the scenes between them are disturbingly effective. This is countered by the investigation, which is often humorous thanks to the presence of Fat Ollie Weeks.
All this combines to make an 87th novel that is simpler than many, and not that deep, but very enjoyable.
November 13, 2020
Amazing how often McBain can come up with a story that is nothing like any others in the series thus far. This one focuses on on Bert Kling's love life and how, when cops are personally involved in a case, they can sometimes lose focus. It takes an outsider to point them in the right direction
November 24, 2014
Fat Ollie takes center stage in this 87th Precinct McBain. Bert Kling is marrying Augusta, a model, who is kidnapped from their wedding suite by a looney. The scene shifts back and forth between Augusta, who is not about to let things take their course without a fight, and the investigation. They are stymied with seemingly no leads, but Ollie, “ who was bigoted, slovenly, opinionated, crude, insensitive, gross, humorless, unimaginative…No, that wasn’t true. Ollie was imaginative,” joins the hunt and, with the help of the wedding photographer, develops the two leads that break the case open.
Short, almost a novella, the book is standard McBain fare, that is to say, a solid police procedural.
Short, almost a novella, the book is standard McBain fare, that is to say, a solid police procedural.
March 30, 2013
Finally Detective Bert Kling's love life works -- he marries the beautiful redheaded model, Augusta Blair. On his wedding night, he gets out of the shower to find Augusta gone, but is not worried as he had been told of a quaint custom of kidnapping the bride on her wedding night and suspects his fellow officers in the 87th Precinct are pranking him; however, she really is gone. The bulls are stumped, but Fat Ollie Weeks wades into the middle of the paralysis and bullies the detectives to conduct a proper investigation, which barely saves Augusta's life. The best story in the series so far, IMHO, despite the passivity of the 87th Street investigative team.
December 2, 2016
یه داستان پلیسی معمولی و نه چندان جذاب.همین.
January 17, 2019
So Long As You Both Shall Live begins, happily enough, with the wedding between Detective Burt Kling and Augusta Blair, a beautiful model. And after the bad luck that Bert has experienced with love, he deserves it. McBain captures the hubbub of the wedding perfectly, especially from the perspective of the photographer who has insisted on shooting the event pro bono, as he has worked with, and been fond of, Augusta for many years. Everything has gone beautifully and finally the happy couple retire to their hotel room for their wedding night bliss. Bert steps into the shower and when he comes back into the bedroom Augusta has disappeared. Thus begins the mystery in this wonderfully entertaining entry in the 87th precinct series.
A treat that readers of the series experience from time to time, is the inclusion of a detective named Oliver Weeks. Fat Ollie, as he’s often referred to, is one of the most interesting characters in the series. Bigoted, corpulent, and generally repulsive, Fat Ollie is also a very good detective. And in this particular case, his investigative talents, unsolicited though they may be, prove invaluable to the men of the 87th. Because he’s emotionally detached (he barely knows Kling), Weeks not only comes up with good ideas when the others are drawing blanks, but sees the case objectively, whereas the squad are all trying to honor Bert’s wishes to do nothing that might jeopardize Augusta’s welfare, wherever she’s being held.
As the story plays out, McBain is in his element. Dialogue that just seems to flow as if the reader were in the room, procedures, and scrambling detectives desperately seeking clues keep the pages turning and tension building. Towards the end there are a few small glitches or holes that feel as though the author needed to wrap things up in a hurry, but otherwise this is a very good read and a solid contribution to a great series.
A treat that readers of the series experience from time to time, is the inclusion of a detective named Oliver Weeks. Fat Ollie, as he’s often referred to, is one of the most interesting characters in the series. Bigoted, corpulent, and generally repulsive, Fat Ollie is also a very good detective. And in this particular case, his investigative talents, unsolicited though they may be, prove invaluable to the men of the 87th. Because he’s emotionally detached (he barely knows Kling), Weeks not only comes up with good ideas when the others are drawing blanks, but sees the case objectively, whereas the squad are all trying to honor Bert’s wishes to do nothing that might jeopardize Augusta’s welfare, wherever she’s being held.
As the story plays out, McBain is in his element. Dialogue that just seems to flow as if the reader were in the room, procedures, and scrambling detectives desperately seeking clues keep the pages turning and tension building. Towards the end there are a few small glitches or holes that feel as though the author needed to wrap things up in a hurry, but otherwise this is a very good read and a solid contribution to a great series.
August 11, 2021
Rutinnyomozás, ez a sokszor elhangzó kifejezés lehetne a kulcsszava ennek a kriminek. A kriminek ebben az esetben van egy kis híja , de attól ez még a 87-es körzet, igaz, van egy vendégnyomozó, a nem éppen népszerű és nem éppen gusztusos Hájas Ollie, aki egyszer csak megjelenik, és kézbe veszi a dolgokat. Most abba ne menjünk bele, hogy egy másik körzet nyomozója hogyan árthatja bele magát egy nyomozásba.
Ollie megjelenésére szükség is van, hisz ebben a történetben az egyik nyomozó feleségét rabolják el az esküvő éjjelén, és az érintettség miatt nem is árt egy külső, higgadt szereplő. Nos, Ollie az a típus, aki a szénakazalban is megtalálná a tűt, így aztán tanúi lehetünk a rendőri aprómunka minden szépségének, ezzel együtt az izgalom sem hág a tetőfokára. McBain ennek áthidalására időnként szerepelteti az elrabolt nőt és elrablóját, így inkább thrillerbe fordul a dolog; a tét nyilvánvaló, vajon a gyilkos kattan be előbb, vagy a nyomozók találnak rá hamarabb?
Rutinból megírt története ez McBainnek, de ez nem is csoda, ilyen termelés mellett nem lehetett mindig jót alkotni.
Ollie megjelenésére szükség is van, hisz ebben a történetben az egyik nyomozó feleségét rabolják el az esküvő éjjelén, és az érintettség miatt nem is árt egy külső, higgadt szereplő. Nos, Ollie az a típus, aki a szénakazalban is megtalálná a tűt, így aztán tanúi lehetünk a rendőri aprómunka minden szépségének, ezzel együtt az izgalom sem hág a tetőfokára. McBain ennek áthidalására időnként szerepelteti az elrabolt nőt és elrablóját, így inkább thrillerbe fordul a dolog; a tét nyilvánvaló, vajon a gyilkos kattan be előbb, vagy a nyomozók találnak rá hamarabb?
Rutinból megírt története ez McBainnek, de ez nem is csoda, ilyen termelés mellett nem lehetett mindig jót alkotni.
December 18, 2019
This is a good solid 87th Precinct novel for a quiet evening in the armchair. Bert Kling marries his model girlfriend Augusta and then the action begins. Steve Carella leads the investigation into the kidnapping when Augusta disappears. The story follows the detectives as they follow up the clues, while we follow Augusta and her abductor. Fat Ollie Weeks of the 83rd comes to help out and leads the cavalry.
These are great characters and you can imagine yourself in the squad room. If you have not read this series before get onto it now but do start at the outset of the series so that you can follow the squad through the years. Its interesting just to follow the social changes in Isola.
These are great characters and you can imagine yourself in the squad room. If you have not read this series before get onto it now but do start at the outset of the series so that you can follow the squad through the years. Its interesting just to follow the social changes in Isola.
October 1, 2019
Well, if you look for an enjoyable light reading on the road, you will like this one. If you are looking for a great novel in my opinion this is not going to be it. The characters are a bit one dimensional and the plot is quite straightforward. However the ambiance is thrilling, film noir style
May 28, 2021
This one was pretty tense. Read it in a day.
February 26, 2018
Detective Bert Kling of the 87th precinct doesn't have much luck where romance is concerned. His first fiancé was murdered and, as this book begins, we learn that his new wife has been kidnapped on their wedding night.
While I enjoyed this, I must say that it didn't quite measure up to earlier series entries. The mystery seemed forced and I felt like this short book could have used even more editing.
Detective Ollie Weeks, who doesn't even remotely try to hide that he is a raving bigot, plays an important part in this case. While adding a character whom Carella definitely doesn't like seems like a smart idea, I kept wondering if McBain was capitalizing on the popularity of ALL IN THE FAMILY which was all the rage at the time at which this book came out. The humor in the portrayal of Weeks probably worked much better then than it does nowadays.
I also couldn't help noticing that this is the first time in the series in which McBain has his characters use foul language. It may be a sign of the times, but, while I wasn't especially offended by it, it seemed like an unfortunate choice since we all know that McBain doesn't need to resort to such things in order to flesh out his characters.
Don’t' misunderstand: this book is worth reading; I just don't think it's half as good as the earlier entries in the series.
While I enjoyed this, I must say that it didn't quite measure up to earlier series entries. The mystery seemed forced and I felt like this short book could have used even more editing.
Detective Ollie Weeks, who doesn't even remotely try to hide that he is a raving bigot, plays an important part in this case. While adding a character whom Carella definitely doesn't like seems like a smart idea, I kept wondering if McBain was capitalizing on the popularity of ALL IN THE FAMILY which was all the rage at the time at which this book came out. The humor in the portrayal of Weeks probably worked much better then than it does nowadays.
I also couldn't help noticing that this is the first time in the series in which McBain has his characters use foul language. It may be a sign of the times, but, while I wasn't especially offended by it, it seemed like an unfortunate choice since we all know that McBain doesn't need to resort to such things in order to flesh out his characters.
Don’t' misunderstand: this book is worth reading; I just don't think it's half as good as the earlier entries in the series.
September 7, 2007
SO LONG AS YOU BOTH SHALL LIVE – VG
Ed McBain – 32nd in series
Det. Bert Kling had just married beautiful Augusta Blair and was anticipating his wedding night. Augusta was waiting for him. He got out of the shower, and opened the door, but Augusta is gone. He’s not too worried as he had been told of a quaint custom of kidnapping the bride on her wedding night and his fellow officers in the 87th Precinct were professionals. And then he noticed her coat still on the rack, and the single shoe lying on its side, and the sickeningly sweet smell of chloroform. And now he’s worried.
***In 147 pages, Ed McBain writes a mystery with a full range of characters, excellent dialogue, red herrings and good suspense. The man truly is a master and I never tire of his books.
Ed McBain – 32nd in series
Det. Bert Kling had just married beautiful Augusta Blair and was anticipating his wedding night. Augusta was waiting for him. He got out of the shower, and opened the door, but Augusta is gone. He’s not too worried as he had been told of a quaint custom of kidnapping the bride on her wedding night and his fellow officers in the 87th Precinct were professionals. And then he noticed her coat still on the rack, and the single shoe lying on its side, and the sickeningly sweet smell of chloroform. And now he’s worried.
***In 147 pages, Ed McBain writes a mystery with a full range of characters, excellent dialogue, red herrings and good suspense. The man truly is a master and I never tire of his books.
August 22, 2018
finished this one yesterday, good read, three stars, i liked it.
April 16, 2025
It is a bad idea to be Bert Kling's girlfriend. His first serious amour was shot dead in an extremely bloody bookshop multiple killing. Took him years to get over it. His second (who looked pretty serious about him) suddenly went off the whole thing and disappeared into the blue. A wise move, considering what happens in this book to the third.
The title So Long As You Both Shall Live has, as usual, more than one relevance to the action. It's Kling's wedding day. He's finally made it to the altar, where the vows are safely taken. But on the very evening of the ceremony it starts to look unlikely that the beautiful Augusta will live long enough to enjoy wedded bliss (she and Kling have been enjoying the unwedded kind for some time already). The new husband slips out of the bedroom for a pre-nuptial shower, and when he comes back .... Oh no!!! Where is his blushing bride?
So for Kling, there's yet another period of days and days of exquisite torture, while all available detectives try to find her. The poor chap! Has he not been sufficiently traumatised already?
I admit I was sceptical about a second book set on somebody's wedding day. Til Death (number 9 in the series) takes place on the day of Carella's sister's wedding, and half the precinct is invited along because there's been a threat. So in some ways, McBain has already played the trick of bringing personal and professional uncomfortably close together. But this one is not an instant replay. This time the bad guy (and there is only one) is as sinisterly lunatic as it comes.
We see the threat from two sides. There's Carella, trying to save the new wife of his loyal sidekick. And there's Augusta, the kidnapped bride, facing a fate worse than death (as well as death itself, of course). Very nasty, and told from the inside.
The plot is blissfully simple. She has disappeared. We know from her perspective that this is a countdown situation. If they don't find her quickly, it's gonna be curtains. So the plan is to follow up on all possible ideas for who could hate Kling enough to kidnap his loved one. 1. Investigate villain A. 2. Investigate villain B. 3. Come up with villain C.
But frankly there would have been zero chance of finding her without the stinky, unpleasant genius of Fat Ollie Weeks, who first appeared in Bread, the last but one in the series. McBain loves this character. He's so utterly horrible, an irresistible mixture of vile and useful. And therein much humour. This is not going to be his last appearance, but I'll wind up this review with a sample from the point where he turns up at the start of chapter six, not long after we've encountered an informer called Fats Donner:
_______________________________
"Fat Ollie Weeks came up to the squadroom at two that afternoon.
He was not to be confused with Fats Donner, not that he ever was. When they stood side by side (a proximity neither of the men had ever achieved), one could easily discern a sizeable difference between them: Fat Ollie was fat in the singular; Fats Donner was fat in the plural. There were other differences as well. Fats Donner was an informer, but Fat Ollie Weeks was a detective working out of the Eight-Three. Fats Donner, because he could be found more often than not in the nearest neighbourhood steam bath, was as clean as a whistle and smelled like a freshly bathed baby. Fat Ollie Weeks stank to high heaven, and those who stood close to him sometimes wondered why he did not draw flies. Fats Donner was a tolerant man; his friends over the years had included black girls, Mexican girls, Chinese girls and (on one occasion) a full-blooded Cherokee Indian girl who was fifteen years old. Fat Ollie Weeks was a raging bigot. [ ... ]
When Carella saw him walking toward the slatted rail divider that separated the squadroom from the corridor outside, he wanted to hide. The squadroom was as open as a flasher's raincoat. Ollie came through the gate in the railing and walked heavily towards Carella's desk, his hand extended.
'Hi there, Steve-a-reeno,' he said, and Carella winced. 'What's this I hear?' "
The title So Long As You Both Shall Live has, as usual, more than one relevance to the action. It's Kling's wedding day. He's finally made it to the altar, where the vows are safely taken. But on the very evening of the ceremony it starts to look unlikely that the beautiful Augusta will live long enough to enjoy wedded bliss (she and Kling have been enjoying the unwedded kind for some time already). The new husband slips out of the bedroom for a pre-nuptial shower, and when he comes back .... Oh no!!! Where is his blushing bride?
So for Kling, there's yet another period of days and days of exquisite torture, while all available detectives try to find her. The poor chap! Has he not been sufficiently traumatised already?
I admit I was sceptical about a second book set on somebody's wedding day. Til Death (number 9 in the series) takes place on the day of Carella's sister's wedding, and half the precinct is invited along because there's been a threat. So in some ways, McBain has already played the trick of bringing personal and professional uncomfortably close together. But this one is not an instant replay. This time the bad guy (and there is only one) is as sinisterly lunatic as it comes.
We see the threat from two sides. There's Carella, trying to save the new wife of his loyal sidekick. And there's Augusta, the kidnapped bride, facing a fate worse than death (as well as death itself, of course). Very nasty, and told from the inside.
The plot is blissfully simple. She has disappeared. We know from her perspective that this is a countdown situation. If they don't find her quickly, it's gonna be curtains. So the plan is to follow up on all possible ideas for who could hate Kling enough to kidnap his loved one. 1. Investigate villain A. 2. Investigate villain B. 3. Come up with villain C.
But frankly there would have been zero chance of finding her without the stinky, unpleasant genius of Fat Ollie Weeks, who first appeared in Bread, the last but one in the series. McBain loves this character. He's so utterly horrible, an irresistible mixture of vile and useful. And therein much humour. This is not going to be his last appearance, but I'll wind up this review with a sample from the point where he turns up at the start of chapter six, not long after we've encountered an informer called Fats Donner:
_______________________________
"Fat Ollie Weeks came up to the squadroom at two that afternoon.
He was not to be confused with Fats Donner, not that he ever was. When they stood side by side (a proximity neither of the men had ever achieved), one could easily discern a sizeable difference between them: Fat Ollie was fat in the singular; Fats Donner was fat in the plural. There were other differences as well. Fats Donner was an informer, but Fat Ollie Weeks was a detective working out of the Eight-Three. Fats Donner, because he could be found more often than not in the nearest neighbourhood steam bath, was as clean as a whistle and smelled like a freshly bathed baby. Fat Ollie Weeks stank to high heaven, and those who stood close to him sometimes wondered why he did not draw flies. Fats Donner was a tolerant man; his friends over the years had included black girls, Mexican girls, Chinese girls and (on one occasion) a full-blooded Cherokee Indian girl who was fifteen years old. Fat Ollie Weeks was a raging bigot. [ ... ]
When Carella saw him walking toward the slatted rail divider that separated the squadroom from the corridor outside, he wanted to hide. The squadroom was as open as a flasher's raincoat. Ollie came through the gate in the railing and walked heavily towards Carella's desk, his hand extended.
'Hi there, Steve-a-reeno,' he said, and Carella winced. 'What's this I hear?' "
June 19, 2024
Having just completed the excellent Deadly Honeymoon by Lawrence Block, the fact that I followed up with So Long As You Both Shall Live by Ed McBain suggests an element of design. Truth be told, the McBain was simply the next in the series, so having decided to dip back into the 87th Precinct, back-to-back honeymoon stories became inevitable.
Working your way through a series, no matter how slowly, has its benefits. Character histories, memories of previous plots and the sense of place all allow for smooth running and familiarity. In this case, it also helped glue me to the page until the climax was reached. I'll try and explain.
Bert Kling marries a model. The party after the ceremony is attended by police and those connected to the modeling industry. Also in attendance is a photographer who is quite besoted by Kling's new bride. Bert and Augusta remove themselves from the attention and retire to their hotel. There's a brief underlining of their love for each other before Bert takes a shower. When he comes out he finds Augusta has gone. He goes through the logical steps of finding her, but when he finds evidence of the use of chloroform, it's clear that Augusta has been taken against her will.
You can imagine what follows. The 87th will do anything to help Kling out. They round up their snitches, upturn every available stone and look in every dark corner, all to no avail.
So here's the thing. In many a book, it might be clear what's about to happen. The most likely outcome is that the cops will find their suspect and free the wife after a suitable amount of detection and tension. With Kling and McBain, we know that this is in no way a given. Kling has already lost one fiancee, murdered in as a casual bystander in a bookstore (at least I think it was a bookstore- any necessary correction gratefully received) and we know that bad things can happen to anyone as the series progresses. That in itself creates a level of tension that a standalone by another author might not be able to manage in quite such a simple way.
It's also useful to undersand what Fat Ollie Weeks stands for. Having managed to get precisely nowhere with the investigation, Carella can't refuse Weeks's offer of help on this one. The fact that he's a racist bigot who uses a strong arm more he should is marginally trumped by the fact that he is capable of thorough detective work and loves the legwork more than most. As a reader, it's easy to hate the guy, but it's also possible to be rooting for him 100% given that Kling's world and Augusta's life depend upon it.
Suffice to say that the conclusion is gripping and the race to the end a real sprint. I'll keep my feelings about what happened to myself and recommend that you read it to find out.
So Long As You Both Shall Live is a treat. Along with Deadly Honeymoon, it's a book that is an excellent example of what can be done in a short space of time when the quality of the writing is so high. I'd hold these up as excellent examples for those learning to write crime fiction and those who already do. Top notch.
Working your way through a series, no matter how slowly, has its benefits. Character histories, memories of previous plots and the sense of place all allow for smooth running and familiarity. In this case, it also helped glue me to the page until the climax was reached. I'll try and explain.
Bert Kling marries a model. The party after the ceremony is attended by police and those connected to the modeling industry. Also in attendance is a photographer who is quite besoted by Kling's new bride. Bert and Augusta remove themselves from the attention and retire to their hotel. There's a brief underlining of their love for each other before Bert takes a shower. When he comes out he finds Augusta has gone. He goes through the logical steps of finding her, but when he finds evidence of the use of chloroform, it's clear that Augusta has been taken against her will.
You can imagine what follows. The 87th will do anything to help Kling out. They round up their snitches, upturn every available stone and look in every dark corner, all to no avail.
So here's the thing. In many a book, it might be clear what's about to happen. The most likely outcome is that the cops will find their suspect and free the wife after a suitable amount of detection and tension. With Kling and McBain, we know that this is in no way a given. Kling has already lost one fiancee, murdered in as a casual bystander in a bookstore (at least I think it was a bookstore- any necessary correction gratefully received) and we know that bad things can happen to anyone as the series progresses. That in itself creates a level of tension that a standalone by another author might not be able to manage in quite such a simple way.
It's also useful to undersand what Fat Ollie Weeks stands for. Having managed to get precisely nowhere with the investigation, Carella can't refuse Weeks's offer of help on this one. The fact that he's a racist bigot who uses a strong arm more he should is marginally trumped by the fact that he is capable of thorough detective work and loves the legwork more than most. As a reader, it's easy to hate the guy, but it's also possible to be rooting for him 100% given that Kling's world and Augusta's life depend upon it.
Suffice to say that the conclusion is gripping and the race to the end a real sprint. I'll keep my feelings about what happened to myself and recommend that you read it to find out.
So Long As You Both Shall Live is a treat. Along with Deadly Honeymoon, it's a book that is an excellent example of what can be done in a short space of time when the quality of the writing is so high. I'd hold these up as excellent examples for those learning to write crime fiction and those who already do. Top notch.
September 24, 2020
Bert Kling se žení a na svatbě mu někdo unese manželku. Což občas bývá tradice, za tímhle stojí ale něco nebezpečnějšího. Místo svatební noci nastává zuřivé pátrání. Času je málo…
Tohle je spíš thriller než detektivka. Sledujete jak uvězněnou ženu, tak detektivy a v druhé polovině knihy už je nastavený odpočet, ve kterém buď přijde záchrana, nebo smrt. Jasně, z dnešního hlediska je to už poměrně jednoduché, ale i tak má kniha obrovské tempo. Taky to není zrovna objemný špalek.
Zajímavé je, že tady se vrací Ollie Weeks, který se postupně stane pevným členem týmu a v posledních knihách vlastně hlavním hrdinou. A opět, říkám si, jestli by takováhle postava mohla vzniknout dnes. Ollie Weeks je rasista, pohrdá lidmi, je tlustý a smrdí – ale přes to všechno je to dobrý policajt. Což je věc, která se moc nedělá, alespoň v masové popkultuře. Že byste měli postavu, která je vám charakterově odporná… a přitom je v tom co dělá dobrá, spolehlivá a odpovědná. Psát nejednoznačné postavy je dost komplikované a možná i nebezpečné. Ono, upřímně, ani sami hrdinové moc neví, jak s tím naložit. Tady je Weeks vlastně ten, kdo celou akci táhne… i proto, že Berta Klinga nezná, a tudíž do pátrání nevkládá žádné svoje emoce.
Tohle je spíš thriller než detektivka. Sledujete jak uvězněnou ženu, tak detektivy a v druhé polovině knihy už je nastavený odpočet, ve kterém buď přijde záchrana, nebo smrt. Jasně, z dnešního hlediska je to už poměrně jednoduché, ale i tak má kniha obrovské tempo. Taky to není zrovna objemný špalek.
Zajímavé je, že tady se vrací Ollie Weeks, který se postupně stane pevným členem týmu a v posledních knihách vlastně hlavním hrdinou. A opět, říkám si, jestli by takováhle postava mohla vzniknout dnes. Ollie Weeks je rasista, pohrdá lidmi, je tlustý a smrdí – ale přes to všechno je to dobrý policajt. Což je věc, která se moc nedělá, alespoň v masové popkultuře. Že byste měli postavu, která je vám charakterově odporná… a přitom je v tom co dělá dobrá, spolehlivá a odpovědná. Psát nejednoznačné postavy je dost komplikované a možná i nebezpečné. Ono, upřímně, ani sami hrdinové moc neví, jak s tím naložit. Tady je Weeks vlastně ten, kdo celou akci táhne… i proto, že Berta Klinga nezná, a tudíž do pátrání nevkládá žádné svoje emoce.
June 15, 2022
After 30 books in the series, McBain still has ideas to spare!
The gang is in full force, even Fat Ollie Weeks lends a hand. All of the 87th boxes are checked: grisly crimes, sneaky red herrings within the leg work, informants, quality insight into the procedures of the force, and nearly every member of the team that we, the readers/fans, have come to expect from the 87th.
This entry continues the premise that McBain couldn't kill off Carella early on in the beginning of the series, so he takes it out on poor Bert Kling. This happens in the form of the torment within his love life. In this instance, significant other #3, Gussie is in the spotlight of a nut job. Finally, Kling ties the knot and then it hits the fan!
Good contrast between Ollie having no feelings for those involved, while Carella, Meyer, etc., all over analyze due to being too close to Kling, thus how this effects the performance and overall story is engaging. The resolution comes and is over before we knew how we got there, with little in the form of why. Good surface psychology for the villain, just felt flat as a character, while we do get depth from Augusta in her beginnings as a cop's wife.
One of the better stories, mostly because we are invested in Kling.
Recommend.
Thanks for reading.
The gang is in full force, even Fat Ollie Weeks lends a hand. All of the 87th boxes are checked: grisly crimes, sneaky red herrings within the leg work, informants, quality insight into the procedures of the force, and nearly every member of the team that we, the readers/fans, have come to expect from the 87th.
This entry continues the premise that McBain couldn't kill off Carella early on in the beginning of the series, so he takes it out on poor Bert Kling. This happens in the form of the torment within his love life. In this instance, significant other #3, Gussie is in the spotlight of a nut job. Finally, Kling ties the knot and then it hits the fan!
Good contrast between Ollie having no feelings for those involved, while Carella, Meyer, etc., all over analyze due to being too close to Kling, thus how this effects the performance and overall story is engaging. The resolution comes and is over before we knew how we got there, with little in the form of why. Good surface psychology for the villain, just felt flat as a character, while we do get depth from Augusta in her beginnings as a cop's wife.
One of the better stories, mostly because we are invested in Kling.
Recommend.
Thanks for reading.
March 2, 2021
The second 87th Precinct novel in a row that a) is more thriller than police procedural; b) features deep mental illness in an antagonist who; c) focuses on cutting, here with a scalpel rather than a knife, and; d) prominently features Fat Ollie Weeks -- a wonderfully entertaining character, typical of the 1970's tenancy toward antiheroes, although thankfully he's presented through humor rather than brooding. Since I'm reading them all in order I'm interested to see whether this thriller thing continues, but McBain does it very well, cranking up the tension to the very end. That's a good thing here, because the plot is a bit far-fetched, although what was in the '70's a pretty thrilling and probably unusual plot, it's now a thriller trope --the intelligent obsessive deranged killer -- that you can see on television every night of the week. So, with this novel and his Deaf Man books, McBain once again breaks ground for his successors.
November 15, 2023
Closer to a 3.5 which is better than most of these this late in. To be honest been putting this one off, after reading 30 of these I was sick of Bert Kling and his love life and this one is about someone kidnapping his wife on his wedding night. I finally decided to read it and the first 15 pages about made me quit, nothing worse than reading about a wedding and than having Kling's entire love life explained out of the blue in case anyone forgot or wanted to know. However it got better and the investigation into the case was interesting even though McBain can be real hackey at times.
Won't really recommend, grading on a curve compare to others its fairly decent but still not something that great. Its fairly fast paced and is a quick read so it is able to mainly keep your interest. If you are reading the series in order you have read much worse to this point.
Won't really recommend, grading on a curve compare to others its fairly decent but still not something that great. Its fairly fast paced and is a quick read so it is able to mainly keep your interest. If you are reading the series in order you have read much worse to this point.
January 14, 2018
A nice amount of tension mixed with police procedural practicality. As with all of McBain's books, slightly dated, but delightfully so. And the characters are great. I'd forgotten about Ollie Weeks, the racist buffoon who also happens to be a great detective, who constantly does a ridiculous W.C. Fields impression. He's a fun and complicated character that is difficult to imagine in modern writing. The racist would always be 100% bad. And they are. Except they're human so they might not be.
Watching the other characters in the novel try to deal with Ollie is fun. He does his job well, but they all loathe him. That is pretty amazing.
A police officer's bride is kidnapped on her wedding night. The novel progresses from there. It is edge of your seat reading.
Watching the other characters in the novel try to deal with Ollie is fun. He does his job well, but they all loathe him. That is pretty amazing.
A police officer's bride is kidnapped on her wedding night. The novel progresses from there. It is edge of your seat reading.
June 23, 2022
Bart Kling’s wedding day! But when he goes to take a shower on his wedding night, he comes out to find his brand-new bride has vanished - kidnapped! And Fat Ollie Weeks, of all people, gets to work to get her back. Even though “…Ollie was bigoted, slovenly, gross, humorless,…” , did terrible impressions of W.C. Fields, and smelled bad, he’s a hell of an investigator. And I really like the way he’s written. Especially his diet of 7 hamburgers and 3 cups of coffee...
This is a taught, psychological-type thriller, a bit different from others in the series. Augusta's battles with her abductor are well written, and a bit creepy. Another good book of the 87th, and I do hope Fat Ollie transfer to the precinct!
This is a taught, psychological-type thriller, a bit different from others in the series. Augusta's battles with her abductor are well written, and a bit creepy. Another good book of the 87th, and I do hope Fat Ollie transfer to the precinct!
July 27, 2020
Once I started read this book, I realized I had read it before – many, many, many years ago. No problem. It was as captivating this time as it was then.
That doesn’t matter. Any Ed McBain book is a visit with a master wordsmith. Who else but McBain could write prose so smooth, the asides blend seamlessly into the narrative. Who else could tell a complex story in a tight 176 pages. Who else could turn out over 50 consistently engaging books, most of them under 200 pages.
The answer is no one.
That doesn’t matter. Any Ed McBain book is a visit with a master wordsmith. Who else but McBain could write prose so smooth, the asides blend seamlessly into the narrative. Who else could tell a complex story in a tight 176 pages. Who else could turn out over 50 consistently engaging books, most of them under 200 pages.
The answer is no one.
May 19, 2019
A straightforward but entertaining addition to the long-running 87th Precinct series.
Kling's wife disappears on their wedding night. The team, with the addition of an obnoxious detective from a neighbouring precinct, investigate. Of course there are the usual red herrings that McBain likes to throw but make no mistake about it. The beautiful young Augusta is in danger.
As enjoyable as ever x
Kling's wife disappears on their wedding night. The team, with the addition of an obnoxious detective from a neighbouring precinct, investigate. Of course there are the usual red herrings that McBain likes to throw but make no mistake about it. The beautiful young Augusta is in danger.
As enjoyable as ever x
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 15, 2019
A brisk and simple episode of the 87th as Kling’s new bride is mysteriously abducted. Nearly the entire squad plays a role in systematically tracking down the kidnapper’s identity. One of the more straightforward, single-plot installments but, as always, McBain walks through each logical step toward a solution, and the detours down the inevitable dead ends. A quick read that’s flows so smoothly you feel you’re watching it, not reading it.
June 20, 2017
This book includes a creepily scary bad guy and a groom who will stop at nothing to rescue his bride. I love old novels! Even as we wonder at the fragility of a bride who can be carried off as effortlessly as the Princess Bride, we still root for the lovers separated and long in these difficult times for a society as civilized as that of 1976. A fun read.
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