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Matthew Hope #1
Goldilocks
Soft-hearted attorney Matthew Hope has never been known for taking easy cases, and this is no exception. A mother and her two little girls are brutally murdered on Florida's steamy west coast, and the only person who doesn't have a motive is confessing—and insists that Hope defend him.
224 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1976
114 people are currently reading
484 people want to read
About the author
Ed McBain
710 books669 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 75 reviews
November 13, 2012
General Petraeus should have read this in 1976 when it was originally published and then have a re-read two years ago. Had he read between the lines (or not), he probably would still have his unblemished name, record and high-falutin' Washington job.
And those of us who read mystery fiction know that good mysteries are more than reading entertainment; there are lessons to be learned from most every book which makes them a valuable read.
Goldilocks is a great sociological study within a mystery about, you guessed it, marital infidelity; Goldilocks being the 'other woman' who tests the chairs, porridge and the beds (from dust cover.)
The book was written in 1976 before AIDS was a household acronym, most every young women married or not took the pill, and wife swapping was a regular occurrence at some parties. Marital infidelity by both men and women alike was rampant since so many married couples, unfortunately, were 'doing it', oops, I meant being unfaithful.
Goldilocks was written by Ed McBain, aka Evan Hunter which he legally changed to in 1952. The name on his birth certificate was Salvatore Albert Lombino. Only guessing he wanted and/or needed to have an Americanized name and Ed McBain or Evan Hunter, he wrote under both, were as good as any. His McBain name is noted for his 89th Precinct series which I'll begin soon.
A few years ago I was on a Florida jag reading anything, everything Florida especially loving mysteries with Florida settings. Imagine my surprise and delight after reading the first few pages that the book was set on the west coast of Florida, around Doc Ford’s (Randy Wayne White) Sanibel Marine Supply Company.
McBain's Goldilocks is a clear indictment of affairs, its many pitfalls and its consequences including the dissolution of families. Since emotions are at a high during affairs, sometimes murder results as in this case.
Attorney Matthew Hope is not a criminal lawyer but when called by a client at 1 a.m., he responds. The client has returned home after a night of a friendly game of poker to find his wife and two daughters murdered in their home.
Hummm. The logical assumption is, of course, he did it but he claims he didn’t.
When questioned by police, his time frame for leaving the poker game doesn’t really jive with the known facts; so what was he doing in the missing hours? Well, you guessed it from the opening paragraph, he was with his lover. He was cheating on wife number two, his slain wife. To add insult to injury, he was seeing wife number two, when he divorced wife number one. They had two children when they divorced. Get the picture? He’s a serial philanderer.
Matthew Hope is simply a nice fellow. He's successful and a good friend but has a difficult time reining in his own libido. A friend of mine recently said she enjoyed reading a “character who I really love, admire and root for; or on the other hand, one I really, totally dislike.” I agreed with her and I really, really like Matthew. And I felt a certain sympathy for him. He’s trying to learn from life’s lessons but sometimes, damn it, it’s hard especially when you’re good looking and successful. Sorry, Matthew, you’ll just have to try harder…and as a student of Will Byrnes
But this was in the ‘70’s, we’ve learned our lessons, right? Guess not according to today’s headlines. Too bad for that. Cheating spouses cause havoc in making happy families.
I’ve enjoyed McBain’s writing style. It’s not complicated with long, overwrought sentences and his description of the scenery is spot on. It’s Florida, tropical jacarandas and all.
This is a quick read and a unique, very interesting mystery. It’s an insightful look at the wandering eye of both men and women. It’s a minefield out there, keep those emotions in check should be the lesson learned here.
OK, I'll stop my preachin'. (This is the slang edition review.)
Just came across this Dear Prudence letter in my mailbox with the writer having a 25 year old half-sister, the result of an illicit affair by her dad. She wants to know if she should be invited to Thanksgiving dinner. Hummm. A big consequence which is hard to hide.
And those of us who read mystery fiction know that good mysteries are more than reading entertainment; there are lessons to be learned from most every book which makes them a valuable read.
Goldilocks is a great sociological study within a mystery about, you guessed it, marital infidelity; Goldilocks being the 'other woman' who tests the chairs, porridge and the beds (from dust cover.)
The book was written in 1976 before AIDS was a household acronym, most every young women married or not took the pill, and wife swapping was a regular occurrence at some parties. Marital infidelity by both men and women alike was rampant since so many married couples, unfortunately, were 'doing it', oops, I meant being unfaithful.
Goldilocks was written by Ed McBain, aka Evan Hunter which he legally changed to in 1952. The name on his birth certificate was Salvatore Albert Lombino. Only guessing he wanted and/or needed to have an Americanized name and Ed McBain or Evan Hunter, he wrote under both, were as good as any. His McBain name is noted for his 89th Precinct series which I'll begin soon.
A few years ago I was on a Florida jag reading anything, everything Florida especially loving mysteries with Florida settings. Imagine my surprise and delight after reading the first few pages that the book was set on the west coast of Florida, around Doc Ford’s (Randy Wayne White) Sanibel Marine Supply Company.
McBain's Goldilocks is a clear indictment of affairs, its many pitfalls and its consequences including the dissolution of families. Since emotions are at a high during affairs, sometimes murder results as in this case.
Attorney Matthew Hope is not a criminal lawyer but when called by a client at 1 a.m., he responds. The client has returned home after a night of a friendly game of poker to find his wife and two daughters murdered in their home.
Hummm. The logical assumption is, of course, he did it but he claims he didn’t.
When questioned by police, his time frame for leaving the poker game doesn’t really jive with the known facts; so what was he doing in the missing hours? Well, you guessed it from the opening paragraph, he was with his lover. He was cheating on wife number two, his slain wife. To add insult to injury, he was seeing wife number two, when he divorced wife number one. They had two children when they divorced. Get the picture? He’s a serial philanderer.
Matthew Hope is simply a nice fellow. He's successful and a good friend but has a difficult time reining in his own libido. A friend of mine recently said she enjoyed reading a “character who I really love, admire and root for; or on the other hand, one I really, totally dislike.” I agreed with her and I really, really like Matthew. And I felt a certain sympathy for him. He’s trying to learn from life’s lessons but sometimes, damn it, it’s hard especially when you’re good looking and successful. Sorry, Matthew, you’ll just have to try harder…and as a student of Will Byrnes
But this was in the ‘70’s, we’ve learned our lessons, right? Guess not according to today’s headlines. Too bad for that. Cheating spouses cause havoc in making happy families.
I’ve enjoyed McBain’s writing style. It’s not complicated with long, overwrought sentences and his description of the scenery is spot on. It’s Florida, tropical jacarandas and all.
This is a quick read and a unique, very interesting mystery. It’s an insightful look at the wandering eye of both men and women. It’s a minefield out there, keep those emotions in check should be the lesson learned here.
OK, I'll stop my preachin'. (This is the slang edition review.)
Just came across this Dear Prudence letter in my mailbox with the writer having a 25 year old half-sister, the result of an illicit affair by her dad. She wants to know if she should be invited to Thanksgiving dinner. Hummm. A big consequence which is hard to hide.
April 2, 2020
I’m a dyed-in-the-wool fan of Ed McBain’s 87th Precinct series, and having more or less wrapped that up, was reluctant to venture into his Mathew Hope series. Yet, venture I did, and I’m quite pleased at having done so.
This, the 1st in the series, was a typically well done McBain piece, with exceptionally believable dialogue (a McBain specialty), a pretty good mystery to solve, and characters that are well drawn and multi-dimensional.
Hope, a lawyer in Calusa, FL, transplanted from Chicago, is a complex fellow, likable but not altogether without flaws. One of the central themes of this story had to do with marital infidelity, and McBain does a good job of painting both sides of this rather delicate subject. He is able to deftly switch our attention from the murder of a woman and her two small children, to her disloyal husband’s philandering ways, to Mathew’s personal struggle as his marriage is all but finished and his is mistress grows increasingly frustrated by his hesitancy to tell his wife (though she’s not yet informed her husband, either), and back again.
The other characters are well positioned, either to revile or to admire, particularly a rather avuncular police detective named Ehrenberg. Ex-wives, husbands, and their children, along with a few other sundry folks round out the cast that McBain has expertly deployed into this entertaining story.
I’ve now read several of these Hope books, and plan to continue. I only “hope” they are all as consistently well done as this one.
This, the 1st in the series, was a typically well done McBain piece, with exceptionally believable dialogue (a McBain specialty), a pretty good mystery to solve, and characters that are well drawn and multi-dimensional.
Hope, a lawyer in Calusa, FL, transplanted from Chicago, is a complex fellow, likable but not altogether without flaws. One of the central themes of this story had to do with marital infidelity, and McBain does a good job of painting both sides of this rather delicate subject. He is able to deftly switch our attention from the murder of a woman and her two small children, to her disloyal husband’s philandering ways, to Mathew’s personal struggle as his marriage is all but finished and his is mistress grows increasingly frustrated by his hesitancy to tell his wife (though she’s not yet informed her husband, either), and back again.
The other characters are well positioned, either to revile or to admire, particularly a rather avuncular police detective named Ehrenberg. Ex-wives, husbands, and their children, along with a few other sundry folks round out the cast that McBain has expertly deployed into this entertaining story.
I’ve now read several of these Hope books, and plan to continue. I only “hope” they are all as consistently well done as this one.
July 22, 2020
This book about divorce, murder and another divorce starts very well, but soon looses its' way. A very quick read it suffers from not having any real ending and seems somewhat contrived. Recommended only to diehard McBain fans.
September 17, 2010
It's really quite difficult to write anything meaningful about this book without inundating you with spoilers, but here's my best effort.
Matthew Hope, another of McBain's series characters, a lawyer, gets a call in the middle of the night from _______ who reports that his _______ and ________ have been ________. Hope rushes over to _______'s __________ where he finds the ________ already involved in ____________. Then the _______ is found in the ________ and he _________. In the meantime, Hope does some _________ on his own and discovers that ___ ____ _______ ____ __ seems. There are multiple _________ of ___________ and ___________ on the _________ and _________ of having an ___________.
Classic McBain.
P.S. The publisher's description of the book has inaccuracies.
Matthew Hope, another of McBain's series characters, a lawyer, gets a call in the middle of the night from _______ who reports that his _______ and ________ have been ________. Hope rushes over to _______'s __________ where he finds the ________ already involved in ____________. Then the _______ is found in the ________ and he _________. In the meantime, Hope does some _________ on his own and discovers that ___ ____ _______ ____ __ seems. There are multiple _________ of ___________ and ___________ on the _________ and _________ of having an ___________.
Classic McBain.
P.S. The publisher's description of the book has inaccuracies.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 25, 2015
A really excellent crime novel, that like the best of them, examines the human condition against the backdrop of a murder.
July 7, 2024
Recently, I’ve been cleaning out many physical books. In doing so, I happened across an Ed McBain novel that I had completely forgotten about. Who is Ed McBain? He’s a prolific writer who penned a lengthy 87th Precinct series (police procedurals) as well as a Matthew Hope attorney series. I read many of these decades ago, but I couldn’t remember why I found them appealing, and wondered how I might view them today.
Although born Salvatore Lambino, the author legally changed his name to Evan Hunter (which he thought was more marketable), but also wrote under many pen names, the most famous being Ed McBain. Saying he was prolific is possibly an understatement. Just his 87th Precinct series totaled over 50 books. In addition, he wrote tv screenplays and adapted a short story (written by Daphne Du Maurier) into the screenplay for Hitchcock’s The Birds. One of McBain’s novels King’s Ransom was used by famed Japanese director Akira Kurosawa as the basis for his film High and Low. But now, it appears few readers are interested in his books.
When I noticed Matthew Hope lived in the fictional Calusa Florida, the description appeared very similar to my current residence so I decided to reread Goldilocks, the first novel in that series. Matthew Hope is called on to assist potential suspects of a brutal murder of a friend’s wife and children. Unfortunately, the story isn’t that thrilling and none of the characters (including Hope) are very attractive or sympathetic. I did remember that I probably enjoyed the dialogue between characters, and can see why McBain was also a successful screenwriter.
I’m glad I revisited Ed McBain, especially finding the setting is close to where I now currently reside. I might easily try another, especially if I’m looking for a non literary, short and entertaining read.
Although born Salvatore Lambino, the author legally changed his name to Evan Hunter (which he thought was more marketable), but also wrote under many pen names, the most famous being Ed McBain. Saying he was prolific is possibly an understatement. Just his 87th Precinct series totaled over 50 books. In addition, he wrote tv screenplays and adapted a short story (written by Daphne Du Maurier) into the screenplay for Hitchcock’s The Birds. One of McBain’s novels King’s Ransom was used by famed Japanese director Akira Kurosawa as the basis for his film High and Low. But now, it appears few readers are interested in his books.
When I noticed Matthew Hope lived in the fictional Calusa Florida, the description appeared very similar to my current residence so I decided to reread Goldilocks, the first novel in that series. Matthew Hope is called on to assist potential suspects of a brutal murder of a friend’s wife and children. Unfortunately, the story isn’t that thrilling and none of the characters (including Hope) are very attractive or sympathetic. I did remember that I probably enjoyed the dialogue between characters, and can see why McBain was also a successful screenwriter.
I’m glad I revisited Ed McBain, especially finding the setting is close to where I now currently reside. I might easily try another, especially if I’m looking for a non literary, short and entertaining read.
April 27, 2018
I've read every single one of the 700 or however many 97th Precinct books, so I'm very familiar with Ed McBain's flaws, if you will. I know his female characters tend to be awful people in some cliche way, I know he will manage to slide the word "panties" into the fray, however inappropriately, as many times as possible (in 213 pages here, he manages five, unless I missed one). But usually I enjoy his books for what they are anyway. This is only the second Matthew Hope I've read, the other one wasn't terrible, but I didn't care for the plot. This one started out okay, although on thin ice with me because the crime was particularly heinous, the murder of a young woman and her two little girls, and none of the characters seem remotely distressed enough by it. Then he kills off his CAT, in multiple agonizing pages, there was no reason for this and if you want to put me off a book instantly do something bad to an animal. And THEN the solution to the crime was not believable at ALL. Oh and everyone is committing adultery it seems, including Matthew. But when Matthew meets the "other woman" of his client he can't BELIEVE that she is anyone's paramour because she is "dumpy". Sigh. Well I am 0 for 2 with Matthew Hope, sad to say.
December 15, 2017
A brutal murder of a young mother and two young daughters, but not in the same class as the 87th Precinct books - the lead character, Matthew Hope, is not a particularly sympathetic 'hero' and out of his depth as he is not a criminal lawyer. Perhaps this first Hope book sets him up for a new beginning in Book 2, as he considers his future for both his marriage and his lover,
October 17, 2018
Read this, as I was enjoying the 87th Precinct books. Knew straight away I was going to like it. Likeable central character.
April 13, 2017
finished this one, early evening, 4/13/17. good story. i liked it. the first matthew hope. kinda strange...reading along, knew it was a matthew hope story, says so. at one point, the ex-wife of one of the guys calls matthew "charlie" and i hit the brakes. whoa now, back up a pace or two, throw it in idle. throw my look way back over the seat to the start. i wonder if i checked in? google. bing! heh!
just one of those things, hit the road mack. but then, too...i don't think the name matthew hope doesn't come in until page 63 give or take...matt, before that maybe once. it is i-narrator, so yeah, okay.
this one is as much about marriage infidelity as anything. there's a murder, yes, and the search for who what why this that the other. but all of that revolves around the infidelity of the characters, jamie purchase, initial murder suspect...and still later on, too...and matthew, too. boff of em. reminded me a bit of macdonald's the deceivers though i think macdonald is the superior story-teller in this regard.
so...good read. i liked it. that is all.
just one of those things, hit the road mack. but then, too...i don't think the name matthew hope doesn't come in until page 63 give or take...matt, before that maybe once. it is i-narrator, so yeah, okay.
this one is as much about marriage infidelity as anything. there's a murder, yes, and the search for who what why this that the other. but all of that revolves around the infidelity of the characters, jamie purchase, initial murder suspect...and still later on, too...and matthew, too. boff of em. reminded me a bit of macdonald's the deceivers though i think macdonald is the superior story-teller in this regard.
so...good read. i liked it. that is all.
May 20, 2025
Pretty good. Anticlimactic. But definitely a big turn away from the 87th series.
January 30, 2016
Having enjoyed Ed McBain's 87th Precinct series, I thought this series might also be entertaining. The book exceeded my expectations. Suspenseful from beginning to end, Matthew Hope, attorney, not only seeks to exonerate his client's son of murdering his stepmother and stepsisters but to find out who did attack and kill them so viciously.
July 17, 2013
I have read several of Ed McBain's police procedurals. They are all great, short novels with believable characters and logical plots.
This one is different. It is the story of a murder investigation done by an attorney. As he uncovers the dark secrets of the family involved, he reveals dark secrets of his own.
I'll leave it at that. This is a great little mystery with a unique twist.
This one is different. It is the story of a murder investigation done by an attorney. As he uncovers the dark secrets of the family involved, he reveals dark secrets of his own.
I'll leave it at that. This is a great little mystery with a unique twist.
December 1, 2015
I have to admit that this is the first Ed McBain book I have ever read, and now I know why I never fancied them. Don't get me wrong, the narrative flowed quickly and absorbed me for most of the book. However the ending seemed a little contrived and disappointing because of that.
It is a very easy read and perfect for a long journey, if you don't want to test your brain matter.
It is a very easy read and perfect for a long journey, if you don't want to test your brain matter.
July 29, 2017
This is the first in Ed McBain's Matthew Hope series. It was good, but as an avid fan of McBain's 87th Precinct series, I found this to be a bit disappointing and flat. I won't give up on the series; hopefully, I'll find future books more engaging.
June 21, 2017
Read this series years ago. Would love to do a re-read.
May 16, 2025
My first McBain —a solid, complex mystery.
After decades of my reading life, I finally got around to reading an Ed McBain novel. There will definitely be more of them in my future. I like the way *Goldilocks* has an unconventional and even unlikable narrator. I also appreciated that I had no idea where the plot was headed. Bring on more McBain!
After decades of my reading life, I finally got around to reading an Ed McBain novel. There will definitely be more of them in my future. I like the way *Goldilocks* has an unconventional and even unlikable narrator. I also appreciated that I had no idea where the plot was headed. Bring on more McBain!
October 22, 2020
I guarantee you I read this book. I read all the 87th precinct books and all the Matthew Hope books. it was a damn shame when this terrific author passed away in 2005.
June 20, 2023
I couldn't put this book down. The story is engrossing and it captured my attention from the very beginning. Two plotlines are intertwined with each other: 1) Matthew Hope, a Florida lawyer, is investigating a gruesome murder of a doctor's wife and her two daughters . 2) Matthew Hope is on the verge of divorcing his own wife.
Both of these storilines are dealing with the same issue: how adultery and divorce affect people's lives, especially children.
The characters of the novel represent a typical liberal white American middle class family (doctors and lawyers). They work hard. They are married. They have big houses. They play tennis, poker, attend concerts of classical music and lead double lives. On the surface , they appear to be happily married yet they use every opportunity to commit adultery and bring misery to themselves and their families.
The main character of the novel (Matthew Hope) is one of those sons of bitches. He is torn between his current wife and a secret lover, a restless bimbo. A series of emotionally charged events enfolds before our own eyes. They include: a dead cat (the most powerful part of the novel), violent scissors attack, suicide attempt, feeling of a guilt and fear of losing his 12 years old daughter.
Despite all of these dramas, Matthew Hope is still undecided as to whether to devorce his wife. I guess we need to read all the books in the Matthew Hope series to find out the truth.
In conclusion, this is a very good book. It's not only a mystery novel, but also a psychological thriller and a social commentary.
As a big fan of felines, I especially loved the pages devoted to Sebastian, Mr. Hope's family cat. Bravo! 🐈
Both of these storilines are dealing with the same issue: how adultery and divorce affect people's lives, especially children.
The characters of the novel represent a typical liberal white American middle class family (doctors and lawyers). They work hard. They are married. They have big houses. They play tennis, poker, attend concerts of classical music and lead double lives. On the surface , they appear to be happily married yet they use every opportunity to commit adultery and bring misery to themselves and their families.
The main character of the novel (Matthew Hope) is one of those sons of bitches. He is torn between his current wife and a secret lover, a restless bimbo. A series of emotionally charged events enfolds before our own eyes. They include: a dead cat (the most powerful part of the novel), violent scissors attack, suicide attempt, feeling of a guilt and fear of losing his 12 years old daughter.
Despite all of these dramas, Matthew Hope is still undecided as to whether to devorce his wife. I guess we need to read all the books in the Matthew Hope series to find out the truth.
In conclusion, this is a very good book. It's not only a mystery novel, but also a psychological thriller and a social commentary.
As a big fan of felines, I especially loved the pages devoted to Sebastian, Mr. Hope's family cat. Bravo! 🐈
October 29, 2015
This was the first Ed McBain book I’ve ever read (and I’ve read a ton of them!) that didn’t engage me the way the others did. Somewhere along the way, it lost whatever makes Ed McBain novels so good.
This is the first book in the Matthew Hope series, so readers (at least experienced ones) expect first novels to be a little rough around the edges as the author develops his primary characters. But this book, written 25 years after McBain’s first published novel, should have been much more polished than it was.
The book seemed as much about Matthew Hope’s private life as it was about the crime he was looking into, so it seemed more like ‘stage setting’ for the later books in the series than a bona-fide first entry. And Matthew didn’t so much solve the crime as have the solution fall into his lap.
Still, an okay Ed McBain book is better than many other writers’ best books.
This is the first book in the Matthew Hope series, so readers (at least experienced ones) expect first novels to be a little rough around the edges as the author develops his primary characters. But this book, written 25 years after McBain’s first published novel, should have been much more polished than it was.
The book seemed as much about Matthew Hope’s private life as it was about the crime he was looking into, so it seemed more like ‘stage setting’ for the later books in the series than a bona-fide first entry. And Matthew didn’t so much solve the crime as have the solution fall into his lap.
Still, an okay Ed McBain book is better than many other writers’ best books.
March 24, 2020
I read the Matthew Hope series years ago when McBain first wrote it, though I forget how far I got with it. Though I remember enjoying the series (which is why I started it again), I was rather disappointed in this first book. Matthew Hope is not a very likable character in this book. He's cheating on his wife, and can't totally commit to his mistress. His sleuthing abilities aren't very impressive, either. He was best when caring for his daughter. I'm going to continue and read the next book or two. Since I liked it as much as I did, it must get better at some point.
June 7, 2020
While the synopsis was promising, I was not a fan of this book. I think that's mostly because of the writing, but also because I didn't find Matthew Hope that intriguing as a main character. He was just kind of...there. I also could not stand the dialogue. It was clunky, and the characters were either incessantly repetitive or constantly adding clarifications to whatever they were saying. Not my cup of tea.
March 19, 2014
The abrupt ending to this murder mystery left me unsatisfied. I felt that all the characters, except the murderer, got developed; and, the motives got explored, except the murderer's! It was all too pat. There is suspense, but the horrific murders of a woman and two children deserved better treatment.
April 14, 2014
Goldilocks is the other woman (or I should say was). Goldilocks and her two children were murdered. The mystery revolves around who did the killing. Was it the bitter ex-wife whose family Goldilocks help to tear apart, or was it the children of the divorce? It could also be the philandering ex-husband who has not changed his cheating ways.
This was a fun read with a somewhat odd side story.
This was a fun read with a somewhat odd side story.
June 6, 2018
The ever-enjoyable Ed McBain. First book in the Matthew Hope series and the first I’ve read in this series. Likeable yet flawed character, a page turner and a decent whodunit. McBain’s books rarely, if ever, have a big ‘ya-da’ production when the crime is solved but it’s so much fun getting there it doesn’t matter.
January 5, 2010
Was given to me by my Mother-in-law. It was a quick read murder mystery. It had a few bad words in it and some immoralities which is why I rate it so low. But it kept me turning the pages.
October 27, 2013
Quick read but the final conclusion was a bit contrived and unexciting. As far as 'who dunnit' books go, there are much better onea
December 15, 2015
Read this a long time ago. Long before Goodreads. And wanted to add it to my "Read" collection. Best I recall -- Loved it!
June 5, 2016
make a movie of it!
twists and turns - sex, murder what else could you want.
Mathew Hope is a great character for this all
twists and turns - sex, murder what else could you want.
Mathew Hope is a great character for this all
June 20, 2025
Ed McBain (born Salvatore Lombino, 1926-2005) was best known for writing the gritty 87th Precinct series. He'd also wrote several screenplays including 1963's "The Birds" (directed by Alfred Hitchcock) and 1972's "Fuzz", based off his novel of the same name and starring Burt Reynolds. In "Goldilocks", McBain introduces us to a new series featuring attorney Matthew Hope which will eventually span to 13 novels.
Ed McBain starts off "Goldilocks" with a bang. On a late Sunday night, Matthew Hope is summoned to the house of his client James Purchase, a local physician in a private practice. Jamie's second wife (whom his ex Betty angrily refers to as "Goldilocks") is found stabbed to death at home along with their two young daughters--Emily, 6, and Eve, 4. Matt, whom Jamie phoned first, advises his client to call the police at once.
There seems to be no motive for the three killings. Jamie gave his nurses a pay increase a month earlier, and received no death threats against him or his family. George Ehrenberg, the detective assigned to the case, goes over the list of the usual suspects with his partner Vincent di Luca. Several hours pass before Jamie's son Michael, 20, confesses to the murders.
Michael Purchase is from Jamie's first marriage to his former wife Betty. (Jamie and Betty also had a daughter Karin, 22.) But Mike's confession seems to hold as much water as a sieve would. And neither of Jamie's nor Betty's alibis seem to be ironclad. They're more like tinfoil being crumpled up in someone's hand!
Detective Ehrenberg thinks that this case has "too many loose ends that (keep) unraveling." When a second confession emerges a day after Michael's, Ehrenberg and his partner Vinnie di Luca don't know what to think--or believe. Could an innocent person be sent to the electric chair for these heinous crimes while a murderer walks free? Or will neither confession hold up with the case winding up in the unsolved files of the Calusa Police Department?
"Goldilocks" is considered, according to the edition of this book's front cover, as a "novel about the other woman." (See the picture with my review.) Or as I'd like to say: "When you play Hearts, somebody always draws--or gets--the Queen of Spades!" Matthew Hope, 36, is a Chicago native who moved down to Calusa, Florida three years earlier. Matt received his undergrad and law degrees from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, following in the footsteps of his attorney father. Matt and his partner Frank Summerville now practice at their law firm Summerville and Hope over on Heron Street.
Matt has been wed to Susan for almost 14 years, and they have a 12-year-old daughter Joanna and a gray tabby cat named Sebastian. Their marriage, for the past five years, is on the "rocks"--just like the Beefeater martinis he consumes daily. When the story opens, we find out that Matt has had an affair for the past ten months with Agatha Hemmings, who has two children with her husband Gerald, a building contractor. Matt was going to confess about his affair to Susan and ask her for a divorce when Jamie Purchase phoned him about finding his murdered wife and daughters.
But Dr. James Purchase is also guilty of having a woman (or two) on the side. Even before he divorced his first wife Betty, Jamie fooled around with Maureen, who was a nurse at his practice. Then while he was still married to Maureen, he had another affair with a married woman named Catherine. She owns a local flower shop called the Fleur de Lis while her husband is a practicing surgeon. (Jamie said he was with Catherine after winning big in a Sunday night poker game which he first lied about losing a lot of money.) When Matt finds out the truth and asks Catherine about being with the doctor, she vehemently denies it and says she's happily married to her husband.
Oh what a tangled web one weaves! And it leaves more than broken chairs and spilt porridge at the dinner table. Ed McBain writes a great whodunit within a 48- to 72-hour timespan. I've read a few of the Matthew Hope novels, and most of them occur within a time period of two to three weeks. I plan to read the other 12 books in this series. "Goldilocks" should be read first, since McBain tends to go back on previous cases, referring them to a fairy-tale moniker. Just hang on--there's a bumpy ride ahead for you!
Rating: ***-1/2
Ed McBain starts off "Goldilocks" with a bang. On a late Sunday night, Matthew Hope is summoned to the house of his client James Purchase, a local physician in a private practice. Jamie's second wife (whom his ex Betty angrily refers to as "Goldilocks") is found stabbed to death at home along with their two young daughters--Emily, 6, and Eve, 4. Matt, whom Jamie phoned first, advises his client to call the police at once.
There seems to be no motive for the three killings. Jamie gave his nurses a pay increase a month earlier, and received no death threats against him or his family. George Ehrenberg, the detective assigned to the case, goes over the list of the usual suspects with his partner Vincent di Luca. Several hours pass before Jamie's son Michael, 20, confesses to the murders.
Michael Purchase is from Jamie's first marriage to his former wife Betty. (Jamie and Betty also had a daughter Karin, 22.) But Mike's confession seems to hold as much water as a sieve would. And neither of Jamie's nor Betty's alibis seem to be ironclad. They're more like tinfoil being crumpled up in someone's hand!
Detective Ehrenberg thinks that this case has "too many loose ends that (keep) unraveling." When a second confession emerges a day after Michael's, Ehrenberg and his partner Vinnie di Luca don't know what to think--or believe. Could an innocent person be sent to the electric chair for these heinous crimes while a murderer walks free? Or will neither confession hold up with the case winding up in the unsolved files of the Calusa Police Department?
"Goldilocks" is considered, according to the edition of this book's front cover, as a "novel about the other woman." (See the picture with my review.) Or as I'd like to say: "When you play Hearts, somebody always draws--or gets--the Queen of Spades!" Matthew Hope, 36, is a Chicago native who moved down to Calusa, Florida three years earlier. Matt received his undergrad and law degrees from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, following in the footsteps of his attorney father. Matt and his partner Frank Summerville now practice at their law firm Summerville and Hope over on Heron Street.
Matt has been wed to Susan for almost 14 years, and they have a 12-year-old daughter Joanna and a gray tabby cat named Sebastian. Their marriage, for the past five years, is on the "rocks"--just like the Beefeater martinis he consumes daily. When the story opens, we find out that Matt has had an affair for the past ten months with Agatha Hemmings, who has two children with her husband Gerald, a building contractor. Matt was going to confess about his affair to Susan and ask her for a divorce when Jamie Purchase phoned him about finding his murdered wife and daughters.
But Dr. James Purchase is also guilty of having a woman (or two) on the side. Even before he divorced his first wife Betty, Jamie fooled around with Maureen, who was a nurse at his practice. Then while he was still married to Maureen, he had another affair with a married woman named Catherine. She owns a local flower shop called the Fleur de Lis while her husband is a practicing surgeon. (Jamie said he was with Catherine after winning big in a Sunday night poker game which he first lied about losing a lot of money.) When Matt finds out the truth and asks Catherine about being with the doctor, she vehemently denies it and says she's happily married to her husband.
Oh what a tangled web one weaves! And it leaves more than broken chairs and spilt porridge at the dinner table. Ed McBain writes a great whodunit within a 48- to 72-hour timespan. I've read a few of the Matthew Hope novels, and most of them occur within a time period of two to three weeks. I plan to read the other 12 books in this series. "Goldilocks" should be read first, since McBain tends to go back on previous cases, referring them to a fairy-tale moniker. Just hang on--there's a bumpy ride ahead for you!
Rating: ***-1/2
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