Reading the Detectives discussion

This is the place to discuss the 87th Precinct and the Matthew Hope books.

Thanks for setting up this thread, Gary - his work certainly covered a huge period, from the 1950s right through to 2005.

What are your favourites, and where would you suggest that the uninitiated should start?

I LOVED Ed McBain when I was younger. Haven't read them for a while, but I have read all of the 87th Precinct and Matthew Hope books, in my time.

First book in the 87th Precinct series is Cop Hater

Anyone want to do a buddy read?

I can't believe I am suggesting a buddy read of yet ANOTHER series :)

I am currently at book 3, The Pusher, in my series read. I will likely be skipping book 4, The Con Man as I read it not long ago when I found my paperback copy. I have pretty much enjoyed anything in the 87th Precinct series. I discovered the series back in the 1970s and would grab the newest book when it was published in The Mystery Guild Book Club edition. Reading them in order makes the most sense, but they can be read as stand alones, events in one book do get referred to in later books. For instance, Detective Steve Carella's absence in book 2 is explained based on events in book 1.

I remember I enjoyed the books which featured the Deaf Man - is that right? I haven't read them for years though, so I think I would need to start at the beginning.

The Deaf Man appears in several books. He was played in the movie version of Fuzz by Yul Brynner.

Those were the kind of 'heist' books, which are out of favour now. Did you ever read Lawrence Sanders? I enjoy his books too.

Susan wrote: "Those were the kind of 'heist' books, which are out of favour now. Did you ever read Lawrence Sanders? I enjoy his books too."

I have several of the McNally books by Sanders in ebook format on my Nook. I took advantage of a recent sale on Kindle to load up on a number of the 87th Precinct ebooks. There are over 50 books featuring the detectives of the 87th.

I will be adding a topic for Elizabeth Linnington/Dell Shannon who was the Queen of the police procedural. She is primarily known for the Luis Mendoza series.

I've never heard of Elizabeth Linnington, Gary, but I love hearing about 'new' authors :)

Susan wrote: "Those were the kind of 'heist' books, which are out of favour now. Did you ever read Lawrence Sanders? I enjoy his books too."

I think I have most of the McNally series on my Nook.

Partway into the 3rd 87th Precinct novel, The Pusher. Love the references to the earlier books in the series.

I am slowly reading through this series - one thing that I really like is the images of the various forms used by the police. Also, McBain was the first person to feature an entire precinct rather than an individual detective.

Yes, I used to love those printed forms, Leslie. I am really keen to go back and start re-reading these. I never felt quite the same about his later series, featuring a lawyer, if I recall correctly. Matthew Hope, was it?

Next up for me will be Killer's Payoff. I am loving McBain's introductions. Editor: Phase out Carella because he is a married man. Introduce a hero...enter Cotton Hawes in the prior book.

Thankfully McBain wasn't saddled with the editor's title choices...Cotton and Silk, Cotton and Steel, etc. It was the late 1950s and paperback originals were 25 cents.
'

I've been making my way through the 87th Precinct books in order, but quite slowly at a rate of a few every year. I'll be having a go at The Heckler some time later this month.

Now into reading Killer's Payoff This is book 6 in the series. Carella and Hawes investigate the death of a black-mailer.

I started to re-read Cop Hater yesterday and found myself straight back in that series, which I hadn't read for years. It was amazing how much I remembered, in terms of character and place.

Back in March I read 'Til Death which is book 9 in the series. The series is so good. I still haven't reached the books that introduced me to the series. My first 87th Precinct book was the omnibus Three from the 87th: Hail Hail the Gang's All Here/Jigsaw/Fuzz

Ooh, I think I loved that period (Jigsaw, etc.) best of all. I also think I read a book from that era first of all.

Susan wrote: "I started to re-read Cop Hater yesterday and found myself straight back in that series, which I hadn't read for years. It was amazing how much I remembere..."
Very nice. ;-)

Like re-acquainting myself with old friends, David. As all good series should be.

Susan wrote: "Like re-acquainting myself with old friends, David. As all good series should be."

Absolutely. ;-)

Colin wrote: "I've been making my way through the 87th Precinct books in order, but quite slowly at a rate of a few every year. I'll be having a go at The Heckler some time later this month."

I am now 20 pages into The Heckler,book 12 in the series. The features the first appearance of The Deaf Man who is a pain in the behind to the 87th in more than one book. He was played in the movie Fuzz by Yul Brynner