Scan barcode
imalwayswrite's review against another edition
3.0
The 87 Precinct series is like reading Law & Order episodes that take place in the 50s. I love it! Of course they were written in the 50s, at least these first 3, and the forensics back then, though primitive to what’s available now, is interesting and seems so innovative for the time the way McBain describes it. The ending to this one seemed a bit abrupt. The villain gave up too easily in my opinion.
whatmeworry's review against another edition
4.0
Another winner from McBain. The novel is great but the afterword might be even better.
francomega's review
4.0
How's this for a hard-boiled open: "Winter came in like an anarchist with a bomb...The wind roared under eaves and tore around corners, lifting hats and lifting skirts, caressing warm thighs with icy-cold fingers."
McBain wrote about the cops of the 87th Precinct for 50 years. This is the third book, written in 1956, and it reads like a gritty 70s story. Quick and fun.
Spoiler Alert: McBain's original version killed off one of the main characters because he didn't regard him as a main character. His thought was that the 87th would be a living organism through the series and cops would come and go with no one character featuring. However, his publisher disagreed, seeing the popularity of the character (Carella) and McBain added one final line changing the character's fate. History has proven the publisher's instincts correct.
McBain wrote about the cops of the 87th Precinct for 50 years. This is the third book, written in 1956, and it reads like a gritty 70s story. Quick and fun.
Spoiler Alert: McBain's original version killed off one of the main characters because he didn't regard him as a main character. His thought was that the 87th would be a living organism through the series and cops would come and go with no one character featuring. However, his publisher disagreed, seeing the popularity of the character (Carella) and McBain added one final line changing the character's fate. History has proven the publisher's instincts correct.
stanl's review
3.0
Hard to believe this was a first of its kind. We are so used to police procedurals now, it may be hard to experience how this was different
jamiereadthis's review
4.0
Good call to read this while snowed in for the weekend. Bitterly cold, right before Christmas, the setting matches up with the story. And a great story it is, too. I can see why the 87th Precinct set the standard for a generation of writers. Some of the best parts didn’t even have to do with the case.
“Some of the people saw through the sham and the electrical glitter and the skinny Santa Clauses with straggly beards lining Hall Avenue. Some of the people felt something other than what the advertising men wanted them to feel. Some of the people felt good, and kind, and happy to be alive.”
More...