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3hundtony's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
tittypete's review against another edition
5.0
This was a quick one. An amuse bouche for the eyes. Cops in the 87th precinct (of which I am now initiated. evidently this is book 4 and these characters have been through some shit already) get reports of a danged flim flam man pulling stuff on people. They also find some ladies with hand webbing tattoos floating in the river. Turns out there's a flim flam man behind that too. It's concise and fun and Charley Chen is a great and maybe racist character. With that reservation I still give this one a solo, unseen fist pump from the comfort of my living room. Hope to read more of ol Ed McBain. Love, Mitch
anti_formalist12's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
csdaley's review
4.0
These are quick little police procedural books. I am still enjoying the series. Will be interesting to see how it evolves through the years.
stinajohanns's review against another edition
4.0
This was the first Ed McBain book that I've read but hopefully not the last because I loved the humour in it. The characters were quite interesting and the plot kept me curious but it's mostly the style that I really liked.
fullwom777's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
bundy23's review against another edition
4.0
It's been a couple of years since I read the opening 3 books but I recall them being really good procedurals with very little emotion. Here we get the A-grade police stuff but with a bit more character development. I really enjoyed it.
kimgabriel's review against another edition
4.0
The narrator was perfect! The tales of the 87th precinct were the very first police procedurals I ever read and some 4 decades later I find that I am still in love with the 87th precinct. It was pure entertainment.
tarana's review against another edition
3.0
The Con Man presents two different types of con men - one who fleeces tourists and one, more dangerous, who kills his fleeces. I give this a 3.5. It's a good story, but I just didn't warm to the action. I listened to the Audible version of this book read by Dick Hill. Dick does a great job, but I was accustomed to the reader from the old audiotapes, so had to restart after an hour to get back into the characters.
That said, Haviland is a disgrace to any police dept. and frankly a dangerous to citizens. I'm sure that is why he was included as a character - one that makes you want to pound on him.
That said, Haviland is a disgrace to any police dept. and frankly a dangerous to citizens. I'm sure that is why he was included as a character - one that makes you want to pound on him.