Rating: 
Summary: If you don't want to get hooked, don't read this book
Review: "The Big Bad City" was the first Ed McBain novel I ever read, and now I am hooked. The plot that McBain spins leaves you at the edge of your seat wanting to find out who did it and why. This one had a slight different take, in that Steve Carella had to deal with the death of his father over again, with Sonny Cole out to get him, plus his sister Angela dating the man responsible for his acquittal. This was a good book to start with.
Rating: 
Summary: A fine tale, but...
Review: ...Why not just acknowledge the setting is New York? Throughout the story there are so many inferences that the story takes place in NYC: "a northern city", "long cross-town blocks", and then at one point Carella and Brown take a day trip to Philadelphia. I think there were other inferences along the way, and it annoyed me a little every time I came across one.
But as you can see, I gave it 4 stars. Overall, it's a quick, fun read.
Rating:
Summary: the 49th novel in the 87th precinct ranks as a number 1
Review: Police detectives Carella and Brown investigate the murder of Sister Mary Vincent, whose strangulated corpse was found in nearby Grove Park. They soon learn that there is more to the nun than just her pious avocation. At the same time, the media glamorizes the Cookie Boy, a thief who leaves a dozen chocolate cookies behind as his calling card. Detectives Meyer and Kling try to capture the felon before someone is hurt. However, as Carella and Brown begin their sleuthing, unbeknownst to the duo, an assailant is stalking them. He fears that Carella will eventually avenge his killing of Carella's father and plans to take action before the cop does. Meanwhile, the fears of Meyer and Kling erupt when two homicides are found at the latest scene of the latest Cookie Boy crime. Over a five day period, life remains violently the same in the 87th precinct. The forty-ninth (incredible) 87th precinct novel retains the freshness of the first tale released in 1956. THE BIG BAD CITY is clearly a testimony as to how good Ed McBain is. The three prime subplots come together to make an intriguing story line that never slows down for even a page. The return of characters is like visiting old buddies as all the prime time players show up in a lively, humanistic manner. Any novel by Mr. McBain (see the Matthew Hope series) is going to be entertaining, but the 87th precinct series is one of the best police procedurals even after four decades of crime. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: McBain teases: Is "The Big Bad City" the end of the line?
Review: After reading Ed McBain's previous effort, "The Last Best Hope", I was a doubly disappointed in that it seemed to be a wrap up of the Matthew Hope novels and also that it was a rare miss by one of my favourite authors. The crossover of his two main characters, Hope and Steve Carella continues in "The Big Bad City", a minor aspect of the novel maybe, but perhaps serving a larger purpose. The best part of "Last Best Hope" seems to be in how it affected me throughout the telling of this latest tale, "The Big Bad City". While investigatating the death of a nun, Steve Carella is being stalked by the man who killed his father. The reader has a real sense that Carella is in jeopardy. Carella mulls over his own mortality as the prospect of his 40th birthday approaches and the reader wonders if he will live to see it. In a draft version of the novel "The Pusher", Carella was shot and killed. As I recall the story, McBain did little to tip his hand to the shooting. In this story, however, the threat hangs like a heavy thundercloud and the reader steels himself against the very real possiblilty that this might be it for the boys of the Eight Seven. For this plotline alone, I was captivated by this book.
Rating:
Summary: Confirmed excellence in the genre
Review: All of Ed McBain/Evan Hunter's production is on my shelves. Not only is he a master in the development of plots and in the description of police operational methods, he also keeps me updated in modern English. I think the town of the 87th Precinct is a New York rotated clockwise of 90°. Mr McBain/Evan Hunter is one of the most entertaining writers I ever found and I always look for new production of his whenever I enter a bookstore.
Rating:
Summary: Another Gift From the Master
Review: Another wonderful installment in the 87th Precinct series. When you start reading an Ed McBain 87th novel, it is quickly clear that you are in the hands of an expert. Evan, never stop writing.....you are one of our most accomplished authors. If you've never read one of his 87th precinct books, start with this book (or with any of his others). You'll be contacting Amazon quickly to get all of the other titles.
Rating: 
Summary: Not one of his best but still enjoyable
Review: As a big fan of the 87th Precinct Series, I was a little disappointed in Ed Mcbain's latest contribution to the series. The two main stories, a murdered nun and a burglar who leaves cookies behind at the scene of the crime are good police procedural tales but feel a little hollow. There are no neat twists which McBain usually throws in, no diagrams or pictures and no irony. While I wasnt bored, I was able to put The Big Bad City downbefore I went to sleep.
Rating:
Summary: Another virtuoso performance.
Review: As always, with McBain, we're in the hands of a master. Alas, I can certainly add no superlatives that haven't already been applied to this or any other of his many works. One truly petty, nit-picking point, however. In the climactic shootout, McBain uses some clever wordplay involving the word 'nine' in reference to the three weapons on hand. Something to the effect of "three nines (i.e. inverted 666) about to do the devil's business, etc." As I remember, the murderous Sonny had his particular piece chambered for a 50 caliber round, although the specific model is most often seen in 9mm. Sorry.
Rating:
Summary: Exciting plot, tremendous dialogue!
Review: Ed McBain is truly a master. In this newest "87th Precinct" book, he tells a story that is both imaginative and realistic at the same time. His use of dialogue is superb, and carries the book forward with intensity and realism. The police characters, who are at this point familiar friends of ours, are never diasappointing!! This book is a fast, fun read----settle down into a comfortable chair, and ENJOY!
Rating:
Summary: Exciting plot, tremendous dialogue!
Review: Ed McBain is truly a master. In this newest "87th Precinct" book, he tells a story that is both imaginative and realistic at the same time. His use of dialogue is superb, and carries the book forward with intensity and realism. The police characters, who are at this point familiar friends of ours, are never diasappointing!! This book is a fast, fun read----settle down into a comfortable chair, and ENJOY!
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