The Big Bad City

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: This is a smart, witty and fast-moving book.
Review: McBain has a unique ability to combine sassy dialogue, lively characters and political incorrectness into fast-paced police procedurals. His 87th precinct novels are humorous and involving. "The Big Bad City" will not disappoint McBain's fans. In this novel, McBain juggles three different plot lines skillfully and he keeps the reader guessing until the end. This is not great literature but is is an enjoyable read.

Rating:
Summary: A New Classic From the Master
Review: One can't pick up an 87th Precinct novel without reflecting that it's been written by the man who is generally considered the master of the police procedural. Yes, there's the nun murder and the "cookie boy" burglar, but the heart of this novel is a small time hood's stalking of Steve Carella. The only reason the punk gives is that Carella may some day come looking for him and Carella's death will take care of that. In the meanwhile, we get Carella reflecting on aging and recalling great moments in 87th Precinct history (at one point, the reverie goes back to 'Cop Hater', the 1st 87th novel). While reliving these moments, I realized that I was again at the feet of the Master. Loved this book and I hope to see a bangup 50th novel for the boys at the 87th.

Rating:
Summary: A Very Entertaining Mystery/Dark Comedy
Review: The Big Bad City is the 49th Novel of the 87th Precinct, and those that are familiar with Ed McBain's previous works won't dispute the fact that he's a great mystery writer, but the thing that I enjoy most is his sense of humor. While it's never over-the-top and won't get you laughing out loud, you are guaranteed to have a grin on your face as you read this book.

In this particular novel, Detectives Brown and Carella are investigating a homicide in which the victim is a young nun with breast implants. There are also several subplots, one involving a burglar called the Cookie Boy who leaves home made chocolate chip cookies at the homes that he burglarizes. Also, Detective Carella is being stalked by the man who killed is father.

While the details of the story's plot may slip from the reader's memory soon after the book is completed, the nonsensically comical banter between the two detectives is quite memorable. I especially liked the nun jokes that they crack throughout the story.

The only pitfall that I can find in this story is in Ed McBain's writing style. He uses small words and short sentences, and while the story is easy to follow, it's also very dry at times. Though the book was written just a few years ago, it reads like a detective novel written in the 1950s. However, if you like detective novels, and if you like movies like "L.A. Confidential", you're going to like this book.

Rating:
Summary: Ed McBain is a masterful suspense writer
Review: This book was the first book I read by Mr. McBain. And after Icompleted this novel, it was not my last. This book was fabulous,decriptive, well written prose, engaging, humane protagonists, fast moving and gripping plots--a myriad of plots! I could not put this book down. This is one of my favorite books ever. I really came to know and like many of McBain's characters... so much so, after I completed the novel--in record breaking time--I immediately went out and purchased McBain's other novels of the 87th precinct. Read this and then rush out to read his others--you will not be disappointed.

Rating:
Summary: A book to be proud of, by an ashamed author
Review: This very effective thriller may rank among the best McBain's. Those of us who know the series could begin noticing the clever devices McBain employs to deliver his punches, but they do not detract from the final pleasure.
Mi point is, however, to stress my discomfort with the matter of McBain's real name. I am dissapointed by what seems to be McBain's refusal to acknowledge his Italian-American origin. Until some twenty years ago, it was generally accepted that the name Evan Hunter was a pen-name taken from the high school and college he attended and that his real birth name is Salvatore Lombino.
More recently, editors began telling the readers that Evan Hunter IS his real name. The fact that his wife's name is Dragica Dimitrijevic-Hunter strongly suggests that Mr. Mc Bain has effectively CHANGED his name. As an person of Italian descent, I feel ashamed of the fact that Mr. McBain seems to be ashamed of his origins.
This rather hollow protest of mine, of course, should not stop any reader from reading this very entertaining book.