Published to tie in with the 50th anniversary of the 87th Precinct series. Ed McBain has been widely acclaimed as a true master of crime fiction. He was the first US writer to win the prestigious CWA/Cartier Diamond Dagger. Credited as the founder of the Police Procedural with his 87th Precinct series, he always receives top-notch reviews: 'Seldom has a series retained its vibrancy so well over half a century ... never a lifeless page or wasted word. McBain's series will remain a landmark achievement' Guardian. 'A master ... What a talent! What a man!' Literary Review. 'He's right at the top of the premier league of crime fiction' Mirror. '[An] incredible series ... it is the dialogue - wry, laconic and very much up to date - that drives the story along' Irish Times. 'There is no more bewitching stylist in crime fiction than Ed McBain' Scotsman. 'Give thanks that you share the same time span with an absolute master. There is nothing and no one around guaranteed to give the same sharp excitements, the same steady delight' Literary Review.
Ed McBain (1926-2005) was one of the most illustrious names in crime fiction. In 1998, he was the first non-British author to be awarded the Crime Writers' Association/Cartier Diamond Dagger Award. He also held the Mystery Writers of America's coveted Grand Master Award and the Sherlock Award for 'Best International Detective'.
MWA Grand Master McBain's 55th 87th Precinct police procedural suffers by comparison with 2004's Hark! as well as other top books in this iconic series, but still has plenty of good moments. A killer living the high life is exacting the last full measure of revenge. As his victims pile up, the 87th falls prey to the FMU or "first man up" rule. Since the initial victim, a blind violinist shot in the face, was done on the 87th's turf, all subsequent murders are theirs as well. More are not long in arriving; each victim shot in the face at close range with the same 9mm Glock. The whole cast of the 87th is stretched thin trying to track down clues in geographically disparate killings. This gives McBain license to update us on such matters as the romance between Bert Kling and Sharyn Cooke and Fat Ollie Weeks's courtship of Patricia Gomez. All are searching for the one lead that will pan out gold. While McBain siphons off some suspense by making the reader privy to the killer's actions, and his trademark dialogue isn't as crisp as usual, he still delivers dependable entertainment. Agent, Gelfman Schneider Literary Agents. (Sept.) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.
A profile-defying serial killer runs amok in the next installment of the indefatigable Grand Master's oeuvre. McBain lives in Connecticut. This is one of the lead titles in legendary editor Penzler's new imprint. Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.
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