Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner
The Big Bad City
Amazon US HC Amazon Canada HC
Ed McBain
Class/Genre: Mystery Police Procedural
Series: 87th Precinct # 49
Simon and Schuster, Jan 1999, $25.00, 271 pp.
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
Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner
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