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This is a collection of 25 short stories written by crime writer Ed McBain. They are some of his stories written between 1952 and 1957 under the pen names of Evan Hunter (his new legal name, changed from Salvatore Lombino) and Richard Marsten and show the early mystery and crime story style of this popular and prolific author. McBain is best known for writing his 87th Precinct investigative cop series. This collection of stories contains early examples of this dark genre of writing and was originally published under his pen names. Each story has a short introduction that gives a little bit of background and places it within the time frame of his biography. These are what can be called basically hard-boiled stories but with sentimental and bittersweet highlights. Most are narratives dealing with the lower echelons of society, men and women who are not master criminals but simple people who react to circumstances by forgetting their conscience or because they never had a conscience in the first place. There are sad stories of people who murder and run or are innocent and get themselves into deep trouble. There are also stories of cops and precincts that will evolve to become characters in the 87th Precinct stories, mostly men from every ethnic background, all dealing with what the worst, or the saddest members of society, are forced to do. Anyone who is a fan of Ed McBain or Evan Hunter or any of his other pen names will want to read these short stories. It shows how McBain developed as a writer in this genre. People who have never read this author will also enjoy this book -- the style is no nonsense and totally masculine, completely realistic as examples of the things that big city inhabitants live through. All are worth reading.
Reviewed by Sharon Katz, September 2006
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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)
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