Lets Hear It for Dea

McBain is the definitive author of police procedure. All his writing entail two or three different crime investigations going on at the same time with one crime being the center of attention. Many times to come together at the end. If you liked Hill Street Blues you will love any McBain novel. He has over fifty in the 87th precint series and each one is a solid if not five star read. Lets Hear it is one of the best. He uses the same characters in the series which lends itself to broad characters and richer stories. No other writer like McBain. A style all his own. A true master of the craft.

What's with this guy? Why doesn't he just go do his business in another town and leave the guys of the 87th alone? Why doesn't he leave Steve Carella alone? As with all of McBain's books there are three stories going on simultaneously. The first is related to a group of burglaries of apartments where the tenants are on vacation. The apartments are ransacked and a kitten is left by the (cat) burglar. None of the apartments' doors have been jimmied or picked, so how does he get in? The second mystery is a murder. A man is found nailed to the wall in an abandoned building. The only clue, a left sneaker size 12, and the remains of a fire. The third and main story is that of the "Deaf Man". He mails clues to the 87th and calls them on the phone. The clues point to a robbery at a bank, which the Deaf Man says Steve Carella will help him with. Needless to say that the Deaf Man is to smart for himself and gives Steve one clue too many. Great Fun. Zeb Kantrowitz

The deaf man is back. He is sending the 87th precinct clues to his nextcrime. Who can figure them out before the crime is committed? In the meantime Kling is working on a string of burglaries. Carella is working on finding who killed a man and nailed him to a wall. All things come together at the end but it makes for good reading to get there. The deaf man is a thorn in the side of the 87th. Will he be captured this time? McBain again weaves all the pople into a very good mystery book. It is a quick read and will hold your attention.