Ed McBain?

ficbot · 10-17-2010, 05:07 PM

My sister has a bunch of these and has recommended them to me. Does this series have to be read in order, or can you read each one independently? My library has some later ones but not the first ones in the series.

HarryT · 10-18-2010, 11:09 AM

You do get more from it reading them in order, because the characters develop over time, but you certainly could just jump in - each is readable in isolation, too.

I'm assuming you're talking about his "87th Precinct" books?

Paul Levine · 10-18-2010, 01:03 PM

I, too, assume you mean the classic "87th Precinct" books, which inspired "Hill Street Blues," "NYPD Blue," and countless other television shows and novels.

In my view, there's no need to start at the beginning. They each stand on their own.

Happy reading.

Paul Levine
Author of the Jake Lassiter Novels
"Mystery Writing at its very, very best." Larry King -- USA TODAY

"To Speak for the Dead"
"Night Vision"
"False Dawn"
"Reversal"
"Mortal Sin"

rhadin · 10-18-2010, 01:29 PM

I have read most of the 87th Precinct novels and agree with Paul -- no need to read them in any particular order. Harry is right that if read in order you see the character development, but even reding them out of order, the characters are such that you can readily fit the development into the proper place.

Donnageddon · 10-18-2010, 01:56 PM

I've read many of the "87th Precinct" novels, and never in order. It is interesting to jump from one decade to the next (or previous) and see how the flavor and descriptions of Isola and it's citezens changes. I am currently reading "Doll" published in 1965. Lot's of thigh high boots and miniskirts.

Big Shirley · 10-18-2010, 05:37 PM

I LOVE the 87th Precinct books. I agree with Harry, you can certainly enjoy them in any order, but if you read them chronologically, the characters and a few plot-lines unfold in order. I hope you really like them.

ficbot · 10-18-2010, 06:00 PM

Thanks, that is the series. The library assortment seems pretty random. I'll get a few and if I like them I can always go back and read the earlier ones.

SidneyW · 10-24-2010, 12:13 PM

Generally I have hopped around, but some of the later ones benefit from being read in order. There's a great one called Vespers for example that has a follow-up later in the series. Tricks is a good one for Halloween time.

I love any of them ones with the Deaf Man, the 87th's Moriarity. Let's Hear it for the Deaf Man is a good one as is Eight Black Horses.

allanguthrie · 12-22-2010, 06:29 AM

It's always been my intention to read them back-to-back in order. One day I might even get round to it! I also enjoy one of his little-known contemporaries, Jonathan Craig, who wrote a '6th Precinct' series. He's a little more of his time (even the titles sound dated). But he's a good writer. There's a little more on him here.

10-17-2010, 05:07 PM	#1
ficbot Wizard Posts: 2,350 Karma: 4054142 Join Date: Sep 2008 Device: Kobo Glo, iPad/iPhone	Ed McBain? My sister has a bunch of these and has recommended them to me. Does this series have to be read in order, or can you read each one independently? My library has some later ones but not the first ones in the series. __________________ I blog at Teleread and review at Goodreads. Come read with me!

10-18-2010, 11:09 AM	#2
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 54,666 Karma: 26165759 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Touch, PW, Fire HD, iPad 3, iPhone 4, Samsung Tab 2 7 + More	You do get more from it reading them in order, because the characters develop over time, but you certainly could just jump in - each is readable in isolation, too. I'm assuming you're talking about his "87th Precinct" books? __________________ Harry Currently proofreading The Poison Belt, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

10-18-2010, 01:29 PM	#4
rhadin Literacy = Understanding Posts: 2,969 Karma: 11090339 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: The World of Books Device: Sony PRS-950, Nook Tablet	I have read most of the 87th Precinct novels and agree with Paul -- no need to read them in any particular order. Harry is right that if read in order you see the character development, but even reding them out of order, the characters are such that you can readily fit the development into the proper place. __________________ Richard H. Adin www.freelance-editorial-services.com when only the best will do www.americaneditor.wordpress.com musings about books and editing

10-18-2010, 01:56 PM	#5
Donnageddon Now you lishen here... Posts: 2,499 Karma: 479498 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Seattle-ish Device: Sony PRS-650. Kobo Touch, Kindle Fire	I've read many of the "87th Precinct" novels, and never in order. It is interesting to jump from one decade to the next (or previous) and see how the flavor and descriptions of Isola and it's citezens changes. I am currently reading "Doll" published in 1965. Lot's of thigh high boots and miniskirts. __________________ Good grief. WTF indeed. - Fizzywater

10-18-2010, 06:00 PM	#7
ficbot Wizard Posts: 2,350 Karma: 4054142 Join Date: Sep 2008 Device: Kobo Glo, iPad/iPhone	Thanks, that is the series. The library assortment seems pretty random. I'll get a few and if I like them I can always go back and read the earlier ones. __________________ I blog at Teleread and review at Goodreads. Come read with me!

10-18-2010, 01:03 PM	#3
Paul Levine Connoisseur Posts: 75 Karma: 725480 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Los Angeles Device: Kindle	I, too, assume you mean the classic "87th Precinct" books, which inspired "Hill Street Blues," "NYPD Blue," and countless other television shows and novels. In my view, there's no need to start at the beginning. They each stand on their own. Happy reading. Paul Levine Author of the Jake Lassiter Novels "Mystery Writing at its very, very best." Larry King -- USA TODAY "To Speak for the Dead" "Night Vision" "False Dawn" "Reversal" "Mortal Sin"

10-18-2010, 05:37 PM	#6
Big Shirley Enthusiast Posts: 36 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Maine Device: Kindle 2, Galaxy S, Nook Color, Sony PRS-950	I LOVE the 87th Precinct books. I agree with Harry, you can certainly enjoy them in any order, but if you read them chronologically, the characters and a few plot-lines unfold in order. I hope you really like them.

10-24-2010, 12:13 PM	#8
SidneyW Connoisseur Posts: 77 Karma: 520320 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Texas Device: Kindle	Generally I have hopped around, but some of the later ones benefit from being read in order. There's a great one called Vespers for example that has a follow-up later in the series. Tricks is a good one for Halloween time. I love any of them ones with the Deaf Man, the 87th's Moriarity. Let's Hear it for the Deaf Man is a good one as is Eight Black Horses.

12-22-2010, 06:29 AM	#9
allanguthrie Enthusiast Posts: 27 Karma: 30000 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Scotland Device: Kindle and Sony PRS-600	It's always been my intention to read them back-to-back in order. One day I might even get round to it! I also enjoy one of his little-known contemporaries, Jonathan Craig, who wrote a '6th Precinct' series. He's a little more of his time (even the titles sound dated). But he's a good writer. There's a little more on him here. __________________ Allan Guthrie http://criminal-e.blogspot.com

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