Book Review: The Heckler by Ed McBain - This is a pretty sharp thriller with a well done plot and the usual wit
and well judged dialogue which are hallmarks of the series. It’s obvious
early on that the two cases will be linked but how it all plays out is
well done, especially a nod to Arthur Conan Doyle’s “The Red-Headed
League”. The criminal plot is grander than anything the men of the 87th
have dealt with so far and McBain handles this well, talking about how
the cops are always at a disadvantage and used to stupid criminals.
I’m not going to lie in the early stages I wasn’t hooked on this entry in the 87th Precinct series. The writing had the usual McBain flair and there’s some good dialogue but unlike several others it doesn’t hit with a big crime.
But when it does get going it really moves. Detective Meyer is contacted by an old family friend who has been having threatening calls to his business telling him to get out. Meanwhile, Detective Carella investigates an unknown male found dead and almost naked in the park.
Slowly Carella ID’s his man, but is no closer to finding a reason for his death or for why his clothes were taken. The man’s name appears to be John Smith, which seems phony and doesn’t narrow it down.
At the same time a deaf man and three associates are planning something big, but what is their strategy and how are all three strands connected.
Here they have a smart crook with an elaborate plot and it stretches the!. The villain is smug and talks of playing numbers and probabilities, and it’s nice that in the end it all wraps up thanks to gut feeling and luck. It’s not the strongest but it’s still a solid thriller and once it gets going quite gripping.
Verdict: A decent thriller that takes a while to get going but soon hits its stride. McBain’s skills shine through and it builds to a tense finale. 7/10.
Any thoughts? You know what to do. BETEO.
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