After years of ignoring McBain, I was drawn to him because
I'm a great fan of the Japanese film made from his 87th
Precinct novel KING'S RANSOM, Akira Kurosawa's HIGH AND LOW.
But I still haven't read KING'S RANSOM, as I'm a bit
retentive about reading series books in order. So I tried to
start with the first Precinct novel, COP HATER, but I
couldn't find it. So I watched the terrible movie made from
it, then read #2, THE MUGGER. I really loved it. The
procedural stuff is first rate, and the interaction,
cameraderie, and disdains of a precinct force seem real and
fascinating. I couldn't find the next one, so I jumped to THE
CON MAN (is that the title?). I enjoyed it just as much. So
I'm very happy there are so many more to read. Hard-boiled? I
don't know. Tough, yes.
For 87th Precinct fans, or anyone else: do you consider the
Maj Sjowall/Per Wahloo books about Martin Beck hardboiled? I
do.
Jim Beaver
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