Fuzz

The 87th Precinct has met its match in Fuzz. After a prominent citizen of a fictitious New York City is gunned down witnesses can only say they saw a man wearing a hearing aid. Dubbed the Deaf Man, it isn't long before he strikes again. His modus operandi is to call the precinct to extort a sum of money or else someone is going to die. In the case of Parks Commissioner Cowper, it was $5,000. The next threat was aimed at the deputy mayor for $50,000. Finally, it was the mayor's turn to die. Meanwhile on a different assignment, Steve Carella tries to figure out who is setting homeless people on fire. Dressed as a derelict Carella puts himself in danger and isn't fast enough to get out of harm's way...

McBain can describe the weather so show more well the heat detailed on the page can send trickles of sweat down your back or the lack of it can freeze your fingertips. Impressive, considering all the while you are in the comfort of your own temperature controlled home. show less

"Don't you realize why they're called fuzz?"
"No. Why?"
"Because they're fuzzy and fussy and antiquated and incompetent."

Well, they may look that way, but looks can be deceiving! The gang from the 87th Precinct is back - Meyer Meyer, Carella, Genero, and the boys, and this time they are up against the deaf man again! They are trying to stop him from assassinating city officials, they are trying to stop two fire bugs from lighting homeless men aflame, and they are trying to prevent a robbery of a local tailor shop. In addition to all of the other daily crimes that plague this city. And suffering as their police station gets painted - apple green. Needless to say, they've got their work cut out for them!

This is a good read, with super funny show more dialogue and intrigue! The word 'satisfied' popped to mind when I finished the story. The second to last chapter really impressed me, and made for a solid ending. For sure, this will not be my last 87th book! show less

Good characterisation and amusing NYPD detecting in the flavour of the 1950's. The mystery was complex, engaging though not completely plausible in its development as it unwinds. Lost stars because some of the police bumbling was overdone and unrealistic; lost me at the dénouement because the main criminal seems to just float out of the story.

It was good to return to the 87th Precinct and the cops who work there. I haven't read an Ed McBain police novel in a good while. I like to return to the old series I've enjoyed reading over the years. Fuzz is a solid entry in the series. There's much to admire. I like how McBain uses the cold weather in his narrative. In every scene, the wintry temperatures are found. Reading it in July is a good way to stay cool. The different subplots are tied together at the end with neat precision. The humor is dry and sarcastic as you'd expect in a police station. The painters hired to put a fresh coat on the walls are a riot. I hope I can return again to the 87th Precinct in the near future.

This was my first book by author Ed McBain and I enjoyed it. It held my attention and reminded me of the old TV show NYPD Blue. I could hear Sipowiz's voice in some interactions. As a matter of fact, it reminded me so much of the show that I looked it up to see if Ed McBain was a writer for that series. He wasn't.

In looking into other books in this 87th Precinct series I see I read #42 in a long run of these books. Therefore, I had a spoiler in now knowing about an unresolved case from previous books. I am going to grab a few more of these books in the series as I do enjoy police and detective fiction. Guess this series will need to get in line behind my current series obsession, Inspector Alan Banks.

McBain’s books with criminal mastermind the Deaf Man in are always fun, and this one is no exception. It ends up turning on a coincidence so wild that it should make your teeth ache, but which works brilliantly.

The elusive Deaf Man is back. He calls the 87th precinct and demands $5,000 or a city commissioner will be killed, who is then shot by a sniper leaving the Opera. He ups the ante by demanding $50,000 or a Deputy Mayor will be killed, who is then blown to bits by a bomb in his limousine. Further threats are sent to rich businessman to collect $5,000 per head. Meanwhile, Steve Carella is trying to stop someone from dousing the indigent with gasoline and lighting them on fire, when he becomes a victim when his gun gets caught in his homeless disguise. Two good stories, with a dizzying conclusion.