Title: Cop Hater
Author: Ed McBain
First published January 1, 1956
160 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780451150790 (ISBN10: 0451150791)
Rating: 3.82
Overview
When Detective Alex Martinez goes undercover to find Mia Alvarez, a potential witness to his last case, he vows to get her cooperation by any means necessary. But the feisty woman is more suspicious, and in far more danger, than he expected.
And the last thing Alex needs is to develop feelings for her…
Mia has spent years on the run from a dangerous drug cartel that will stop at nothing to silence her. She can trust no one, not even the handsome new “neighbor” who’s moved in next door.
The chemistry between them is undeniable. But will giving in to their passion bring Mia the safety she so desperately craves, or will it draw them both into the crosshairs of a killer?
About the Author
Salvatore Albert Lombino (1926-2005), a renowned American author and screenwriter, adopted several pen names throughout his career. In 1952, he legally changed his name to Evan Hunter, which is the name he was most famous for.
However, he was even more well-known as Ed McBain, the name he used for the majority of his crime fiction starting in 1956. In addition to these two names, he also wrote under the pseudonyms John Abbott, Curt Cannon, Hunt Collins, Ezra Hannon, Dean Hudson, and Richard Marsten.
Editoral Review
Ed McBains Cop Hater, first published in 1956, is a seminal work in the crime fiction genre that has inspired countless authors since its release. McBain, a pseudonym for Evan Hunter, was a prolific writer known for his gritty police procedural novels that showcased the lives of detectives in the 87th Precinct of a fictionalized New York City.
Cop Hater is the first book in the series, and it establishes the tone, style, and themes that would become the hallmark of the authors career. The plot of Cop Hater revolves around detective Steve Carella and his colleagues in the 87th Precinct as they investigate a series of murders targeting police officers.
The killer is unknown, and the detectives have few leads to follow. As the body count rises, tensions mount among the detectives and their families, and the pressure to solve the case becomes overwhelming.
The setting of the novel, a gritty, urban landscape filled with crime and danger, is as much a character as any of the individuals in the story. McBains prose is spare, economical, and effective.
He doesnt waste words or linger on unnecessary details, but he is able to convey a sense of time and place that is vivid and realistic. The characters in the book are well-drawn and fully realized, with distinct personalities and quirks that make them memorable.
Carella, the protagonist, is a dedicated and hardworking detective who wants to catch the killer but is also dealing with personal issues that affect his work. The other detectives in the precinct are similarly complex and multi-dimensional, and their interactions with one another provide a rich tapestry of human drama.
One of the strengths of Cop Hater is its portrayal of police work during a time when the profession was changing rapidly. The novel captures the sense of uncertainty and distrust that was prevalent in the 1950s, as the police department struggled to adapt to a world that was becoming more complex and challenging.
McBains portrait of the detectives in the 87th Precinct reflects this larger societal struggle, and he does it with nuance and depth. One weakness of the book is its pacing.
At times, the story drags, and the investigation seems to stall. This is understandable, given that McBain is trying to capture the slow, methodical work of police detective work, but it can be frustrating for readers who are looking for a faster-paced thriller.
Additionally, some readers may find the dialogue stilted and dated, although this is a minor quibble. Overall, Cop Hater is a superb example of the crime fiction genre that showcases the talents of one of its finest practitioners.
McBains skillful use of language, his ability to create compelling characters, and his nuanced portrayal of police work make this a novel that is still relevant and engaging today. Readers who enjoy police procedural novels, crime fiction, or gritty, urban realism will find much to enjoy in Cop Hater.
Rating: 4/5
Recommended for: Fans of crime fiction, police procedurals, or gritty urban realism.
