This compilation from 1988 features the women characters from the classic Ed McBain (aka, Evan Hunter) 87th Precinct series. The selections span the series from 1956’s Cop Hater to 1984’s Lightening. The book starts out, as it should, with a section on Teddy Carella. She’s the deaf-mute wife of Detective Steve Carella. Teddy plays a role in several of the 87th Precinct novels. The next section is on Claire Townsend, the beautiful fiancee of Detective Bert Kling. Her story in Lady, Lady, I Did It (1961) haunted me for years. Cindy Forrest, another girl Friend of Bert Kling, is a student who is studying for a degree in psychology. Her insights in Shotgun, Ten Plus One, and Fuzz impact the plots. Augusta Blair, a gorgeous super-model, marries Bert Kling but their relationship soon turns rocky. Finally, Officer Eileen Burke specializes as a decoy to catch rapists starting in The Mugger (1968) through Lightning (1984). McBain’s Ladies shows that the 87th Precinct from the beginning had strong women characters, a trend that continued to the end of the series.
I missed this one when it came out.
Bill, I missed it, too. But, I ran across a copy in a used bookstore (remember them?) and picked it up for a buck. Well worth it!
Good one. I always thought the list of jobs with the shortest expected lifespan should include Bert Kling’s girlfriend.
One of these days I need to reread the 87th Precinct series from the beginning.
Jeff, I’m sometimes tempted to reread the 87th Precinct series from the beginning, too. But, I’m back to work in a couple of weeks. Too late for this Summer.
George, I’d absolutely no idea about this book. I’m going to look for it. Thanks for reviewing it.
Prashant, MCBAIN’S LADIES is one of the more obscure collections of the 87th Precinct series. But it’s well worth a look.
Incidentally, there was a sequel published four years later called McBAIN’S LADIES, TOO.
Jeff, I’ll have to track down MCBAIN’S LADIES, TOO. Thanks for the heads up!
I loved the 87th books but once they became doorstops I faded away from them.
Bob, I read the entire series (like Jeff Meyerson) but I’m with you on the later, longer books. Not so much fun.