Book info

• Title Let's Hear It For the Deaf Man
• Author Ed McBain
• Year 1972
• Genres Mystery, Thriller, Crime

Between a highly successful cat burglar and a hippie crucifixion, the 87th Precinct definitely doesn't need the Deaf Man showing up again - especially since his two previous appearances have resuled in blackmail, murder, and general havoc. But at least they have now... unless he had them first. The Deaf Man can hardly contain his glee. Detective Steve Carella is about to inadvertently help him rob a bank. Each day, he mails Carella a picture to keep the game going. The first two are pictures of J. Edgar Hoover, while the next ones involve George Washington. All are clues, obviously. But how do they add up? And will the 87th Precinct find out before the Deaf Man has the last laugh?

Thoughts

The next book I own in the 87th Precinct series and this time we see the return of the Deaf Man, as heralded by the title of the novel. He’s popped up on a couple of previous occasions, and whilst I like the continuity of a nemesis, I’m not sure I care too much for the Deaf Man - his motives don’t really come across and the weird way he toys with the police doesn’t seem to have a point to it.

There were two unrelated crimes in this one, and whilst it was interesting to see them all delve into the mystery behind the murder and try and get the witnesses to admit the truth, overall it didn’t quite do it for me as much as others have.

Rating: 3 / 5