Book info

• Title See Them Die
• Author Ed McBain
• Year 1960
• Genre Mystery

'Kill me if you can.' Local thug Pepe Miranda’s open challenge to the police has pushed July’s heat to a boiling point. His latest crime elevated him to the top of the 87th Precinct’s most wanted list, and now his dare is earning him street cred as well. With the city’s most dangerous gangs mobilized for an epic showdown, the fate of the precinct hangs in the balance. But Lieutenant Peter Byrnes and his detectives are ready for anything. They certainly aren’t going to let a challenge like that lie—not from someone like Miranda and not when a tip puts them hot on his trail. As the men of the 87th close in, they could be heading into a deadly gunfight that blows their city apart.

Thoughts

What I love about each of these 87th Precinct books is that they focus on a very small subject each time. Sometimes it’s just one crime, often a couple interlinked together, but it’s never a sprawling mess of complicated entanglements - easy to follow, and a charm to read.

This time, all the action takes place over the space of a Sunday morning, with gang warfare on the streets, a jealous boyfriend ready to take revenge, and a notorious criminal holed up in an apartment. We get some character development, particularly with angry young Andy Parker, but as always it’s Steve Carella who saves the day!

Another good entry to the series!

Rating: 4 / 5