I would like to see an 87th Precinct novel in which the origin and identity of the Deaf Man is finally explained. How about everyone else? I have read nearly all of the 87th Precinct novels and my favorites are the ones in which the Deaf Man appears.

The Deaf Man is most likely either a former member of Law Enforcement or to make things more interesting possibly a wealthy sociopath who has long held the opinion that he is not only above the law but should be allowed to make his own as the need arises. He obviously knows the difference between right and wrong but feels that these simple "rules" do not apply to him. His character is sometimes such an egomaniac that it leads me to believe that he definately suffers from some sort of psychosis. I too will be facinated to finally find out who the Deaf Man really is and how the men and women of the 87th precinct are going to bring him down.

I am a HUGE McBain fan. Can anyone tell me some good sites dedicated to this Master of the Police Procedural?

E-mail to: BMC1284@yahoo.com

I have been a fan of the 87th Precinct since I read the excerpt of "Heat" in a 1981 issue of Playboy. Like Peter McBride, I am interested in the lovelife of Bert Kling. I am glad that he has fallen in love with Sharyn (forgot her last name), but ever since I read the Heat excerpt, I anxiously await for Bert to be reunited with Augusta. I read McBain's Ladies, and I really admired her toughness in "So Long As You Both Shall Live". It was quite a shock when she betrayed Bert. I hope Mr. McBain brings her back to the series, better yet tell her side of the story, i.e., how she met her lover and was she unfaithful to further her career or did she just fall out love with Bert? I would love to get the opinion of other readers about Augusta. I hope enough of us can get Mr. McBain to bring her back!!

I have loved Ed McBain (and of course his alias Evan Hunter) since I had no money and was trying to find new authors at the library about 10 years ago. After the first one, I read every one I could find. I definitely agree that no one is better at the police procedural. I was so into the 87th Precinct crew...I still love anything I can find. When I decided to get a tatoo about four years ago I ended up with a butterfly on my right shoulder (can anyone remember where that would have come from?)

I love that his novels are so real and gritty, but I also love that his writing syle mimics real life conversations, and he can make me laugh out loud so much! He gives his charachters such good humor along with thier humanity. It's so odd to think that he started writing these in the fifties/sixties, and his charachters have not really aged, just grown with the times.

I also have read all of the Matthew Hope novels, and love him as much. These are charachters that you can be in touch with.

I was actually disappointed when they made the tv movie (was it "Romance"?) because after spending time with these charachters through thirty or more novels, I had a clear picture of what they were like, and especially what I felt they looked like. I didn't agree with the folks they had chosen to play the roles. Bert Kling is supposed to be BLONDE. And so many other oddities.

I'm at raefen@prodigy.com if anyone likes to discuss mysteries!

A couple of interesting points - the Sharyn that Fernando was referring too is called Cooke. Augusta Blair was not as powerful a character as Claire Townsend in Bert Klings life - I greatly reccommend the novel in which she meets her death in the bookstore. I agree with Rachel about the TV movie - and am not entirely sure what novel it was based on. I still haven't seen FUZZ - but am scouring the local video stores and TV guides for the chance. Interestingly enough - Evan Hunter wrote the screen play for The Birds - an excellent movie. I'd really like to know what is going on with Cotton Hawes - he's been on the backburner a lot recently as well as the underdeveloped Bob O'Brien - who is always good for a laugh when he's in the 87th novels. But I'm not really complaining - Ed McBain continues to enrich my literary life. One final point for his fans - I had the great fortune to see a documentary on the 87th precint aired last christmastime on the Bravo channel. I contacted the TV station and was sadly informed that a copy of the show was not for sale - but they said to check future program lists for another airing of the show - so if any of you have the means to get more information on this - please share with us. If I find anything more on this I will post another mossage on this bulletin board.

Peter, Don't bother attempting to locate FUZZ. Although I like Burt Reynolds, that was not his best work. The movie itself really tried to stay true to the novels, but Burt is definately not my idea of Steve Carella. The made for TV movie was I believe based on the book ICE. Again, not the correct character identification. In my opinion Nick Nolte would be the perfect Steve Carella. I have an entire list of current and previous actors who I believe would create the perfect representation of what I think all the characters in the 87th precint look like. If I could slip into an 87th Novel, the first man I would look up is Cotton Hawes. I married a red head and I have always been drawn to them. Even with that white streak in his hair.