Cop Hater

87th Precinct Series, Book 1

By: Ed McBain

Narrated by: Dick Hill

Length: 6 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's summary

When a sniper begins gunning down cops from the 87th Precinct in cold blood, it’s up to Detective Steve Carella to solve the case. With three cops already dead, Carella delves into the city’s underworld to search for the killer.

©1990 Ed McBain (P)2013 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“McBain has the ability to make every character believable - which few writers these days can do.” ( Associated Press)

“McBain forces us to think twice about every character we meet…even those we thought we already knew.” ( New York Times Book Review)

50's Cop Novel

The first book "Cop Killer" was set against a heatwave in the middle of Summer.

The second book "The Mugger" takes place in Fall (Autumn).

I happened to read both books during the seasons they were written about. I was impressed with McBain's atmospheric writing, perhaps because I experienced the seasons as he was describing them.

McBain describes the city as if it were a woman (his words) and the reader can thus feel the dress sticking to her skin; Whether it is the sweltering summer sweat, or leaves falling around her ankles onto wet pavement.

Once the mood is set, the actors are introduced: the criminals and the crimes they perpetrate, the enforcers of peace, and the families at home.


“The body lay outside an abandoned, boarded-up theater. The theater had started as a first-run movie house, many years back when the neighborhood had still been fashionable. As the neighborhood began rotting, the theater began showing second-run films, and then old movies, and finally foreign-language films.”
- Ed Mccain from "Cop Hater"




By todays standards Mccain's writing may seem quaint, but it captures the essence of 1950's cop novels.

1950's Noir...

Really enjoyed this trip down memory lane. This police procedural takes you back to a time before CSI forensics and the "bulls" were the king of the streets and tough as nails. Corruption, abuse, and sex was part of a "bulls" every day life. being nice did not solve crimes. I find McBain's characters to be realistic and not as one dimensional as Elmore Leonard. Light, entertaining stories with a nostalgic flair. I recommend and am in the process of reading "The Mugger".

Great series BUT....

I'm reading this series and currently on 25th book. Straight up pulp, but that's what I'm into at the moment. Now, the 'but'...Dick Hill is a master of voice and this series is no exception. You may not be able to get on board with him on this series. It is indeed an odd voice, but I love it. Campy noir detective. I think it's turned a lot of people off unfortunately. The voice reminds me of Inspector Lugar from Barney Miller. If you're familiar with him, consider that character is reading it to you, and I think you'll like it.

Fantastic production!

My parents loved Ed McBain 87th precinct books. especially my Dad. I was particularly missing Dad one night (he passed away a couple years ago) when I remembered his love for this series and bought myself the first entry on Audible. I was not disappointed. Dragnet for adults is the best way I can describe it. I can't wait to get some more 87th Precinct tales. I felt like my Dad was there listening with me... thanks Mr. McBain.

Are we sure this isn't Stan Lee reading?

What did you love best about Cop Hater?

The story, largely considered the inspiration behind Law and Order was definitely ahead of its time, and was an excellent "read"

What other book might you compare Cop Hater to and why?

There is nothing like it

Have you listened to any of Dick Hill’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, I've not listened

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Not really.

Any additional comments?

I swear this guy sounds like Stan Lee.

Dang, it's about time for the 87th Precinct

First of all, it's cops, it's hardboiled detective fiction, it's an old, old book, and Dick Hill narrates. For a mystery buff, that's all it should take to buy this novel.

One feature this book has that I really appreciated is the author's preface from the late Evan Hunter (née Salvatore Albert Lombino). In it Hunter/McBain tells the backstory of the 87th Precinct series. Despite the fact I had read the entire series, it answered questions about why and what went into the books.

One of McBain's techniques was inserting police forms and criminal notes into the book, these visuals don't translate well and slow the book's flow, but I don't know how else the audio team could handle them.

The book is the first in a series and it's crucial to begin to learn the members of the Precinct and watch them grow, age and evolve over the next 25 or so books. They grow, marry, divorce, die, kill, and solve crime after crime. Police tactics and interaction with citizens, witnesses and criminals also evolve. Remember that the first book predates the Miranda warning.

The books are hardboiled detective fiction. Gruff, growling dialogue, vivid narration, and you'll be enthralled. The books show their age in slang and idioms, but over all it's groovy. Oh wait, that'll be in like, book 15 or so.

So download, pour yourself a rye on the rocks, turn off all the lights but the one by your chair, and listen. Dang, you'll love it. Just remember when it was written.

Good Writing, Great Narration

What made the experience of listening to Cop Hater the most enjoyable?

Surprising well written. Best part was Dick Hill's narration especially his description of the sudden rain after a heat wave in the era before AC. Beginning of Chapter 16.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Cop Hater?

First 2 minutes of Chapter 16; Dick Hill may be overly dramatic, but it's very entertaining!

Good old fashioned cop story

I had forgotten how good the 87th precinct books were. Glad to find them on audible. Get for free if you have kindle unlimited. It's a shame Dick Hill has to just about ruin a good story with his narration. I swear he gets worse with every recording. Since the price is right and book is well written . I'll put up with Hill and download more in the series.

Interesting but predictable.

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Maybe - it would depend on what he was looking for

Would you be willing to try another book from Ed McBain? Why or why not?

Probably not. The problem with classic fiction that "started the trend" is by the time you get to read it it has been copied and restructured over and over until it's lost its strength. I still really love Raymond Chandler and Rex Stout. I don't think that has happened to them yet.

Have you listened to any of Dick Hill’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No. I thought it was a pretty good performance. Sounded like a Walter Winchell news reel at appropriate times.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

No.

Ed McBain's First 87th Precinct novel

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Only for historic interest - his subsequent books are much better. But this was a new format for the times, having a group of protagonists, and it was interesting to hear the interview with the author.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Dick Hill?

I really like Dick Hill's narration, but his version of a New York area accent was painful to my ear. His normal accent would have been much nicer to listen to!

Any additional comments?

Listening was mildly entertaining, as a window on a past time, but the story unfolded rather predictably without being clever.