Fiddlers

A Novel of the 87th Precinct

By: Ed McBain

Narrated by: Charles Stransky

Ed McBain's latest installment in the 87th Precinct series finds the detectives stumped by a serial killer who doesn't fit the profile. A blind violinist taking a smoke break, a cosmetics sales rep cooking an omelet in her own kitchen, a college professor trudging home from class, a priest contemplating retirement in the rectory garden, an old woman out walking her dog, these are the seemingly random targets shot twice in the face. But most serial killers don't use guns. Most serial killers don't strike five times in two weeks. And most serial killers' prey share something more than being over fifty years of age. Now it falls to Detective Steve Carella and his colleagues in the 87th Precinct to find out what, or whom, the victims had in common before another body is found.

With trademark wit and sizzling dialogue, McBain unravels a mystery and examines the dreams we chase in the darkening hours before the fiddlers have fled.

©2005 Hui Corp. (P)2005 HighBridge Company

Critic reviews

"Ed McBain is a master. He is a superior stylist, a spinner of artfully designed and sometimes macabre plots." (Newsweek)

87th Precinct...good as ever.

Awesome author, awesome series, awesome book. Sad that it is the last. Would totally recommend this one.

Overall

The person who read the book did a great job. This is the first time I have read one of McBain's books, and I loved it.

An entertaining listen

I enjoyed this book. The narrator does an excellent job with the varying characters and accents, and was easy to listen to. McBain uses the perspectives of several characters to weave the story to its conclusion, and although the listener sees the end coming, it is plausible detective work and kept interesting by the character development throughout the story. Not a barn-burner, but definitely worth a listen!

Very interesting

Great closing book regarding the men and women in the 87th. Villain makes a conscious effort to make sure the people who have a negative impact on his life are made to pay for their actions. Combine that with the relationship issues. Of the detectives

I disagree

Ed McBain is great, but this production of his work left much to desire. Primarily, Mr. McBain uses short chapters and switches between characters to describe the parallel activities. This narration lacks the requisite pauses between the chapters. The result is that the listener hears the narratrion for the next chapter before he realizes he has completed the previous chapter. Easy to cope with, in a "real" book, but confusing as hell in an audio book. I would like to hear a little music or tone when one ends and the other begins.

McBain is boring

I've been a McBain fan since he started, literally. The 87th P books have gotten so formulated that they are beyond saving. The story is weak, the reader's effeminate style is incompatible with a police procedural, and I could not wait until it was over.

Good mystery, annoying ethnic voices

When the narrator doesn't do ethnic voices, he's wonderful. Alas, it's hard not to cringe when he does ethnic voices, especially the Korean ones. Perhaps it's not his fault as he's only reading what's written, but it made for an unenjoyable listening experience. The mysteries solid, though not spectacular. I'm sure I'd have enjoyed this if I read it.