📖 Overview
Evan Hunter (1926-2005) was an American crime fiction author who significantly shaped the police procedural genre through his acclaimed "87th Precinct" series, written under the pen name Ed McBain. He wrote over 50 novels in this series from 1956 to 2005, establishing a template for realistic police procedurals that influenced both literature and television.
His 1954 novel "The Blackboard Jungle" brought him widespread recognition, drawing from his experiences as a teacher in the Bronx. The book was adapted into an influential film starring Glenn Ford and became a defining work about urban education in post-war America.
Hunter demonstrated remarkable versatility, writing the screenplay for Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds" and producing work across multiple genres under various pseudonyms. Born Salvatore Lombino in New York City, he legally changed his name to Evan Hunter in 1952 and used numerous pen names throughout his career.
He was known for meticulous research and attention to procedural detail, particularly in his police novels. His writing style combined realistic dialogue with precise plotting, helping to establish a new standard for crime fiction that bridged the gap between hard-boiled detective stories and contemporary police procedurals.
👀 Reviews
Readers appreciate Hunter's straightforward writing style and ability to capture authentic dialogue, particularly in his 87th Precinct police procedurals (written as Ed McBain). Many note his influence on modern crime fiction and police dramas.
Common praise focuses on:
- Fast-paced plotting
- Realistic portrayal of police work
- Strong character development across series
- Sharp dialogue and dark humor
Common criticism includes:
- Dated social attitudes in older works
- Uneven quality across his large bibliography
- Some formulaic elements in later 87th Precinct books
- Occasional weak endings
Ratings across platforms:
Goodreads: Most 87th Precinct novels average 3.8-4.2/5 stars
Amazon: Ed McBain titles typically 4.2-4.5/5 stars
"Cop Hater" (first 87th Precinct): 4.1/5 on Goodreads (3,800+ ratings)
"The Blackboard Jungle": 3.9/5 on Goodreads (2,100+ ratings)
One frequent reader comment: "His police officers feel like real people, not stereotypes."
📚 Books by Evan Hunter
Cop Hater - The first novel in the 87th Precinct series follows detectives investigating the murders of fellow police officers during a sweltering summer in fictional Isola.
The Mugger - Detective Eileen Burke goes undercover to catch a violent criminal who's attacking women and leaving a mocking bow as his signature.
Killer's Payoff - A blackmailer is shot dead on a city street, leading detectives to uncover multiple suspects with motives for revenge.
Shotgun - Two seemingly unrelated murders connected by the same shotgun lead detectives through a complex investigation in the city's underworld.
Me and Hitch - A non-fiction memoir detailing Hunter's experience working with Alfred Hitchcock on the screenplay for The Birds.
Rocket to Luna - A science fiction novel following a group of young astronauts on humanity's first mission to establish a lunar base.
The Mugger - Detective Eileen Burke goes undercover to catch a violent criminal who's attacking women and leaving a mocking bow as his signature.
Killer's Payoff - A blackmailer is shot dead on a city street, leading detectives to uncover multiple suspects with motives for revenge.
Shotgun - Two seemingly unrelated murders connected by the same shotgun lead detectives through a complex investigation in the city's underworld.
Me and Hitch - A non-fiction memoir detailing Hunter's experience working with Alfred Hitchcock on the screenplay for The Birds.
Rocket to Luna - A science fiction novel following a group of young astronauts on humanity's first mission to establish a lunar base.
👥 Similar authors
Joseph Wambaugh
Former LAPD detective who writes police procedurals with authentic insider knowledge of law enforcement procedures and culture. His work shares Hunter's commitment to realistic portrayal of police work and departmental dynamics.
Lawrence Block New York City crime writer who creates detailed urban environments and complex police characters similar to Hunter's 87th Precinct series. His Matthew Scudder series demonstrates the same attention to procedural accuracy and street-level realism.
John D. MacDonald Crime fiction writer who pioneered detailed character development in mystery novels and influenced the genre's evolution during the same era as Hunter. His Travis McGee series shows similar mastery of sustained character development across multiple books.
Georges Simenon Creator of Inspector Maigret series that established many conventions of police procedural fiction that Hunter later developed. His focus on detailed police work and departmental procedures created a framework that influenced Hunter's approach to the genre.
Hillary Waugh Pioneer of the police procedural genre who wrote detailed, realistic crime investigations in the same period as Hunter's early work. His novels demonstrate the same commitment to accuracy in police methods and departmental operations that characterized Hunter's writing.
Lawrence Block New York City crime writer who creates detailed urban environments and complex police characters similar to Hunter's 87th Precinct series. His Matthew Scudder series demonstrates the same attention to procedural accuracy and street-level realism.
John D. MacDonald Crime fiction writer who pioneered detailed character development in mystery novels and influenced the genre's evolution during the same era as Hunter. His Travis McGee series shows similar mastery of sustained character development across multiple books.
Georges Simenon Creator of Inspector Maigret series that established many conventions of police procedural fiction that Hunter later developed. His focus on detailed police work and departmental procedures created a framework that influenced Hunter's approach to the genre.
Hillary Waugh Pioneer of the police procedural genre who wrote detailed, realistic crime investigations in the same period as Hunter's early work. His novels demonstrate the same commitment to accuracy in police methods and departmental operations that characterized Hunter's writing.