The Mugger

The Mugger follows two parallel investigations in the bustling fictional city of Isola. With Detective Steve Carella away on his honeymoon, Detective Hal Willis takes charge of tracking down a violent mugger who's been targeting women throughout the city. Patrolman Bert Kling becomes entangled in his own investigation while working the beat, pursuing a separate case that will test his developing skills as a police officer. The story showcases the day-to-day operations of the 87th Precinct and introduces several key characters who become important fixtures in the series. The novel explores the complexities of urban crime and the personal toll of police work on those who serve. Through its dual narratives and ensemble cast, it establishes many of the elements that would define McBain's long-running 87th Precinct series.

Readers describe The Mugger as a solid police procedural in the 87th Precinct series, though not among the strongest entries. The pacing and investigative details draw favorable mentions, with several reviewers noting Hunter's skill at portraying 1950s police work. Readers appreciated: - The period details of 1950s New York - Detective Meyer Meyer's character development - Hunter's straightforward writing style Common criticisms: - Too many subplots that don't connect - Lack of suspense compared to other books in the series - Some dated cultural references and dialogue Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (521 ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (89 reviews) Multiple reviewers mention this as a "middle-tier" entry in the 87th Precinct series. As one Goodreads reviewer noted: "Good but not great. The procedural elements work well but the story lacks the tension of better entries like Cop Hater or The Con Man."

Last Seen Wearing by Hillary Waugh A police procedural that follows detectives methodically searching for a missing college student through detailed investigation work and interviews.

The Jack Liffey Mysteries by John Shannon Chronicles a private investigator's cases in Los Angeles with parallel story lines and an emphasis on the city's social dynamics.

The Big Bad City by Ed McBain Features another 87th Precinct investigation with multiple plot threads and the same attention to police procedure and urban crime.

Cop Hater by Ed McBain The first book in the 87th Precinct series introduces the police department setting and investigation methods that shaped The Mugger.

The Empty Hours by Ed McBain Shows detectives working multiple cases in a metropolitan setting with interconnected narratives and focus on investigative techniques.

🔍 "The Mugger" was published in 1956 and is the second book in the long-running 87th Precinct series, which eventually grew to 55 novels. 📚 Author Evan Hunter wrote under several pen names, but his most famous was "Ed McBain" - the name he used for the 87th Precinct series. His birth name was actually Salvatore Lombino. 🌆 The fictional city of Isola is based on Manhattan, with many landmarks and streets having direct real-world counterparts. The author deliberately created a fictional setting to have more creative freedom. 👮 The series revolutionized police procedural novels by focusing on the squad room rather than a single detective, making the precinct itself the main character - an approach that influenced countless TV shows like Hill Street Blues. ✍️ Hunter/McBain drew from his experiences riding along with NYPD detectives to create authentic police procedures and dialogue, establishing a new standard for realism in crime fiction.