See Them Die

An 87th Precinct Novel, Book 13

By: Ed McBain

Narrated by: Dick Hill

“Kill me if you can.”

Local thug Pepe Miranda’s open challenge to the police has pushed July’s heat to a boiling point. His latest crime elevated him to the top of the 87th Precinct’s most wanted list, and now his dare is earning him street cred as well. With the city’s most dangerous gangs mobilized for an epic showdown, the fate of the precinct hangs in the balance.

But Lieutenant Peter Byrnes and his detectives are ready for anything. They certainly aren’t going to let a challenge like that lie - not from someone like Miranda and not when a tip puts them hot on his trail. As the men of the 87th close in, they could be heading into a deadly gunfight that blows their city apart.

Ed McBain’s See Them Die is a visceral journey into the heart of the 87th Precinct’s meanest streets, a gritty, adrenaline-fueled freight train that hurtles toward its explosive conclusion.

©2011 Ed McBain (P)2012 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

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

Bloated storyline

Too many characters and too much meaningless dialogue. Tedious and frustrating read. Maybe my last 87th.

I guess I'm done.

What would have made See Them Die better?

In "Lady Killer" McBain was bragging about how fast he can write one of these, I'm now to the point where I think it should have taken longer. Filling pages with inane bickering between illiterate Puerto Rican teenagers is just not that interesting, not writing really, in my opinion.

What was most disappointing about Ed McBain’s story?

What I stated above.

Which scene was your favorite?

Really can't say, it dragged.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Disappointment. The cast of characters lost one of their more interesting members and it was almost an afterthought in the end.

Any additional comments?

Dick Hill is the best, I'll look for him with other authors now.