Ed McBain
Biography
Ed McBain was the most famous pseudonym of Salvatore Lombino, who legally changed his name to Evan Hunter in 1952. Born in New York City in 1926, Hunter was a prolific American author and screenwriter, best known for his groundbreaking 87th Precinct police procedural series, which began with 'Cop Hater' in 1956. Under the McBain name, he wrote over fifty novels in the series, revolutionizing the crime fiction genre with its gritty realism, ensemble cast, and detailed depiction of urban police work. Beyond the 87th Precinct, Hunter also published numerous other novels under his birth name and various other pseudonyms, including Richard Kyle and Curt Cannon. He was also a successful screenwriter, most notably for Alfred Hitchcock's 'The Birds' (1963). He passed away in 2005, leaving behind a monumental literary legacy.
Selected Thoughts
«The streets were dark with something more than night.»
«You could get used to anything if you lived with it long enough.»
«There are no absolutes in life. Only probabilities.»
Writing Style
Ed McBain's writing style is characterized by its stark realism, depicting the often mundane and brutal reality of urban police work without romanticism. He excelled at crafting sharp, naturalistic dialogue, often reflecting the ethnic and class diversity of New York City. His narratives are typically fast-paced and plot-driven, employing an ensemble cast approach that focuses on the dynamics of a police squad rather than a single heroic figure. He is praised for his meticulous attention to police procedural details and for exploring the moral ambiguities faced by law enforcement.