Romance: A Novel of the 87th Precinct

Romance: A Novel of the 87th Precinct by Ed McBain. paperback edition. ISBN: 9780340638163.

Its not a mystery, its a story of survival and triumph. Thats what some people say about Romance, a would-be hit play about an actress pursued by a knife-wielding stalker. But isnt it romantic! Before the show can open, the leading lady is really attacked, outside the theater. And before the detectives of the 87th can solve that crime, the same actress is stabbed again. This time for keeps. A.D.A. Nellie Brand moves in for a murder conviction, but Detective Steve Carella is sure shes got the wrong guy, and wrestles for the case with Fat Ollie Weeks, Isolas foulest cop. While Bert Kling interviews witnesses and suspects ranging from the shows producers to the author - who has written novels about cops and knows how its done - to the leads lovely understudy, he cant keep his mind off whats happening to him. Hes falling in love. With a doctor. Who happens to be a deputy chief surgeon. Who happens to be a black woman. In the city of Isola, nothing is black and white. In the play Romance, no one is guilty or innocent. And in the gritty reality of the 87th Precinct, everyone is in love with something - even if its only murder.