Salvatore Lombino (aka Evan Hunter, aka Ed McBain) has passed away at the age of 78. I'm not an 87th Precinct fan, and have read only one of his Matthew Hope mysteries Mary, Mary. I liked it well enough, even though the climax was more of a letdown than a twist. Maybe I just prefer Evan to Ed.

Evan Hunter wrote my favorite novel based on the controversy surrounding Lizzie Borden, Lizzie. The greater portion of the book is back story, detailing Lizzie's tour of Europe. This lays the foundation and motivation for the later murders. The plot holds up, even if the reader chooses not to believe the theory. Those who have no interest in the Borden case could still enjoy this book as a mystery-- and for the beautiful prose. The writing is gorgeous!

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