Lightning (original 1984; edition 1991)

by Ed McBain (Author)

Series: 87th Precinct (37)

Members	Reviews	Popularity	Average rating	Mentions
349	6	78,245	(3.4)	1

Stahl-Ricco's review

"…lightning couldn’t strike twice, could it? Ah, but it could. And it did.” And 3 times? And 4? The rapist in this story goes back to his same victims as many times as he can. And his reason for doing so is HORRIFYING! The 87th, along with Annie Rawles and Eileen Burke have their hands full trying to stop this psycho. This is one of the best books in this series, hands down. So much darker and deranged than the previous ones. In the other story line, a man is killing young women and hanging them from lamp posts throughout the city. Which brings Fat Ollie Weeks back to the 87th (lucky them!). And HIS reasons are insane! Two total nut jobs in one book!

“There is a ring to the truth, and it shatters the night like a hammer striking a gong.”

The previous activities of the Deaf Man are summarized herein and he ‘appears’ at the end, setting up the next book. (

)

Stahl-Ricco | Sep 3, 2022 |

All member reviews

date ▼ | votes

Showing 6 of 6

The killer is once again causing havoc for the 87th Squad. And a rapist is repeatedly raping the same women. Both cases have some odd features. It's classic Ed McBain, always interesting characters, and often mysteries with a twist. (

)

ecw0647 | Sep 19, 2022 |

)

Stahl-Ricco | Sep 3, 2022 |

A really gripping and enjoyable 87th precinct mystery. The twin plots both concern violence against women, with the detectives hunting both a serial rapist and a murderer. I’m the end I wasn’t that convinced by either criminal, but the book still has a lot to recommend it. McBain writes effectively (for a male in the 80s) about the impact of sexual violence and there are also some great digs at Hill Street Blues. Ollie Weeks makes a welcome appearance and there’s a great lead in to the next book in the series. (

)

whatmeworry | Apr 9, 2022 |

Two good plots again, with some good natured ribbing of Meyer Meyer, who sports a wig in this novel. A rapist is repeatedly attacking the same women, bringing Kling's new girlfriend to act as a lure. However, another female cop figures out the motive and then finds the criminal with terrific detective work. Meanwhile, young female track stars are being hung from lampposts, and Fat Ollie Weeks beings his bigotry down to the 87th to help solve the case. (

)

skipstern | Jul 11, 2021 |

87th Precinct works on murders of woman runners

ritaer | Mar 4, 2021 |

This is a really juicy one, lots of stuff going on. Eileen poses as a serial rape victim hoping to catch a rapist who is--get this--raping Catholic pro-life supporters in the hopes of getting them pregnant and forcing them to have abortions to show how hypocritical they are deep down. Yikes! Eileen does indeed attract the serial rapist, who ends up cutting and raping her. As if that wasn't enough, the 87th has to deal with a murderer who's killing promising young female track stars, and one is found in Ollie Week's precinct (the 83rd in this book; later, it's the 88th). Turns out the killer was a former Olympic gold medalist track star who missed the fame and attention. In this book it seems like McBain was trying to show just how crazy people can be. He succeeded. (

)

bekkil1977 | Feb 9, 2018 |

date ▼ | votes

Showing 6 of 6