*Crime, Spies & Sleaze: The 87th Precinct is a series of police procedural novels and stories by American author Ed McBain (a writing pseudonym of Evan Hunter), many of which have been adapted into films and TV. The books feature a large ensemble cast, often but not always centered on about half a dozen police detectives and other supporting characters. Detective Steve Carella is a major character in the series. The 87th Precinct has 16 detectives on its regular roster and is said to have the highest crime rate in the city (a fictitious version of New York). There are over 50 books in the sequence, published between 1956 and 2005; here are six of them, all in Penguin editions.
PICTURED: ALL BY ED McBAIN ALL SOLD
AXE Penguin 1969 2nd UK PB GD £4
THE CON MAN Penguin 1963 1st UK PB FA £3
COP HATER Penguin 1964 2nd UK PB VG £5
KING’S RANSOM Penguin 1965 1st UK PB GD/VG £4
THE MUGGER Penguin 1960s UK PB GD/VG £4
GIVE THE BOYS A GREAT BIG HAND Penguin 1965 UK PB GD/VG £4