The Frumious Bandersnatch

by Ed McBain

Other authorsRon McLarty (Reader)

2003

Status

Available

Publication

Simon & Schuster Audio (2003), Edition: Abridged

Description

It should have been the night that launched a new pop idol. Tamar Valparaiso is young and beautiful, with the body and voice of an angel. The stage is set for her to launch her debut album, Bandersnatch, on a luxury yacht in the heart of the city. But halfway through her performance, masked men drag Tamar off the stage and into a waiting speedboat, while the partygoers look on helplessly. Detective Steve Carella is just showing up for the graveyard shift when news of the kidnapping comes in. Working disjointedly with a Joint Task Force that calls itself "The Squad," Carella and the men and women of the Eight-Seven must find Tamar before time -- or indeed her very life -- runs out. In this brilliant look at the music industry, Ed McBain once again combines his mastery of form with the fast-paced dialogue and intricate plotting that have become his signature.… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member wyvernfriend

It's her debut single and at it's launch she's kidnapped. The hunt is in the hands of the 87th Precinct and also the FBI. A lot of mistakes are made and the twists and turns are very interesting.

Made me shudder a few times and the end was a complete shock even if it was in character.

4 more

LibraryThing member richardgarside

As always, wry humour, good story, easily read

LibraryThing member JoAnnSmithAinsworth

A hard hitting police drama despite the fantasy title. Kept me interested.

LibraryThing member bekkil1977

This one is about a pop singer on the verge of stardom who is kidnapped off a boat during the launch party of her debut album. This is probably the saddest 87th precinct book, for several reasons, the main one being McBain's untimely death in 2005. He had so many different things going that will

never be finished. Carella is disenchanted with the job. Ollie is becoming human and dating a nice girl (what in the world is she thinking?!). I wish I knew where those long arc plots were going. Oh, well. Another reason it's so sad is the ending--the singer, Tamar, was set up by the CEO of her record company. He staged the kidnapping with some guys he met to generate publicity, and then they double-crossed him and raped and murdered her. Ow.

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LibraryThing member Stahl-Ricco

No one from the 87th Precinct appears in this story until page 53 - nearly 1/5 of the way into the book! (Fat Ollie is from the 88th). Lots of details about the music industry, as the action begins on a boat where a new young singer is debuting her (hopefully) new hit song! But then, she gets

kidnapped! NOW the 87th is on the case! It's a very good read, well-paced and exciting! My only negative was the time spent on Fat Ollie and Patricia.

I honestly don't understand how Patricia is attracted AT ALL to Fat Ollie. He has been described as obese, filthy, smelly, racist, bigoted, and misogynistic! SHE is described as a professional, in shape, gorgeous, intelligent, Latina woman. WHY ON EARTH WOULD SHE BE INTERESTED I HIM??? I know this is a work of fiction but come on!

Skip the Fat Ollie parts, and you've got a heck of a book here!

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