Fat Ollie's Book by Ed McBain
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

"It'd been 'Weeks' before he discovered they were both literary people. Now it was 'Ollie.' Next thing you knew, he'd be asking how to utilize metaphor most effectively."

Fat Ollie utilizing metaphors! What is this world coming to? Readers familiar with the cast of Ed McBain's monumental 87th Precinct series know Detective Ollie Weeks as a narrow-minded bigot, fat slob, and in general, a repugnant character. Well, maybe not any more. Fat Ollie's Book (2002), the 52nd installment in the series, shows that no one is beyond redemption. The author seems to eschew the bigotry cliché and understand that human weakness is a natural state. The reader will likely feel the warmth of the author's sympathy toward his characters, flawed or not, criminals or saints. I have not expected this from Evan Hunter (Ed McBain) so I like the novel a lot!

"I realize this is getting boring..."

writes the author in the epigraph and this might be the reason for changing the overall tone of the novel. Also, Fat Ollie shares the novel's focus with Detective Steve Carella, who is - in my view - the character most deserving of retirement in the entire history of crime novel. Is there a Time Off For Carella Society that I could join?

Anyway, the story begins when Fat Ollie has just finished writing his first novel, a crime drama masterpiece based on his professional experiences. A candidate for mayor is shot dead during preparations for a political rally, Ollie arrives at the scene of the shooting and ... his precious manuscript is stolen from his car. Naturally, it is the only copy!

While Detective Weeks is from the 88th Precinct Carella and some others from the 87th are helping him investigate the case because of a debt of gratitude that Carella owes to Weeks. The deal between the two precincts provides a convenient narrative device for the author - the reader enjoys the double first-hand perspective on the investigation.

I very much like the thread that focuses on the search for Carrie. The novel offer various side attractions as well: transvestite hookers, $300,000 coke deal, and Ollie's getting the shock of his life. The reader is also treated to a major surprise toward the end of the novel. Anyway, for me, the counter-cliché nature of the novel is the main attraction, and I will now be looking for the very late installments in the series to see whether the author can sustain the anti-cliché streak. Highly recommended read!

Three-and-a-half stars.


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