Barking at Butterflies: And Other Stories (Five Star First Edition Mystery) [Library Binding]

Ed McBain (Author), Evan Hunter (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Hunter, writing as Ed McBain, is the creator of the 87th Precinct police procedural series, the touchstone of the genre. This collection of short stories runs the gamut from crime to domestic drama. All display Hunter's mastery of the language, his impeccable sense of pace, and his curiosity regarding the infinite possibilities of the human condition. Among the highlights are "On the Sidewalk Bleeding," in which a young man realizes what he lost when he subordinated his individuality to the street-gang mystique. In the title story, a young newlywed plots to kill his wife's yapping poodle, but his plans go awry. A cocky novice criminal realizes he is in over his head in "First Offense," and in "Motel," an adulterous couple finally understand the consequences of their affair. Hunter is a consummate storyteller regardless of the format and here illustrates his mastery of the short story. Great reading, as always. Wes Lukowsky
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Library Binding: 275 pages
• Publisher: Five Star (ME); 1st edition (May 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 078622536X
• ISBN-13: 978-0786225361
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,717,488 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Flip Side of Ed McBain, June 10, 2000

By 

Ann L. Bruns - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Barking at Butterflies: And Other Stories (Five Star First Edition Mystery) (Library Binding)

Ed McBain is known world-wide for his tremendously successful 87th Precinct series --- Evan Hunter is known for his literary marvels like Blackboard Jungle. Very different genres, but written by the same man with the same marvelous sense of irony that has perpetuated his career for nearly 50 years.

Barking At Butterflies is a collection of both previously published and unpublished short stories that epitomize his genius for human observation and creative storytelling. "Uncle Jim's Marbles" represents the manic extremes of competition; "Short Short Story" highlights the ridiculous side of obsession. "The Movie Star" is an all too realistic portrait of a woman seeking self-worth, while "On the Sidewalk, Bleeding" depicts a young boy who finds his self-worth too late. Of the eleven stories in Barking At Butterflies, the most poignant portrayal of irony is found in "To Break the Wall" --- which eventually evolved into Hunter's masterpiece, The Blackboard Jungle.

If you've never explored the other side to Ed McBain, this Five Star Mystery Series edition by Evan Hunter is a wonderfully eclectic collection to begin with.