The First Deadly Sin [Hardcover]

Lawrence Sanders (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1973

One of the most popular suspense novels of all time. Someone is stalking New York's high-class neighborhoods-and it's up to Captain Ed Delaney to find meaning in a killer's gruesome madness.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Breathtakingly exciting. -- Rolling Stone --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Inside Flap

A compelling drama of a crusty New York City cop who stalks the streets for a psychotic killer while his wife lies dying of an incurable illness. 2 cassettes. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 566 pages
• Publisher: G. P. Putnam's Sons; 1st edition (October 1973)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399112286
• ISBN-13: 978-0399112287
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,165,969 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Psychosexual Thriller With Superb Characters- Outstanding, September 3, 2003

By 

Jana L. Perskie "ceruleana" (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The First Deadly Sin (The Deadly Sins Novels) (Paperback)

The First Deadly Sin" was my introduction to author Lawrence Sanders' work. He is a gifted writer who uses his craft brilliantly. This extraordinary novel and mystery thriller is not plot-driven, although the storyline is unusually exciting and does move at a fast pace. Sanders' excellence is demonstrated through the fleshed-out, realistic characters he creates. He allows the reader to gain access to the most personal aspects of his two main characters, their thoughts, obsessions and behavior. Police Captain Edward X. Delaney, Commanding Officer of New York City's 251st Precinct, and Daniel Blank, a young business executive, a mountain climber, who has an extreme penchant for order, and strange sexual fantasies, are the primary focus of this unique mystery. The case deals with solving a series of bizarre murders, and understanding the intimacy that exists between the killer and his victim; between the detective and his suspect. Sanders takes his time developing these characters, along with the many interesting secondary figures necessary to the novel, but he does not slow the plot or sacrifice it in any way with his study of these two men.

Captain Delaney takes a leave of absence to care for his hospitalized wife of 30-plus years. During his leave, a murder is committed. One fall night, while Delaney is waiting for his wife's operation to conclude, a Brooklyn councilman is murdered most savagely in the middle of the 251st Precinct. Delaney goes to the murder scene to investigate; detective work is his real passion. He soon becomes entwined in vicious local politics and a major power play for control of the City. The Police Commissioner wants Delaney to conduct a secret investigation of the murder, while he is on leave. The Mayor is backing the assignment. As soon as Delaney accepts the offer, another senseless and violent murder is committed, with all signs pointing to the same killer. And he keeps killing. One of his victims is a cop. Pressure is on and Delaney is at his best under pressure. Tension builds as Delaney discovers the killer's identity, but has insufficient legal evidence to bring him in, or even to request a search warrant of the man's apartment.

I could not put this book down. I will say that it is a long and involved novel, which I always enjoy, especially when the writing is so good. Others, however, may prefer a thriller that moves at a faster pace and cuts to the chase quickly. Lawrence Sanders is not a writer that these readers would appreciate. I am sorry I have come upon his work so late - but in this case the old adage proves true - "Better late than never!" I highly recommend this book & happily give it 5 Stars. Now on to book two, "The Second Deadly Sin."
JANA

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The First But Not Quite The Best., January 27, 2003

By 

"british_bookworm" (Luton, United Kingdom) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The First Deadly Sin (The Deadly Sins Novels) (Paperback)

This was the first of many Lawrence Sanders books I read, Edward X Delaney is one of my favourite detective characters and was only surpassed when Archie McNally appeared on the scene. Whenever I make a sandwich I just wish I had Mr Delaney with me to offer one of his concoctions.
It is a major loss to crime fiction that Mr Sanders is no longer with us and as others have stated Why oh Why did he not do the 5th, 6th and 7th in the Deadly Sin series. Perhaps there is a writer out there who can do it, but that might ruin the memory of these 4 great books.
Oh, about this book, it was almost a fantastic read but as already said by earlier reviews he slipped up on the ending. But you have to forgive him after creating such a wonderful main character for the rest of the series.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Too bad Sanders isn't that well remembered., December 3, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The First Deadly Sin (Hardcover)

Sanders isn't mentioned in any of the mystery encyclopedias I have seen. You practically have to look him up on web sites genuinely devoted to mystery lovers. If he is remembered at all it will probably be for Delaney and McNally. It takes the first 150 or 200 pages to really get into this novel, especially when it comes to where one can feel comfortable liking it. And the ending isn't particularly great. But the Epilogue is interesting. The read leaves one wondering it this book isn't more psycological thriller than mystery.

If you want a light read or a good suspense, go elsewhere.