Customer Reviews

The First Deadly Sin

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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

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.

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.

This is one of the most intellectual, intriguing, and compelling novels I've ever read. Although we know what's going on in the story (ie. who the killer is), Sanders provides us with an in-depth look inside the minds of both cop and killer. Never wanting to put it down, I've readily accepted the fact that Sanders is (was) one of the greatest mystery writers of the last quarter-century. Intensely visual, right down to every sandwich on the menu, this is truly a classic. Be prepared to spend every free moment you have reading this Sanders masterpiece.

"The 1st deadly sin" is the first book in Lawrence Sanders' series featuring Captain Edward X. Delaney. Delaney has to stop a serial killer who appearently has no motive to kill, and whose victims bear no relation whatsoever one to each other. What is worst, at first there are no clues about the murderer. Paciently, beginning with bits and tiny pieces of evidence, Delaney has to find the killer before he strikes again.

This is my first Sanders book. I found it a thriller totally different from what I were used to read. Sanders' writing style is (was) unique. He doesn't rush, he's not eager to go to the end of the book. Sanders is good with descriptions (something unusual to writers of this genre of books). He describes his characters at lenght, not only physically but also psychologically (and there are many characters in this book). For example, the first 100 pages of the book are only background to Captain Delaney's and Daniel Blank's (Blank is anoher important character) lives.

I would say that Sanders' style is the complete opposite of another author I like, James Patterson. While Patterson's chapters are very brief and his thrillers are fast-paced, Sanders like to completely develop his book, giving the impression his story is always under his total control. Captain Delaney is "The Cop", with capitals. He lives for his job and the job is his life. Sanders' way to make Delaney more human and less machine was to give Delaney a problem in the family (read the book and you will understand).

Anyway, do like Captain Delaney, take your time and read the series.

Grade 8.7/10

I think this book is an awesome, awesome story. Very compelling. Like all the other LS books I have read, you really feel like you get inside the character's mind. His style, which is witty with a great attention to detail, is at its best. I have read this book over and over. Note: I found it rather odd that in the movie version, Frank Sinatra was chosen to portray Edward X. Delaney. Talk about miscasting!!

In an age when mediocrity often pervades the popular literary genre known as the "thriller", it is always refreshing to come back to Lawrence Sanders' "The First Deadly Sin". With this engrossing story of New York police chief Edward X. Delaney's quest to catch a serial killer, Sanders showed that a writer doesn't have to sacrifice eloquent expression at the expense of creating an engrossing
story. "Sin" is a detective story, a romance, and a psychological thriller rolled into one. His characters are beautifully rendered, and it is in the descriptions of physical surroundings and especially the killer's thought processes that the book truly comes into its own. This is a novel that is superb entertainment and a satisfying read.

This was a great book which kept me in suspense nearly the whole way through. An ax murderer stalks well dressed young men on NYC's upper east side. Captain Edward X Delaney works to uncover clues as to who the killer is. I knew the book was good when I was sitting, reading it in a Starbucks Coffee on 74th and 3rd ave at 10pm- i had just read of a killing in the neighborhood of the Starbucks- walking home was actually a bit scary thinking about who could possibly be looming down deserted upper east side blocks. The 2 parts of the book I didnt care for were 1)pages devoted to Delaney's sick wife in the hospital which didn't contribute much to the story and 2)the climax i felt was 2/3 of the way through when Delaney figures out the killer's identity. The remaining 150 pages are concentrated mostly on waiting to actually go after him. This could have been done in half the writing. Overall, a very enjoyable read and suggested reading for all who like this type of story.

I have just surfed over from Bret Ellis' American Psycho because I thought the books seemed somewhat related. Both are pulpy, noire murder mysteries/thrillers-- well written, who's mystery deals more with the motivation of the serial killer than a convoluted who done it. Despite the 5 reviews here versus the 360 some odd for Psycho, this is in fact the superior work for this genre. Sanders uses more oblique and less literal methods to develop some penetration in the murderers psyche. He also provides an important moral framework to assess the nature of the crime. On the whole this is a well constructed, penetrating book, which uses an intelligent narrative rather than shock to carry the story.

I read this book about a decade ago, and it still sticks out in my head. I'm an avid mystery reader (4-5 a month), and there are only a handful of books that really stand out to me, this being one. I'm surprised there were not more reviews of this book. Ten years after reading it, I don't remember the details, other than it was extremely well-written, gritty, and disturbing - all of my favorite components of a good book. For me, this one is up there with some of the best.