The First Deadly Sin (The Deadly Sins Novels) (Paperback)

by Lawrence Sanders (Author) "THERE WAS QUIET..." (more)
Key Phrases: little saw teeth, rye highball, broiled kidney, Captain Delaney, New York, Operation Lombard (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From The Washington Post
A master of suspense.

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Breathtakingly exciting. -- Rolling Stone

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Product Details

• Paperback: 640 pages
• Publisher: Berkley; First Edition edition (April 15, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425104273
• ISBN-13: 978-0425104279
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #108,995 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 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 (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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

6 of 6 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 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.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sanders' Sin: Why didn't he write all SEVEN Deadly Sins??!, September 18, 2000

By	Tom Williams (White Plains, NY) - See all my reviews

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.