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A vacationing police detective stumbles upon a human-trafficking ring that threatens his fiancée in this thriller by the author of the 87th Precinct series. Phil Colby is just cruising into Sullivan's Corners when the motorcycle cop flags him down. Phil isn't worried; he wasn't speeding, and as a city cop on holiday in a neighboring state, he expects a certain amount of understanding. But the local cop is unimpressed by his brother in blue, and he doesn't buy the story that he borrowed the car from a fellow detective. He drags Phil in for questioning, and a relaxing vacation becomes a nightmare. When Phil and his fiancée, Ann Grafton, finally get free of the local force, the only place they can find to stay is a room in a sleazy motel on the edge of town. When Phil steps out from a shower, there's an underage prostitute in his bed, blood on the walls . . . and no sign of his beloved Ann. To find her, he'll have to tear Sullivan's Corners apart--and destroy the evil that lurks beneath the surface of this peaceful country town. A grim story of sexual slavery, Vanishing Ladies is a novel ahead of its time. From the legendary Ed McBain, creator of the famous 87th Precinct series and screenwriter of Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds, this is noir at its rawest. … (more)
User reviews
As it is late when they are finally released, they attempt to drive to their destination but end up at a desolate motel for the night. He checks in himself because Anne is asleep in the car. The owner, a sleazy looking man, says Anne can sign the register in the morning. As it’s the 1960s, they book two rooms–adjoining. Colby goes to take a shower and upon returning wants to say goodnight to Anne who is not in the room. He also finds a strange woman in his room.
When Anne doesn’t return, Colby goes to the motel office and the owner denies ever seeing a woman in the car, insisting Colby checked in alone. Colby insists on searching every room and, although he doesn’t find Anne, he does find blood in the room adjoining his on the opposite side.
Colby refuses to let things alone, despite warnings from everyone he comes in contact with.
That was a long winded description of the premise of the book. Vanishing Ladies has a lot of suspense and action. It has great characters and a great plot. The court room testimony angle is unique and quite effective. (You can always expect something different from Ed McBain.)
Vanishing Ladies is a fast read and a worthwhile one.