Over the past 40 years, Evan Hunter, writing under the pseudonym Ed McBain, has established himself as an amazingly prolific author in a number of different genres. He is best known for his gritty "87th Precinct" detective series, which has grown to include nearly 50 volumes since the first installment, Cop Hater, was published in 1956. Hunter has also published a number of other works under his real name, as well as the pseudonyms Curt Cannon, Hunt Collins, Ezra Hannon, and Richard Marsten.

Hunter first became interested in writing during World War II, while serving in the Navy. After the war, he attend Hunter College in New York City, studying to become a teacher and graduating Phi Beta Kappa in 1950. After graduation, he taught at a vocational school in New York City for one year. Hunter quickly left teaching, and then held a series of diverse jobs...