Review in Brief: MURDER IN THE NAVY by Ed McBain

I just finished reading an early (1955) Ed McBain novel (written as Richard Marsten), MURDER IN THE NAVY. Some nice noir elements (the naval officer hero drinks too much, has a cynical worldview, and has his quest complicated by superiors who want to sweep a murder under the rug).

But the main female character continuously places herself into risky or dangerous situations with a combination of naivete, foolishness, and just plain outright stupidity.

Add in the stereotype of Navy sailors who not only blatantly troll for sex, but succeed more often than not, and I was left rolling my eyes and feeling more than a little uncomfortable for reading the book.

Sadly (since I've enjoyed a number of McBain's 87th Precinct books), not recommended.