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Rating: 
Summary: Matthew Hope meets Steve Carella at last.
Review: Ed McBain tried to tie his two best selling series together with this novel set both in Matthew Hope's Calusa Beach and in the world of the 87th Precinct. While I'm not sure if he completely succeeded I do think this noirish story of a swinging married couple, their young girlfriend (for lack of a better term), their involvement with a murderous ex con, a scheme to steal a priceless art object, and an unsolved murder or two make this still a vintage exciting McBain novel. The friendship that detective Steve Carella and lawyer (kind of PI) Matthew Hope strike up long distance over the phone seems entirely believable and adds some sympathetic empathy for two of the longest suffering "good guy" crime fighters in modern day mystery fiction. I was glad to see these two each find a sympathetic ear.The story itself is a little raunchier in terms of sex than previous McBain's, but I don't think it detracts from the story. Indeed it seems kind of essential in explaining the actions and motivations of some of the characters. I could definitely see the book being cast as a noir type of film with one wondering to the end what the outcome will be. One last note, it isn't necessary to have read any of the other Matthew Hope or 87th Precinct novels before having read this one. It stands on its own well enough, but I do think that it might be helpful to have at least a little bit of a previous acquaintance with Hope and Carella. If nothing else it helps to show the reasons these two would feel a connection with each other. However, once again it isn't necessary for one to enjoy the novel. Without giving away the ending, the title implies that this might be the last Matthew Hope novel. I certainly hope not, I for one would love to see a follow up where Hope visits Carella and the 87th Precinct in the big city. I'll certainly keep my hopes up. No pun intended.
Rating:
Summary: Matthew Hope meets Steve Carella at last.
Review: Ed McBain tried to tie his two best selling series together with this novel set both in Matthew Hope's Calusa Beach and in the world of the 87th Precinct. While I'm not sure if he completely succeeded I do think this noirish story of a swinging married couple, their young girlfriend (for lack of a better term), their involvement with a murderous ex con, a scheme to steal a priceless art object, and an unsolved murder or two make this still a vintage exciting McBain novel. The friendship that detective Steve Carella and lawyer (kind of PI) Matthew Hope strike up long distance over the phone seems entirely believable and adds some sympathetic empathy for two of the longest suffering "good guy" crime fighters in modern day mystery fiction. I was glad to see these two each find a sympathetic ear. The story itself is a little raunchier in terms of sex than previous McBain's, but I don't think it detracts from the story. Indeed it seems kind of essential in explaining the actions and motivations of some of the characters. I could definitely see the book being cast as a noir type of film with one wondering to the end what the outcome will be. One last note, it isn't necessary to have read any of the other Matthew Hope or 87th Precinct novels before having read this one. It stands on its own well enough, but I do think that it might be helpful to have at least a little bit of a previous acquaintance with Hope and Carella. If nothing else it helps to show the reasons these two would feel a connection with each other. However, once again it isn't necessary for one to enjoy the novel. Without giving away the ending, the title implies that this might be the last Matthew Hope novel. I certainly hope not, I for one would love to see a follow up where Hope visits Carella and the 87th Precinct in the big city. I'll certainly keep my hopes up. No pun intended.
Rating:
Summary: I hope it's NOT the LAST
Review: I am a big fan of the murder mysteries series genre: Sue Grafton's Kinsey Milhone, J. McDonald's Travis McGee, Robert B. Parker's Spenser... As teens, my brother and I devoured as many of McBain's "87th Pct" books as we could get our hands on. I hadn't read anything by this author in awhile when I stumbled on "The Last Best Hope" last year. I couldn't put it down -- especially after one of the 87th Pct detectives showed up! I'm only sorry that I didn't know about Matthew Hope before -- I've got a whole lot of reading to catch up on!
Rating:
Summary: I HOPE THIS SERIES DOES NOT END WITH THIS ONE!!!
Review: I FIRST READ ED MCBAIN WHEN I RECEIVED SNOW WHITE, ROSE RED, ONE OF THE MATTHEW HOPE BOOKS. THAT LED ME TO DISCOVER THE 87TH PRECINCT AND HAS GIVEN ME HOURS OF READING PLEASURE. THE LAST BEST HOPE RANKS TOPS ALONG WITH THERE WAS A LITTLE GIRL AS THE BEST OF THE SERIES.
Rating: 
Summary: Good, but not the best of the series
Review: I have read all of the Matthew Hope books and most of the 87th Precinct books. This book was good, but most of the characters were unsympa- thetic and it didn't seem like Matthew Hope had his heart in his investigation. In the previous books, more of Matthew's personal life was ex- plored, instead of just mentioned in passing. I hope the series continues, but only if Matthew Hope gets over his spiritual funk.
Rating: 
Summary: Heart not in it.
Review: I have read all of the Matthew Hope series, and have always enjoyed them thoroughly, until now. I found this book just drifted along, and neither the main character or the author really seemed to have their heart in it, so I'm not quite sure why they bothered. I did not find the plot interesting at all, and the writing style was disjointed and unfeeling. I was very disappointed. I hope the new 87th Precint book, which I have sitting in my 'to be read' pile is better than this.
Rating: 
Summary: Intriguing plot but disappointing ending
Review: I've read & enjoyed all the Matthew Hope books & many of the 87th Precinct ones, so looked forward to this conjunction of the two. Alas, I agree with those who found it disjointed; it didn't have the sharp focus of most of the others. Matthew himself seems dispirited & adrift, out of focus as well. Cheer up, Matthew: find a new love & get back into the action. I've just visited the Calusa region where you live & the weather was great, the women gorgeous. Regain that hope, Hope!
Rating:
Summary: hope it is not the last -maybe enter :regret and love.
Review: once again better then before.please give us more:there still are several not yet mentioned fairy caracters:what about little tumb,now here must be something mcbain can do with.still preferring his books about others:for ex.:horse's head,downtown,every crook and nanny,buddwing,sentries or even he who hesitaded.please keep writing !look out for his big bad city-in audio and in paperback,and for some new hunter books.j.p.engels
Rating:
Summary: Hoping for More Hope
Review: This most recent Matthew Hope novel is the best in the series. Ed McBain, mystery master, has developed a story involving personal agendas, a dead body washing ashore, and a complicated theft. It also features McBain's other protagonist, Steve Carella, in a crucial role. I've always enjoyed this series. McBain does a solid job with his Florida setting. His Hope series is great! I'm hoping for more!
Rating:
Summary: Hoping for More Hope
Review: This most recent Matthew Hope novel is the best in the series. Ed McBain, mystery master, has developed a story involving personal agendas, a dead body washing ashore, and a complicated theft. It also features McBain's other protagonist, Steve Carella, in a crucial role. I've always enjoyed this series. McBain does a solid job with his Florida setting. His Hope series is great! I'm hoping for more!
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