US novelist Hunter, aka Ed McBain, dies at 78

Crime writer Evan Hunter, better known to many readers as the Ed McBain who authored the 87th Precinct novels, has died of cancer at the age of 78, his agent said yesterday.

Mr Hunter wrote more than 100 novels, short stories, plays and film scripts during a period of 50 years and under different names. His better known works include the novel The Blackboard Jungle and the screenplay for Alfred Hitchcock's 1963 classic The Birds.

"He had been ill for some time, he died peacefully," agent Jane Gelfman said, adding that Mr Hunter had suffered from cancer of the larynx. He died on Wednesday at home in Connecticut.

Mr Hunter's first major success was in 1954 with The Blackboard Jungle, a semi-autobiographical novel under the name Evan Hunter that was adapted into a movie starring Sidney Poitier.

Mr Hunter may have been best known for his 87th Precinct series about a police force in a city based on New York. As Ed McBain, he was honoured by the Mystery Writers of America with a Grand Master Award for lifetime achievement in 1986.

Born into an Italian-American family on October 15, 1926, his real name was Salvatore Lombino. He is survived by three sons, a step daughter and his wife.

Ms Gelfman said Mr Hunter had continued working right up until his death and his new novel Fiddlers, the latest in the 87th Precinct series, is due in September. Learning to Kill, a collection of short stories, is scheduled to come out next spring.