Kiss (Wilson novel)

Kiss is a 2003 crime novel by Ed McBain, the pseudonym of Evan Hunter, and the 53rd novel in the 87th Precinct series. The plot revolves around Detective Steve Carella investigating a series of murders where the victims are found with a single kiss imprinted on their forehead, likely from lipstick. The investigation leads Carella and his colleagues into the complex world of organized crime and the secrets hidden within the seemingly ordinary lives of the victims. Key elements of the narrative include police procedural details, character-driven interactions within the 87th Precinct, and the unraveling of the killer's motive and identity. The novel explores themes of betrayal, obsession, and the deceptive nature of appearances. The 87th Precinct detectives grapple with the challenges of piecing together fragmented evidence and navigating the dangerous underworld to solve the crimes.