Bullitt New Edition Robert L Pike by Robert L. Pike 9780747578628, 0747578621 instant download after payment.

 Originally titled "Mute Witness," this book was obviously the basis for "Bullitt" the movie, and I picked it up primarily to see if it offered more insight into the story the movie tells.
The book is adapt at conveying a compelling mystery, far more, I think, than the movie, which distracts the viewer with the magnetic star power of Steve McQueen, and the thrill of car chases through San Francisco. Those two elements overpower the story and the character of Lieutenant Clancy (uh, Bullitt in the movie), an exceptionally smart, overworked (and rumpled) police detective who has offended the wrong assistant district attorney but knows his city. When the ADA tells him he has to guard a west coast hood who has come to New York (that was a disappointment to this bay area native) to testify, he protests, but puts men on duty. When the hood is killed, all hell breaks loose, but Clancy is determined to solve the case before he loses his badge.
Without McQueen and The Car Chase, it's still a tight mystery. And how they got to the conclusion is clear and concise - so you're not left at the end going "wow, amazing chases but wait, what?" like I was the first time I saw the movie. Every time there was a reference to New York - and there were a lot - it felt wrong, but that's what I get for reading the book second. Well written and concise mystery - if that's what you're looking for.