Perhaps more than any other author in the field, Lawrence Block has reinvented contemporary noir fiction—instilling the classic private eye novel with new life and literary depth, while retaining its raw power, grit, suspense, and surprise. For his efforts he has received multiple Edgar, Shamus, and Maltese Falcon Awards—winning virtually every honor the genre has to bestow—and has been named Grand Master by the Mystery Writers of America. PI Matthew Scudder remains among Block’s most memorable and exquisitely developed creations—a flawed and complex protagonist whose stark, unassailable humanity is both his greatest weakness and strength. A new breed of entrepreneurial monster has set up shop in the big city. Ruthless, ingenious murderers, they prey on the loved ones of those who live outside the law—knowing full well that criminals will never run to the police no matter how brutal the threat. So other avenues for justice must be explored—which is where ex-cop-turned-PI Matthew Scudder comes in. Scudder has no love for the drug dealers and poison peddlers who now need his help. Nevertheless, he is determined to do whatever it takes to put an elusive pair of thrill-kill extortionists out of business. For they are using the innocent to fuel their terrible enterprise.
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"I have no memory of the plot of this book, and it's memorable, but I do remember one character's definitions of a drunk and a junkie. A drunk will steal your wallet. A junkie will steal you wallet and then help you look for it. Sad, but true definitions. " — caitlin (4 out of 5 stars)
"I have no memory of the plot of this book, and it's memorable, but I do remember one character's definitions of a drunk and a junkie. A drunk will steal your wallet. A junkie will steal you wallet and then help you look for it. Sad, but true definitions. "
“A big bruiser of a crime novel…This is no pleasant stroll in the country, but it’s some trip.”
“As good as the crime thriller gets.”
“Skillful plotting, adroit pacing…features a wry humor all its own…An equal of Elmore Monard and Robert Parker, Block deserves similar acclaim.”
" I love the Matthew Scudder books, but realize they are not for everyone; they all tend to have some really gruesome descriptions of things people do to each other. "
" Private investigator Matt Scudder reluctantly agrees to investigate the murder of a drug dealer's wife. Then another drug dealer's daughter is kidnapped. Will Scudder be able to find the killer or killers before they murder the young girl, or before they strike again? "
" This was the first book in the Matthew Scudder series that I read and I enjoyed so much I have read all of them. "
" only an accessory to murder and torture this time. i never realized before just how much scudder rationalizes his actions. "
" A good story line and a believable plot. Story was kind of slow in places but picked up later in the the book. I would have liked to see more into the mind of the killer and less into those who helped Matt. "
" Another hard-boiled standout, though not the best, in the Matt Scudder series. His street-savvy African-American sidekick TJ plays a key role in solving the murder. Lots of NYC geography. "
" Can't say exactly why - but the main character in this Block series appeals to me. The setting is very interesting as well. "
" I have never read from this author and on a fluke picked it up at the bookstore. I like his style of writing and the book was pretty good. The biggest drawback for me was his language - wish he would clean it up a little. But if you like mysteries it was an average read. "
Lawrence Block is the recipient of a Grand Master Award from the Mystery Writers of America and a New York Times bestselling author. His prolific career spans over one hundred books, including four bestselling series and dozens of short stories and articles. He has won multiple Edgar, and Shamus awards, two Falcon Awards from the Maltese Falcon Society of Japan, the Nero and Philip Marlowe Awards, the Cartier Diamond Dagger from the Crime Writers Association of America, and many others. Aside from being a mystery writer, he has also written a number of episodes for television, including two episodes of the ESPN series Tilt; he also cowrote the screenplay for the film My Blueberry Nights, starring Norah Jones. Block currently lives in New York City with his wife, Lynne.
Mark Hammer has had long and distinguished career in the theater. After earning an undergraduate degree from Stanford University, he completed an MFA degree at Catholic University. For twenty-three years after that, he served on the drama faculty at that university and as co-chairman of its MFA acting program. For the last sixteen of those years, he was also a member of the resident acting company at Washington, DC’s Arena Stage. There, he had significant roles in both classic and contemporary dramas. He was twice nominated for the Helen Hayes Award for his performances in Cloud Nine and The Wild Duck. He has also appeared in several Broadway plays. Hammer was proud to be chosen to narrate the opening film of the permanent exhibit for the National Holocaust Museum.
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