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Small Town Audiobook
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(3.03) - 553 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
The author of dozens of acclaimed novels including those in the Scudder and Keller series, Lawrence Block has long been recognized as one of the premier crime writers of our time. Now, the breathtaking skill, power, and versatility of this Grand Master are brilliantly displayed once again in a mesmerizing new thriller set on the streets of the city he knows and loves so well. That was the thing about New York-if you loved it, if it worked for you, it ruined you for anyplace else in the world. In this dazzlingly constructed novel, Lawrence Block reveals the secret at the heart of the Big Apple. His glorious metropolis is really a small town, filled with men and women from all walks of life whose aspirations, fears, disappointments, and triumphs are interconnected by bonds as unbreakable as they are unseen. Pulsating with the lives of its denizens-bartenders and hookers, power brokers and politicos, cops and secretaries, editors and dreamers-the city inspires a passion that is universal yet unique in each of its eight million inhabitants, including: John Blair Creighton, a writer on the verge of a breakthrough; Francis Buckram, a charismatic ex-police commissioner-and the inside choice for the next mayor-on the verge of a breakdown; Susan Pomerance, a beautiful, sophisticated folk-art dealer plumbing the depths of her own fierce sexuality; Maury Winters, a defense attorney who prefers murder trials because there's one less witness; Jerry Pankow, an ex-addict who has turned being clean into a living, mopping up after New York's nightlife; And, in the shadows of a city reeling from tragedy, an unlikely killing machine who wages a one-man war against them all. Infused with the raw cadence, stark beauty, and relentless pace of New York City, Small Town is a tour de force Block fans old and new will celebrate.
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"Oh, I so wanted to give this five stars based on sheer ambition alone. Block is one of the ultimate NYC writers and here he confronts NY post 9/11 by telling an ambitious, interweaving tale from a variety of walks of life. He tries to do something akin to Wolfe's Bonfire of the Vanities, but never quite manages to pull it off. Nonetheless, it's a beautiful miss and a fantastic read."
— Mikel (4 out of 5 stars)
Small Town Listener Reviews
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" Not at all what I expected but I really enjoyed this book. "
— Pete, 2/12/2014 -
" Block at his best describing the lives of NYC denizens in 'small towns' within the city post 9-11; excellent narration by Guidel "
— Ken, 2/9/2014 -
" This was a little too rated "R" for me. I was surprised because I read another of this author's stories and it wasn't like this at all. "
— Cathie, 2/8/2014 -
" This is one of Blocks best. I listened to it on tape, narrated by George Guidell. If you see a book on tape and it is narrated by Guidell, it is worth listening to. If you find a book by Block, it is worth reading. If you find a Block novel on tape that is read by George Guidell, you have a really enjoyable time ahead of you. "
— Paul, 1/14/2014 -
" Very interesting and well developed novel by this master writer centered around the aftermath of 911. 9 of 10 stars "
— Tim, 1/11/2014 -
" I thought this book was too weird for me. I loved the premise but it was dull in the end. "
— Deb, 1/10/2014 -
" I managed to pick another great book. This was the first one I've read by this author. I'll definitely read more from him. "
— Kirsten, 11/26/2013 -
" A post 9-11 New York book about a number of unconnected characters and the impact 9-11 had on them. This was a good read, but also a dark book. "
— Michael, 11/19/2013 -
" Another great book about New York City. "
— Sean, 10/27/2013 -
" Audio version narrated by George Guidall "
— Linda, 8/5/2013 -
" Dark and gritty story about how several New Yorkers become connected via a serial killer who has a very personal connection to 9/11. As always, very well done by Block, who can certainly weave a story together like almost no one else can. "
— Glenn, 3/18/2013 -
" Not your typical Lawrence Block. "
— Richard, 9/12/2012 -
" OK, but not prime Block. The focus revolves around multiple characters, but most of them appear to be there to pad the plot out to novel length. "
— Ray, 8/15/2012 -
" Listened to this one. Narrated by the excellent George Guidall. This was my second Block book and probably my last. If he'd kept to the main story, it would have been a lot better. The sex was gratuitous and some of the characters/storylines really didn't propel the novel. Felt slow and labored. "
— EMP, 7/18/2012 -
" This is a re-read for me. Freaky six-degrees of separation type story. Really enjoyed it. Love the feel of New York - especially since I visited last year. Great characters, of all different kinds. Very strong story. "
— Brenda, 4/14/2012 -
" Very suspenseful book about murders in New York City. Liked this one a LOT. "
— Mary, 1/2/2012 -
" Read many years ago. It was a "one-off" since it was not about any of his characters and dealt with 9-11 and NYC. I enjoyed it. "
— Pat, 12/15/2011 -
" John, a reasonably successful author, was picked up by a woman in a bar and went home with her. Next day he was arrested for her murder. After another murder nearby, he had a good alibi when questioned. His agent used his notarity to sell the book he was currently writing for over three million. "
— Joyce, 7/26/2011 -
" For a crime/thriller, I found this book really good. Some of the characters weren't as developed as I would have liked them to be, and there was A LOT of sex, some unexplained as to why the character chose to go the way they did. "
— April, 6/23/2011 -
" I love Lawrence Block but this wasn't one of his better ones. "
— Gayle, 5/17/2011 -
" This book left with me speechless with my mouth hanging open more than a few times. The ending killed it for me. Was enjoying this writer's style until the ending! <br/> <br/> <br/>Just my Opinion...This book was the perfect example of a how a bad ending can absolutely kill a good book. "
— Cheryl, 5/9/2011 -
" Not at all what I expected but I really enjoyed this book. "
— Pete, 8/31/2010 -
" A post 9-11 New York book about a number of unconnected characters and the impact 9-11 had on them. This was a good read, but also a dark book. "
— Michael, 8/13/2010 -
" Read many years ago. It was a "one-off" since it was not about any of his characters and dealt with 9-11 and NYC. I enjoyed it. "
— Pat, 5/10/2010 -
" Very suspenseful book about murders in New York City. Liked this one a LOT. "
— Mary, 1/30/2010 -
" I thought this book was too weird for me. I loved the premise but it was dull in the end. "
— Deb, 11/14/2009 -
" Another great book about New York City. "
— Sean, 6/30/2009
About Lawrence Block
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.