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jbrito's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
mandalor3960's review against another edition
2.0
One of the best installments in the Matt Scudder series. The book features gruesome imagery and a pair of killers that are as formidable and dangerous as previous criminals in the series. For once Scudder faces a serious dilemma in the form of questioning his relationship with Elaine. The subplot of Peter is equally interesting. This book would've received a full 4 stars had it not been for the long investigation that takes a toll after 250 of the 300 pages that provide little action.
Rating Update 29 May 2019
Three stars to four star. The reason behind this demotion is because the investigation took a toll, as in boredom resulted from reading so much of it.
Rating Update 12 June 2019
With the adoption of my new rating system, a three star rating is befitting. I do not recall the contents of the novel. A three star rating is a safe estimate that leans towards a "liking" rating for the book, since the original review speaks highly of the book and my "Matthew Scudder List" document ranks "A Walk Among the Tombstones" as my third overall favorite book in the series, below "When the Sacred Ginmill Closes" and "The Sins of the Fathers".
September 5, 2019
Rating Update
I have lowered the rating of this book to two stars. I cannot remember the contents of this book and I only remember the movie's plot. However, I have lowered the rating for two reasons. The first reason is that I have had a lingering feeling that the three star-rating was based upon my liking for the film that transgressed for the book, similar to how I had previously rated "Solaris" at four stars because I had enjoyed the film and had mixed my feelings of the film with the book. The second reason is because of this sentence in the original review: "This book would've received a full 4 stars had it not been for the long investigation that takes a toll after 250 of the 300 pages that provide little action". A four star-rating in 2016 means a three star-rating, and the book had been awarded a three star-rating then, when means a two star-rating now. I consider my time precious and to read a three hundred page book with the best parts needing buildup, even if to the extent of three hundred pages, is too much.
September 14, 2019
Rating Update
I have lowered the rating from two stars to one star. I will expand on my belief from the rating update from September 5, 2019: "I consider my time precious and to read a three hundred page book with the best parts needing buildup, even if to the extent of three hundred pages, is too much". I can't imagine myself coming to read this book again because of having to trudge through two hundred and fifty pages. The format of the mystery genre is a trudge.
December 30, 2019
Rating Update
One star to two stars. I must retract my previous rating update. I am not sure if I find the long, two hundred and fifty page buildup to be OK. I seemed to generally like the novel in the original review, so perhaps I was fine with the long buildup. It is safe to rate the book at two stars because I have forgotten my original feelings.
April 7, 2020
Update
I have left a note on my phone that was last edited on January 1, 2020. It reads as follows: "I remember finishing A Walk Among the Tombstones and being disappointed that the film was better than the book, which means that it's an automatic two star-rated book.
Three stars to four star. The reason behind this demotion is because the investigation took a toll, as in boredom resulted from reading so much of it.
Rating Update 12 June 2019
With the adoption of my new rating system, a three star rating is befitting. I do not recall the contents of the novel. A three star rating is a safe estimate that leans towards a "liking" rating for the book, since the original review speaks highly of the book and my "Matthew Scudder List" document ranks "A Walk Among the Tombstones" as my third overall favorite book in the series, below "When the Sacred Ginmill Closes" and "The Sins of the Fathers".
September 5, 2019
Rating Update
I have lowered the rating of this book to two stars. I cannot remember the contents of this book and I only remember the movie's plot. However, I have lowered the rating for two reasons. The first reason is that I have had a lingering feeling that the three star-rating was based upon my liking for the film that transgressed for the book, similar to how I had previously rated "Solaris" at four stars because I had enjoyed the film and had mixed my feelings of the film with the book. The second reason is because of this sentence in the original review: "This book would've received a full 4 stars had it not been for the long investigation that takes a toll after 250 of the 300 pages that provide little action". A four star-rating in 2016 means a three star-rating, and the book had been awarded a three star-rating then, when means a two star-rating now. I consider my time precious and to read a three hundred page book with the best parts needing buildup, even if to the extent of three hundred pages, is too much.
September 14, 2019
Rating Update
I have lowered the rating from two stars to one star. I will expand on my belief from the rating update from September 5, 2019: "I consider my time precious and to read a three hundred page book with the best parts needing buildup, even if to the extent of three hundred pages, is too much". I can't imagine myself coming to read this book again because of having to trudge through two hundred and fifty pages. The format of the mystery genre is a trudge.
December 30, 2019
Rating Update
One star to two stars. I must retract my previous rating update. I am not sure if I find the long, two hundred and fifty page buildup to be OK. I seemed to generally like the novel in the original review, so perhaps I was fine with the long buildup. It is safe to rate the book at two stars because I have forgotten my original feelings.
April 7, 2020
Update
I have left a note on my phone that was last edited on January 1, 2020. It reads as follows: "I remember finishing A Walk Among the Tombstones and being disappointed that the film was better than the book, which means that it's an automatic two star-rated book.
dharma130's review against another edition
4.0
Oooh, now I must see the movie with Liam Neeson! Entertaining mystery book.
mikelchartier's review against another edition
3.0
Probably would have gotten more out of it had I read the ones before but that's not gonna happen. Effortless read, a bit obnoxious with its treatment of women as little more than set-pieces. Doesn't end very satisfactorily, but that's not necessarily bad.
dantastic's review against another edition
4.0
A gang of psychopaths kidnap, rape, torture, and murder a drug dealer's wife after getting a ransom from him. The drug dealer hires Matthew Scudder to find the men for him. But was this the only time the psychopaths have struck? And will they strike again...?
As the series goes by, Matthew Scudder goes up against sicker and sicker foes and gets put into worse and worse situations. Like usual, it makes the book a page turner because you can't wait to see him settle the bad guys's hash. The high points of this books were the development of the relationship between Scudder and TJ and the conflict in Elaine and Scudder's relationship. The introduction of The Kongs was a nice touch. I'll be anxious to see if they get used again in a later book. I was eager for Mick Ballou to return from Ireland, though I didn't miss him as much as Matt did.
The Matthew Scudder series continues to impress. I heartily recommend it to noir fans.
As the series goes by, Matthew Scudder goes up against sicker and sicker foes and gets put into worse and worse situations. Like usual, it makes the book a page turner because you can't wait to see him settle the bad guys's hash. The high points of this books were the development of the relationship between Scudder and TJ and the conflict in Elaine and Scudder's relationship. The introduction of The Kongs was a nice touch. I'll be anxious to see if they get used again in a later book. I was eager for Mick Ballou to return from Ireland, though I didn't miss him as much as Matt did.
The Matthew Scudder series continues to impress. I heartily recommend it to noir fans.
thegoodmariner's review against another edition
4.0
Looking forward to watching the movie now. Feeling comfortable with the idea of having a Matt Scudder book around now and then, after finishing my third time through with him.
goaliediva0405's review against another edition
2.0
Interesting premise for a story, it just moved way to slowly for my liking.
dianevallere's review against another edition
5.0
I've been a fan of Lawrence Block's Bernie Rhodenbarr series for awhile and count his books on writing as the best in my library, but this year I branched out to Keller (Hit Man) and Matt Scudder (this book). Hooray for me for discovering two characters I want to get to know better! Perhaps my favorite thing to discover is that no matter how light or dark the subject, Lawrence Block's writing is so easy to read it makes my part of the experience that much more enjoyable.
This book is being made into a movie. My suggestion: read the book now!
This book is being made into a movie. My suggestion: read the book now!
hippiepixie85's review against another edition
4.0
This was fast to start, then a slow burn, then quick to end. But that's the way I like my crime novels.
acemummerz's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
As good a murder/crime mystery as you can get in my opinion
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Murder, Sexual violence, Violence, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Blood, Body horror, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, and Rape
Moderate: Racial slurs, Vomit, Xenophobia, Rape, and Racism
Minor: Vomit, Excrement, Trafficking, Gun violence, Stalking, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide