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mandalor3960's review against another edition
2.0
Definitely better than the previous three books. This book explores further into Scudder's addiction and a bit into his morals even more so than any of the previous book. Scudder has thus become more dynamic. The plot around him solving the case is also interesting but the ending falls short of a thriller.
Rating Update 3/13/2019 - 3 to 2 stars. I can't remember having liked this book, hence the 2 star rating.
Update 3 June 2019
With the adoption of my new rating system, a two star rating is befitting. I cannot remember having liked this book to warrant a three star rating. The original's review detailing that the plot was more interesting is ambiguous. A two star rating seems to be a safe rating for now.
September 3, 2019
Rating Update
I have lowered the rating from two stars to one star. I still do not remember the contents of this book, nor my emotions to it. I have read Seshu's review that detailed how tedious the plot was, sighting that Scudder goes to a hooker, than to an AA meeting, than to the pimp, then repeats these in different combinations, with only the necessary sections in the first five chapters and last three chapters. I already dislike the mystery genre and reading a mystery book with more than three hundred pages is a chore to read and a waste of time. I believe a one star rating is the safe choice for now.
December 29, 2019
Rating Update
One star to two star-rating. I have raised the rating because I believe at this point in reading mystery books, I do not believe I was tired of the genre, seeing that I read mystery books (specifically Matt Scudder books) for a prolonged period of time after this book. I did not mind long buildups and found them to be OK. My previous lowering of the rating was likely because of my current dislike for mystery books.
March 2, 2020
Update
The reasoning behind a yellow and grey outlined rating color is because I believe in the theory that I did not hate mystery books just yet. I believe in it because I have some original feelings for this book that it was OK. I do have a faint recollection that, despite its lengths which bothered me at the time of reading, the book was OK. The memory that is coupled with this recollection is from the book, when Matt goes to visit the pimp in the pimp's old firehouse station renovated home.
April 11, 2020
Update
I have had this undated note in a Microsoft Word document: "EIGHT MILLLION WAYS. I HAVE A SLIGHT REMEMBERANCE THAT IT WAS AN OK BOOK". All the letters were unfortunately capitalized. Here is a note I wrote yesterday: "I recall not disliking it nor liking it. A two star-rating of finding the book “OK” is a good demonstration of this memory".
It also hasn't been mentioned before but on the page update for November 17, 2015, I wrote the following comment: "Good". This supports the idea that the first few chapters I enjoyed. This idea was expressed in the rating update from September 3, 2019, where I stated that the "necessary sections" are in the "first five chapters and last three chapters". These sections could be considered the good, three star-rated sections that draw me in, but the rest are definitely boring, two star-rated sections.
May 6, 2024
Update
I’ve changed the empty and green colored “exact rating” cell in the “Goodreads 5.0.xlsx” spreadsheet to yellow and with the number “2” inside it, to reflect the uncertainty and current choice of rating.
I’ve debated removing a rating since it seems somewhat uncertain, but in previous updates of this review there are emotions that I can recall towards the book, and it sort of gives a direction to the rating, and there’s some logic. However, the uncertainty does bother me. Also, perhaps the book is deserving of a rating of one and a half stars. I’ve left the exact rating at two stars but this also bothers me, though it was based off the previous updates beliefs. Also debatable now is whether to change the yellow with grey outline rating to grey with grey outline. I suppose this book has become a “legacy rated” book.
Rating Update 3/13/2019 - 3 to 2 stars. I can't remember having liked this book, hence the 2 star rating.
Update 3 June 2019
With the adoption of my new rating system, a two star rating is befitting. I cannot remember having liked this book to warrant a three star rating. The original's review detailing that the plot was more interesting is ambiguous. A two star rating seems to be a safe rating for now.
September 3, 2019
Rating Update
I have lowered the rating from two stars to one star. I still do not remember the contents of this book, nor my emotions to it. I have read Seshu's review that detailed how tedious the plot was, sighting that Scudder goes to a hooker, than to an AA meeting, than to the pimp, then repeats these in different combinations, with only the necessary sections in the first five chapters and last three chapters. I already dislike the mystery genre and reading a mystery book with more than three hundred pages is a chore to read and a waste of time. I believe a one star rating is the safe choice for now.
December 29, 2019
Rating Update
One star to two star-rating. I have raised the rating because I believe at this point in reading mystery books, I do not believe I was tired of the genre, seeing that I read mystery books (specifically Matt Scudder books) for a prolonged period of time after this book. I did not mind long buildups and found them to be OK. My previous lowering of the rating was likely because of my current dislike for mystery books.
March 2, 2020
Update
The reasoning behind a yellow and grey outlined rating color is because I believe in the theory that I did not hate mystery books just yet. I believe in it because I have some original feelings for this book that it was OK. I do have a faint recollection that, despite its lengths which bothered me at the time of reading, the book was OK. The memory that is coupled with this recollection is from the book, when Matt goes to visit the pimp in the pimp's old firehouse station renovated home.
April 11, 2020
Update
I have had this undated note in a Microsoft Word document: "EIGHT MILLLION WAYS. I HAVE A SLIGHT REMEMBERANCE THAT IT WAS AN OK BOOK". All the letters were unfortunately capitalized. Here is a note I wrote yesterday: "I recall not disliking it nor liking it. A two star-rating of finding the book “OK” is a good demonstration of this memory".
It also hasn't been mentioned before but on the page update for November 17, 2015, I wrote the following comment: "Good". This supports the idea that the first few chapters I enjoyed. This idea was expressed in the rating update from September 3, 2019, where I stated that the "necessary sections" are in the "first five chapters and last three chapters". These sections could be considered the good, three star-rated sections that draw me in, but the rest are definitely boring, two star-rated sections.
May 6, 2024
Update
I’ve changed the empty and green colored “exact rating” cell in the “Goodreads 5.0.xlsx” spreadsheet to yellow and with the number “2” inside it, to reflect the uncertainty and current choice of rating.
I’ve debated removing a rating since it seems somewhat uncertain, but in previous updates of this review there are emotions that I can recall towards the book, and it sort of gives a direction to the rating, and there’s some logic. However, the uncertainty does bother me. Also, perhaps the book is deserving of a rating of one and a half stars. I’ve left the exact rating at two stars but this also bothers me, though it was based off the previous updates beliefs. Also debatable now is whether to change the yellow with grey outline rating to grey with grey outline. I suppose this book has become a “legacy rated” book.
capslock's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
billymac1962's review against another edition
5.0
Back in the early 90s I read four of the Matthew Scudder novels. They were quite good, and just the type of dark noir I was into at the time.
Eventually I had enough and moved on to many other authors and Lawrence Block fell off my radar. Until I saw a great review by Stephen for Block's Grifter's Game from the Hard Case Crime collection.
I read that short story, was thoroughly impressed, and set my mind to
visiting Matt Scudder again after a 20 year break.
Eight Million Ways to Die was published before the four I had read. It's not absolutely imperative to read these in order, but it is recommended not only because of minor spoilers, but to follow the process of Scudder's battle with alcoholism.
From a mystery standpoint, the story is quite good, and would rank a high three or four-star read. Good, but what made the book so engaging for me was Scudder's struggle to stay sober. I was set on giving the book three solid stars (i.e. I liked it), but the very last line of the story encompassed all that had happened and rounded out perspective on Matthew Scudder's character.
I'll typically bump a star for a novel that excels on some aspect,
but this is the first time I've bumped two stars to make this an "It was amazing" read. Like I've said in many reviews, character development is number one for me, and Block did something really special here.
Eventually I had enough and moved on to many other authors and Lawrence Block fell off my radar. Until I saw a great review by Stephen for Block's Grifter's Game from the Hard Case Crime collection.
I read that short story, was thoroughly impressed, and set my mind to
visiting Matt Scudder again after a 20 year break.
Eight Million Ways to Die was published before the four I had read. It's not absolutely imperative to read these in order, but it is recommended not only because of minor spoilers, but to follow the process of Scudder's battle with alcoholism.
From a mystery standpoint, the story is quite good, and would rank a high three or four-star read. Good, but what made the book so engaging for me was Scudder's struggle to stay sober. I was set on giving the book three solid stars (i.e. I liked it), but the very last line of the story encompassed all that had happened and rounded out perspective on Matthew Scudder's character.
I'll typically bump a star for a novel that excels on some aspect,
but this is the first time I've bumped two stars to make this an "It was amazing" read. Like I've said in many reviews, character development is number one for me, and Block did something really special here.
desert_rose's review against another edition
4.0
2008, The fifth book of the Matthew Scudder series, it starts out with a Kim Dakkanin -a prostitute- being murdered a gruesome murder and everyone pointing a finger to her pimp Chance. But when more murders happen it seems a pattern seems to take over, is it a serial killer killing ramdomly or is there some kind of connection ?!
Very nicely written, some expected and some unexpected turns of events but a very good read non the less.
Very nicely written, some expected and some unexpected turns of events but a very good read non the less.
zorc_'s review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Story about a man struggling with crime, murder, alcoholism—which is the beautiful part of the story. Also got some racists cops in here—which is deeply ugly. Reader discretion advised
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Alcoholism, Violence, Racism, and Racial slurs
Moderate: Gun violence
Minor: Transphobia
jbrito's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
dantastic's review against another edition
5.0
A hooker hires Matthew Scudder to tell her pimp she's leaving. Scudder delivers the message and everything is cool. Only the hooker ends up dead and the pimp hires Scudder to find out who killed her. Can Scudder find the killer before he ends up dead himself?
Sometimes, I really struggle with rating a book. This was not one of those times. Eight Million Ways To Die is easily the best Lawrence Block book I've read yet, head and shoulders about the others. The characters are more alive than in the other Scudder books and Matt's struggle with his alcoholism gives this book something extra, making it more than just another detective story.
The story is great, although I had a good idea who was involved with the murders about halfway though, although it wasn't as simple as I'd thought. As I said earlier, the characters grabbed me in this one. I kept thinking things like "I hope Chance didn't do it. He's a nice guy for a pimp." Even minor characters like Danny Boy and Durkin were well drawn. Matt dealing with his alcohol problem was center stage and it made me feel like I was dealing with it right alongside him.
To sum it up, Eight Million Ways to Die = Fantastic.
Sometimes, I really struggle with rating a book. This was not one of those times. Eight Million Ways To Die is easily the best Lawrence Block book I've read yet, head and shoulders about the others. The characters are more alive than in the other Scudder books and Matt's struggle with his alcoholism gives this book something extra, making it more than just another detective story.
The story is great, although I had a good idea who was involved with the murders about halfway though, although it wasn't as simple as I'd thought. As I said earlier, the characters grabbed me in this one. I kept thinking things like "I hope Chance didn't do it. He's a nice guy for a pimp." Even minor characters like Danny Boy and Durkin were well drawn. Matt dealing with his alcohol problem was center stage and it made me feel like I was dealing with it right alongside him.
To sum it up, Eight Million Ways to Die = Fantastic.
nixieknox's review against another edition
4.0
I don't usually skip books in series, but after #2 it was either read a Matthew Scudder that I would definitely like or that was where our paths would part. And I'm glad I did. The AA line was almost as compelling as the mystery - I'm just sorry thatChance won't be around.
henrismum's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Audiobook (All of my entries on The Story Graph are audiobooks.)
#5 in series (I started reading this series in October 2022. I have been committed since July 2023.)
Will I read other installments?Probably Not Maybe Definitely
I am committed to this series and I enjoy it.
Comparison to others in series:Not as good About the same Better
This was a great story with a good balance and intersection between Scudder's personal struggle and the case he was investigating.
The narrator was Lawrence Block. Well, he did okay narrating his own work, but I like the original narrator (Alan Sklar) better. However, Sklar does not seem to have narrated any others in the series.
Source: Hoopla
#5 in series (I started reading this series in October 2022. I have been committed since July 2023.)
Will I read other installments?
I am committed to this series and I enjoy it.
Comparison to others in series:
This was a great story with a good balance and intersection between Scudder's personal struggle and the case he was investigating.
The narrator was Lawrence Block. Well, he did okay narrating his own work, but I like the original narrator (Alan Sklar) better. However, Sklar does not seem to have narrated any others in the series.
Source: Hoopla
acehow's review against another edition
dark
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0