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capslock's review
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 against another edition
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
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
mschlat's review
5.0
An excellent read (so much so that I read the last three-fourths in one afternoon). It's a good mystery with the personal connections between Scudder and the victims that always drive up the guilt and responsibility on Matthew's part, but the book is also a great story about addiction and recovery. I started the series knowing that this installment was important, and I am so glad I reached it.