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mandalor3960's review against another edition
1.0
I felt as though the plotline was monotonous, as Scudder's interaction as a blackmailer with his subjects was kind of boring. The ending was also anticlimactic, as I had felt that it wasn't as surprising.
Rating Update 3/12/2019 - 2 to 1 stars. I remember being bored out of my mind with this book.
Update 2 June 2019
With the adoption of my new rating system, a one star rating is befitting. I recall finding this book a waste of time to listen too and nothing enjoyable came out of it.
September 1, 2019
Update
I had colored the one star rating in green, indicating that this was a definite one star rating, but now in reflection I am uncertain. However, I remember this being one of the first books that I detested reading, in this case listening to. It will remain at one star.
November 29, 2019
Update
The only scenes I recall is Scudder pretending to be a blackmailer to the receptionist and the businessman, as well as Scudder finding out that his blackmailer friend has drowned. I recall finishing this book and feeling it was a waste of time, as the update on June 2, 2019, states.
January 12, 2020
Update
Currently, I find the scenes that I recall in the update from November 29, 2019, to be OK. The only reason keeping this book at a one star-rating is my original, initial disgusted reaction to having finished the audiobook. Furthermore, the update from September 1, 2019, continues this with recollection: "However, I remember this being one of the first books that I detested reading, in this case listening to". However, it must remain grey colored because, though I am certain that it is a one star-rating, I am not sure if my feelings towards this book corresponded with how I currently rate books. Perhaps there were scenes in the book, like the ones I currently enjoy now, as finding to be OK, which would balance out against what was probably a terrible ending. I am not sure.
February 21, 2020
Update
I have kept the color of the rating at grey because I only recall my disgust with the book after finishing it. I am not sure how this would account with the current rating system since I do not recall anything other than the few memories I have mentioned in previous updates.
October 20, 2020
Update
In the cell, for this book, in the column titled "Is there five star-rated content?", the cell was colored white. I am not sure why. I have colored the cell red, based off of the original review, subsequent updates, and my current memories.
May 3, 2024
Update
I’ve added a “1” to the “exact rating”, and changed the color from green to yellow to indicate the uncertainty with the rating all together. See previous updates in this review. Also, since I listened instead of reading this book, I wonder if I Should still include it on this list.
Rating Update 3/12/2019 - 2 to 1 stars. I remember being bored out of my mind with this book.
Update 2 June 2019
With the adoption of my new rating system, a one star rating is befitting. I recall finding this book a waste of time to listen too and nothing enjoyable came out of it.
September 1, 2019
Update
I had colored the one star rating in green, indicating that this was a definite one star rating, but now in reflection I am uncertain. However, I remember this being one of the first books that I detested reading, in this case listening to. It will remain at one star.
November 29, 2019
Update
The only scenes I recall is Scudder pretending to be a blackmailer to the receptionist and the businessman, as well as Scudder finding out that his blackmailer friend has drowned. I recall finishing this book and feeling it was a waste of time, as the update on June 2, 2019, states.
January 12, 2020
Update
Currently, I find the scenes that I recall in the update from November 29, 2019, to be OK. The only reason keeping this book at a one star-rating is my original, initial disgusted reaction to having finished the audiobook. Furthermore, the update from September 1, 2019, continues this with recollection: "However, I remember this being one of the first books that I detested reading, in this case listening to". However, it must remain grey colored because, though I am certain that it is a one star-rating, I am not sure if my feelings towards this book corresponded with how I currently rate books. Perhaps there were scenes in the book, like the ones I currently enjoy now, as finding to be OK, which would balance out against what was probably a terrible ending. I am not sure.
February 21, 2020
Update
I have kept the color of the rating at grey because I only recall my disgust with the book after finishing it. I am not sure how this would account with the current rating system since I do not recall anything other than the few memories I have mentioned in previous updates.
October 20, 2020
Update
In the cell, for this book, in the column titled "Is there five star-rated content?", the cell was colored white. I am not sure why. I have colored the cell red, based off of the original review, subsequent updates, and my current memories.
May 3, 2024
Update
I’ve added a “1” to the “exact rating”, and changed the color from green to yellow to indicate the uncertainty with the rating all together. See previous updates in this review. Also, since I listened instead of reading this book, I wonder if I Should still include it on this list.
heylook's review against another edition
3.0
Nice little murder mystery. Nothing too special but not bad at all.
twotoes's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
woody1881's review against another edition
4.0
It has been forever since I read Matthew Scudder and I am so sorry I waited.
I have never read anything by Lawrence Block that was not excellent. Matthew Scudder is an ex-cop who now works as a private investigator, though without any official licensing or other regulatory concerns that might slow him from making some really bad decisions. He is overall a good guy, but flawed. Like any other fiction book that contains a police officer or private detective as a protagonist, certain liberties must be allowed because real life cops and private investigators are seldom exciting enough to provide for a pamphlet, much less an entire book series. Block does an excellent job in my opinion. I would love to sit and have a bourbon and a cup of coffee with Scudder.
I have never read anything by Lawrence Block that was not excellent. Matthew Scudder is an ex-cop who now works as a private investigator, though without any official licensing or other regulatory concerns that might slow him from making some really bad decisions. He is overall a good guy, but flawed. Like any other fiction book that contains a police officer or private detective as a protagonist, certain liberties must be allowed because real life cops and private investigators are seldom exciting enough to provide for a pamphlet, much less an entire book series. Block does an excellent job in my opinion. I would love to sit and have a bourbon and a cup of coffee with Scudder.
jbrito's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
ogreart's review against another edition
4.0
Another dark journey for Scudder. He finds his own path to justice for the murder of a man who paid him to find his killer before he died. A man he didn't like. That no one liked. Scudder is willing to do the hard things.
dantastic's review against another edition
5.0
Stoolie and blackmailer Spinner Jablon winds up dead and due to a mysterious envelope entrusted to him by Spinner, Matthew Scudder is trying to find out who killed him. Only Spinner was blackmailing three people: a former porn actress, a rich man who covered up his daughter's hit and run accident, and a pedophile who may just be the next governor of New York. Can Scudder find out who killed Jablon before he becomes a victim himself?
Wow. I knew I had something with Lawrence Block after I read the Grifter's Game a few years ago but I had no idea he was capable of something like this. Block really dished out the red herrings in this one. I picked out the killer out of the list of three suspects at the very beginning but Block kept tricking me into changing my mind. Crafty bastard. Scudder continues to develop as a character; he's opposed to murder but not opposed to picking a dead man's pockets. The victims were all well drawn, not cardboard cutouts. Scudder's friendship with Trina grew and his relationship with his estranged wife and kids continued on its course.
If you like noir, look no further. The Matthew Scudder series has what you need.
Wow. I knew I had something with Lawrence Block after I read the Grifter's Game a few years ago but I had no idea he was capable of something like this. Block really dished out the red herrings in this one. I picked out the killer out of the list of three suspects at the very beginning but Block kept tricking me into changing my mind. Crafty bastard. Scudder continues to develop as a character; he's opposed to murder but not opposed to picking a dead man's pockets. The victims were all well drawn, not cardboard cutouts. Scudder's friendship with Trina grew and his relationship with his estranged wife and kids continued on its course.
If you like noir, look no further. The Matthew Scudder series has what you need.
nixieknox's review against another edition
2.0
Kind of short, and more hard-boiled than I'd like. But I'm moving on to #3!
thejoeyharris's review against another edition
5.0
Scudder’s beginnings
Block is really starting to develop the Scudder character that we know with this novel. Highly enjoyable and easy to lose yourself reading!
Block is really starting to develop the Scudder character that we know with this novel. Highly enjoyable and easy to lose yourself reading!