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poachedeggs's review against another edition
4.0
It's not that this was that good a mystery. But Matt Scudder has really grown into an awesome character in this third book.
trudilibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
Matt Scudder continues to impress and please me. He has become such a richly realized character, after only three short books, that I have a hard time believing he isn't living out his golden years somewhere (on or off the wagon -- haven't decided yet) with a lovely lady by his side or a scruffy Heinz 57 mutt to keep him company.
The temptation to just plow ahead and read all the books in the series as fast as I can is a strong one. As soon as one case wraps up, I find myself immediately jonesing to check in with Scudder again to see what's up with him now. Each book brings a little more insight into his private life, and an update on the status of his on-going battles with booze and various other personal demons of guilt and self-loathing.
Published in 1976, there is a real vibe of authentic '70s New York City, replete with seedy settings and gritty characters. Corruption is rife in the NYPD and Block's fictional account is written in the long shadow of the infamous Serpico case of 1971 giving these early Scudder books welcome depth. Sometimes I'm so wrapped up in the time and place I'm reading about, I want to walk out my front door, turn the corner, and get a drink at Armstrong's. This is vintage New York, and for anyone with a Big Apple fetish, it's the bee's knees baby, I'm telling you.
I wasn't too crazy about the mystery this time around, what really got me is the way Block makes it all about something else anyway and it's in the little touches
Spoiler
the way Scudder keeps calling the murder victim's phone to hear her voice, the way Scudder makes a connection with his client's wife to the point where he even cuts back his drinking (for a day). His return to the bottle when this "might have been" opportunity is lost struck me as sharply poignant. Although, truth be told, this lady did nothing for me and did not seem like a good match for our guy so part of me was very relieved.The best part for me continues to be watching Scudder as he quietly goes about his investigations, relying on his wits, instincts, and natural ability to talk to anyone in any setting under any circumstances. This man is unflappable in his cool. In his even handedness. Yet, the cracks are beginning to show. Scudder recounts a blackout where he experiences lost time. There are a few occasions where his behavior seems erratic, where he seems not quite in control of all his faculties.
Where is all this headed, Matt? I'm worried about you now.
danbuckingham's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-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
3.5
henrismum's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Audiobook (All of my entries on The Story Graph are audiobooks.)
#3 in series (I started reading this series in October 2022. This is book three and I will commit to this series now.)
Will I read other installments?Probably Not Maybe Definitely See above
Comparison to others in series:Not as good About the same Better These are easy books to listen to. The action is good and I like to see Matthew Scudder's personal struggles. I thought the love in this book was rushed though.
The narrator was Alan Sklar. As before, a good voice for Matthew Scudder.
Source: Phoenix Library
#3 in series (I started reading this series in October 2022. This is book three and I will commit to this series now.)
Will I read other installments?
Comparison to others in series:
The narrator was Alan Sklar. As before, a good voice for Matthew Scudder.
Source: Phoenix Library
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
Moderate: Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Murder
arthur_pendrgn's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoy Matt Scudder and I enjoy Block's writing. These are comfortable books to slip into and while away some time.
usbsticky's review against another edition
3.0
This is an old style gumshoe noir type PI protocol mass market paperback book. Very 70's and very New York, featuring ex-cop Matthew Scudder who is now an unlicensed PI because of an accidental killing. It's a character and setting based book. The plots are usually nothing to write home about and it's true in this book as well.
Spoilers: Scudder is hired by a cop (Jerry Broadfield) who is being framed for extortion by an S&M prostitute (Portia Carr). Scudder is pretty sure that Broadfield is innocent and takes the job. Things escalate when Carr is murdered. Through a light drunken haze (Scudder has pretty much become an alcoholic by this time) Scudder investigates. He interviews everyone involved and asks uncomfortable and awkward questions. The murder is solved in a quick reveal.
I only gave this book a 3 star because I didn't feel there was a lot of suspense and wasn't a big fan of the reveal. I liked the characters and the relationships and most of all I liked the actual contemporary description of New York. Rent was $25 a week, drinking bars were on every corner, NY subways comparatively safe, no homeless or gangs.
Overall, it was what I expected. I'm definitely going to check out #4.
Spoilers: Scudder is hired by a cop (Jerry Broadfield) who is being framed for extortion by an S&M prostitute (Portia Carr). Scudder is pretty sure that Broadfield is innocent and takes the job. Things escalate when Carr is murdered. Through a light drunken haze (Scudder has pretty much become an alcoholic by this time) Scudder investigates. He interviews everyone involved and asks uncomfortable and awkward questions. The murder is solved in a quick reveal.
I only gave this book a 3 star because I didn't feel there was a lot of suspense and wasn't a big fan of the reveal. I liked the characters and the relationships and most of all I liked the actual contemporary description of New York. Rent was $25 a week, drinking bars were on every corner, NY subways comparatively safe, no homeless or gangs.
Overall, it was what I expected. I'm definitely going to check out #4.
bundy23's review against another edition
4.0
Matthew Scudder really starts to fall down the rabbit hole of alcoholism while managing to solve a case the police aren't too bothered by. I wasn't really into the resolution but everything else was solid.
Scudder becomes more interesting with each book and its nice to have a detective that isn't an arsehole or of impossibly superhuman intelligence. Blocks writing is also perfect for the genre.
I'm already excited to move on to the next in series.
Scudder becomes more interesting with each book and its nice to have a detective that isn't an arsehole or of impossibly superhuman intelligence. Blocks writing is also perfect for the genre.
I'm already excited to move on to the next in series.
hpuphd's review against another edition
5.0
I have been rereading some of the books by Lawrence Block that I first read when a student. The novels seem way better now than then. Matt Scudder reminds me of the narrator in Andre DuBus’s great short story, “A Father’s Story.” The novel’s greatest appeal is in Scudder’s thoughts and reactions to things rather than in the plot and its outcome, which is why I probably didn’t appreciate the novels before. Scudder’s thoughts about churches and tithing (early in chapter 8) remind me of the thoughts of DuBus’s character Luke; both men are looking to retain all the wholeness and integrity they can after some soul-shaking losses. This book is better than the second novel in the series, slightly weaker than the first. I don’t remember if Scudder is as meditative in the later, longer, and more popular entries in the series. Most people seem to rank those books higher, but these early novels are impressive.