Scan barcode
muddypuddle's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 This was #1 in the series, written almost 40 years ago. Other than paying 10-cents to use the pay phone, the attitude toward gays, and unmarried men and women living together, I didn't feel that there was much going on that seemed particularly dated. It was interesting, but somewhat slow. I'll try another, but I think I'll get closer to the most recent in the series (#17 I believe)to see if they liven up a bit.
henrismum's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
First in series
Audiobook (All of my entries on The Story Graph are audiobooks.)
Why I added this book to my TBR pile: I looked up the old NPR "Crime in the City" series and Lawrence Block was featured in an episode.
Will I read more of the series?Probably Not Maybe Likely Most Likely Definitely This was the perfect length with the perfect amount of action blended with a sympathetic lead character. Additionally, NYC in the 70's was a good setting. (That's when the book was written. It is not a historical recounting.)
The narrator was Alan Sklar. He did a great job reading the ex-cop, Matt Scudder.
Audiobook (All of my entries on The Story Graph are audiobooks.)
Why I added this book to my TBR pile: I looked up the old NPR "Crime in the City" series and Lawrence Block was featured in an episode.
Will I read more of the series?
The narrator was Alan Sklar. He did a great job reading the ex-cop, Matt Scudder.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Homophobia, Violence, Alcohol, Religious bigotry, Suicide, Blood, and Gun violence
sarahmareacarr's review against another edition
3.0
Talk about sterile. I’ve never finished a book knowing less about a main character than I do about Scudder. All I know is that his ex wife is called Angie and that he likes bourbon. The abundance of dialogue is the only thing that saved this book from two stars. Made it lighter.
shirezu's review against another edition
5.0
When I started this I thought it would be a detective novel like many others I've read before. You know the story. Tough-as-nails PI gets case he has to solve. There's shady characters, dangerous broads, murder and mayhem.
This book is nothing like that. Yes there's a crime and a murder. But the crime is solved at the start of the book. Scudder is "hired" by the father of the murder victim for something very different. He hasn't spoken to his daughter in three years and wants to know how she ended up where she was. What kind of women had she become.
It made for a really different type of detective novel and I really liked it. It was well written and well thought out and I can't wait to try more of the Scudder books.
This book is nothing like that. Yes there's a crime and a murder. But the crime is solved at the start of the book. Scudder is "hired" by the father of the murder victim for something very different. He hasn't spoken to his daughter in three years and wants to know how she ended up where she was. What kind of women had she become.
It made for a really different type of detective novel and I really liked it. It was well written and well thought out and I can't wait to try more of the Scudder books.
whiskybaker's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
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
4.5
It really is a step into the past - it was written in the mid-70s. Some stuff wouldn’t fly anymore (I hope) but the main character is worth the cringe-worthy descriptions of women that include their breasts * insert eye roll here*
stephms's review against another edition
4.0
The start of the Matthew Scudder series. I read one of the last ones and wanted to to go back to the beginning of the series. I wasn't disappointed. Scudder is a great, richly painted character.
roe_'s review against another edition
this was good i am really enjoying scudder as a character
zakharov's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.0