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3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
I half-closed my eyes during the violent scenes because I'm a real wuss, but they were few and effective. This is the first Block I've read and it won't be my last. It was a really solid read with good characters (I liked spending time with Scudder) and a well worked-out plot. Much of the plot is traditional detective work involving interviews, geography and police file research. He wrote this at the end of the 20th century, a couple of years before 9/11 so pay phones, beepers, and "classic" telephone hackers figure prominently. No google, no easy access via computers to secure files, and almost no mention/use of guns.
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I'd already watched the movie "A Walk Among the Tombstones" not knowing it was based on the book of the same title by well known American author Lawrence Block. I was therefore very keen to buy the book and read for comparison. Already having Liam Neeson in my head as the main character, ex detective and private investigator Matthew Scudder, I was pleasantly surprised how much Liam's acting actually fitted with the written character, the mannerisms and dialogue being identical and in my opinion a brilliant and excellent choice of casting!
The book itself kept my attention, it had a really interesting plot line and contained some good characters. I liked Matt who was dry, straight talking and very knowledgable (apart from technology!) but for me young, black teenager TJ was the star of the show, street smart, funny and very endearing.
I was expecting quite a lot of violence, not sure why but there was very little apart from some bloody descriptions of victims injuries and because the storyline was based on kidnapped women it was obviously quite brutal but nothing was offensive and found it all in all a very entertaining story.
I've knocked a star off purely because I struggled at times with the local Brooklyn dialogue but that was just me. Having said that, it did add a definite authenticity to the story and made it very atmospheric along with the many local street and subway descriptions.
I'd happily read more by Lawrence Block, this book is apparently number ten in the Matthew Scudder series so there's many more to read and I'd certainly recommend "A Walk Among the Tombstones" both the book and the film.
4 stars
The book itself kept my attention, it had a really interesting plot line and contained some good characters. I liked Matt who was dry, straight talking and very knowledgable (apart from technology!) but for me young, black teenager TJ was the star of the show, street smart, funny and very endearing.
I was expecting quite a lot of violence, not sure why but there was very little apart from some bloody descriptions of victims injuries and because the storyline was based on kidnapped women it was obviously quite brutal but nothing was offensive and found it all in all a very entertaining story.
I've knocked a star off purely because I struggled at times with the local Brooklyn dialogue but that was just me. Having said that, it did add a definite authenticity to the story and made it very atmospheric along with the many local street and subway descriptions.
I'd happily read more by Lawrence Block, this book is apparently number ten in the Matthew Scudder series so there's many more to read and I'd certainly recommend "A Walk Among the Tombstones" both the book and the film.
4 stars
3.7
skimmed some of the philosophical conversations such as about the existence of god.
skimmed some of the philosophical conversations such as about the existence of god.
Good not great. If I was more invested in the Matthew Scudder character/storyline I would have enjoyed it more, but I skipped over most of the sections with him and his girlfriend, honestly. But overall I really enjoyed it and couldn't put it down.
I enjoy the Matt Scudder books in general, so I'm not surprised to have liked this one. It's an interesting mystery, but also has many elements that are hard to stomach. If graphic violence against women will bother you, don't read this novel. As in most of Block's books, the human interactions of the characters are what make the book work and, in this case, provide an antidote to the horror of the crimes in question.
I sooo look forward to seeing the movie. I saw Liam throughout the whole book. Such an enjoyable read!
The Matthew Scudder books are dark. New York is a dangerous, dirty and cynical place and Scudder works harder at maintaining his sobriety than he ever has at solving crime or dolling out street justice. In fact, sometimes AA meetings and side characters are so front and center that you forget you are reading a mystery. A Walk Among The Tombstones strikes a perfect balance between a compelling mystery and the sobriety culture that is pervasive in the Scudder books. Both are facinating and compelling here abd Lawrence Block is at the top of his game.
This books is really interesting, never read a book like this before and the way the whole setting is is wonderful as well the way Matthew Scrubber he's a very...well developed character :)
A drug dealer's wife is kidnapped and brutally murdered. The killer or killers have done this before, and they'll do it again.
This was my first delve into Lawrence Block's Matt Scudder mysteries (I picked it up after having seen the film, which I thought was excellent), and I have to say I'll be coming back for more.
Atmospheric, creepy, and perfectly paced, Block's writing is utilitarian almost to a fault, but the narrative propels forward at just the right pace, the bad guys are suitably nasty and the protagonist is wonderfully developed and very real.
The actual plot seems to stray from time to time (a few too many dead ends, even for a mystery), and at times the dialogue feels overly explanatory (which is odd, because most of the time said dialogue is quite good, at times hilarious), but overall I can see why Mr. Block's novels have attracted such a huge body of followers over the years, and I now count myself among them.
This was my first delve into Lawrence Block's Matt Scudder mysteries (I picked it up after having seen the film, which I thought was excellent), and I have to say I'll be coming back for more.
Atmospheric, creepy, and perfectly paced, Block's writing is utilitarian almost to a fault, but the narrative propels forward at just the right pace, the bad guys are suitably nasty and the protagonist is wonderfully developed and very real.
The actual plot seems to stray from time to time (a few too many dead ends, even for a mystery), and at times the dialogue feels overly explanatory (which is odd, because most of the time said dialogue is quite good, at times hilarious), but overall I can see why Mr. Block's novels have attracted such a huge body of followers over the years, and I now count myself among them.