Reviews

After the First Death by Lawrence Block

readerofbooks70's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

bookishjaja's review against another edition

3.0

Just average for me. I listened to this on audio, and it was very short - between four and five hours - so that was nice. But the story itself is just kinda plain. Interesting, but not especially so. Flows easy enough, but not the most enticing. The characters were fine. Believable enough, but nothing remarkable. And for me, the relationship between Alex and Jackie was a little silly at times. A little too high school. But I didn't dislike the book.

Overall, I probably won't recommend it to anyone. But if someone wants to read it, then by all means.

booksmy's review against another edition

3.0

3.5 Good, sort of a pre-cursor to Matt Scudder.

ericwelch's review against another edition

3.0

Another reissue of a Block classic that was originally published in 1969. A man wakes in a hotel room only to discover he is covered in blood and there is a dead girl he has apparently murdered while in an alcoholic haze. He had done this before, and had, in fact, just been released from prison for the murder of another prostitute. He was sure of his innocence the first time; now he’s not sure of what he might have done. Could he have done it again?

A lot of Block’s later themes are beginning to show in this book which has the elements of sixties romanticism: the hooker with the heart of gold; redemption, and the Hollywood ending with a slight twist. But it’s a good story even though lacking some of the subtleties of Black’s later work. Very pleasant airplane read.