You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
Oh, Scudder. These blackouts and walking around day-drunk are not a good sign. But you still manage to get shit taken care of, don't you?
I must say this one is a little different in that he didn't get to know the victim, or a good clear picture of her, like in the previous books. It makes sense, of course, since the murder took place nine years ago. The theme was more about wives and families and the relationships between them.
Don't let that dissuade you, though. There's nothing not to like, as usual. Still dark, still an inscrutable mystery, and of course there's still plenty of bourbon and coffee. And this theme indicates something new happening inside his head or soul, I suspect.
I must say this one is a little different in that he didn't get to know the victim, or a good clear picture of her, like in the previous books. It makes sense, of course, since the murder took place nine years ago. The theme was more about wives and families and the relationships between them.
Don't let that dissuade you, though. There's nothing not to like, as usual. Still dark, still an inscrutable mystery, and of course there's still plenty of bourbon and coffee. And this theme indicates something new happening inside his head or soul, I suspect.
When a serial killer is finally caught he cops to all his victims except the last one. He's adamant he didn't murder Barbara Ettinger and now her father has hired Scudder to look into it, for closure. This was an interesting book in the series as Scudder is starting to hit the wall with his drinking - and for that reason I think this one will stick with me for a while. The mystery itself was engaging until the ending (the reveal of the whodunit) which strained for me.
[4.4~4.5] oh boy things are really picking back up again, but with a much more personal twist. as Scudder's alcoholism becomes an increasingly vocal & incessant devil on his shoulder, he's approaching a crossroads where he either confronts his hard drinking or keeps his eyes shut, giving into the temptation right up until his life snuffs out.
this internal battleground plays against the backdrop of an unsolved murder and the Ice Pick Prowler, a serial killer caught years ago who denies any involvement (solid alibi included) in an eighth woman's killing.
i haven't read a lot of noir crime fiction, but from my own experience, i can say that Lawrence Block is more than living up to his Grand Master of Mystery Writers of America title.
as a note for audio listeners, the books from here on out are narrated by a colorful variety of folks, so i wouldn't get too attached to one voice. the narration quality can be especially jarring if you've come from listening to the first three books (the narrator of which did a superb job). but please don't let that deter you from reading on with the series - book 5 has been so worth it.
this internal battleground plays against the backdrop of an unsolved murder and the Ice Pick Prowler, a serial killer caught years ago who denies any involvement (solid alibi included) in an eighth woman's killing.
i haven't read a lot of noir crime fiction, but from my own experience, i can say that Lawrence Block is more than living up to his Grand Master of Mystery Writers of America title.
as a note for audio listeners, the books from here on out are narrated by a colorful variety of folks, so i wouldn't get too attached to one voice. the narration quality can be especially jarring if you've come from listening to the first three books (the narrator of which did a superb job). but please don't let that deter you from reading on with the series - book 5 has been so worth it.
There's something about Block's Scudder books that make me little more reflective and content after finishing them. Scudder has some real faults, especially in A Stab in the Dark, as he's still drinking and not realizing just how much of an alcoholic he is. There's a serial killer, but not a main character at all, the story revolves around one hideous murder that took place years ago. Scudder using his obsesssive and methodical talents tacks the killer down while he drinks the days and nights away. There's great dialogs, observations and thoughts throughout the book. I'm already looking forward to my next Scudder read.
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Ah, Lawrence Block, you dazzling devil you.
A Stab in the Dark is not a bombastic thriller. It's not a fast-paced, thrill-a-minute ratchet-up-the-tension screamer. That's not what it is. And that's absolutely fine.
The fourth Scudder is a slow burn. It's a thoughtful, contemplative journey into the past. What Block manages to do so well is draw you into the case-du-jour and then show you how the past has changed the lives of those involved and the effects of Scudder stirring up the dust. There are scenes in this that are so subtly and beautifully done, I smiled and wanted to put on a cap just so I could tip it. Block does such a stellar job at making the novel about more than just what it's about. We're talking levels here.
I've loved the Scudder books from the beginning and the fourth shines just like the first three. I love how Block allows his story to unfold--he's not holding your hand, and he's writing about something without writing about something. It's a author who's comfortable that the reader will enjoy the story and that many of them may just feel the story beneath the text. There are so many wonderful little character moments here that it's easy to see why A Stab in the Dark was a Shamus nominee.
It's not an epic. But it's very near a masterpiece. Wonderfully done. I'm a little torn as to the rating. As a mystery, it's definitely a four. As a character piece, it's unequivocally a five.
Highly recommended across the board, although I can see how having read the first three would add another level of depth a newcomer to the series may not have invested yet.
A Stab in the Dark is not a bombastic thriller. It's not a fast-paced, thrill-a-minute ratchet-up-the-tension screamer. That's not what it is. And that's absolutely fine.
The fourth Scudder is a slow burn. It's a thoughtful, contemplative journey into the past. What Block manages to do so well is draw you into the case-du-jour and then show you how the past has changed the lives of those involved and the effects of Scudder stirring up the dust. There are scenes in this that are so subtly and beautifully done, I smiled and wanted to put on a cap just so I could tip it. Block does such a stellar job at making the novel about more than just what it's about. We're talking levels here.
I've loved the Scudder books from the beginning and the fourth shines just like the first three. I love how Block allows his story to unfold--he's not holding your hand, and he's writing about something without writing about something. It's a author who's comfortable that the reader will enjoy the story and that many of them may just feel the story beneath the text. There are so many wonderful little character moments here that it's easy to see why A Stab in the Dark was a Shamus nominee.
It's not an epic. But it's very near a masterpiece. Wonderfully done. I'm a little torn as to the rating. As a mystery, it's definitely a four. As a character piece, it's unequivocally a five.
Highly recommended across the board, although I can see how having read the first three would add another level of depth a newcomer to the series may not have invested yet.
RitToC 37 -
Matthew Scudder investigates an interesting cold case - was someone killed by a serial killer nine years ago or was it a copycat who wanted to pin a murder on the serial killer?
I love reading mysteries as a palate cleanser between huge dense books, and this one is a fun brisk read you can finish in an afternoon. I did not guess the killer, always a plus.
It’s been a while since I read a Scudder book but I don’t remember his alcoholism being so obvious in the previous books. I’m glad even he’s starting to see it as a bit of a problem.
Matthew Scudder investigates an interesting cold case - was someone killed by a serial killer nine years ago or was it a copycat who wanted to pin a murder on the serial killer?
I love reading mysteries as a palate cleanser between huge dense books, and this one is a fun brisk read you can finish in an afternoon. I did not guess the killer, always a plus.
It’s been a while since I read a Scudder book but I don’t remember his alcoholism being so obvious in the previous books. I’m glad even he’s starting to see it as a bit of a problem.
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes