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A review by usbsticky
In the Midst of Death by Lawrence Block
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.