Eight million ways to die: a Matthew Scudder crime novel
Author
Series
Matthew Scudder mysteries volume 5
Publisher
Varies, see individual formats and editions
Publication Date
Varies, see individual formats and editions
Language
English
Description
Nobody knows better than Matthew Scudder how far down a person can sink in the city of New York. Except a young prostitute named Kim—and she wanted out. Maybe Kim didn't deserve the life fate had dealt her. She surely didn't deserve her death.
The alcoholic ex-cop turned P.I. was supposed to protect her, but someone slashed her to ribbons in a seedy hotel room. Now, finding Kim's killer will be Scudder's penance. But there are lethal secrets hiding in the slain hooker's past that are far dirtier than her trade. And there are many ways of dying in this cruel and dangerous town—some quick and brutal . . . and some agonizingly slow.
With this book, which won the Shamus Award and was short-listed for the Edgar, Lawrence Block elevated the Matthew Scudder series to the top tier of American detective fiction. This special hardcover edition features an afterword by the author. Read Eight Million Ways to Die, the novel that proves Block to be one of the best mystery writers working today.
More Details
Contributors
Block, Lawrence Author
ISBN
9780380715732
9780061806643
9780061806643
Excerpt
Loading Excerpt...
Similar Series From Novelist
NoveList provides detailed suggestions for series you might like if you enjoyed this book. Suggestions are based on recommendations from librarians and other contributors.
These dark and atmospheric series focus on developing colorful characters, such as the alcoholic detectives at the heart of each series, and present straightforward narratives without many twists. -- Derek Keyser
Fans of violent, hardboiled mysteries will enjoy these character-driven tales starring emotionally complicated detectives who stand on both sides of the law. Both fast-paced, gritty series feature a strong sense of place: Washington, D. C. and New York City, respectively. -- Mike Nilsson
Though Liam Mulligan is a journalist and Matthew Scudder a former cop, both investigate crimes that have larger dimensions than the initial murder that draws them into the case. Compelling and gritty, these mysteries feature a strong sense of place. -- Katherine Johnson
These compelling, action-packed, and gritty hard-boiled mysteries feature a seedy and atmospheric New York City, in which rugged, troubled protagonists investigate sordid crimes and protect vulnerable outcasts against depraved criminals. -- Derek Keyser
These violent, hardboiled mysteries feature substance-abusing sleuths with a bleak outlook on life. The series' gritty writing evokes the big city -- Washington, D. C. for Stefanos and New York City for Scudder -- making it a character in itself. -- Mike Nilsson
Although the Cody Hoyt novels are set in rural Montana and the Matthew Scudder mysteries take place in New York City, each series is fast-paced and intricately plotted, starring secretly compassionate detectives with a need for both alcohol and justice. -- Mike Nilsson
A gritty New York City is the setting for these hardboiled mysteries starring flawed private detectives with big hearts and sharp wits. Both series sport a strong sense of place, a moody atmosphere, and plenty of nailbiting suspense. -- Mike Nilsson
The titular heroes of these contemporary mysteries are men who bear the double burden of sadness and conscience. Imbued with a strong sense of place, these character-driven tales combine grit, wit, and intricate plotting in truly diverting stories of detection. -- Mike Nilsson
A grieving cop in Minneapolis (Max Rupert) and an alcoholic private eye in New York (Mathew Scudder) may be deeply flawed, but their sense of duty lends them the strength to pursue justice in these hardboiled mysteries. -- Mike Nilsson
Similar Titles From NoveList
NoveList provides detailed suggestions for titles you might like if you enjoyed this book. Suggestions are based on recommendations from librarians and other contributors.
These books have the appeal factors suspenseful and intricately plotted, and they have the genres "mysteries" and "hardboiled fiction"; the subjects "murder investigation," "private investigators," and "former police"; and characters that are "flawed characters."
NoveList recommends "Spero Lucas mysteries" for fans of "Matthew Scudder mysteries". Check out the first book in the series.
Walking the perfect square - Coleman, Reed Farrel
NoveList recommends "Moe Prager mysteries" for fans of "Matthew Scudder mysteries". Check out the first book in the series.
Vengeance: a Lew Fonesca mystery - Kaminsky, Stuart M.
NoveList recommends "Lew Fonesca mysteries" for fans of "Matthew Scudder mysteries". Check out the first book in the series.
Rogue Island - DeSilva, Bruce
NoveList recommends "Liam Mulligan mysteries" for fans of "Matthew Scudder mysteries". Check out the first book in the series.
These books have the appeal factors gritty, bleak, and strong sense of place, and they have the genre "hardboiled fiction"; and the subjects "women murder victims," "private investigators," and "former police."
NoveList recommends "Cody Hoyt novels" for fans of "Matthew Scudder mysteries". Check out the first book in the series.
NoveList recommends "Wakeland novels" for fans of "Matthew Scudder mysteries". Check out the first book in the series.
These books have the appeal factors gritty, and they have the genres "hardboiled fiction" and "noir fiction"; and the subjects "women murder victims," "private investigators," and "former police."
These books have the appeal factors gritty and violent, and they have the genre "hardboiled fiction"; the subjects "women murder victims," "private investigators," and "former police"; and characters that are "flawed characters."
NoveList recommends "Nick Stefanos mysteries" for fans of "Matthew Scudder mysteries". Check out the first book in the series.
NoveList recommends "Max Rupert novels" for fans of "Matthew Scudder mysteries". Check out the first book in the series.
Similar Authors From NoveList
NoveList provides detailed suggestions for other authors you might want to read if you enjoyed this book. Suggestions are based on recommendations from librarians and other contributors.
Both Lawrence Block and James Lee Burke's novels are hardboiled mysteries featuring recovering-alcoholic private investigators who are often introspective and wrestle with personal demons. Their bleak outlooks are often reflected in rugged but beautiful landscapes. -- Katherine Johnson
Stuart Kaminsky's books have a similar feel to Block's. Like Block, Kaminsky writes a range of characters and stories, from the humorous to darker tales. Satisfying mysteries, interesting characters, and a strong supporting cast make these good suggestions. -- Krista Biggs
These authors write gritty, violent, and witty suspense and mystery novels featuring macho, personally troubled protagonists with a soft spot for vulnerable victims. Both writers craft engaging hardboiled stories with their taut prose, memorable galleries of shady characters, and vividly atmospheric descriptions of seedy criminal underworlds lurking in American cities. -- Derek Keyser
These thriller writers create troubled loner detectives who feel a strong sense of duty to their clients. Both offer richly detailed settings, whether Las Vegas or London (Tim Weaver) or New York City (Lawrence Block). Their gritty stories are marked by intricate plots and occasional violence. -- Mike Nilsson
Robert B. Parker's Spenser series and Lawrence Block's Matt Scudder adventures are similar, using first-person conversational narrative, detectives caught between unreliable clients and crooks trying to eliminate them, and a seedy underbelly-of-the-city setting. Readers of each author may want to try a range of the other's works. -- Katherine Johnson
Peter Temple and Lawrence Block are known for their intricately plotted, hardboiled detective fiction set in Melbourne and New York City, respectively. Boasting a strong sense of place and a gritty feel, their crime novels are banter-filled, compelling, and fast-paced. -- Mike Nilsson
Readers who enjoy Lawrence Block's novels of suspense, such as the Evan Tanner series and many of his standalone novels should investigate the work of Jack Higgins. International settings, breakneck pacing, colorful characters, and political conspiracies combine to make tales enduringly popular. -- Katherine Johnson
These authors' works have the appeal factors gritty, sardonic, and witty, and they have the genres "hardboiled fiction" and "noir fiction"; the subjects "private investigators," "former police," and "thieves"; and characters that are "flawed characters."
These authors' works have the appeal factors gritty, sardonic, and strong sense of place, and they have the genres "hardboiled fiction" and "noir fiction"; and the subjects "private investigators," "former police," and "women murder victims."
These authors' works have the appeal factors violent and strong sense of place, and they have the genres "hardboiled fiction" and "noir fiction"; and the subjects "private investigators," "former police," and "police corruption."
These authors' works have the appeal factors bleak and strong sense of place, and they have the genres "hardboiled fiction" and "noir fiction"; and the subjects "private investigators," "former police," and "women murder victims."
These authors' works have the appeal factors gritty and sardonic, and they have the genres "hardboiled fiction" and "noir fiction"; and the subjects "private investigators," "former police," and "women murder victims."
Reviews from GoodReads
Loading GoodReads Reviews.
Staff View
Loading Staff View.