In the midst of death: a Matthew Scudder crime novel

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Bad cop Jerry Broadfield didn't make any friends on the force when he volunteered to squeal to an ambitious d.a. about police corruption. Now he'saccused of murdering a call girl. Matthew Scudder doesn't think Broadfield's a killer, but the cops aren't about to help the unlicensed p.i. prove it -- and they may do a lot worse than just get in his way.

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9780380763627
9780061802652

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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

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These books have the appeal factors gritty and bleak, and they have the genre "hardboiled fiction"; and the subjects "malicious accusation," "private investigators," and "former police."
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NoveList recommends "Nick Stefanos mysteries" for fans of "Matthew Scudder mysteries". Check out the first book in the series.
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NoveList recommends "Lew Fonesca mysteries" for fans of "Matthew Scudder mysteries". Check out the first book in the series.
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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
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These authors' works have the appeal factors gritty, sardonic, and banter-filled, and they have the genres "hardboiled fiction" and "noir fiction"; the subjects "private investigators," "former police," and "women murder victims"; and characters that are "flawed characters" and "sarcastic characters."
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Published Reviews

Library Journal Review

Block's detective, Matthew Scudder, the former New York City police officer, now tries to discover who killed a call girl and pinned the murder on a policeman who is cooperating with an investigation into corruption. The story is very tight and well written and filled with a cross section of New York City denizens. The person who hired Scudder is blatantly crooked, and Scudder himself was involved with both money and women while on the force. However, as with the other entries in this series, the compelling focus is the detective's battle with alcoholism. As presented in A Stab in the Dark, Scudder's drinking increases; he functions well enough to solve the case, but suffers more and more from the effects of the booze. Reader Alan Sklar does an excellent job; recommended for all audio collections. Stephen L. Hupp, Urbana Univ., OH (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
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