Synopsis/blurb......
Nobody knows better than Matthew Scudder how far
down a person can sink in this city. A young prostitute named Kim knew it
also—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 PI was
supposed to protect her, but someone slashed her to ribbons on a crumbling New
York City waterfront pier. 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.
My fifth and probably most enjoyable
book so far in this prolific author’s series of 17 books to date. On the front
cover of my edition, Stephen King blurbs “A hell of a book!” Whilst on the odd
occasion I may take exception to King’s recommendations and disagree, not this
time around. The book also won the Shamus Award for Best Hardcover PI Novel in
1982.
When I say probably, I will qualify it
by saying I was a little bit disappointed in the resolution of the crime and
the motivations and raison d’être for the protagonist acting the way he/she did
– I’ll leave it ambiguous to avoid spoiling anyone’s subsequent reading of the
book. It’s a minor gripe to be honest, but it was a little bit of a niggle for
me just the same.
Kim, a good-time girl for hire, wants
out of the game. Scudder is asked to speak to Kim’s pimp, Chance on her behalf
to arrange this. Chance, once Scudder has spoken to him has no objections and
an amicable arrangement is reached. Kim is murdered a few short days later. After
overcoming his initial scepticism, believing her pimp is responsible for the killing;
Matt is engaged by Chance to track down the killer, with Chance correctly believing
that now he has been eliminated from the list of suspects, the cops will scale
back the investigation giving it a low priority. Scudder, with lead detective
Durkin’s approval, makes his usual diligent enquiries, doggedly moving closer
to some answers.
The mystery in itself was fairly interesting,
but for me the best parts of the book, and the other Scudder’s I have read,
chart Scudder’s daily routine, his interactions with his associates and “friends”,
and his general separateness. He’s in a city of eight million people and he’s
lonely.
My main enjoyment was derived from the
characters prominent in the book and the subsequent inter-play between them.
Chance, a likeable black pimp; educated, elusive, enigmatic, caring and
considered in everything he did and Scudder, who at the end manages to let his
stoic, steely mask slip showing his frailty. His humanity has never been in
doubt, but seeing this side of him, as he tries to tackle his alcoholism was endearing.
Looking forward to book six next month
– When The Sacred Ginmill Closes...err actually this month, as Eight Million
should have been done and dusted in May.
My earlier reviews in the series are as
follows;
4 stars from 5
I bought or swapped my copy a long,
long time ago from I know not where.
Col - I couldn't agree more about this series. The real draw for me is Scudder's character. I also like the way he develops over time as the series goes on. And this one really is a good 'un.
ReplyDeleteMargot, definitely one of the best. Perhaps a case for an In the Spotlight post? You know you want to!
DeleteGreat review, Col. Whets my desire to get back to reading this series. (I have only read the first, although at some time I read one or more back in the distant past.) I may be wrong, because I have not read enough of his books to really judge, but I don't think Lawrence Block can write a bad book. He always entertains.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Tracy. I've not read a bad one of his yet, fingers crossed that continues!
DeleteGreat review, Col. I am a Lawrence Block fan but have mostly read his John Keller books that feature a hit man. Very good reads. I so enjoyed When the Sacred Ginmill Closes. I need to read more in this series.
ReplyDeleteKeishon thanks. I'll be reading "Ginmill" soon, plus I'm planning on continuing with John Keller, once Scudder is done, only a year to wait!
Delete