So good

Initially I thought that Lawrence Blocks voice wasn’t as good as professional voice actors, but after a few minutes I didn’t even notice. The reading was great. The story more so. I just love these Scudder books. Real slow, but the tension is great.

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Any other voice but this

This would have been my 4th Matthew Scudder story, but the narration is appealing. apparently it’s Mr block himself. Tragic. I’d rather read this myself.

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Would be a great story..

..but for the suspicion that I've just been subjected to 9hrs of AA propaganda! A shame! I have enjoyed all the previous books. Respect to the author but I listen for entertainment not recruitment to cults.

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this is so cool

I could listen all day long to Lawrence Block's books whether he reads them or someone else. Just great writing. Loved it.

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Brilliant noir

Have you listened to any of Lawrence Block’s other performances? How does this one compare?

Great book, and well read. I'm a fan of Block and the Scudder series. This is the first book of the Scudder series that breaks away from the formula of boozing-detective, as Scudder realises he has a drinking problem and exerts as much effort fighting his urge to drink as he does solving the mystery. So well written and crafted, all the story holds up except perhaps for the ending which was a bit 80s-B-movie for me, but considering this was written in 1982, is holds up amazingly well. I didn't read/ listen to this for a long time as I'd seen an awful film version, but the plot had been changed and has nothing to do with the plot of the novel (funny how Hollywood does that). Highly recommended

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1 person found this helpful

disappointed

the author
should have stuck to writing .it was spoilt by the auther narrating it.

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Superb

I don't love this narrator, no big flaws just OK but the plot and character development just carried him! Best so far. Possibly best overall? I missed bits by dropping off but always went bac so I never missed a bit. When reading a good book I had the weird habit of nipping to the back, oddly the more exciting and intriguing the story the more often I did it. Well I went to the last chapter with about 90 mins to go and... Stopped myself. It was a long habit to break - old now! - but I did. I just took the book everywhere. I didn't want it to end as I was enjoying it so much. I have preferred English authors and female protagonists - often if not always flawed or damaged - but thus book just appealed

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Superb narration.

Brilliantly narrated by one of the masters. Compelling Harrowing story about a tough and brutal old NYC.

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Please do not narrate your own books

Lawrence is a fantastic writer but terrible narrator. There is a reason professional narrators exist. They make the books come alive . This flat monotone narration almost had me giving up on a number of occasions what was actually a really good story.

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Excellent stuff

Truly excellent hard-boiled noir. Scudder is a superb character and those he encounters are equally as well drawn. Well worth a listen, with the author able to add even more depth to the story.

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