Rating: 
Summary: Who is the subject here?
Review: I agree with the other reviewers here who had a problem when, about 1/2 way through the book, the author shifted the focus from veteran sleuth Matthew Scudder to the sick serial killer who drives the plot. This is my first Block book, so I don't have anything to compare it to, but rather than make it 1/2 Scudder and 1/2 killer, I would think the story could have been the first in a series of books on the evil psychiatrist who kills without remorse and stays one step ahead of his detractors. Maybe the editors thought a series on a villain wouldn't sell as well as a new Scudder book...who knows? Anyway, the villain is really despicable and evil to the bone. Block develops him well and compels you to read about him, even though he wrecks havoc on those he chooses to destroy. The ending certainly invites a sequel. I'll probably read it...not because I'm such a Matt Scudder fan, but to see where the evil doctor winds up this time. Enjoy!
Rating: 
Summary: This book made me . . . Hope to Die
Review: After reading "Hit List", I just had to read more Lawrence Block. I thoroughly hated "Hope to Die." It was slow and boring. The attempt to create a rich, believable character got in the way of the story's flow. There was too much of Scudder's monologue (in his head) when he debated what he should do next. It was something like this: "I should get up and do that. No, maybe I shouldn't. Yes, I think I will. Oh well, I'll just have another cup of coffee." Why should we be bothered with his thought processes: this is a mystery novel, no a psychoanalytic treastise. Another thing, the side stories (regarding his ex-wife's funeral, and the relationship with his sons) also got in the way of the flow of the story. And, what they did to round out Scudder as a character did not make up for impeding the story. I should be fair and say that I usually have a bias against books written in first person. But, this one was much more of a chore for me to read than most. The only parts of the book that interested me were the chapters written in italics -- the ones that showed what the villain was doing. Unlike most of the book, that part was written in third peson. Finally, the end of the book did not justify the week that it took me to trudge through. Not to give it away to anyone who hasn't read it but, did Scudder capture his man?
Rating:
Summary: This book made me . . . Hope to Die
Review: After reading "Hit List", I just had to read more Lawrence Block. I thoroughly hated "Hope to Die." It was slow and boring. The attempt to create a rich, believable character got in the way of the story's flow. There was too much of Scudder's monologue (in his head) when he debated what he should do next. It was something like this: "I should get up and do that. No, maybe I shouldn't. Yes, I think I will. Oh well, I'll just have another cup of coffee." Why should we be bothered with his thought processes: this is a mystery novel, no a psychoanalytic treastise. Another thing, the side stories (regarding his ex-wife's funeral, and the relationship with his sons) also got in the way of the flow of the story. And, what they did to round out Scudder as a character did not make up for impeding the story. I should be fair and say that I usually have a bias against books written in first person. But, this one was much more of a chore for me to read than most. The only parts of the book that interested me were the chapters written in italics -- the ones that showed what the villain was doing. Unlike most of the book, that part was written in third peson. Finally, the end of the book did not justify the week that it took me to trudge through. Not to give it away to anyone who hasn't read it but, did Scudder capture his man?
Rating: 
Summary: welcome back scudder!
Review: block is amazing! how can he churn out so many scenarios with such style and technique?!?! while some mathew scudder novels have been devoid of color (the devil knows your dead, to name his worst in my opinion), this particular one adds an a different perspective tho which is quite refreshing. to see from the killer's perspective is reminescent of the keller novels (while this particular killer shows no remorse or feelings for those he kills). scudder is in fine form here as well! and a great addition to this inclusion of scudder's two sons brought together by the death of his ex-wife. its great reading new block stories, because you never know wot to expect...
Rating: 
Summary: Block is back on track
Review: Block is back on track with a good junker reminiscent of Sanders' "Deadly Sins" books, but this one lacks the protagonist's deeper internal conflicts present in Block's very best "Scudder" books. Still, it's good to have Block approaching form again. This one's markedly better than "Everybody Dies."
Rating:
Summary: The 15th Scudder Novel is a Hit
Review: Byrne and Susan Hollander are brutally murdered after returning home from an event at Lincoln Center. People are shocked at the deaths and can't believe it happened to such a powerful, wealthy couple in their own home. Just a few days later, the case is closed after the two killers are found shot to death across town. One shooting his partner and then turning the gun on himself. But Matt Scudder has his own ideas about what really happened. He suspects a third person is involved, making very calculated moves to cover his or her tracks. Although Scudder's an unlicensed private investigator, he works through the circumstances surrounding the murder. Just why did it happen? What was the real motivation? Scudder explores all of the possibilities, working them out in a logical fashion right before the reader's eyes. Byrne and Susan's niece halfway expects her cousin Kristin, the daughter of the victims, was motivated by money. Or could it be Kristin's ex-boyfriend? Scudder talks with family and friends of the Hollanders but can't quite connect the dots to trace the real killer. As he tries to solve the case, a murderer hides in the shadows. Watching. Waiting. And killing those who could expose the true identity and reasons behind the murders. "Hope to Die" is Lawrence Block's 15th Matthew Scudder novel. Even newcomers to the series won't have any trouble following this story. Block does an excellent job of catching longtime fans up to their favorite characters while introducing new fans to these same characters at the same time.
Rating:
Summary: Bizarre entry in the Scudder series...
Review: First off, let me say that the Matt Scudder series are my favorite detective series here (8 Million Ways To Die and Walk Among the Tombstones tie for my all time favorite). So, when Lawrence Block came out with Hope To Die, I immediately snatched it up. In the beginning of the book, I felt I was in classic Scudder territory. The elements were there. A double murder of an upper class family that appears to be an open and shut case, but of course it isn't. The personal drama of Scudder in that he is moving ahead with his life (with the support of AA, his wife Elaine, best friend Mick and sidekick/surrogate son TJ) but yet dealing with his past (in this case, his first wife has passed away and he has to reconcile with his sons). However, midway through the book, Block abandons Scudder. The series up to Hope To Die has been written from Scudder's point of view, but now Block gives up chapters of just the killer and his point of view. He comes back to Scudder every now and then, but starts spending more time with the killer as the book progresses. The killer is given more vivid description and persona that by the end of the book, it becomes more his story than Scudder's. Block also diverts from the Scudder formula by having a "sequel" ending (something the series never had). I will admit I was entertained with the "killer" chapters, but it also made me feel that Hope To Die was a mystery that didn't need Matt Scudder. Block could have sent Scudder home, the killer could have become the protagnoist and the book wouldn't have really lost anything. So while I was entertained by the book and enjoyed it as a quick, light read, I have to dock it a star down. You don't take a great detective character and put him in a story where he isn't needed.
Rating:
Summary: a reader from pasadena
Review: I absolutely love the Mathew Scudder character. I have read all the books in the series and find it to be one of the best. I tend to like mysteries that have great character development and insights about life, human nature, etc. This is one of the only series that I have read in this genre that I actually highlight great passages in every book. I love how Block intersperses Scudder's AA meetings and his struggles with his addiction with the plot of the story. Scudder is not as edgy and certainly more respectable than he used to be, but I still enjoy his story. I found this to be a really good book. The best scudder book, in my opinion is Eight Million Ways to Die.
Rating:
Summary: a reader from pasadena
Review: I absolutely love the Mathew Scudder character. I have read all the books in the series and find it to be one of the best. I tend to like mysteries that have great character development and insights about life, human nature, etc. This is one of the only series that I have read in this genre that I actually highlight great passages in every book. I love how Block intersperses Scudder's AA meetings and his struggles with his addiction with the plot of the story. Scudder is not as edgy and certainly more respectable than he used to be, but I still enjoy his story. I found this to be a really good book. The best scudder book, in my opinion is Eight Million Ways to Die.
Rating:
Summary: Hope to Die
Review: I always look forward to reading a Matt Scudder novel by Lawrence Block. "Hope to Die" is the 15th Matt Scudder novel. Susan and Byrne Hollander are brutally murdered in a burglary on their home. Days later, the 2 killers are found in a room in Brooklyn dead in what the police believe is a murder-suicide. They close the case. Matthew Scudder believes that a third person is involved in the murders and tells the Hollander's daughter, Kristin, his theory. She hires him to find the murderer. Then Kristin's first cousin, Lia Parkman, is murdered. Seven other poeple are murdered before Scudder figures out who did it. The murderer is perhaps the most diabolical creation of Lawrence Block. I also enjoyed learning more about Scudder's sons, as they play a role in one of the novel's subplots. This is an excellent addition to an excellent series.
| 
