Hope to Die

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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.

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Summary: Better'n Bernie
Review: I don't know why but I like Block's Matt Scudder series, but I don't enjoy his burglar novels. I think it's because Scudder is constantly on the move, giving us a good sense of what Manhattan and the five boroughs are like. Bernie the burglar is more absorbed by his book store and the next apartment he plans to burgle.
Also, the cast of characters in the burglar novels aren't as entertaining. I really like T.J., Scudder's street-wise protege with the computer expertise. The interplay between the two is hilarious. Then there's Elaine, his wife and erstwhile high-class prostitute.
What Block does best is make the reader empathize with outlaw characters. Scudder himself is a former alcoholic. His friend Mick is a murderer. He does this by giving Mick romantic qualities, such as the fact that he attends the butcher's mass every morning. No, this isn't meant to be irony. Mick's father was a butcher and Mick does this to show his father respect. Scudder and Mick have after hour philosophical discussions at Mick's bar, Scudder drinking coffee, Mick the hair of the dog.
HOPE TO DIE is about the murder of Byrne and Susan Hollander. Scudder and Elaine were at a social function with them on the night they died. The killers turn up dead a few days later. Murder, suicide? Scudder doesn't think so. As stories go, this one isn't much, but as he investigates, Scudder's past returns to haunt him. His ex-wife Anita dies, Mike and Andy's mother, whom Scudder abandoned when they were kids. So then, the 'B' story becomes Andy's need for money. Scudder must decide whether to bail the boy out and contribute to his irresponsibility or to let him come to grips on his own. But will his conscience let him do that?
Back to the Hollander story. They're not the last to die. This murderer should be easy to catch. He has a fascination with the initials "A.B.". The ending may cause some readers to throw the book up against the wall, but I personally think it makes the story more realistic. This isn't television. Sometimes the detective doesn't get his man. Although he doesn't catch his killer, Scudder gets paid anyway; as he's done in the past, he drops some of the money in the poor box.

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Summary: Disappointing Block
Review: I was so looking forward to this book. Block is a favourite author but this one is not near his usual high standards. It's sort of sad that he ruins the story by adding the thoughts and disturbing feelings, in chapter after chapter of the villian. The Scudder stories have always been first person from Matt's point of view. Suddenly it's as if Block doesn't have enough to write about the crimes and resorts to padding. The ending is obviously set up to be continued in a sequel. Matt is almost a bystander when the climax takes place off-stage (or is that off-page.)
If you read this I would suggest skipping all the chapters that are in italics--the ones from the mind of the killer. By doing so the book remains a Matt Scudder mystery and the reader can follow the plot just as well. And you can always go back after and read the other chapters to have what are in essence two books in one.
It seems apparent that Block has used this book to pave the way for a spin-off series and that Matt Scudder will fade into the detective retirement home pretty soon.
Disappointing.

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Summary: A GOOD ADDITION TO THE SERIES!!
Review: I've been a fan of the "Matthew Scudder" series by Lawrence Block for about eight years (thank you, Mark, for turning me on to Block, Robert Crais, James Lee Burke, Stuart Woods, and Jeremiah Healy-I owe you!). The earlier books in the series were so-so, but good enough to keep me coming back. Then, I read A TICKET TO THE BONEYARD, A DANCE AT THE SLAUGHTHOUSE, and A WALK AMONG THE TOMBSTONES and was blown away by the darkness, the violence, the intensity of the storyline, and the strong character development. In other words, I was hooked! For awhile, I began to think that maybe Andrew Vachss had taken over the series from Mr. Block, and then the novels began to gradually tone down and find a nice balance. They were never again as dark as the above three titles; but, by that time, I'd become friends with Matthew Scudder and simply enjoyed hanging out with him whenever a new book came out. In HOPE TO DIE, the newest novel in the series, Scudder is now 62 years of age (it made me realize how old I'm getting), but still going strong. He and Elaine are happily married and are financially set for life-due to her investments-so that neither of them has to work again, unless they choose to. On a particular Monday night, both the Hollanders and the Scudders are attending a dinner and concert at the Lincoln Center. After the concert is over, the Hollanders return home (they live less than a mile from Matthew and Elaine) and are brutally murdered by two burglars. The next day when the news of the murders hits the streets, the Scudders are as shocked as the other people who attended the concert that night. Both of the killers are found dead a few days later, locked in an apartment. The police rule it a murder and a suicide, and quickly close the case so that everything can return to normal. Matthew Scudder, however, is drawn to the closed case for some unknown reason, feeling the urge to dig a little and to see what he comes up with. Some of the things in the case don't add up for him, and it isn't long before he begins to suspect that there was a third person behind the scenes, controlling the crime from beginning to end. With the help of his partner, T.J., Scudder digs even deeper, trying to find someone who might've profited from the death of the Hollanders. The Hollanders' daughter and niece are possible suspects, but it doesn't feel right to him. He senses that the killer is a male who's highly intelligent and utterly diabolical. Scudder also thinks that the killer might strike again. The only question is whether or not our New York P.I. can solve the case before the next murder takes place. HOPE TO DIE is a good, old fashion mystery with well-established characters carrying the storyline to its completion. The author gives us a detailed look at New York City, introduces us to some new characters that may be popping up again in future books, and writes part of the novel from the killer's point of view. Neither the killer nor the story is as dark and intense the three novels I listed above. Still, I found HOPE TO DIE to be a fun read. I liked the majority of characters in it and had a good time trying to guess whom the killer really was. With at least fifty novels to his credit, Lawrence Block has certainly mastered the art of writing fiction, and fans of Matthew Scudder will find this novel to a pleasurable addition to the series.

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Summary: Scudder, Back on Top
Review: If there is any doubt that Lawrence Block's Matthew Scudder is the best private detective series currently ongoing, "Hope to Die" dispells it. After two subpar Scudder efforts ("Even the Wicked" and "Everybody Dies") that made one wonder if it wasn't time for the alcoholic P.I. to pack it in, he returns here as good as he has ever been.

To his credit, Block uses a literary device this time that's he's never used before in a Scudder novel, namely interspersing the usual first person narrative with a view through the eyes of the villian. It could have backfired, but instead it succeeds brilliantly as Block creates one of the most chilling enemies that Scudder has ever faced. The story involves the grizzly murder of a Manhattan socialite couple and the apparent murder -suicide of the perpetrators. Scudder is turned on to the possibility that there is something more to it and begins scratching around. Sure enough, before long more bodies start turning up, the victims of a criminal mastermind.

Block is a first rate crime writer who pulls no punches in his descriptions. Scudder's contiuned growth as a character during the series is another plus, and its nice to see him back in his element. "Hope to Die" leaves you waiting impatiently for the next Scudder novel.

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Summary: A winner
Review: In Manhattan someone brutally kills Byrne and Susan Hollander in their home with their daughter Kristin finding the bodies. A few days later the Brooklyn police investigate a bad odor emanating from an apartment only to find two male Caucasian corpses and the Hollander loot. To NYPD both cases close as the apparent Brooklyn suicide-murder event resolves the Manhattan crime.

Though he knew the Hollanders and actually attended the same dinner concert as the victims did on that fatal night, Matthew Scudder has no reason to discount the police conclusion. However, his assistant TJ introduces him to the niece of the Hollanders, Columbia student and wannabe writer Lia Parkman. She believes her cousin arranged the murders of her own parents to inherit a fortune. Unable to resist, Matt begins to investigate, and quickly concludes Kristin is innocent, but someone else arranged the homicides and is not finished with the killings.

The mystery of HOPE TO DIE is as strong as any urban detective story is even though Scudder has lost some of his street edge and is showing his age as a member of the geriatric set. Still that fails to impede him from touring the town looking for clues or interfere with his ability to interpret the evidence. References to past novels add a nostalgic feeling to those long time fans of Scudder. Though the ending leaves an obvious sequel, Lawrence Block furbishes readers with a strong edition of his hard-boiled detective.

Harriet Klausner

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Summary: Thoughtful and human Matthew Scudder tale
Review: In the latest installment of Lawrence Block's Matthew Scudder series, the alcoholic private detective is brought into a murder case. The police have officially closed the case--a burglary gone fatally wrong, but Scudder thinks the whole thing a little too cute. Still, what possible motive could the killers have if not burglary, and the police recover the stolen goods.

Before he can find the killer, Scudder must prove that a murder has actually taken place. The police are suddenly more agreeable when another murder takes place, but Scudder has neither a suspect, a motive, or any evidence. Meanwhile, Scudder continues with his life, dealing with his disfunctional family, the sudden death of his ex-wife, and the continuing urges of alcohol even after eighteen years of abstinence.

Lawrence Block is one of the most popular mystery authors today and his Matthew Scudder series represents the author at the height of his power. Scudder feels like a real person, dealing with human failings, yet continuing because the alternative is surrender and Scudder knows that doesn't work. Block tells part of the story from the perspective of the killer--something that he does almost too convincingly.

HOPE TO DIE is smoothly written with a fine balance of plot and character. All of Block's characters live in a world where perfection is impossible making HOPE TO DIE as real as a headline, yet with the opportunity to truly look into the souls of such interesting characters.

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Summary: An Intricate Chess Game
Review: Lawrence Block and Robert Parker are two of my favorite mystery authors, and share many similarities. Their detectives, Matt Scudder and Spenser are 'fixers', rather than pure detectives or simple toughs. They share a taste for wise-cracks and dry wit, have similar relationships with women, and are men of action. Between the two authors, a whole genre exists that no one else has successfully invaded. I sometimes think of it as the tough guy noir cozy. Although that is a bit of an overstatement.

I do like Block's work a little better, though. Primarily because Matt Scudder is the stronger, more finely developed character. I find his progression from alcoholism to sobriety and his attitude about himself refreshing. He does not preach, but he tries his best to live according to his ethics, and succeeds for the most part. The characters that surround him also seem to be a bit more attractive because they reflect the same basic integrity. Block's stories also often have a darker more chilling coloration than Parker's, who sometimes puts more energy into caustic humor than into the plot itself. And sometimes Block's plots take unexpected and satisfying turns into new directions.

'Hope to Die' is such a case in point. When a married couple who happened to attend the same society event as Matt and Elaine Scudder are brutally murdered in a theft, Matt is intrigued. But the case is quickly solved when the thieves are found dead. One killed by the other, and the other a suicide, with the evidence in hand. But the couple's niece and daughter are not completely comfortable with the resolution, and so Scudder finds himself, and his sidekick T.J., drawn into an investigation into an apparently closed case. They carefully pick out the conflicting strands of the web, but everything is circumstantial, requiring an almost Holmesian effort to get glimpses of the truth.

If it was not for the unexpected appearance of narrative from the viewpoint of a killer, the reader would be completely justified in thinking that Scudder's imagination had gotten the better of him. But Block makes such deft use of a sociopathic killer's reflections that the reader is kept completely engaged and rooting for Matt and T.J. as they reconstruct the murders from ghosts and shadows. While we know before Matt does that the original murders were the work of a mastermind, Block manages to give so little away that the suspense and mystery continue right through to the end.

This injection of a second viewpoint is novel in a Matt Scudder novel, but it is done so perfectly if feels like a regular feature. The device works beautifully to keep the plot moving without the fragmentation and confusion that result when multiple viewpoints are poorly used. I don't think I have ever seen it done better in modern detective fiction. Block minimizes all distractions (at the cost of some of his usually exceptional characterizations), keeping the reader focused on the comparative workings of Scudder's own analytical mind and the machinations of his insane opponent.

A subplot about the sudden death of Scudder's ex-wife and his relationships with his sons is introduced and allowed to run its course, but seems purely peripheral to the main plot. This and a few other threads lead me to believe that this tale is not completely done and that we can expect a continuation. If so it will be another unexpected deviation from formula. If Block has set out to prove that he can still be fresh after 25 years of writing the stories of Matthew Scudder, he has done an admirable job. I think even the most jaded fans will enjoy this book. Newcomers need have no fear. Block has a talent for providing just enough background to prevent any significant discomfort from starting a series at its latest volume.

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Summary: Classic Block With a Twist
Review: Lawrence Block has always been able to demonstrate the possibility of writing complex mysteries in crystal-clear prose. He is the master of the difficult task of making things look easy.

In HOPE TO DIE Matt Scudder is 62 and while the book does not dwell on it unnecessarily, it does take a more personal turn. His ex-wife dies; we learn more about his two sons, and we see him in domestic circumstances with Elaine. We also see more of T.J., the figure who might normally serve as the black buddy in the wilderness but in the Scudder novels also figures as the cool kid brother or surrogate son, hip to computer technology, the possible uses of cell phones and other information age devices.

This is a nice touch. It enables Block to bring these cultural devices into his fiction without turning Matt (who resists them) into an implausible Mr. Wizard.

There are nice views of the upper west side and several trips to Brooklyn, with recurring riffs on the curious nature of its streets and their naming.

The twist in the story is its conclusion, which opens the door to sequels. In sum, this is classic Block--smooth as the seat of an accountant's pants. The perp is interesting enough and Matt and T.J. serve up handsome slices of weltschmerz. If you're tithing like Matt, save some money for this book.

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Summary: Scudder's Back!
Review: Lawrence Block has been around for a while, writing a number of successful series. Although many of his books are good to great, I have found that his most recent books in his other series (Bernie Rhodenbarr, Keller, Evan Tanner) have been a little weaker than in the past, this book - featuring his best character, Matthew Scudder - shows that Block still has it.

Scudder is a constantly evolving character. In the earliest novels, he was a standard hard-boiled private eye, but soon he came to terms with his inner demons (in particular, his alcoholism) and learned how to reconstruct his life. Now, he is sixty-two, not as inclined to get in dangerous situations, but still out to expose murderers.

This case deals with a couple who is killed in a home invasion robbery. Soon, the killers are themselves dead in a murder-suicide, but Scudder, when drawn into the case, begins to think there is a third man. Along with his investigation, he is involved with a subplot involving the death of his ex-wife and his relationship with his estranged sons.

Block is always at his best when writing about Scudder, and this case is no exception. Admittedly, this book works best if you have read the others in the series, but even as a standalone, this is a good novel.