Rating: 
Summary: You'll want to visit this Ginmill
Review: "When the Sacred Ginmill Closes" ranks up there with "8 Million Ways to Die" as one of the best Matthew Scudder novels. In this book, the freshly rehabbed Scudder recalls a case from the heart of his alcoholic period (circa 1975). He gets involved in a couple of cases involving his barfly buddies. One involves extortion, the other a burglary and murder. In neither instance is Scudder terribly enthusiastic about being involved. Author Lawrence Block vividly describes the drinking life with the eye of a man who's obviously been there. The descriptions of self denial and lives slowly being wasted are memorable without being heavy handed. "Ginmill" is a hardboiled P.I. story from a master author who is on top of his game. Fans of Chandler-esque fiction should love it.
Rating:
Summary: You'll want to visit this Ginmill
Review: "When the Sacred Ginmill Closes" ranks up there with "8 Million Ways to Die" as one of the best Matthew Scudder novels. In this book, the freshly rehabbed Scudder recalls a case from the heart of his alcoholic period (circa 1975). He gets involved in a couple of cases involving his barfly buddies. One involves extortion, the other a burglary and murder. In neither instance is Scudder terribly enthusiastic about being involved. Author Lawrence Block vividly describes the drinking life with the eye of a man who's obviously been there. The descriptions of self denial and lives slowly being wasted are memorable without being heavy handed. "Ginmill" is a hardboiled P.I. story from a master author who is on top of his game. Fans of Chandler-esque fiction should love it.
Rating:
Summary: You'll want to visit this Ginmill
Review: "When the Sacred Ginmill Closes" ranks up there with "8 Million Ways to Die" as one of the best Matthew Scudder novels. In this book, the freshly rehabbed Scudder recalls a case from the heart of his alcoholic period (circa 1975). He gets involved in a couple of cases involving his barfly buddies. One involves extortion, the other a burglary and murder. In neither instance is Scudder terribly enthusiastic about being involved. Author Lawrence Block vividly describes the drinking life with the eye of a man who's obviously been there. The descriptions of self denial and lives slowly being wasted are memorable without being heavy handed. "Ginmill" is a hardboiled P.I. story from a master author who is on top of his game. Fans of Chandler-esque fiction should love it.
Rating:
Summary: Unlicensed PI at work again!
Review: . Matthew Scudder is Lawrence Block's remarkable private investigator. He's a former NYPD detective who left the force after an accident left a child dead in a crossfire. Because he is unlicensed you can't "hire" him. Instead he does you a favor by taking your case and solving the crime. In exchange for the favor the client returns the favor by giving him some cash. Scudder is an alcoholic. Rarely do you find him without a drink in has hand or at one of has favorite watering holes. "When the Sacred Ginmill Closes" takes place in 1975 when a telephone call still costs a dime. In this exciting novel we find Scudder searching for Skip Devoe's tax records. Tommy Tillary's wife is dead and our hero has to find who killed her and clear Timmy. Tim Pat's after-hours place is robbed and Matt has to find out who committed that crime as well. There are several intertwined plots, which makes this Block novel suspenseful and exciting. An afterthought: Matthew Scudder is a realistic, likeable character. In the early books we find that after he left the NYPD he took up drinking and left his wife and two sons. From time to time she asks Scudder to send more money because "we need it." Scudder generally obliges. Although not living with his family Scudder is not distant from them. He speaks to his boys on the phone and brings them into the city for a ball game. For some reason that Scudder doesn't know finds himself visiting churches and leaving a donation, tithing, ten percent of money recently received from a client. Scudder says Catholic churches receive donations for than others because they are generally open at late hours. Although he's not a religious man he finds peace and solitude in the almost always empty sanctuary he visits.
Rating:
Summary: Unlicensed PI at work again!
Review: .Matthew Scudder is Lawrence Block's remarkable private investigator. He's a former NYPD detective who left the force after an accident left a child dead in a crossfire. Because he is unlicensed you can't "hire" him. Instead he does you a favor by taking your case and solving the crime. In exchange for the favor the client returns the favor by giving him some cash. Scudder is an alcoholic. Rarely do you find him without a drink in has hand or at one of has favorite watering holes. "When the Sacred Ginmill Closes" takes place in 1975 when a telephone call still costs a dime. In this exciting novel we find Scudder searching for Skip Devoe's tax records. Tommy Tillary's wife is dead and our hero has to find who killed her and clear Timmy. Tim Pat's after-hours place is robbed and Matt has to find out who committed that crime as well. There are several intertwined plots, which makes this Block novel suspenseful and exciting. An afterthought: Matthew Scudder is a realistic, likeable character. In the early books we find that after he left the NYPD he took up drinking and left his wife and two sons. From time to time she asks Scudder to send more money because "we need it." Scudder generally obliges. Although not living with his family Scudder is not distant from them. He speaks to his boys on the phone and brings them into the city for a ball game. For some reason that Scudder doesn't know finds himself visiting churches and leaving a donation, tithing, ten percent of money recently received from a client. Scudder says Catholic churches receive donations for than others because they are generally open at late hours. Although he's not a religious man he finds peace and solitude in the almost always empty sanctuary he visits.
Rating:
Summary: Unforgettable
Review: A grim and disturbing novel about crime, alcoholism and betrayal, this should have been gloomy and depressing, but, like his previous novels, Block is able to leave you completely satisfied. The seediness of NYC becomes the backdrop for the flawed hero that you have to love. This was the third Scudder mystery I have read, and they have all been excellent. There are several fast moving plot lines that are expertly intertwined; there is quality writing; and the dialogue is sharp and accurate. But, like any great work of fiction, the novel goes much deeper. An unforgettable novel, I highly recommend it.
Rating: 
Summary: Best Scudder I have read
Review: Although I have not read the entire Scudder series this particular book has always stuck with me, far more than any of the others. In fact, I sort of abandoned the series because none of Block's subsequent books really lived up to this one. The mystery elements of the story are minimal, rather the emphasis is on milieu. Block gets certain scenes, especially those dealing with alcohol and the rationalizations people make, just perfect. The end is also a fine wrapup for this story - definitely a worthwhile read.
Rating:
Summary: Scudder not dry
Review: Block runs his alcoholic detective Matt Scudder through the bar scene of the 70"s in Manhattan. The problems he is presented with all revolve around denizens of his alcoholic world. The amazing thing for this series is that Block does not have Scudder agonizing over his drinking. Of course, he is surrounded by others who drink the way he does which serves to conceal his drinking. Block inserted this title into the series outside of the chronological order giving him a chance to close on an up-beat note. Readers looking for a straight crime novel will not find it here. Readers interested in a gritty potrayal of the low end of life in Manhattan will be mesmerized.
Rating:
Summary: Scudder not dry
Review: Block runs his alcoholic detective Matt Scudder through the bar scene of the 70"s in Manhattan. The problems he is presented with all revolve around denizens of his alcoholic world. The amazing thing for this series is that Block does not have Scudder agonizing over his drinking. Of course, he is surrounded by others who drink the way he does which serves to conceal his drinking. Block inserted this title into the series outside of the chronological order giving him a chance to close on an up-beat note. Readers looking for a straight crime novel will not find it here. Readers interested in a gritty potrayal of the low end of life in Manhattan will be mesmerized.
Rating:
Summary: Fine craftsmanship
Review: By far, the most worthy of all Matt Scudder mysteries
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