BOOKS BY LAWRENCE BLOCK
They’ve been coming at you relentlessly since 1961. Here’s a rundown on the complete works, with the titles of each series listed in chronological order, along with info on what’s in print and what’s not.
THE MATTHEW SCUDDER NOVELS
In the early books, he’s an angst-ridden hard-drinking ex-cop and unlicensed private eye. In later books he’s sober. He’s twenty-five years older than when I first started writing about him, and he’s gone through changes, even as you and I. Remember what Eubie Blake said on his 100th birthday? "if I’d known I was going to last this long I’d have taken better care of myself."
NEWS FLASH!
This 15th novel in the award-winning series finds Matthew Scudder back at work, investigating the particularly unpleasant murder of a wealthy West Side couple. When the killers are found dead less than a week later, the police close the case. But the couple's daughter doesn't believe it's that simple and hires Scudder to delve a little deeper.
Other books in the Matthew Scudder Series:
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THE SINS OF THE FATHERS. First in the series. A Dell paperback original (1976), with a hardcover first edition from Dark Harvest (1992). Currently available as an Avon mass-market paperback. | |
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IN THE MIDST OF DEATH. A Dell paperback original (1976). Currently available as an Avon mass-market paperback. A hardcover first edition was published by G&G Books in 1995; it's out-of-print, but LB has a handful of copies available. | |
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A STAB IN THE DARK. First published in hardcover by Arbor House in 1981, and nominated for the Shamus award. Currently available as an Avon mass-market paperback. | |
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EIGHT MILLION WAYS TO DIE. Arbor House, 1982. The book where Scudder has to come to terms with his drinking, and the basis (sort of) for a not-very-good film with excellent performances by Jeff Bridges and Andy Garcia. Winner of the Shamus award as best novel, and shortlisted for the Edgar. Currently available as an Avon mass-market paperback. | |
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WHEN THE SACRED GINMILL CLOSES. Arbor House, 1986. This is a prequel, with Scudder in the mid-eighties recollecting events that took place a decade earlier. A Shamus award nominee, and winner of the Japanese Maltese Falcon award. It's a favorite of a lot of readers, and I frequently suggest it as a starting point for readers new to the series. (A note to book collectors: There's no statement of printing on the copyright page of the Arbor House edition, but not to worry. They're all firsts, as there was no second printing.) Currently available as an Avon mass-market paperback. | |
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OUT ON THE CUTTING EDGE. William Morrow, 1989. This is the one in which Scudder meets Mick Ballou. Currently available as an Avon mass-market paperback. | |
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A DANCE AT THE SLAUGHTERHOUSE. William Morrow, 1991. Winner of the Edgar award as best novel of the year. The book that introduces TJ. Currently available as an Avon trade paperback. |
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Scudder has also appeared in several short stories.
And what does the future hold for Matthew Scudder? I’ll tell you, one of the reasons I’ve been able to write about him for so many years is that I never know what the guy’s gonna do next. When I do know, we'll post that info here.