Ruth H. (Ruth) reviewed A Dance at the Slaughterhouse (Matthew Scudder, Bk 9) on + 95 more book reviews
Well written, but Block seems to be a "man's" author. Men who've read this detective series (Matt Scudder) really enjoy it. (This is based on two men.) Women (myself and one other) find the character's private life too depressing to really enjoy the series. If you do not find depressing the saga of a hard-drinking divorced man living alone in a hotel room with no family and no close friends, then you'll enjoy every book in the Scudder series. Plots are tight and prose is fast paced. The earlier books in the series are a little dated, but still enjoyable.
Frank H. (perryfran) reviewed A Dance at the Slaughterhouse (Matthew Scudder, Bk 9) on + 1229 more book reviews
It's been a while since I have read a Scudder novel by Lawrence Block. I remember reading A Walk Among the Tombstones after the movie version came out. This one, A Dance at the Slaughterhouse is the novel immediately preceding Tombstones and it is another gritty page-turner that I was immersed in for a few days. In this one, Scudder is hired to look into the death of a woman who was brutally raped and tortured. The woman's brother wants to find out if her husband, Richard Thurman, was responsible for the murder. Thurman benefitted monetarily from the murder and the circumstances seem too pat for a random murder. But as Scudder looks into the murder he is shown a snuff tape by an acquaintance from AA where a young boy is tortured and murdered and he can't get this out of his mind. He thinks he may recognize the killer in the film even though he is masked in a rubber hood. Can this film be related to the death of Thurman's wife? And can Scudder sort out the pieces of the puzzle?
This novel really takes the reader to the underbelly of the sex-for-sale world in New York City of the late 1980s. It was a very compelling and intense read and I'll be looking forward to reading more in the series.
This novel really takes the reader to the underbelly of the sex-for-sale world in New York City of the late 1980s. It was a very compelling and intense read and I'll be looking forward to reading more in the series.
Tim C. (mysterywriter) reviewed A Dance at the Slaughterhouse (Matthew Scudder, Bk 9) on + 142 more book reviews
Edgar Award winner for best novel of 1992.
The police can't prove that socialite Richard Thurman arranged the rape, torture, and murder of his beautiful, pregnant wife. The dead woman's brother thinks Matthew Scudder can.
Stephen P. (thelad48) reviewed A Dance at the Slaughterhouse (Matthew Scudder, Bk 9) on + 495 more book reviews
Solid PI yarn!
Excellent book, I couldn't put it down. Not for the squeamish though.
If you haven't read Lawrence Block, start! His collection of the Matthew Scudder mysteries set in New York City are good, sometimes gritty and fascinating glimpses into a side of life that here is treated a with interesting style and texture than the popularized versions in movies and TV of the theme. The series of books he wrote with Scudder as his main character are available in Paperback Swap - and they are guaranteed to entertain and please. A Dance at the Slaughterhouse was my favorite, but they're all good.
Jennifer M. reviewed A Dance at the Slaughterhouse (Matthew Scudder, Bk 9) on + 11 more book reviews
A good mystery book
I was recently introduced to the Matthew Scudder Series. I enjoyed the first one so much that I requested all of the series. They have been, for me, an excellent read. The characters are 'real' and enjoyable . The series follows their growth and change.
My one regret is that I have not been able to locate #2 & #4 and that #12 has not arrived as yet.
My one regret is that I have not been able to locate #2 & #4 and that #12 has not arrived as yet.
Jere K. (kess) reviewed A Dance at the Slaughterhouse (Matthew Scudder, Bk 9) on + 16 more book reviews
Although slow is some places, it is an incredible mystery. The subject matter is not for everyone including a "snuff film". There are lots of twists and turns and the subject of alcohol abuse recovery.
