jjares reviewed on 9/27/2020 + 3429 more book reviews

The novel opens with the ghastly deaths of Byrne and Susan Hollander during a home invasion in New York City. A few days later, police are called to a Brooklyn apartment with a terrible smell. They find the killers (of the Hollanders) that they have been seeking, dead. It seems that one killed his partner, then himself. The police close the case.

However, Matt and Elaine Scutter were at the same music performance and party, although they did not meet the other couple. Matt has a sense that something isn't right and he begins snooping. This is a fast-paced story that takes the reader through the streets of NYC as only someone who really knows the town can share with his readers.

Matt Scudder is a complex character, which makes it easier to continue a series. There's personal info that spills over into the story, such as Matt's first wife dying -- and Matt and his two sons attending the funeral. Matt also faces some conflict with his two sons, just like real life.

I've read recently that book # 16 (see below) is the continuation, and conclusion, of this mystery. Score: VG+

Matthew Scudder - 18 Mysteries
--skipped stories--
11. The Devil Knows You're Dead (1993)
12. A Long Line of Dead Men (1994)
13. Even the Wicked (1996) â G+
14. Everybody Dies (1998)
** 15.Hope to Die (2001)
16. All the Flowers Are Dying (2005)
17. A Drop of the Hard Stuff (2011)
18. The Night and The Music (2013)

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