Scan barcode
A review by saareman
A Walk Among the Tombstones by Lawrence Block
4.0
Scudder vs the Kidnappers
Review of the Telemachus Press LLC eBook (November 19, 2013) of the original William Morrow & Co. hardcover (1992).
The plot of the previous Scudder novel [b:A Dance At The Slaughterhouse|31476|A Dance At The Slaughterhouse (Matthew Scudder, #9)|Lawrence Block|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1316037673l/31476._SY75_.jpg|1945245] (1991) was disturbing and this follow-up wasn't much lighter. A team of kidnappers (the number is uncertain at first) have kidnapped the wife of a drug dealer and are holding them for ransom. Whether the ransom is paid or not, the victim may not survive the ordeal. Through an acquaintance from his regular AA meetings, Scudder is brought in to try to hunt down the kidnappers. He gradually discovers that previous missing persons cases may have been the targets of the same criminals.
TJ, the street-smart kid from the previous book, returns here as Scudder's ally and plays a key role in tracing the kidnappers. A duo of computer and phone hackers aid in the hunt and there are some moments of comic relief as Scudder learns to cater to their fast junk food needs while they do their cyberstalking. The final confrontation takes quite a dark turn as in the previous case.
The front cover of the original 1992 William Morrow & Co. hardcover edition. Image sourced from Goodreads.
Trivia and Links
Promotional poster for the movie adaptation. Image sourced from Wikipedia.
A Walk Among the Tombstones was adapted into the same-titled film (2014) written and directed by Scott Frank and starring Liam Neeson as Matthew Scudder. The plot of the film was quite faithful to the book, although it dropped several subplots (e.g. the phone hackers). The film also provided a shortened version of the Scudder backstory. You can watch the trailer for the film on YouTube here.
I read a considerable number of Lawrence Block books in my pre-GR and pre-reviewing days. Probably 40 or so out of the 100+ that are available. That included all of the Matt Scudder books, several of the Bernie Rhodenbarrs, several of the Evan Tanners, several of the John Kellers, a dozen or so standalones and some of the memoirs. There were even a few of the earlier pulp novels which were originally published under pseudonyms. This re-read is a look back at some of those.
Lawrence Block (June 24, 1938 - ) considers himself retired these days, but still maintains an occasional newsletter with the latest issued in August 2024. He self-publishes some of his earlier works that have otherwise gone out of print, using his own LB Productions imprint.
Review of the Telemachus Press LLC eBook (November 19, 2013) of the original William Morrow & Co. hardcover (1992).
“I know what you mean,” I said. “The thing is, it’s not something I have to be told. I’ve always been a stubborn son of a bitch. When I start something I have a hell of a time letting go of it. I think that’s the main way I solve things, to tell you the truth. I don’t do it by being brilliant. I just hang on like a bulldog until something shakes loose.”
The plot of the previous Scudder novel [b:A Dance At The Slaughterhouse|31476|A Dance At The Slaughterhouse (Matthew Scudder, #9)|Lawrence Block|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1316037673l/31476._SY75_.jpg|1945245] (1991) was disturbing and this follow-up wasn't much lighter. A team of kidnappers (the number is uncertain at first) have kidnapped the wife of a drug dealer and are holding them for ransom. Whether the ransom is paid or not, the victim may not survive the ordeal. Through an acquaintance from his regular AA meetings, Scudder is brought in to try to hunt down the kidnappers. He gradually discovers that previous missing persons cases may have been the targets of the same criminals.
TJ, the street-smart kid from the previous book, returns here as Scudder's ally and plays a key role in tracing the kidnappers. A duo of computer and phone hackers aid in the hunt and there are some moments of comic relief as Scudder learns to cater to their fast junk food needs while they do their cyberstalking. The final confrontation takes quite a dark turn as in the previous case.
The front cover of the original 1992 William Morrow & Co. hardcover edition. Image sourced from Goodreads.
Trivia and Links
Promotional poster for the movie adaptation. Image sourced from Wikipedia.
A Walk Among the Tombstones was adapted into the same-titled film (2014) written and directed by Scott Frank and starring Liam Neeson as Matthew Scudder. The plot of the film was quite faithful to the book, although it dropped several subplots (e.g. the phone hackers). The film also provided a shortened version of the Scudder backstory. You can watch the trailer for the film on YouTube here.
I read a considerable number of Lawrence Block books in my pre-GR and pre-reviewing days. Probably 40 or so out of the 100+ that are available. That included all of the Matt Scudder books, several of the Bernie Rhodenbarrs, several of the Evan Tanners, several of the John Kellers, a dozen or so standalones and some of the memoirs. There were even a few of the earlier pulp novels which were originally published under pseudonyms. This re-read is a look back at some of those.
Lawrence Block (June 24, 1938 - ) considers himself retired these days, but still maintains an occasional newsletter with the latest issued in August 2024. He self-publishes some of his earlier works that have otherwise gone out of print, using his own LB Productions imprint.