Frank H. (perryfran) reviewed on 5/11/2022 + 1182 more book reviews

Another great entry in the Matthew Scudder series. I've been reading these in no particular order over the last few years. This is an early entry in the series with Scudder still struggling with his alcoholism even though he won't admit it. "I can quit whenever I want!"

Scudder is hired by a man who wants him to try to find out who actually killed his daughter nine years previously. A psycho has been arrested who admits to killing seven women using an ice-pick nine years ago but the last victim, Barbara Ettinger, he swears was a copycat killing that he had nothing to do with and he has an alibi to back this up. So Barbara's father wants Scudder to find out the truth. But the truth may not be what the father really wants. Was his daughter having an affair that could have led to her death? What about her husband...could he have killed her? Or is it another psycho waiting to kill again? Scudder agrees to look into the murder with little hope of success. He pounds the pavement, interviews anyone who may have information about the case, and stops at bar after bar along the way.

This was really an engaging read with several unexpected twists and turns. It paints a very good picture of Scudder and his life living alone with only a bottle for companionship. He does meet a woman who shares some of his tendencies but can their relationship survive the hangovers? I really enjoy this series by Block and luckily I still have several yet to read. Can't wait!

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