Frank H. (perryfran) reviewed All the Flowers Are Dying (Matthew Scudder Mysteries) on + 1180 more book reviews
Book 16 in this series is pretty much a sequel to the previous book, HOPE TO DIE, which I finished reading a few days ago. This one was published in 2005, four years after Hope to Die but it continues the story of the serial killer who escaped at the end of Hope. In this novel, Block continues to use two points of view for the story â Scudder's and the killer. The killer, who always uses a name with the initials A.B. returns to New York with his eyes set on vengeance against Scudder who thwarted his plans four years ago. While he was away, he committed numerous killings and has become very proficient using a knife. Not only is Matt a target but also Elaine, possibly TJ, and other friends. But no one really knows the identity of the killer, where he lives, or who he will strike next. Will Matt be able to survive the killer's vendetta?
As usual, I really enjoyed this one from Block. I know that some reviewers felt that Block's use of two-person POVs took away from the usual focus on Matt's character but I thought it added a lot of tension to the whole story. I probably didn't enjoy it as much as some of the earlier volumes in the series but overall, I would still recommend it. And I now only have the last in the series to read, A DROP OF THE HARD STUFF, which I plan on reading next. I will definitely miss this series.
As usual, I really enjoyed this one from Block. I know that some reviewers felt that Block's use of two-person POVs took away from the usual focus on Matt's character but I thought it added a lot of tension to the whole story. I probably didn't enjoy it as much as some of the earlier volumes in the series but overall, I would still recommend it. And I now only have the last in the series to read, A DROP OF THE HARD STUFF, which I plan on reading next. I will definitely miss this series.
