A Ticket To The Boneyard by Lawrence Block is book eight in his Matthew Scudder series of crime novels. I have been reading this series somewhat in order and for me A Ticket To The Boneyard is the best Scudder novel I've read so far.
But it's also the darkest. A sadistic serial killer that Matthew Scudder sent to prison twelve years ago is back on the streets and is determined to kill the women in Matthew Scudder's life. And in this book Scudder's sobriety is tested like never before. The violence and to be blunt sexual violence in this novel is intense. It didn't bother me that much because I knew Matthew Scudder would do everything in his power to bring the bad guy to justice. But the violence might bother others and so that's something to consider.
And I would say that if you are new to Lawrence Block's Scudder series it's best to begin with the first book Sins Of The Father (1976). All seventeen novels are set in NYC and as Scudder's life changes through the 1970's, 1980's, 1990's up to A Time To Scatter Stones (2019) we see NYC changing as well which is an added bonus. I was born and raised in NYC and lived there until 2011. The detailed way Lawrence Block describes NYC rings so true. I am rating A Ticket To The Boneyard four stars and will be going on to book nine. It's a great series.
Kathy, you're a true New Yorker! So I will defer to you on all NYC books & questions now. This one sounds pretty violent. But I like how it tests his sobriety ... that angle is usually good. You are reading quickly these days. Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if Lawrence Block had a drinking problem but he certainly describes what it's like so well and in this novel we see Scudder going to AA meetings and talking to his sponsor. It's very interesting and I am pleased that despite what happens, Scudder stays on the wagon. I love NYC and so this series makes me feel like I am back there.
ReplyDeleteHope you have a great weekend too Susan!
I can see why it being set in New York would appeal so much to you. And Scudder sounds like a very interesting and memorable character. I'll have to keep this series in mind.
ReplyDeleteIt is a good series and the first book is the best place to start because at that point the reader knows who Scudder is and whether they want to continue with the series.
DeleteOh, this sounds so dark and I don't like serial killers. But I will probably read the book anyway since I want to read all of the series.
ReplyDeleteI am envious that you can read so much (fiction) set in your home town. There is not a lot of fiction set in Birmingham, Alabama.
It is dark and I am hoping that future books in the series get less dark in terms of the violence. But I thought it was very good and this novel gives you alot of insight into Scudder.
DeleteThere are many novels set in NYC but they tend to center on Manhattan and Brooklyn. Not enough about Queens, The Bronx, Staten Island. In terms of Alabama I love Fannie Flagg's novels
and I highly recommend Redbird Christmas.
Kathy, Thanks for reminding me about Fannie Flagg's novels. I have not read any of them but recently I had decided I would find a copy of Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe. And now I will look for Redbird Christmas also.
DeleteFanny Flagg is really good Tracy. Not sure if Redbird Christmas is set in Alabama bit it's a short book and a great read!
DeleteThe Scudder series is one of the earliest ones I ever got hooked on, I think, and I enjoyed the books so much that reading long crime fiction series became a big part of my reading permanently. Watching a series character develop and change, or maybe age in real time from year to year, gives me an appreciation for an author's special talent in a way that very few standalone novels can do that. It's been a while since I've read one of the Scudder books, though, and I'm betting that I would enjoy the series just as much the second time around.
ReplyDeleteI am so happy you are a Scudder fan too Sam and Lawrence Block is such a great writer. The first book I read of his was The Girl With The Long Green Heart. It was published in the early 1960's and that book and Block's writing style was just the essence of what a really good pulp novel should be. And then I read Sins Of The Father and I too was hooked.
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