A Walk Among the Tombstones

Kenan Khoury was willing to pay the million-dollar ransom for the return of his wife, but the kidnappers weren't familiar with the subtle art of negotiation. Their ignorance and impatience left his wife in pieces in the trunk of an abandoned car. Mark Hammer's rough voice offers all the gravel and grime readers expect from private eye Matt Scudder. His reading is easy-paced and dramatic, providing a near-perfect voice for Scudder. Slight, seamless vocal changes indicate dialogue by other characters. A surefire hit for fans of New York's seamier streets. J.L. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine

November 2, 1992
Despite their dark titles (the words Slaughterhouse and Boneyard figured in the previous two), Block's splendid, award-winning Matt Scudder novels are by no means unrelievedly bleak. His latest-as well as offering the customary skillful plotting, adroit pacing and sure sense of New York character-features a wry humor all its own, along with a particularly ingratiating and convincing pair of computer hackers. The premise is grim, certainly: a pair of men who prey murderously on women progress to kidnapping the womenfolk of drug dealers and demanding huge ransoms. Former alcoholic PI Scudder-now going to more AA meetings than ever-reluctantly agrees to help one dealer, a Lebanese, after his wife is killed by the kidnappers. Slowly and methodically he discerns a pattern in the mayhem. With the help of his erstwhile police colleagues, his black Times Square sidekick TJ and his call-girl sweetheart, Elaine, Scudder tightens the net on the culprits. When they seize the daughter of a Russian dealer, he is ready for the showdown. Block isn't big on action, though when it comes it is swift, vivid and horribly convincing; his Scudder books are built on character, atmosphere, crackling dialogue and a great deal of brooding-the taste for them is addictive. An equal of Elmore Monard and Robert Parker, Block deserves similar acclaim. Author tour.