Even the Wicked (Matthew Scudder)

The Matthew Scudder series is one of my favorite private eye fiction series (I've read all 14 novels). Unfortunately, "Even the Wicked" is easilly the least enjoyable of the bunch. Author Lawrence Block deserves credit for allowing Scudder's character to grow and mature over the years; going from down-and-out alcoholic to struggling AA member to reasonably stable married man while still maintaining an edge. At least, he had until "Wicked." The three interwoven storylines are pure New York City (more so, in fact, than any past entry in the series). But they have absolutely no edge to them. At no time does Scudder seem remotely in physical danger. Instead, he turns into super-sleath, solving high profile cases that are baffling entire police departments. Also, his relationship with Elaine, who he is now married to, has grown stale.
Maybe Block sensed these problems and that is why he attempted to give the next (and currently most recent) entry in the series, "Everybody Dies," much more of an edge. If you are not familiar with how great Scudder can be, I implore to to start elsewhere in the series. The best two are arguably, "Eight Million Ways to Die," and "When the Sacred Ginmill Closes."

A guy named “Will” is sending letters to a newspaper journalist that are targeting a series of bad guys. They all are grimly murdered, and then a letter names a lawyer acquaintance of Scudder. Scudder comes up with a defense strategy for his friend, but will it be enough. Scudder has to dig deep on this one.

Oddly enough, there seem to be related murders that Scudder is forced to consider. It is Scudder’s uncanny ability to piece together obscure facts that leads him to perpetrators.

In this rather bizarre story, TJ and Elaine take a back seat. Even Scudder’s notorious canvassing the streets of NYC is downplayed. Nonetheless watching Scudder work is worth the price of admission.

As mysteries go this was fairly enjoyable. Another reviewer is right, that Scudder turns into a "superslueth," but not so super since everything could be seen a mile off. I got a bit impatient in the middle because of that, but then settled in for the ride, which was slow but not annoying. As mysteries go, you could certainly do worse. This is definitely not the best you'll get from Block, but there are worse ways to spend an afternoon.

Scudder continues to deliver the goods, but at times seems to be only a shadow of the man he used to be. Still, this is a good read and actually concentrates on two (non-related! ) mysteries. The final page is heart-breaking, sincere and even this coldhearted reviewer felt a leeeetle bit of sting in his eyes! This contrasts nicely with earlier Scudder novels, which usually ended on a blunt, bleak note and goes to demonstrates the meaningfullness of the hard-boiled PI's new life. Good stuff!

Matthew Scudder is Lawrence Block's remarkable private investigator. He's a former NYPD detective who left the force after an accident left a child dead in a crossfire. Scudder is a sober alcoholic "Even the Wicked " is not as well as written as the 12 previous Matt Scudder novels. In the past I found in difficult to put a Scudder novel down. This one was difficult to pick up. It failed to keep my interest. I have read them all with the exception of "Everybody Dies," Block's latest in the series and "In the Midst of Death," one of his earlier ones. In "Even the Wicked" we find a vigilante is writing letters to the New York papers. Each time he targets some person by name he makes good on his promise. He calls himself "the will of the people: and is nicked named "will" by the media. Eventually the mystery is solved. Elaine, how Scudder's wife, returns in this novel and so does TJ the street smart teen that has been assisting Scudder in the past few novels. Although I didn't enjoy this novel I'm looking forward to the two in the series I haven't read.

When Mr. Block created Matthew Scudder he created a character with whom many people could identify. However, as Block writes new books in this line, both Scudder and the handful or so of people who regularly appear in his little world have become very precidtable. There is not much new to learn about Scudder, Elaine, T.J. We know all there is to know about Ray the police sketch artist, Mick Ballou, Joe Durkin. The book spends too much time rehashing what we regulars already know of these characters, and not enough time on story development. Block's first 10 books in this series were excellent, but the last few have delivered nothing out of the ordinary. If Block wants to wow us, he needs to take one or more of these characters and shock us with something we didn't already know, something that will turn the character's life upside down and tune his readers back in!

The best

Bought for my husband. He loves the author!

Even the Wicked by Lawrence Block is an excellent example of crime writing. Told in the first person by PI Matt Scudder, ex NYPD cop and current member of AA, this book is one in the very successful Scudder series.
It's about a vigilante killer who uses a New York daily to announce who his next victim is going to be. The police are left stymied but Scudder manages to solve the case and then some.
Block knows what he's doing. The best thing about Even the Wicked is the utter smoothness with which the narrative unfolds. A superior work of fiction that's a pleasure to read. Highly recommended.

The book opens with a scene of completely blissful domesticity with Scud and TJ enjoying some amateur boxing on the television and Elaine preparing dinner. Matthew Scudder is called in to protect a friend when death threats are made and of course our man Scud runs to assist a friend in need.

Mr Block is known for complex plots with entertaining dialogue and satisfying solutions. This book is no different. What is different however is the time it takes for the story to get itself going. Unusually for a Matthew Scudder novel, chapter one ends without the mandatory slam dunk which grabs the reader by his coat's lapels and doesn't let go until the book's end. So, too, chapter two ends on the relatively minor announcement of who is the next intended target of "The Will Of the People". Nothing shocking or surprising there. We knew that at the half way mark of the first chapter.

But the like the first class story teller that he is, Mr Block begins to entertain his readers in the way we all love at the start of chapter three. Things have become clear and concise by now and with Scudder in charge of proceedings, he is issuing orders left, right and centre. Whether or not these orders are followed, is up to the recipient, but they certainly make sense to the reader.

Is Will a cop? That is the first question that jumped into my vacant quarry of a brain. Clues (and red herrings) are thrown about in joyful abandon by Mr Block in a sure sign he is having fun with the story and your kindle will consequently overheat in page turning euphoria as you zip through the story with its heightened pace.

I am sitting here reading this fine mystery novel in between surfing my favourite Facebook pages. I see a post concerning the latest BATMAN DETECTIVE COMICS and when i return to my kindle, i see at the end of chapter three of EVEN THE WICKED, whose name comes up in conversation? You guessed it - Batman. I have no immediate inspiration concerning the meaning of this observation but by book's end I am sure to.

EVEN THE WICKED is a classic Matthew Scudder mystery novel. Scudder is still battling alcoholism, he still follows the word of his AA sponsor, and still is madly in love with Elaine. He is still a damn good PI. The WILL. Of the people had better start watching his step, as the Scud has just been hired by the next (assumed) target of the crazy philosopher and our hero Scudder has not been beaten yet.

Five stars for this beauty.

BFN Greggorio!