This is the 4th book in the Matt Scudder series and is a very appropriately titled book, with Scudder investigating a stabbing murder that happened 9 years ago. He doesn't particularly look forward to the case but, with nothing better to do, he begins to sift through old ground in between cups of bourbon-laced coffee.

The Matt Scudder character is the important feature of this book as we follow his tortured journey around New York City chasing up clues in a long-dead case. He unearths clues and leads as a good detective should, but it's his battle with the bottle that proves the most fascinating story. He finally gets a good hard smack across the chops in this book which may help put him on the road to sobriety, at least, it scares him enough to consider he may need help.

This is another fine example of an outstanding modern hardboiled mystery, just part of an outstanding hardboiled series.

This is probably the best Matt Scudder book I've read yet. It takes us to a time when Scudder drank but never thought about his habit as something that was gradually controlling his life. He picks up a very interesting case, a particularly greusome murder that slipped through the cracks 9 years earlier and is only now receiving a true investigation. When the beautiful young girl turns out to be anything but an innocent victim, her father (Scudder's client) fires him and refuses to go on cooperating with the investigation. It's too late for Matt, though. He's onto something here, and he knows it. Scudder won't rest until he's solved the case, or at least finished himself off with a case of bourbon.

Lawrence Block took his Scudder books to a new level in "Stab in the Dark". The first three books were good enough to keep me reading, but they were not anything special. In the other books the only thing that kept me interested was Block's style and Scudder's character. The mysteries were never that interesting. This book however has a wonderful plot and has a wonderful supporting cast. Everything about this book surpassed the previous entries. While Scudder, himself, has always been a good character this entry allows the reader to probe inside his mind a little more. Hopefully this was Block's stepping stone and the rest of the series is on par with this one. It is a must read for any P.I. lover.

If you have experience in writing device driver (for any OS) this book is not the best choice. But if you don't, this book is an excellent one. This book takes you through each and every step involved in building various kinds of device driver for the system. The content is written to make sure you understand the concept(s).

This book from Jean Labrosse is right in line with the author's other book (Micro-C/OS II): simple, right to the point and tremendously useful. The book really demystifies some concepts too often omitted in other books, such as real-time systems concepts. The author provides numerous pictures, which are far easier to understand that any written explanations. I can't wait to read more from Labrosse.

An excellent book for those new to Embedded Systems concepts. Not really for experienced users but still a good solid reference. This book doesn't assume that you know everything already like most books. By using these ready to use C modules all the user needs to do is to make some minor changes in order to get a project off the ground. Concepts are explained very clearly with no nonsense and without being too simplistic. Topics are interesting. It even utilizes a real time kernel. ( his own but that's OK ) I highly recommend this book.

I recently ordered and received Lawrence Block's book, 'Writing the Novel From Plot to Print.' IF you are very serious about writing a novel, this small book provides some thoughtful, though verbose information on tips and tricks and should and shouldn't's.
In the same order package, I purchased 'Telling Lies for Fun and Profit -- A Manuel for Fiction Writers.' I was very dissapointed to find that the second book was an almost verbatim version of the 'Writing the Novel...' book.
Keeping that in mind, if/when you order either of the books, go for the cheapest used version you can get of either because Mr. Block tells the same anecdotes, the same thoughts, and information in both books--almost verbatim.
I just wish that on either of the books information, either in Amazon or Printer's Editorial/Description, it would have been noted that the first book was a rewrite of the second (or vice versa).
As to the value of the information that is provided in either book--it's OK, but nothing earthshattering that will help you write a blockbuster novel. The text itself reads easily, as if you were having a conversation with Mr. Block in the same room. Very friendly and easy to understand--nothing you would need a college degree to comprehend.

Some overlap with the material in Larry Block's "Telling Lies for Fun and Profit," but I'm still not sorry I got both. He will have you in stitches.

To be honest, I'm not sure if this is the book,, but I'm more sure than not. I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys writing, and has wondered if he or she is qualified to write a novel. Most people CAN write a noval. They just lack someone tellng them they can. No-this is not a step by step book. But if you understand where the original ideas come from, there are plenty of books, classes, internet sources, etc. to help you along. After I read Block's book, I was angered that we the public have been duped so long into thinking that the fiction writer's craft is mysterious. It does take work, but it is doeable. The thing that amazes me, is that the public allows itsself to pay someone else to entertain it, when if it would just try some of the stuff we learned at school, and at college, we would ALL be amazed at how much better and fresher the fiction would be that's available. If this is the guy that told us how we got "psycho" this is the book.After I read the book, I was shocked at how easy the ideas can flow. I loaned it to someone. I'm buying another copy!

I did not chose this book, it was required for a writer's workshop. When I sit down to read a detective novel I expect it to be about detecting. In The Devil Knows Your're Dead I was not the least bit interested in the personal issues / problems of the main character of this novel. The murder happens on page 17 of 316 and there is absolutely zero progress on solving the crime until about 231 pages into it. The intervening pages are mired in musings about alcoholism, transexuals, the morality of suicide, yada, yada, yada. B-o-r-i-n-g. I guess there is a market for this type of mystery (...) but give me Christie, Stout or Sayers and I'm happy. You can keep Block all to yourself.

The Devil Knows You're Dead is a very well written book that held my interest throughout -- however, I have been a big fan of this series from the beginning. Mystery fans who are looking for lots of action and suspense may want to skip this book. Relative to several of the other books in this series, there is considerably less physical violence and more --much more-- of a concentration on the emotional havoc and angst that Matthew Scudder is experiencing as he makes his way through his topsy-turvy world. The cases Scudder is working on in The Devil Knows You're Dead are interesting but they are not exciting and action-based. So, if this is what you're looking for in a mystery you probably should choose another book. If you enjoy great character development, interesting and likable secondary characers, vivid and accurate descriptions of the Hell's Kitchen/Clinton section of NYC, then treat yourself to this very good book. Keep in mind it's not the best book in this series but it's one I think you'll enjoy. However, I would strongly recommend that if you haven't read any of the books in this series, you first read at least one or two of the earlier books (e.g., When The Scared Ginmill Closes, A Ticket To The Boneyard, A Dance At The Slaughterhouse, A Walk Among The Tombstones, etc.) before reading The Devil Knows You're Dead. These books will familiarize you what the world of Matthew Scudder has been like. This book serves pretty much as a vehicle to further evolve the main character of Matthew Scudder and to let you know where he's moving to in his life.

Captivating story .. this one will keep you burning the midnight oil and turning those pages. Lots of Mick Ballou in this one .. personally, I love Mick. If you enjoy his character, this will definitely be a book you shouldn't miss. This falls about 2/3 of the way in the Scudder series to date. I couldn't put this one down from the second I started it.

For my money, Stephen King is the best short story writer of the last thirty years. I've never read a short story anthology by any other author to match his "Night Shift," or "Skelton Crew" collections. But Lawrence Block comes close with "Sometimes They Bite." Block may be a crime writer, but some of his stories, like the excellent title story, read similar to King's horror work, especially his non-supernatural horror work. Private Detective Matthew Scudder makes one fine appearance in this collection, as does Bernie Rhodenbarr of Block's "Burglar" series. The rest are a hodgepodge of stories told from the point of view of victims, perpetrators and cops. Some work better than others, of course, but there isn't a dud in the lot.

Fans of Lawrence Block should check out this book for a different view of an author who normally produces great novels.

Stephen King has the knack of turning common occurances intospine chilling stories. However, years before King's storieswere published, Lawrence Block proved his ability to do the same. How diverse to go from a story about two guys fishing peacefully (which results in spine-tingling murder) to an unscruplous lawyer to a burglar to an unwitting hit man finding a new occupation! You'd think Block lived each of these experiences by the way they are described in such vivid detail. No one has led that interesting a life so I'd have to credit these stories to Block's vivid imagination. This book is a must read for all Lawrence Block Fans. If you like this one, you'll also enjoy "Like A Lamb To Slaughter" as well as "Some Days You Get The Bear," both excellent short story collections in their own right.

A collection of short stories. Some previously published in various mystery magazines. Some never before published. For Matt Scudder fans there's an entry. The first ever Chip Harsion story is also in this collection. Very good reading for a Lawrence Block fan.

This is the first collection of short stories by Lawrence Block (others have necessarily followed), and contains some real gems. It is here that many readers will make their first aquaintance with Chip Harrison and Leo Haig, Block's tip of the hat to Rex Stout. Also found here for the first time are two tales about his, umm, unusually successful attorney - Ehrengraf. Also a Scudder tale for those devoted fans as well. There's a diverse collection of tales that reads smooth and quick. If you like Lawrence Block you will not be disappointed. Then, when you are done - check out Some Days You Get the Bear for more!

Block hasn't lost his touch, and neither has Scudder, and if it takes you more than one sitting to read the 300 pages of EVERYBODY DIES, I'd be shocked. It's exceptionally readable and, in spots, beautifully written. But that's just spots, and long-time fans of the series will find the book as a whole less satisfying than EIGHT MILLION WAYS TO DIE and A STAB IN THE DARK (easily the two best) or WHEN THE SACRED GINMILL CLOSES, A TICKET TO THE BONEYARD, THE SINS OF THE FATHERS, and A DANCE AT THE SLAUGHTERHOUSE (the four next best).

There's a lot of recapping going on -- in the first few chapters, Block retells four or five stories from the earlier novels, which turns out to be necessary for the plot, but which is a bit tiresome for those of us who've already read those stories before. The bits of business with Elaine are perfectly believable, but ripe with the sort of squashy domesticity that has sapped some of the noir juice out of the most recent installments in the Scudder story. Jive-talking TJ has always been something of an embarrassment, and he remains one here, although his schtick is (thankfully) somewhat toned down. And there's a "spring cleaning" feeling to the whole affair, as legions of the series' supporting characters are offed. Not that Block (or Scudder) doesn't treat the deaths with sufficient gravity -- it's just that you get the feeling of an author saying, "Let's wipe the slate clean and start Scudder off on a new path, with less baggage." (Which may be a good thing for the next Scudder novel -- less recapping to be done, perhaps -- but it casts a shadow over this one.)

The book isn't bad, not by a long shot, but it doesn't sparkle (on the whole) with the sheer brilliance of the best Scudders.

I've never quite understood what it is with Block's Scudder novels. Here we have a series of tightly plotted, beautifully written novels from a writer with a gift for creating interesting characters and great dialog; these are the novels Robert Parker would write if he could. Somehow, though, they never seem to break through (just compare the Amazon sales ranking for this book with those for Kellerman's "Billy Straight" or even Cornwell's incoherent "Point of Origin").

Perhaps it's because Block can seem like several writers sharing the same name - the author of the Evan Tanner series vs. the author of the Matt Scudder series vs. the author of the Bernie Rhodenbarr series - so readers may not know what to expect when they see the latest Block on the (real or virtual) bookstore shelf. If they pass this one up, though, it's their loss. This is hard-boiled detective fiction done to absolute perfection, and ranks up at the top not only of Block's output (although "Eight Million Ways to Die" still finds a soft spot in my heart), but among the great works of the genre going back all the way back to Hammett and Chandler.

Hyperbole? Perhaps. Buy it anyway.

Lawrence Block's previous Matt Scudder novel, Even the Wicked, was arguably the best in the series. His newest, Everybody Dies, equals that praise. One wonders if the title is a harbinger of either the end of the series or a house-cleaning so Block can take the character in a new direction. Is it to be read like a shrug, as if Block is excusing the occurrences in the book by saying "You know, Everybody Dies, eventually." Or is it a mandate, as in a Spanish or Greek Tragedy, "EVERYBODY DIES!"   Throughout, even until the climax, Block keeps the reader wondering. Often you'll find yourself thinking, "He wouldn't kill Scudder, would he? How can he? Scudder's the narrator, how would he end it? And if not, he wouldn't kill this character or that character, would he?"   Frequent readers of mystery fiction often find it predictable, because you can only have so many twists and turns and stay true to your character or formula. But Block is one of few writers who, while sometimes predictable in very formulaic ways, still satisfies when the moments come. He even uses a few situations that, in a lesser writer's hands, would be cliche. But we accept this from Block because of his presentation.   This is perhaps not the best book for a first-time Scudder reader. I would suggest  the first (Sins of the Fathers) or one in the middle of the series (Ticket to the Boneyard) to introduce new readers. But for Scudder fans, Everybody Dies is one of the best.

Lawrence Block has long been my very favorite mystery writer, above James Lee Burke, James Crumley, Dennis Lehane and others on my list of faves. Block isn't the prose stylist that the aforementioned writers are, but he's far and away the most natural storyteller, with an uncanny gift for creating fascinating characters and sounds-like-real-people dialogue. Of all his creations (Burglar/Detective Bernie Rhodenbarr, ersatz spy Tanner, low-key hit man Keller), Block has always done his best work with his series of mysteries featuring the recovering alcoholic ex-cop Matthew Scudder. All of which is to say that when a new Scudder mystery came out, I pounced on it like a lion taking down a gazelle. Sadly, by the time I finished "Hope to Die," I came away from the experience feeling a little disappointed. Scudder's search for a budding serial killer who murders a wealthy couple comes off feeling a little thin in the plot department. Scudder's first-person narrative is interspersed with chapters told from the killer's point of view and for the most part these chapters don't add much to the story. Take them out entirely and you can still easily follow what's happening, making these chapters appear superfluous. Of course, taking them out would have also made the book pretty darn short, too. On the plus side, it's always nice to drop in on Scudder's life and see what's going on with him. There's a great subplot involving the death of Scudder's ex-wife, finally allowing the reader a chance to meet his oft-mentioned but never seen estranged sons. The reader also gets a chance to catch up with Scudder's terrific cast of secondary characters--his wife Elaine, his streetwise helper TJ, Irish gangster Mick Ballou--characters who are always a lot of fun to read about. But overall, "Hope to Die" just doesn't stack up to the best in the Scudder series (Everybody Dies, When the Sacred Ginmill Closes, The Devil Knows You're Dead, Eight Million Ways to Die). Mind you, I didn't dislike the book. It just left me wanting more. I look forward to the next book in the series, and considering how the reader is left hanging at the end, the sequel seems inevitable.

I always look forward to reading a Matt Scudder novel by Lawrence Block. "Hope to Die" is the 15th Matt Scudder novel. Susan and Byrne Hollander are brutally murdered in a burglary on their home. Days later, the 2 killers are found in a room in Brooklyn dead in what the police believe is a murder-suicide. They close the case. Matthew Scudder believes that a third person is involved in the murders and tells the Hollander's daughter, Kristin, his theory. She hires him to find the murderer. Then Kristin's first cousin, Lia Parkman, is murdered. Seven other poeple are murdered before Scudder figures out who did it. The murderer is perhaps the most diabolical creation of Lawrence Block. I also enjoyed learning more about Scudder's sons, as they play a role in one of the novel's subplots. This is an excellent addition to an excellent series.

Lawrence Block has been around for a while, writing a number of successful series. Although many of his books are good to great, I have found that his most recent books in his other series (Bernie Rhodenbarr, Keller, Evan Tanner) have been a little weaker than in the past, this book - featuring his best character, Matthew Scudder - shows that Block still has it.

Scudder is a constantly evolving character. In the earliest novels, he was a standard hard-boiled private eye, but soon he came to terms with his inner demons (in particular, his alcoholism) and learned how to reconstruct his life. Now, he is sixty-two, not as inclined to get in dangerous situations, but still out to expose murderers.

This case deals with a couple who is killed in a home invasion robbery. Soon, the killers are themselves dead in a murder-suicide, but Scudder, when drawn into the case, begins to think there is a third man. Along with his investigation, he is involved with a subplot involving the death of his ex-wife and his relationship with his estranged sons.

Block is always at his best when writing about Scudder, and this case is no exception. Admittedly, this book works best if you have read the others in the series, but even as a standalone, this is a good novel.

HIT MAN Lawrence Block Avon Feb. 1999 ISBN: 038072541X Buy It Here A humorous mystery about a hired killer who is going through a mid-life crisis. This is a hard-boiled, page-turning mystery. Lawrence Block has written a series of Keller novels. Read them all you will be glad you did. Kellerman, known as Keller, is a just normal guy who lives in a nice apartment until his phone rings... then he becomes a hit man, only now he wonders why he does what he does. Story by story Keller grows on us, but you have to remember he is a cold-blooded killer who likes movies where you can tell the good guys from the bad guys, but in this book you can't always tell which is which. Pam Stone

The book the Hit Man by Lawrence Block is a book that is full of enthusiastic drama that makes you want more. This story's main character, J.P. Keller, is a contract hit man. In this book, Keller deals with many problems about his life and has many adventures in doing what he does, which is killing people. This is a great book of short stories about a hit man's personal and impersonal life. Keller is confused and doesn't know whether he should keep his job, that has him killing people, or leave it and live a normal man's life. As a hit man, he sometimes has to kill people that he likes. How does Keller deal with it? What would you do if that were you? Well to find out and to know more about what goes on in a hit man's mind read this book. I give Hit Man a 5 and recommend this book to any body that likes to read exiting short stories.

Keller is a paid assassin, a professional killer, who defies the classic stereotype. Instead, his lifestyle is that of the traveling businessman who is just another Manhattan single male when he is home. He does the Times crossword every morning while sipping his coffee. He has tried therapy and purchased a dog to help him with his growing loneliness. However, the therapy made him even more introspective and the dog left him for his former girl friend. He never cooks (even with a microwave) as he lives on take out or dining out. His lonely existence is only broken by his high paying jobs at various locations around the country. When he is not on the job, he reflects on his life and wonders about his victims' families.

HIT MAN is a short story collection about one of the best characters to arrive on the urban crime noir scene in years. Instead of being a hero, Keller is an anti-hero. The stories are all trademark Lawrence Block: gritty, exciting, and entertaining. However, what makes this terrific book so appealing is that Keller could be the guy next door taking out your sister on a date. To make matters even more interesting, Keller, despite his profession, is a likeable character. Let's hope for more Keller works in the near future. He is fascinating!

Harriet Klausner

I love the burglar series. These books are well written, and most important, highly entertaining. Expect the unexpected as you drift through what seems like unimportant fluff, only to discover the subtle clues were laid down to allow our favorite burglar to solve yet another set of murders. It all starts with a dental instrument embedded in a woman's chest. The heat is on Bernie again, as New York's finest have him fingered as a suspect. Bernie finds unusual quantities of cash in the unlikeliest of places, as he pastes together the past of his dentist's ex-wife. Bernie pre-maturely pegs the murder on somebody who ends up dead --- in an awkward location. The grand finale is spectacular as always, with Bernie pulling out a fake witness to corroborate his suspicions and force a confession out of the guilty.

Lawrence Block is one of our most talented mystery authors. In the Bernie Rhodenbarr series he explores out an ordinary, but intelligent, "honest" person might go about pursuing a life of crime as a fastidious and talented burglar who isn't proud of what he does, doesn't like to hang out with criminals, and really gets a big thrill out of breaking and entering . . . and removing valuables. As you can see, there's a sitcom set-up to provide lots of humor. But the humor works well in part because Mr. Block is able to put the reader in the Bernie's shoes while he breaks, enters and steals . . . and evades the long arm of the law. To balance the "honest" burglar is an array of "dishonest" and equally easy-money loving cops. As a result, you're in a funny moral never-never land while your stomach tightens and your arm muscles twitch as tension builds. To make matters even more topsy-turvy, Bernie at some point in every story turns into an investigator who must figure out "who-dun-it" for some crime that he personally didn't do. It's almost like one of those "mystery at home" games where the victim comes back as the police investigator, playing two roles. Very nice!

So much for explaining the concept of the series. The Burglar in the Closet is the second book in the series. I strongly suggest that you begin the series by reading Burglars Can't Be Choosers. Each story in the series adds information and characters in a way that will reduce your pleasure of the others if read out of order. Although, I originally read them out of order and liked them well enough. I'm rereading them now in order, and like it much better this way. The Burglar Who Liked to Quote Kipling comes next in the series.

As Stephen King likes to point out, a great way to start a book is to put a character in an unusual situation and then let things happen from there. The Burglar in the Closet certainly follows that route in a successful manner with what reads and feels like a very realistic (and hilarious to think about) burglary experience.

The complications soon start coming from all directions like sharpened spears, and Bernie's ducking before one of them hits him! Along the way you'll meet The World's Greatest Dentist and his hygienist, some remarkably vivid barflies, and visit again with the brilliant, but bent cop, Ray Kirschmann from Burglars Can't Be Choosers. Bernie gets accused of just about everything but what he actually did, and as before, straightens matters out through his own investigation.

I thought that the identity of the more serious criminal was pretty obvious, but the plot develops in such a witty, charming way that I didn't really mind. The plot is pretty complicated, and will keeep you on your toes . . . so pay attention!

This book is definitely a step up from Burglars Can't Be Choosers and really establishes the series as a solid one for fans of off-beat mysteries.

As I read this book, I was reminded of Murphy's Law (anything that can go wrong, will). Most of the unpleasant situations in our lives come about because we ignore Mr. Murphy. This book will certainly remind you to think through what could go wrong . . . before you go ahead.

Donald Mitchell
Co-author of The 2,000 Percent Solution, The Irresistible Growth Enterprise and The Ultimate Competitive Advantage

Less well known than some of the installments that followed it in the "Burglar" series, THE BURGLAR IN THE CLOSET is a fabulous play-fair whodunnit, filled with great character bits and at least a dozen scenes that will make you laugh out loud. Bernie is not yet the proprietor of his used bookstore here -- he's a full-time burglar and part-time detective, working desperately to free his dentist from a charge of murder. Block's authoritative asides on the science of burglary are delicious and the climactic unmasking of the killer at the end is entirely satisfying. (Fans of the series will note that this book contains the first appearance of artist Denise Raphaelson, who returns to great effect in Block's brilliant THE BURGLAR WHO PAINTED LIKE MONDRIAN.)