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Eight Million Ways to Die cover art

Eight Million Ways to Die

By: Lawrence Block
Narrated by: Lawrence Block
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Summary

Battling the bottle one day at a time, ex-cop, sometime PI Matthew Scudder finds that next to staying sober, staying alive seems easy. But in the mean streets of New York City it never is. Not for the prostitute who wanted out and got her beautiful self slashed to ribbons. Not for a pimp named Chance who is betting his life that the broken-down detective can find her murderer. And not for Matthew Scudder - just trying to stay alive in a city that knows nothing better than how to die. Winner of the Shamus Award!

©1982 Lawrence Block; 2012 AudioGO

What listeners say about Eight Million Ways to Die

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Brilliant noir

Have you listened to any of Lawrence Block’s other performances? How does this one compare?

Great book, and well read. I'm a fan of Block and the Scudder series. This is the first book of the Scudder series that breaks away from the formula of boozing-detective, as Scudder realises he has a drinking problem and exerts as much effort fighting his urge to drink as he does solving the mystery. So well written and crafted, all the story holds up except perhaps for the ending which was a bit 80s-B-movie for me, but considering this was written in 1982, is holds up amazingly well. I didn't read/ listen to this for a long time as I'd seen an awful film version, but the plot had been changed and has nothing to do with the plot of the novel (funny how Hollywood does that). Highly recommended

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Laconic delivery. Good story

Keeps you guessing. I like the writing and dialogue (even the reliance on AA meetings that generate pearls of lifes wisdom) but there was something altogether 'bored' about the narration. Maybe it's supposed to add Chutzpah? It didn't. Still a great 'free' listen 👍

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Please do not narrate your own books

Lawrence is a fantastic writer but terrible narrator. There is a reason professional narrators exist. They make the books come alive . This flat monotone narration almost had me giving up on a number of occasions what was actually a really good story.

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Delirium Tremens

There is a reason there are professional narrators, they enhance the whole Audible experience. The scraping bland tones of this author voicing his own work does nothing for this poor, tedious saga of a man drinking himself to death. Practically every sentence details the hows and whens of the alcohol consumption of the MC, so much so it seriously hampers the plot, and is the prime focus of the story. This is the last book I will get by this author.

Stopped with 4 hrs to go, as I needed a stiff drink.

HORRIBLE

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Would be a great story..

..but for the suspicion that I've just been subjected to 9hrs of AA propaganda! A shame! I have enjoyed all the previous books. Respect to the author but I listen for entertainment not recruitment to cults.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Superb narration.

Brilliantly narrated by one of the masters. Compelling Harrowing story about a tough and brutal old NYC.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Any other voice but this

This would have been my 4th Matthew Scudder story, but the narration is appealing. apparently it’s Mr block himself. Tragic. I’d rather read this myself.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Another very listenable story

This is my second Lawrence Block, Matt Scudder novel I’ve listened to and I’m enjoying it very much. I think his narration is very appropriate and good, I like that he’s reading his own book.
The book is dated but I think the words have been chosen wisely and it’s well done.
I haven’t guessed who dunnit yet and I’m near the end. I must say in a humorous way, if I drank as much coffee as the characters in the book, I’d be a gibbering mess!!

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

disappointed

the author
should have stuck to writing .it was spoilt by the auther narrating it.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

"One day at a time."

It all started when a young woman went to meet Matt Scherer in a bar, referee to him by a friend in the same line of work. Kim was a prostitute and wanted out. But afraid to tell her pimp, she wanted Matt to do it for her. Short of money and offered a thousand dollars for this service, Matt agrees. An ex cop, he is not a licenced private eye but 'does favours for friends' for money. so first he must find the elusive Chance to tell him of Kim's decision.
Far more than just another murder mystery, Eight Million Ways to Die let's the reader live inside Matt Scudder's head as he battles with his own demons, including alcohol and guilt, whilst searching for a vicious killer who seems to have left no traces behind. All of the characters are so vividly portrayed they could be sitting right there, real and recognisable, with dialogue so true to life. The author paints a brilliant picture, a slice of life, of place and time.The

Lawrence Block also narrates his story, fully taking on the Scudder personality. And again he is superb. I'm rarely in favour of author's reading their own books but I certainly make an exception in his case even if the performance is at times down beat: it is Matt Scudder's life made real. I am, and have for many years, been a fan of Block's writing: great stories and characterisation, good, often witty, dialogue and very visual, atmospheric, noir. But in this novel he has excelled.

My thanks to the Audible Plus programme for making this excellent book freely available to download. Go get it now!
Very highly recommended.

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