Everybody Dies

By: Lawrence Block

Narrated by: Mark Hammer

Matt Scudder is finally leading a comfortable life. The crime rate's down and the stock market's up. Gentrification's prettying-up the old neighborhood. The New York streets don't look so mean anymore.

Then all hell breaks loose.

Scudder quickly discovers the spruced-up sidewalks are as mean as ever, dark and gritty and stained with blood. He's living in a world where the past is a minefield, the present is a war zone, and the future's an open question. It's a world where nothing is certain and nobody's safe, a random universe where no one's survival can be taken for granted. Not even his own.

A world where everybody dies.

More mayhem? Listen to another Matt Scudder mystery.©2007 Lawrence Block (P)2007 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

Block's seamless weave of thought and action, and his matchless gift for dialogue that is true, funny and revealing, have seldom been on more effective display. The pages leading up to the climax have an almost Shakespearean feel for human resignation in the face of mortality. ( Publishers Weekly)

Another great story!

All the Scuder stories are great, but this one has a depth to it that makes it irresistible. Narrator Hammer brought the characters to life. Highly recommended.

Excellent

I had a hard time taking pauses in listening to this book. Good story and excellent narration.

Good story, not a fan of the reader

One of the darker and more downbeat Scudder novels (as presaged by the title), this was nonetheless a terrific entry in the series. However, I've never really loved Mark Hammer's narration on these. His character work is top-notch, but the laconic delivery doesn't seem to fit the story or Scudder.

Great Story, Terrible Narrator

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Yes. The narrator. I'd listened to several Matt Scudder novels with Joe Barrett as the narrator, and the experience was so enjoyable, it became nearly addictive. I bought audible book after another. But then when I ran out of Scudder-voiced-by-Barrett books, I tried a different narrator. What a let down. Even though Scudder is in recovery, Mark Hammer's gravely voice makes him sound like he's a continually hungover. Second, Hammer can't capture the voices of characters. Elaine sounds like a drag queen. TJ like some redneck barroom imitation of an African-American. And don't get me started with what Hammer does to Irish voices. I will continue to listen to hear how the story turns out, but with little enjoyment in listening to it.

What did you like best about this story?

I love the Matt Scudder series.

Would you be willing to try another one of Mark Hammer’s performances?

No.

Terrible Narration

This guy was terrible. Pure monotone! Have enjoyed other novels read by other people from this author but this one was crap.