Synopses & Reviews
In his sixteenth Matthew Scudder novel,
New York Times-bestselling author Lawrence Block takes the award-winning series to a new level of suspense and a new depth of characterization. Building on the critical and commercial success of
Hope to Die, Block puts Scudder and the reader at the very edge of the abyss.
Scudder, a complex character who has grown and aged in real time, confronts the implacable challenge of mortality. But he must also tackle a determined, relentless, and icily inhuman adversary, perhaps the most unforgettable villain Block has ever created.
A man in a Virginia prison awaits execution for three hideous murders he swears, in the face of irrefutable evidence, he did not commit. A psychologist who claims to believe the convict spends hours with the man in his death row cell, and ultimately watches in the gallery as the lethal injection is administered. His work completed, the psychologist heads back to New York City to attend to unfinished business.
Meanwhile, Scudder has just agreed to investigate the ostensibly suspicious online lover of an acquaintance. It seems simple enough. At first. But when people start dying and the victims are increasingly closer to home, it becomes clear that a vicious killer is at work. And the final targets may be Matt and Elaine Scudder.
The suspense is breathtaking, the outcome never certain. A series that has garnered no end of awards the Edgar, the Shamus, the Philip Marlowe, the Maltese Falcon has ascended to a dizzying new height. With this novel, Lawrence Block, who recently received the Diamond Dagger for lifetime achievement from the Crime Writers Association of the United Kingdom, is at the very top of his form.
Review
"Another powerful meditation on mortality in thriller's clothing." Kirkus Reviews
Review
"The way Block brings together the disparate parts of his plot into one electrifying whole is testimony to his extraordinary skills....The suspense is at times so acute you might forget to breathe....[Y]et another triumphant entry in this series." Chicago Sun-Times
Review
"In Flowers, a particularly strong effort, Scudder matches wits with a serial killer who makes Hannibal Lecter look like a lightweight. One caveat: Some of the torture scenes are brutal, so don't read this on a full stomach. (Grade: A)" Entertainment Weekly
Review
"Block, who couldn't write a dull scene even if he tried to, is in fine form here....[Block] keep[s] us riveted to the story while misdirecting us from clearly presented but cleverly disguised portents of things to come." Los Angeles Times
Review
"Along with an intriguing plot and plenty of thrills, Block has given readers a hero for the ages and a villain to match. Put it all together and All the Flowers Are Dying is yet another triumphant entry in this fine and memorable series." Philadelphia Inquirer
Review
"Those who have never read one of Block's Scudder novels can pick up All the Flowers are Dying without trepidation....Longtime readers will certainly find it a welcome addition to the Scudder mythos. Recommended." BookReporter.com
Review
"Although Scudder's hunt for the killer turns into a companionable tour of colorful neighborhoods, his thoughts on the city run deep and reflect real feelings about its humanity." Marilyn Stasio, The New York Times Book Review
Synopsis
The New York Times-bestselling author is back with another fast-paced novel rich with mystery, atmosphere, and characterization.
Synopsis
New York Times bestselling author Lawrence Block returns with another riveting thriller.
Mystery Grandmaster Lawrence Block has enthralled readers for more than three decades with his novels featuring the lovable burglar Bernie Rhodenbarr, Keller, and
About the Author
Lawrence Block is one of the most widely recognized names in the mystery genre. He has been named a Grand Master of the Mystery Writers of America and is a four-time winner of the prestigious Edgar and Shamus Awards, as well as a recipient of prizes in France, Germany, and Japan. He received the Diamond Dagger from the British Crime Writers' Association—only the third American to be given this award. He is a prolific author, having written more than fifty books and numerous short stories, and is a devoted New Yorker and an enthusiastic global traveler.