• A Dance at the Slaughterhouse

  • Matthew Scudder, Book 9
  • By: Lawrence Block
  • Narrated by: Joe Barrett
  • Length: 8 hrs and 28 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (345 ratings)

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A Dance at the Slaughterhouse  By  cover art

A Dance at the Slaughterhouse

By: Lawrence Block
Narrated by: Joe Barrett
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Publisher's summary

There is no accolade or major mystery award that has not already been bestowed upon Lawrence Block. His acclaimed crime novels are as intelligent, provocative, and emotionally complex as they are nerve-tighteningly intense. And perhaps the most respected of his myriad works are the Matthew Scudder books - masterworks of suspenseful invention featuring a remarkable protagonist rich in conscience and character, with all the flaws that his humanity entails. This is the detective novel as high art.

In Matt Scudder's mind, money, power, and position elevate nobody above morality or the law. Now the ex-cop and unlicensed PI has been hired to prove that socialite Richard Thurman orchestrated the brutal murder of his beautiful, pregnant wife. During Scudder's hard-drinking years, he left a piece of his soul on every seedy corner of the Big Apple. But this case is more depraved and more potentially devastating than anything he experienced while floundering in the urban depths. Because this investigation is leading Scudder on a frightening grand tour of New York's sex-for-sale underworld - where an innocent young life is simply a commodity to be bought and perverted … and then destroyed.

©1991 Lawrence Block (P)2014 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

What listeners say about A Dance at the Slaughterhouse

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

Oustanding in a very good series. 5-star narrator.

Scudder is a complicated character, and in this book, he faces numerous moral and ethical challenges. Nothing is cut and dried. I enjoyed the dialog between him and Mick Ballou, an unlikely bff, and between him and his call girl girlfiend, and between him and his AA sponsor. If you demand action more or less continuously, you'll be disappointed. Warning: this story contains very strong and often brutal sexual content. If you are easily upset or offended, you should pass on this.

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5 people found this helpful

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DANG!

Lawrence Block can write one dang good detective novel. This series isn't going to be for everyone. This is a thinking mans detective novel which is pretty grounded and realistic. I have really fallen in love with this series. If you think you might like it I think you should give any one of his novels a try.

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3 people found this helpful

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Dark, engaging, well written !

This is the darkest Matt Scudder's book of the serie so far : sex for sale, snuff films and an evil killer . New York provides a fantastic background to the story and a number of convincing and engaging characters (Elaine , Tj) accompany Matt Scudder in his journey towards the truth. Joe Barret is as good as it gets.

Another great book : Audible should make available the whole serie.

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3 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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A Great Shocker

Wow! For fans of this series hold onto your arm chairs! A very different hero emerges and I won’t be the spoiler. Definitely not a good choice if you’ve never read him before but for fans the performance is good as ever and the plot twists delight!

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2 people found this helpful

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A masterpiece of detection ala Sam Spade

Lawrence Block receives many accolades, but we tend to overlook the fact that he can write damn good dialogue, on a par with George Higgins and other great crime writes who could breathe life into their characters. Here, the sober drunk PI Matt Scudder, becomes obsessed with finding the culprits involved in the apparent murder of a teen, filmed on a rented copy of the "Dirty Dozen." Great listening!

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Visceral Tale from New York Underbelly

Block captures the filth, degradation and corruption of Eighties NYC like no other. Plot relies slightly too heavily on coincidence, but delivers a powerful and satisfying resolution .

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1 person found this helpful

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A shocker with Scudder

The book was a bit shocking and yet entertaining. The characters were the usual group of his associates plus some very interesting ones unique to this story. The plot took a few sharp turns but always returned as it should to the main plot.

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Guns & Cleavers

Scudder is hired to determine if a man murderered his wife and stumbles onto a snuff film. Great characters and a twisty plot.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Too strong for a few.

I enjoyed the story but had to skip over some of the most shocking scenes.

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1 person found this helpful

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Just WOW!

Lawrence Block series are the best written and detailed, I love the way he explains details that us readers both need and lol…. Sometimes don’t need but nevertheless this is a great series and a fantastic writing style no one can surpass in my personal opinion! Thank you Mr Block and thank you Audible for the share!
Ps…. Can’t wait to see if I’ve already read the next one and probably reread it or search for it…. Thx again!

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