Eight Million Ways to Die

By: Lawrence Block

Narrated by: Lawrence Block

Length: 9 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's 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

Blocks performance is great

Reading some of the reviews I was ready for a terrible reading of a great novel. For the first few minutes, I was in total agreement of the negative reviews of Blocks reading... then, for me, he became Matt. Within an hour I was completely into the story and Blocks voice became Matt Scudder. A story less about the mystery and more about the way the words and thoughts come together. The best in the series so far.

great detective story

it turns out Lawrence Block is a far better writer than he is a reader . I expected the author would present the characters best. But, Alan Sklar's interpretation in books 1 through 3 is much better. It's difficult to tell Block's characters apart. This book has great characters, great dialogue, good scenes, and good ending. the main character's inner dialogue is casually profound but matter of fact and honest, even about his character flaws.

Another great one!

I have always enjoyed the Matthew Scudder series! With Lawrence Block narrating, I feel like I'm at the bar listening to Matt talking to me!!

Author should not narrate his own books

Fortunately, the story line is great. If is wasn't, I might have returned it. There are so many excellent narrators. They don't write, and writers shouldn't narrate.

Narrator terrible

Interesting story. Block needs to get out of the reading business and concentrate on writing. I've listened to more than a hundred books and this was the worst reading of all. But the story was good so I plowed through.

Recovery begins

Great storyline and kept me listening and anxious for the next move. Really enjoyed the truth in the recovery references.

Powerful

What made the experience of listening to Eight Million Ways to Die the most enjoyable?

Two great story lines going on at the same time. Both story lines deal with human emotions and frailties . Block has created a captivating novel that tugs at your heart strings and emotions. His best work in the series to date.

What does Lawrence Block bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

It is his story. He knows how it is supposed to sound and does a great job.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

If I had the time ..Definitely

Any additional comments?

A must read !!!

Riddle of the Emerald Ring

Scudder waivers between sobriety and solving the murder of a high end prostitute. A beautiful emerald ring holds the key. Scudder is able to go and do things forbidden by the police to find the killer, but not before a second murder. True to Scudder mysteries, many false leads.

I liked the book.

Would you consider the audio edition of Eight Million Ways to Die to be better than the print version?

No

What other book might you compare Eight Million Ways to Die to and why?

None unless it's about you being an alcoholic.

What about Lawrence Block’s performance did you like?

Not really, Burt Reloads is worse. I like Titus Welliver or Joe Mantegna.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

It's about a drunk.

great story

I have enjoyed this series but this story touched me more. best ending of the series so far.