Everybody Dies

By: Lawrence Block

Narrated by: Mark Hammer

Length: 11 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's summary

Best-selling author Lawrence Block transports you to New York City to walk the shadowy back streets with P.I. Matt Scudder, ex-cop and recovering alcoholic.

In Everybody Dies, Matt is finally leading a comfortable, almost respectable life - until he helps an unlikely friend uncover a nameless enemy. The Big Apple seems to be mellowing, now that the crime rate is down and gentrification is sweeping the old neighborhoods. But when a hoodlum buddy from the past asks Matt to investigate the murders of two employees, the spruced-up sidewalks seem as mean as ever.

Suddenly, Matt finds himself in a world where every step leads him through a mine field, and no man's survival can be taken for granted.

Well-crafted characters, action-packed plots, and gritty, realistic settings have earned Lawrence Block multiple Edgar and Shamus Awards. With his dramatic performance, narrator Mark Hammer expertly captures all the restless rhythms and street-smart language.

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.

Mark Hammer narration ruins this book.

While one could certainly criticize the story arc of the later Matt Scudder novels, that pales in comparison to the awful narration by Mr. Hammer. He’s too old warbler voice is such a distraction that I fast forwarded through much of the book. I’ll stop my complaining here. Many have said much the same as myself. Buyer, definitely beware of this one. Darn it.

A Blockbuster

One of my favorite Scudder novels,which I've read twice and once a BOT, before this Audible version. Mark Hammer does a great job as well.

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.

Matt Scudder is a modern Philip Marlowe !

The story is somber, witty , hardboiled. Lawrence Block is a great and probably understated writer ; his characters are powerful and captivating and the New York "ambiance" absolutely faboulous.

Great book

Great story and great performance by mark Hamer with the only exception being that he tends to make all African American characters sound like they are from the Plantation South. Other than that he is very enjoyable to listen to.

Best ever

Greatest Scudder novel. The story line is riveting. Hammer did an outstanding job of pulling me into the story. I like mark Hammer narrating the Mathew Scudder stories.