Lawrence Block - All the Flowers Are Dying (2005)
For nearly three decades, Lawrence Block has been writing mysteries that rank among the finest in the genre. During that time, the best of his work has been in the Matt Scudder series, now numbering sixteen volumes and still going strong.
Scudder is a former NYPD detective who hung up his shield and climbed into a bottle years ago. Now sober and mostly-retired from the private investigator business, he is content to live a quiet life with the woman he loves and leave the violence of his past far behind.
All the Flowers Are Dying opens on the eve of an execution. The prisoner about to suffer the ultimate punishment maintains his innocence in the commission of three heinous murders, despite all evidence to the contrary. The only one who believes him is a psychologist who meets with the condemned man before witnessing his death by lethal injection.
At the same time, Scudder agrees to help out a friend by looking into the background of a man she has met through an online dating service. He could be Mr. Right, but he seems to have secrets in his life that trouble her. As Scudder finds out, he has good reason to keep some things hidden.
The way that Block brings together the different parts of his plot into one electrifying whole is testimony to his extraordinary skills as a writer. He spins his story with such cunning ability that the reader can’t help but be drawn into his web.
Unlike some of the previous books in the series, the emphasis in All the Flowers Are Dying is more on the suspense than the mystery, and Block can keep the pulse pounding as well as anyone. The tension in this book is so acute at times you might even forget to breathe.
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.
Posted by David J. Montgomery in Book Reviews | Permalink
