The Devil Knows You're Dead

A Matthew Scudder Crime Novel, Book 11

De: Lawrence Block

Narrado por: Joe Barrett

In New York City, there is little sense and no rules, and those who fly the highest often come crashing down the hardest.

A deranged, derelict, crazed Vietnam vet has been arrested for gunning down successful young lawyer Glenn Holtzmann at a corner phone booth on 11th Avenue—and the suspect's brother wants unlicensed private investigator Matthew Scudder to prove the madman innocent. But Scudder's curiosity and dedication are leading him to dark, unexplored places in his own heart…and to passions and secrets that could destroy everything he loves.

In this unmerciful metropolis, no one is truly innocent—including Matthew Scudder.

©2009 Lawrence Block (P)2014 Blackstone Audiobooks

as usual Lawrence Block provides a unusual story

I love Matt Scutter stories, excellent dialogue and great returning characters. Good read, great series

A journey between murder and melancholy

Matthew Scudder’ s books are not the typical detective story where a detective -the good guy- solves a mystery of a murder and gets the bad guy behind the bars and where suspense, violence and intensity are the basic ingredients of the plot. There is a bit (at times a lot) of all this in Scudder’s stories, but there is much more. Scudder is continuously in a soul-searching mode, engaged in a journey towards redemption from his demons (alcohol, bad memories, life failures). He does all this without rhetoric or drama; he is a man with a natural sense of self-reflection combined with a self-deprecating sense of humour. He is also smart, though when needed and a great at reading people behaviours.
In this particular book Scudder is asked to help solve the mystery of the death of a prosperous lawyer; a presumed killer is caught by the police, but …. Other more personal events cross Matt’s journey toward the truth and allow different levels of reflection, which the standards detective books do not usually do.
New York provides a fantastic background to the story and Joe Barret is as good as it gets.

Drags a little

Joe Barret is a great reader for this genre.

The story drags a bit here and there compared to other Scudder novels like When the Sacred Ginmill Closes but finishes very strong. It seems like Block is most compelling when Scudder is miserable.

Once Again the Marriage of Lawrence Block and Joe Barrett win!!!

Joe Barrett brings Mathew Scudder and his Friends to life with every Audio book they partner with. I make it a point to listen to Joe Barrett in most every book he has been the Narrator. Why? He brings books to life and accentuates each and every character. His bless you both. ~ John Zirpola - Charleston, Sc.

Mistaken Identity

Great characters mixing it up in the story. To prove an apparently guilty man innocent, Scudder stumbles upon a federal snitch and a murderous pimp.

Profoundly affected my attitude

Wow what a wonderful rediscovery!
I am listening to the Scudder series in order they were written. This the best so far...thank you Lawerence Block❤️

smart, funny, inclusive crime

really well written, enjoyable plotlines with great characters. really well narrated. Lawrence Block has become a favourite auther and Joe Barrett is hands down the best narrator.

Aces, as always!

I always enjoy Mathew Scudder books! The Nation was ok, but I prefer the ones Lawrence Block does himself. His voice is "right" for Mathew Scudder and I can close my eyes and it feels like Matt is right here telling me about his life!

Character development w/o much story

Far from my favorite Scudder book, but decent nonetheless. Even without a compelling main storyline Block is able to provide some solid character development for those who've read all (or most) of the earlier Scudder books. This one lacks any thrills or real action, and the main mystery is pretty much of a dud, yet I enjoyed Joe Barrett's narration and certain other elements.

Block Does It Again

Once again, Block mines the depths of the lower depths of Eighties Manhattan and strikes emotional gold.