Lawrence Block has written 22 books featuring Matthew Scudder, his ex-cop/unlicensed private detective. Eight Million Ways to Die is the fifth in the series. I started here because I’m an Addiction Fiction nerd and this is the volume in which Scudder admits to being an alcoholic.
Eight Million Ways to Die
The book was published in 1982. It’s a time capsule that took me back to the New York City I knew as a kid. The subways were badly vandalized and covered in graffiti back then, taxis wouldn’t go north of 125th Street, and drug dealers ran Bryant Park. Pay phones were on every corner; they actually worked, and they cost a dime. The city was seedy. The New York Post featured a new grisly murder on the cover of the paper nearly every day. This is the backdrop and tone of Block’s book. Scudder hangs out in cheap bars with criminals. His supporting cast includes prostitutes, pimps, and surly alcoholic cops. Among them are Danny Boy, a black albino dwarf informant who drinks ten vodka and soda a day; Chance, the intellectual and conservatively dressed pimp; and Donna, a prostitute and published poet.
There are two mysteries unfolding in parallel. One is a complex, cross-borough murder investigation. The other is the mystery of what is wrong with Matt Scudder. There is another parallel track playing out throughout the book as well, the unthinkable stories on the covers of the newspapers compared to the unbelievable stories being told in the AA rooms Scudder frequents. Both create wreckage in people’s lives.
When we meet Scudder, he’s a couple of weeks removed from his latest hospital stay after nearly drinking himself to death. He attends AA meetings, but he doesn’t participate. He counts days. I have heard it said that you can’t be too dumb for AA, but you can definitely be too smart. Scudder is too smart. He plays all the mental games of an addict and uses all the justifications and he plays detective with his drinking, observing it and collecting evidence. He exhausts every possible lead and turns over every stone. I fully related. I played this detective game also.
Scudder is a brilliant detective. On his own, he solves a complex murder case that the entire NYPD can’t even fathom, but it takes him 384 pages to solve the other case: He’s an alcoholic.
Will Thatcher’s Thoughts on Eight Million Ways to Die – 4.5 Stars
I am not a huge fan of crime novels, but I really enjoyed this one. I’m on the hook now and have to see what happens to Matt Scudder next. I’m sure he’ll solve more complex crimes with gritty characters in a dangerous and gloomy city, and that’s all fine. Additionally, I’m looking forward to more of that because Block does it very well, but what I’m really interested in is Scudder himself. Does he stay sober? Does he actually run a program? I’m on the hook and I have to know.
I listened to the audiobook, which Block performs himself. This was a mistake. It’s a very good book, but he is not a talented performer, and his nasally voice is distracting and out of sync with the hardboiled personality of the narrator.
The Sobees Addiction Fiction Score: 4.5 out of 5
ADDICTION FICTION BY WILL THATCHER: Addiction fiction is a newer genre of literature that explores the theme of addiction and recovery. These works of fiction often revolve around characters struggling with substance abuse and the emotional, physical, and psychological toll it takes on their lives. They may also delve into the complex dynamics of addiction within relationships and families. Addiction fiction typically focuses on themes of redemption, personal growth, and the journey toward recovery. By exploring these themes, addiction fiction can provide a powerful and relatable message.
ABOUT WILL THATCHER:
Will Thatcher is a sober man. He is also a proud dad, a sometimes-successful entrepreneur, and he is doing his best as a husband. After he finishes with AA, family stuff, work, the gym, surfing, and mountain biking he writes addiction fiction thrillers that feature clean and sober characters. Addiction recovery themes provide endless opportunities for dramatic conflict and resolution.
Will’s stories are exciting, intense, character-driven explorations of these themes. Will is also an Addiction Fiction enthusiast. While working on his own books, he steadily consumes and reviews the work of notable authors in the space. His reviews can be found on The Sober Curator, his social media accounts and on Goodreads.
Debut Novel: Killing Hurt
Coming Soon: The Sponsor
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