Even the Wicked Audiobook By Lawrence Block cover art

Even the Wicked

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Even the Wicked

By: Lawrence Block
Narrated by: Mark Hammer
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Matthew Scudder knows that justice is an elusive commodity in the big city, where a harmless man can be shot dead in a public place criminals fly free through holes in a tattered legal system. But now a vigilante is roaming among the millions, executing those he fees deserve to die. He calls himself "The Will of the People"—an ingenious serial killer who announces his specific murderous intentions to the media before carrying through on his threats. A child molester, a Mafia don, a violent anti-abortionist—even the protected and untouchable are being ruthlessly erased by New York's latest celebrity avenger.

Scudder knows that no one is innocent—but who among us has the right to play God? It is a question that will haunt the licensed p.i. on his journey through the bleak city grays, as he searches for the sanity in urban madness … and for a frighteningly efficient killer who can do the impossible.

More mayhem? Listen to another Matt Scudder mystery.©2007 Lawrence Block (P)2007 Recorded Books, LLC Crime Mystery Suspense Thriller & Suspense Murder Exciting Fiction

Critic reviews

"An ingenious whodunit that's also, in Block's recent manner, a provoking meditation on mortality - with a particularly strong supporting role for the City of New York, which turns in its finest performance since Ellery Queen's Cat of Many Tails." (Kirkus Reviews)
Intriguing Plot • Captivating Characters • Surprising Twists • Wonderful Storytelling • Multiple Storylines
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A little rambling but.. one of my favorite Scudder stories. Thank you Lawrence, you keep me entertained.

A true Scudder fan

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Story line was great and intriguing. Mark Hammer made it almost unbearable. Please do not let him narrate anymore books.

Great plot, horrible narrator.

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This wasn't my favorite Scudder; A Long Line of Dead Men was a hard act to follow. But that didn't warrant a full star off. 4.5 would have been about right. There were lot of storylines to keep the reader occupied, and hence value for the buck, even if it didn't always cohere perfectly.

The primary story line was too easy to guess, but the book was only 1/3 over when it was resolved. Block still had other fish to fry. Some of what followed felt like different stories altogether, but that's OK.

Mark Hammer did his usual, droll good job of narration.

Long and entertaining, even if fkawed

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Another excellent book by L Block..The plot is intriguing and the characters captivating . With Matt Scudder's stories, Lawrence Block follows the tradition of the best , hard-boiled detective books : a pleasure not to miss !

Excellent

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I like all Matthew Scudder novels/novels especially this one and A Million Ways to Die !

I loved the twists and turns and the persistence of Matthew Scudder

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Very good mixture of characters and plot plus subplots woven together in surprising ways. Mark Hammer was super as narrator. A very engrossing performance of this crime novel

Engrossing,original and touching

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But a wonderful storyteller. I like slow stories as well as fast ones. The reader fits very well to Block's style.

Not the best of Matthew Skudder

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Big Matthew Scudder fan and this one did not disappoint. Riveting and could not stop listening.

Great Storytelling

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Even the wicked has one of the best plot lines that Mr. Block has ever written. Truly. A mysterious man who calls himself "Will of the People" has begun killing victims in New York. He writes letters to a columnist for the Post, teasing readers with who the next victim will be and how/when Will will strike. Some of the murders are truly mind-blowing. Naturally Matt gets himself deeply involved in the drama, with no regard whatsoever for his own safety or for Elaine's. The twists and turns keep you glued to your ear phones. Mark Hammer does his usual excellent work. He has begun to sound like a junior George Guidall, certainly a fine fine thing. His voice is more gravelly and full of nuance. The political ambitions of various law enforcement personnel get caught up with Will's machinations. City and Federal officers get all twisted around trying to be the hero who saves NYC and makes the city breathe a sigh of relief. Meanwhile Matt's usual sojourn through his sobriety and his loving relationship with Elaine and also his paternal-like interactions with TJ: all of these make for interesting reading, even if they are beginning to become a bit repetitive. Matt's interactions with Anita, his ex-wife, and their two sons could be excised from the book. I just don't see what purpose they serve in the novel. Yes, Matt is morose. We see why he poured himself into the bottle for decades. However, people do get better! Take heart, all ye Friends of Bill. A normal life is attainable, one day at a time.

One of Mr. Block's best, which is saying something

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This narrator has no different voice for any of the characters... and his delivery is bland...
Block tells a great story... but this narrator didn't do justice to it

The previous narrator did a much better read

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