Product Description

Twelve years ago, Matthew Scudder lied to a jury to put James Leo Motley behind bars. Now the ingenious psychopath is free. And the alcoholic ex-cop-turned-p.i. must pay dearly for his sins. Friends and former lovers -- even strangers unfortunate enough to share Scudder's name -- are turning up dead. Because a vengeful maniac is determined not to rest until he's driven his nemesis back to the bottle...and then to the boneyard.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #341470 in Books
• Published on: 1991-12-01
• Released on: 1991-12-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• 384 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780380709946
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

From Publishers Weekly
A call girl warns former cop Matthew Scudder that a homicidal psycho he helped convict is out of jail and seeking revenge. "The New York settings are superbly authentic, the dialogue is hip . . . and the resolution . . . is hair-raising," said PW.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review
"A Smooth, Chilling Suspense Novel That Stretches Nerves Wire-Tight" -- -- Boston Herald

"Absolutely Riveting . . . Non-Stop Tension And A Finish That Will Leave You Bug-Eyed" -- -- Washington Post Book World

"This Is Primo Stuff" -- -- The New York Times Book Review

About the Author
A Mystery Writers of America Grand Master, Lawrence Block is a four-time winner of the Edgar Allan Poe and Shamus Awards, as well as a recipient of prizes in France, Germany, and Japan. The author of more than fifty books and numerous short stories, he is a devout New Yorker who spends much of his time traveling.

Customer Reviews

Now I am hooked on Block.
I was mildly entertained by Lawrence Block's "Even the Wicked." "A Walk Among the Tombstones" was gritty enough to get me to try my third Matthew Scudder: "A Ticket to the Boneyard."

Now I am hooked, and will read the entire series.

Scudder is an ex-NYPD cop...a flawed, complex, likeable, pragmatic character. Now an unlicensed PI, he investigates for his friends.

The plot in "Boneyard" roars along from page one with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing all the way. Not predictable. The villain is one of the most realistic, despicable and depraved I have run across.

Great hard-edged writing that leaps off the pages.

I am making Lawrence Block a priority.

Who Let the Psycho Out?
It would seem that Matt Scudder bought his ticket to the boneyard when he was instrumental in putting away James Leo Motley for aggravated assault. It turns out that Motley is rather psychotic and tends to hold a grudge before violently acting on it. And now that he's out of prison, Scudder's on top of his hit list, as is just about anyone remotely friendly to him.

In between trips to Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, Scudder desperately tries to convince the police that Motley is a deranged killer and is responsible for a few of the latest deaths around town. Motley, however, is clever enough to provide no provable evidence for Scudder to give the police. So in the end, it looks as though it will have to come down to a man on man confrontation.

Apart from being worried about being murdered by a psychopath, Scudder is also working hard on not taking a drink. This is something he works at throughout the book and is very important to his character's development.

Scudder is a very complex character who appears to be finally getting some sort of grip on his life. Although appearing to bumble his way through some situations he is able to stand up during the important moments. This is quite a good thriller that occasionally loses momentum while attending AA meetings.

Another great one!
This was another great work of crime fiction. The story is a little familiar, reminiscent of old Dirty Harry films, but this isn't just a novel about plot. It is about style, Matthew Scudder and New York City. My favorite flawed hero, Scudder, is a complex character who has several fascinating and oddly compelling relationships with the various types of citizens of New York. It is also a novel about alcoholism, loneliness and friendship; at one point Scudder reflects that his best friends are a prostitute and a career criminal. Ironically, it is the prostitute and the criminal who lifts Scudder from the depths; not his law abiding friends. A moving, reflective and skillfully written novel, it is about as good as crime fiction gets. Highly recommended.