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Lawrence Block

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A Ticket to the Boneyard (Matthew Scudder) Mass Market Paperback – July 30, 2002

by Lawrence Block (Author)

4.5 533 ratings

Book 8 of 17: Matthew Scudder

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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.

Book 8 of 17

Matthew Scudder
Print length

384 pages
Language

English
Publisher

William Morrow Paperbacks
Publication date

July 30, 2002
Dimensions

4.33 x 1.18 x 6.89 inches
ISBN-10

0380709945
ISBN-13

978-0380709946
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Editorial Reviews

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

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

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ William Morrow Paperbacks (July 30, 2002)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Mass Market Paperback ‏ : ‎ 384 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0380709945
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0380709946
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 8 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 4.33 x 1.18 x 6.89 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #988,760 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #4,027 in Hard-Boiled Mystery
- #7,612 in Private Investigator Mysteries (Books)
- #42,620 in Suspense Thrillers

Customer Reviews:
4.5 533 ratings

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Lawrence Block

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Lawrence Block has been writing crime, mystery, and suspense fiction for more than half a century. He has published more than 100 books, and no end of short stories.

LB is best known for his series characters, including Matthew Scudder, Bernie Rhodenbarr, Evan Tanner, and Keller. LB has also published under pseudonyms including Jill Emerson, John Warren Wells, Lesley Evans, and Anne Campbell Clarke.

His monthly instructional column ran in Writer’s Digest for 14 years and led to a series of books for writers. He has also written television and film screenplays. Several of LB’s books have been filmed, including A Walk Among the Tombstones.

LB is a Grand Master of Mystery Writers of America. He has won multiple Edgar and Shamus awards, the Japanese Maltese Falcon award, the Nero Wolfe and Philip Marlowe awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Private Eye Writers of America, and the Diamond Dagger for Life Achievement from the Crime Writers Association of the UK, been proclaimed a Grand Maitre du Roman Noir, and has been awarded the Société 813 trophy.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5

533 global ratings

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Rocco Dormarunno

Marcus Scudder Aurelius

Reviewed in the United States on March 28, 2013

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In Lawrence Block's "A Ticket to the Boneyard", our man Matthew Scudder is tackling many things: a sociopathic bloodthirsty killer, his responsibilities toward three of his women, a restraining order, his alcoholism... But the one thing that he really has a hard time tackling is the philosophy of Roman emperor and sage, Marcus Aurelius. Specifically, the idea of seeing things as they are, without prejudice, without influence, without context (almost) is the hardest thing for Scudder to get his mind around. As an alcoholic, he has heard a hundred times that when it comes to alcoholism, "It is what it is." The serenity prayer, recited at the end of every meeting, weighs acceptance as equally as change and wisdom. However, as an ex-cop and unofficial investigator, he has to work with patterns, priors, and precedents constantly. Acceptance, when it comes to this killer, becomes a dangerously passive act. And, yet, the time Scudder did act against this criminal a dozen years previously, it led to death and disaster. No wonder he is in such a quandary.

This is not a murder mystery; it is a "we know whodunnit, but how do we catch him?" novel. This gives Block a little flexibility. Instead of trying to piece together clues, Scudder has to seek and destroy. This gives Block plenty of time to have his investigator seek out allies, and Block seems to relish in this. I had the feeling that he enjoyed writing "A Ticket to the Boneyard". There are several long passages of dialogue--much of it personal to Scudder--which Block savors: Scudder with Elaine, Scudder with Danny Boy, Scudder with Durkin, Scudder with Ballou... and even Scudder with himself. This novel had a much deeper feel than some of the others. The high level of psychological credibilty was unexpected--and appreciated by me. All this makes for one of the best Block had put out there in this series.

4 people found this helpful

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Wilson

Perfect for Newbies

Reviewed in the United States on October 11, 2023

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Oh, boy! This novel is just too good. I thought it was longer than the rest of the Scudder books but it did not bother me at all. I just came to a point in the story where I kept on turning pages, eager to know what happens and whether the characters will be able to solve their predicament. And so as not to spoil it, I prefer to keep my review at a high level.

Another reason to not spoil is that this book is perfect for newbies to the genre. If you are one and looking for a detective or crime novel to begin with, then this is the one for you. It has a gamut of everything: mystery, suspense, some steamy scenes, and some humor even. But hey, you can also start with Scudder's first outing, right? (see 'Sins of the Father's' by Lawrence Block) You just have to weather the first ones through. Do not get me wrong, I liked them all but I realize that Block' s writing ages like fine wine. And this book is that point where the wine becomes damn too fine and expensive.

New York's been as gloomy and it gets more dangerous and cutthroat. It is a fast lane that will eat people up, figuratively and literally. Block portrays this well in the Scudder series. He uses NY masterfully as a canvas for his stories. Man, it has been more than a decade since I stepped in New York.

2 people found this helpful

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archon malik

You would think he'll take a drink.

Reviewed in the United States on December 19, 2021

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Recovery from a psychopath "Beating the Brakes" off of you or recovery from alcoholism which one is most intense. This book rolls it all up. All you have to do is lite it then smoke it.

Reviewed in the United States on October 26, 2018

Verified Purchase

I've read several Matthew Scudder books, but not in consecutive order and it's been a while ago. This time I decided to start at the beginning, reading each one... Every time I'm on the edge of my seat.. And this time was no different... Except, now, I have a relationship with Matt, Elaine, and the butcher... Wow!!! I'm really struggling to get anything else done!! Love 'em!!!!

One person found this helpful

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J. Grattan

Gritty Scudder

Reviewed in the United States on March 5, 2019

Verified Purchase

Scudder didn’t think much about the courtroom, revenge threat directed to him by convicted psychopath James Motley some twelve years prior. But all of a sudden his girlfriend Elaine and he both get a newspaper clipping from Ohio of a supposed mass murder and suicide. One of the victims, a woman, testified against Motley at his trial. They know he is out of prison intent on carrying out his threats.

Ordinarily, ex-cop Scudder leads a pretty laid back life, roaming his favorite NYC haunts, while working on low-profile cases. Now, the tension is ratcheted up; he knows his life and others’ are in danger. He’s been a regular at AA meetings for several years, but he is close to being driven over the edge of sobriety.

Eventually, Scudder’s street smarts and connections, whether with policemen or those operating outside the law, lead him to a final showdown with Motley, but not without a good bit of collateral damage. It takes people with Scudder’s grit to deal with murderous psychopaths.

2 people found this helpful

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bizmax

Chilling

Reviewed in the United States on August 12, 2021

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Excellent as always, but with a creepy nemesis on the prowl. I wish this was made into film. Would be tense!

Reviewed in the United States on January 6, 2012

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Lawence Block, can a moments be very entertaining, but so far everything that I have read by him, takes way to long to get me involved. A great book to keep by your nightstand. If you can't get to sleep, just read a few pages, It should do the trick. When any of his characters enters a room, you will get a full discription of everything in the room. Good writing, just a little slow.

Reviewed in the United States on October 25, 2018

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This is one of the weaker entries in the series in my opinion. Scudder spends a lot of time dwelling on life issues which is great in moderation but that moderation is lacking here. Add to that that the mystery element and cop procedure is sorely lacking. This is a thriller that isn’t all that thrilling. I still like Matt but this is the book where the series starts to decline a tad. Elaine and Muck are fine but the constant dwelling conversation and analysis of their relationship with Scudder gets a bit boring. Still the main character manages to hold your interest and empathy.

One person found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

Andrew Mulholland

Soak up the dialogue

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 29, 2020

Verified Purchase

Read any Scudder novel - they are all brilliantly plotted, with Matt chipping away slowly but unflaggingly until he discovers the truth. Often there are interlinked stories, often the result is not court but justice is done. And beyond all this the dialogue is just exquisite, pitch perfect.
I do strongly recommend you read them in order so as to follow Scudder's path as he tries to move forward in his life. You will see friends and habits changing as he moves on from the event that led to his separation and his resignation from the police. He is the same man from book to book at his core but he grows and changes.
However you read these novels, you will have a great time.

Ramsbottom-isherwood

Great book

Reviewed in Australia on March 23, 2019

Verified Purchase

Great book. Block is one of the best writers of detective thrillers around.

Coffey man

I want you to read Scudder ｂｙ the original.

Reviewed in Japan on July 7, 2008

Verified Purchase

12 years ago, Matthew Scudder lied to a jury to put James Leo Motly behind bars. Now the ingenious psychopath is free. And alcohoric ex-cop-turnd-p.i. must pay dearty for his sins. Friends and lovers are suddenly turning up until he's driven his nemesis first back to the bottle... and then to the boneyard.

2 people found this helpful

Matt

Good story

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 6, 2017

Verified Purchase

This is another good installment about Scudder. The story this time is a lot more personal and helps to fill in the blanks about what he was like as a charactor before the series started. It is perhaps possible to think there were too many coincidences, or that for a villian as resourceful and efficient as this one the end is a little bit disappointing. But i found the story atmospheric, easy to read and overall i was very entertained by it.
Not the best in the series, but very entertaining nonetheless

steve stoic

Four Stars

Reviewed in Canada on October 2, 2016

Verified Purchase

Very creepy villain.

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