Small Town A Novel of New York by
Lawrence Block
pbk out March 04
(Orion)
at £6.99
Lawrence Block is a Grand Master of the Mystery Writers of America and a prolific
writer with no less than five series to his name. He is most renowned for his gritty
novels featuring hard-boiled, alcoholic ex-cop turned private eye, Matt Scudder, as
well as the more light-hearted mysteries starring Bernie Rhodenbarr (gentleman
burglar). With Small Town he eschews the familiar serial characters concentrating
instead a story that examines the effects of September 11th and its aftermath on the
city of New York and its people. When single woman Marilyn is found strangled in
her apartment the ensuing homicide investigation pulls several other characters into
its orbit: John, a writer on the verge of his big break, Susan, an art dealer setting out
on a sexual odyssey and enjoying new pastures, Buckram, a former police
commissioner facing a mid-life crisis, Maurice, a successful criminal lawyer and
Jerry, a gay cleaner who first discovers the body. The lives of these people gradually
intersect and enmesh while somewhere in the city a killer plans fresh carnage. Small
Town is erotic, intriguing and thrilling. Block's customary sure-fire plotting,
exemplary characterisation and a patent love of the Big Apple translate into a superb
read.
Manchester Evening News 3.4.04
(
Cath Staincliffe
author of the popular Sal Kilkenny mysteries set on the mean streets of Manchester)
Small Town A Novel of New York by
Lawrence Block
