Book Review: All the Flowers Are Dying

Reviewed By: Woodstock - RAM

All the Flowers Are Dying     Amazon US HC Amazon UK HC Amazon Canada HC
Lawrence Block
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Private Investigator
Series: Matthew Scudder # 16
William Morrow/Harper Collins, 2005, 288 pages

Matt Scudder returns, and events in the final few pages the book left me wondering if this is the final appearance for the character.

Matt is approached by a female acquaintance to learn more about a man she has begun to date. Working on a free lance basis, much as he did in early books in this series, Matt finds a frustrating series of dead ends, vacant apartments and disconnected phone numbers.

He maintains his continuing pattern of regular AA attendance, and at post meeting discussions over coffee he and his fellow AA attendees ponder the case of a a serial murder soon to leave death row for the scheduled lethal injection.

The stage is now set for chapters with shifting points of view, and a growing sense of unease on the part of the reader that all the seemingly unconnected threads are part of a sinister pattern moving closer and closer to Scudder and those he holds dear.

Block never disappoints - his manner of presenting everyday conversation between his characters is nothing short of graceful as always.

A thoroughly engrossing read, downrated somewhat for the use of themes presented repeatedly in earlier books featuring Scudder.

Woodstock - RAM

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Woodstock - RAM