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Matthew Scudder: A Retrospective on Lawrence Block's Enduring Detective Character

Alfred Ross

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Published in Even The Wicked: A Matthew Scudder Novel (Matthew Scudder Mysteries 13)

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Matthew Scudder, A Private Detective Created By Lawrence Block, Is A Complex And Compelling Character Who Has Captured The Attention Of Readers For Decades. Even The Wicked: A Matthew Scudder Novel (Matthew Scudder Mysteries 13)

Matthew Scudder is a fictional private detective created by American author Lawrence Block. Scudder is a recovering alcoholic who lives in New York City and specializes in missing persons cases. He is a complex and deeply flawed character, but he is also a compassionate and determined investigator. Scudder has been featured in over 20 novels and short stories, and he has been played by Jeff Bridges in two films.

Even the Wicked: A Matthew Scudder Novel (Matthew Scudder Mysteries 13)

Even the Wicked: A Matthew Scudder Novel (Matthew Scudder Mysteries Book 13)

by Lawrence Block

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	693 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	400 pages

Scudder's Creation and Development

Block created Scudder in 1976, as a protagonist for his novel "The Sins of the Fathers." Scudder was inspired by several real-life private detectives that Block had met, as well as by the character of Philip Marlowe, created by Raymond Chandler.

Scudder is a loner who is haunted by his past. He is a recovering alcoholic, and he has a troubled relationship with his family. Despite his flaws, Scudder is a good man who is committed to helping others.

Scudder's Novels and Short Stories

Scudder has been featured in over 20 novels and short stories. His most famous novels include:

* "The Sins of the Fathers" (1976) * "Time to Murder and Create" (1979) * "Eight Million Ways to Die" (1982) * "A Walk Among the Tombstones" (1992) * "The Last Dance" (2009)

Scudder's novels and short stories have been praised for their realism, their suspense, and their complex characters. Block has won numerous awards for his work, including the Mystery Writers of America Grand Master Award.

Scudder's Adaptations

Scudder has been adapted for film and television several times. In 1982, Jeff Bridges starred as Scudder in the film "8 Million Ways to Die." In 1992, Scudder was played by Tom Berenger in the television series "A Walk Among the Tombstones."

Scudder's Legacy

Matthew Scudder is one of the most iconic private detectives in crime fiction. He has been praised for his realism, his complexity, and his compassion. Scudder is a character who has endured for decades, and he continues to fascinate readers with his complex and compelling stories.

Matthew Scudder is a complex and enduring character who has captured the attention of readers for decades. He is a flawed but compassionate detective who is committed to helping others. Scudder's novels and short stories are well-written and suspenseful, and they offer readers a unique glimpse into the world of private investigation.

Even the Wicked: A Matthew Scudder Novel (Matthew Scudder Mysteries Book 13)

by Lawrence Block

4.4 out of 5