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HOPE TO DIE by Lawrence Block William Morrow & Co., August 2001 320 pages $25.00 ISBN: 006019832X Buy in the UK | Buy in Canada

It's an eerie feeling to know that you may have had an association with someone right before they die. That's exactly what happens when Matt Scudder learns that Byrne and Susan Hollander are murdered after attending a reception and concert at Lincoln Center in New York. Matt and his wife Elaine had also attended that reception, which causes Scudder to wonder if he had talked to the Hollanders, if perhaps they had shared some interest. Or were they merely people in the same room at the same time? He also wonders about that fateful evening and how events transpired for the Hollanders. Block very skillfully builds a possible scenario, and the reader isn't really sure what occurred until a final brutal unveiling at the end of Chapter 1. We only know that something bad has happened, and the actual revelation of the details is quite jolting.

The Hollanders lived in an expensive brownstone in the Village, and it appears that the motive for their murder may have been robbery. That is reinforced when the burglars dies in a subsequent murder/suicide and the Hollanders' belongings are found in their hands. The case is officially closed, but Scudder has a sense that the resolution is too "cute", too neat, and that possibly a third person has manipulated the chain of events. When more killings occur, Scudder's suspicions seem validated. That early sense of connection to the Hollanders leads Matt to look in more detail at the sequence of events.

Scudder has surrendered his PI license in an earlier situation and so is only investigating unofficially. He is hired first by a niece of the victims and then by their daughter, who is under suspicion as the estate she stands to inherit is quite sizable. Scudder is ably assisted by a young streetwise man by the name of TJ, who is one of my favorite characters in the series. The contrast between the Luddite Scudder who refuses to join the modern world of cell phones and computers and the cocky young man makes for some humorous yet warm moments. The addition of TJ to the team allows him to face some of the more physical dangers that would not be credible if handled by a 62-year-old man.

Hope to Die is the 15th book in the Matt Scudder series. It's been 25 years since the first Scudder book, The Sins of the Father, was published (in 1976). The character of Scudder has aged well over that period of time. His life is more balanced; he faithfully attends AA meetings (18 years sober!) and has a great marital relationship. There are still vestiges of the Scudder of yore; he still gives part of his income to charity and accepts payment in the form of a monetary gift rather than a set fee. And there are some interesting interactions with his sons as they meet after the death of his ex-wife of cancer, some connections made and some torn asunder.

This is a series that doesn't show any signs of losing its edge. In fact, Block has tried some different approaches in this book. One of the most successful is in changing points of view from Scudder to the villain. Most of the book is narrated by Scudder, and that allows us to form an intimacy with the lead character. It feels as though he is having a conversation with the reader. As the book progresses, Block devotes several chapters to the villain and we switch to third person point of view. Seeing into the mind of this individual is truly terrifying. The device serves to build tension, as we become aware of events of which Scudder knows nothing. In a nod to today's world, the killer is involved in an online newsgroup where he watches his actions being discussed. And as the book progresses, his mental state deteriorates before our eyes, making for some very compelling reading.

From the cleverly constructed opening to the pitch perfect ending, this is a book to enjoy and savor. The investigation is complex and followed in real time, and there are absolutely no false notes, no amazing coincidences, no easy answers handed to Scudder on a platter. Block does a masterful job, and I highly recommend this book.