When the Sacred Ginmill Closes

When the Sacred Ginmill Closes

First edition
Author Lawrence Block
Country United States
Language English
Series Matthew Scudder
Genre Mystery
Publisher Arbor House
Publication date
1986
Media type Print
Pages 239
ISBN 978-0-87795-774-4
OCLC 12420085
Preceded by 8 Million Ways to Die
(1982)
Followed by Out on the Cutting Edge
(1989)

When the Sacred Ginmill Closes is a Matthew Scudder novel, written by Lawrence Block. Based on the short story "By the Dawn's Early Light", and published four years after Eight Million Ways to Die, this novel resurrected Block's interest in the character and led to his writing 10 more titles in the series. The book's title derives from the Dave Van Ronk song "Last Call".[1]

Plot

This Matthew Scudder noir crime novel starts out much like the previous books in the series. Matt is still drinking heavily and solving crimes as an "unofficial" private detective in gritty New York. There are three separate mysteries that are intertwined, involving multiple dead bodies, stolen money and other complications. But the real story is Matt's drinking and how it affects his work. The closing line is a classic, and separates the earlier books from the later ones in this series.

Awards

Wins

Nominations

References

  1. Thomas, Phil (August 8, 1986). "Novel review". Daily News. Retrieved March 5, 2012.
  2. "The Falcon Award: A Literary Mystery Award". Awards.omnimystery.com. Retrieved March 6, 2012.
  3. "Bouchercon World Mystery Convention : Anthony Awards Nominees". Bouchercon.info. October 2, 2003. Retrieved March 6, 2012.
  4. "The Private Eye Writers of America and The Shamus Awards". Thrillingdetective.com. Retrieved March 6, 2012.
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