Small Town

By: Lawrence Block

Narrated by: George Guidall

As a Mystery Writers of America Grand Master and multiple Edgar Award winner, Block is one of the premier crime writers of the 20th century. He has written over 50 novels, and five different mystery series. A stand-alone mystery, Small Town just so happens to be one of Block’s best yet! Here, he delivers a mesmerizing thriller that wholly embraces New York, the city he knows and loves so well. Characters include a writer on the verge of a breakthrough, a charismatic ex-police commissioner on the verge of a mental collapse, a folk art dealer plumbing the depths of her own ferocious sexuality, and a quirky lawyer who prefers murder trials because there’s one less witness. And in the shadows of a city reeling from the September 11th terrorist attacks, an unlikely mass murderer begins to wage a one-man war against all.

©2003 Lawrence Block (P)2003 Recorded Books, LLC

2nd Listen one of favorites

2nd listen...one of my favorites....narrator wise and the story was raw and ribald truth....about the dark and sometimes humorous side of life

My Favorite Lawrence Block.

I listen at 80% speed, so this thing is like 19 hours! Wonderful summer repast:
my favorite narrator, a long luscious story, and Lawrence Block interweaving a
fine mystery plot and telling us all about the intimate corners of NYC, with every
bit the intrigue of a great Matthew Scudder story.

If there's a down side, it's perhaps too much kink, which doesn't float my boat. But
the story is a gripping police procedural, and Block is one of my favorites.

Block at his best.

Loved the delving into a variety of psyches. The back drop of 9/11 was interesting. It’s a great narrative and I would love more like from Block.
The 1 star review folks are hilarious. You give it one star because a woman uses a man’s back door and they both like it?? Guess what? Millions of healthy and sane people enjoy this every day. The story of how both characters get to this place in life is well told and well thought out. Block is a Westlake like master. Loved it!!

Terrible disappointment

Nothing like what I expected. A very, very long and convoluted story with explicit sexual acts between a wealth of (idiotic) people throughout. I made myself finish it because I paid for it and this writer is supposed to be so talented. Leans too heavily on the tragedy of 9/11 and sex, which is an awful way to make money. Anti-climatic ending, though that's probably the only thing that doesn't climax. Save your money. Maybe some of his earlier stuff is better. I gave it 1 star because I like George Guidall, though why he did this I couldn't say.

Book is an extremely unpleasant read!

Would you try another book from Lawrence Block and/or George Guidall?

No. Guidall always but after listening to him read this, I had to take a break, get the stink out of my brain, the foul taste out of my mouth. Try to forget I listened to him read this novel. I almost left the book half way through, but as an aspiring writer myself, I thought there must be some point that Block will get to. I shouldn't be critical without finishing the book. Fact is, Block doesn't get to a point, unless it is that everyone is weak and completly out of control. This isn't a judgement of what the characters do but rather the way they wind up doing what they do. And the motivation for the killer makes no sense. Sorry Mr. Block, I just couldn't buy it. So, wish I had left the book half way. I suggest you avoid it all together. There's nothing to gain from it, but a lot to loose, especially the hours you spend with it. I've never read other books by Block and this one may be way outside what he usually writes, but I have no desire to find out.

What was most disappointing about Lawrence Block’s story?

His obvious disdain for humanity in general.

Which character – as performed by George Guidall – was your favorite?

None

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Small Town?

I would have said: Don't know why you felt compelled to write this book, but put it in a drawer and forget about it. Better yet, just destroy it. You don't want to be remembered for Small Town.

Any additional comments?

Would like to hear Block explain the point of writing this.