A Stab in the Dark

[4.4~4.5] oh boy things are really picking back up again, but with a much more personal twist. as Scudder's alcoholism becomes an increasingly vocal & incessant devil on his shoulder, he's approaching a crossroads where he either confronts his hard drinking or keeps his eyes shut, giving into the temptation right up until his life snuffs out.

this internal battleground plays against the backdrop of an unsolved murder and the Ice Pick Prowler, a serial killer caught years ago who denies any involvement (solid alibi included) in an eighth woman's killing.

i haven't read a lot of noir crime fiction, but from my own experience, i can say that Lawrence Block is more than living up to his Grand Master of Mystery Writers of America title.

as a note for audio listeners, the books from here on out are narrated by a colorful variety of folks, so i wouldn't get too attached to one voice. the narration quality can be especially jarring if you've come from listening to the first three books (the narrator of which did a superb job). but please don't let that deter you from reading on with the series - book 5 has been so worth it.