When the Sacred Ginmill Closes

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]

When the Sacred Ginmill Closes
First edition
AuthorLawrence Block
LanguageEnglish
SeriesMatthew Scudder
GenreMystery
PublisherArbor House
Publication date
1986
Publication placeUnited States
Media typePrint
Pages239
ISBN978-0-87795-774-4
OCLC12420085
Preceded by8 Million Ways to Die
(1982) 
Followed byOut on the Cutting Edge
(1989) 

Plot

edit

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.

Awards

edit

Wins

edit

Nominations

edit

References

edit
  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.