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A Dance At The Slaughterhouse

Lawrence Block

243 Pages
2011

A Dance At The Slaughterhouse

Hachette UK

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A Dance At The Slaughterhouse - Summary

In this gripping noir thriller, former NYPD officer Matt Scudder takes on a harrowing private investigation that pushes him into the darkest corners of New York City's criminal underworld. When hired to investigate the murder of a pregnant woman, Scudder uncovers a sinister web of interconnected crimes involving human trafficking, underground snuff films, and murderous fetishes. As he delves deeper into this morally corrupt world, he must confront not only the perpetrators but also his own beliefs about justice and humanity in a city where everything has a price.

Key Themes

1

Moral Corruption in Urban Society

The novel explores how seemingly respectable facades can mask profound evil, particularly in a metropolis where money and power enable the worst aspects of human nature to flourish unchecked.

2

Justice vs. Law

Through Scudder's investigation, the story examines the complex relationship between legal justice and moral justice, questioning whether working within the system is always sufficient to combat evil.

3

Human Degradation

The book delves into how modern society can commodify human life, turning people into objects for profit and pleasure, while exploring the psychological impact on both victims and investigators.

FAQ's

While this is the 9th book in the Matt Scudder series, it can be read independently as the main plot is self-contained, though reading previous entries will provide deeper character context.

The book deals with mature themes and contains disturbing content related to violence and exploitation. While not gratuitously detailed, it's intended for mature readers who can handle dark subject matter.

The book distinguishes itself through its unflinching examination of society's darkest elements, sophisticated character development, and its protagonist's complex moral journey, rather than focusing solely on procedural aspects.

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