A Time to Scatter Stones: A Mathew Scudder Novella

This well-crafted novella from MWA Grand Master Block finds recovering alcoholic and retired PI Matthew Scudder, last seen in 2011’s A Drop of the Hard Stuff, and his wife, Elaine, enjoying the good life in Manhattan. Then Elaine, whom Matt met decades earlier, when he was a cop and she was a prostitute, introduces Matt to Ellen, who belongs to a 12-step program for prostitutes looking to give up the business. Ellen has disengaged from her clientele except for a man known only as Paul. Paul’s obsessive and abusive behavior has driven her into hiding. Her hope is that Matt can persuade him to leave her in peace. Matt accepts the job, but how do you find one person in a city of millions when all you have is a first name? That Ellen has Paul’s cell phone number is a start. The story follows an entertaining path to the satisfactory conclusion. If brevity keeps all the usual supporting characters from returning, some nice nostalgic mentions will reassure fans that they haven’t been forgotten. It’s good to see Matt back in action. Agent: Danny Baror, Baror International. (Jan.)