BOOK BRIEF

When the Sacred Ginmill Closes

Lawrence Block
Guide cover placeholder

When the Sacred Ginmill Closes

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2000

Book Brief

Sparkles iconBeta
Lawrence Block

When the Sacred Ginmill Closes

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2000
Book Details
Pages

272

Format

Novel • Fiction

Genre
Horror & Suspense

Mystery & Crime Fiction
Setting

New York City • 1980s

Publication Year

2000

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

In When the Sacred Ginmill Closes, Lawrence Block follows person-first protagonist Matt Scudder, an unlicensed private investigator navigating 1970s New York City. As Scudder deals with personal challenges, he becomes entangled in cases involving theft and murder, highlighting the themes of morality, redemption, and the complexities of human nature amidst a gritty urban landscape.

Dark

Mysterious

Melancholic

Gritty

Bittersweet

Reviews & Readership

4.3

6,510 ratings

81%

Loved it

15%

Mixed feelings

3%

Not a fan

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

When the Sacred Ginmill Closes by Lawrence Block is praised for its vivid depiction of 1980s New York and its gritty, introspective narrative. Readers appreciate the complex, flawed protagonist, Matt Scudder. Some find its pacing slow, but the novel's engaging writing compensates. The atmospheric setting and realistic character development contribute to its acclaim.

Who should read this

Who Should Read When the Sacred Ginmill Closes?

Readers who enjoy crime fiction with a gritty, noir atmosphere and complex characters will appreciate When the Sacred Ginmill Closes. Fans of Raymond Chandler’s The Long Goodbye or Ross Macdonald’s The Chill will find similar appeal in Block's intricate plotting and exploration of human frailty.

4.3

6,510 ratings

81%

Loved it

15%

Mixed feelings

3%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

272

Format

Novel • Fiction

Genre
Horror & Suspense

Mystery & Crime Fiction
Setting

New York City • 1980s

Publication Year

2000

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Buy This Book

We’re just getting started

Add this title to our list of requested Study Guides!