Block, Lawrence (1938-…), is a popular American author of crime fiction. During his long career, Block has published more than 100 novels, nonfiction books, and collections of short stories. Block has been praised for his complex and entertaining characters and a style that mixes gritty realism with humor. Most of his fiction is set in New York City.
Block’s first series features the unconventional hero Evan Tanner. Because of a medical condition, Tanner does not require any sleep. His adventures emphasize international intrigue and romance, beginning with The Thief Who Couldn’t Sleep (1966).
Perhaps Block’s most admired series features Matthew Scudder, a former policeman turned private detective who battles alcoholism. Block introduced Scudder in The Sins of the Fathers (1976). Another series, lighter in tone than the intense Scudder novels, follows the adventures of Bernie Rhodenbarr, a sophisticated New York City bookseller who also works as a burglar. Rhodenbarr first appeared in Burglars Can’t Be Choosers (1977).
Block’s fourth series centers on John Keller, a seemingly ordinary man who is really a professional killer. Keller made his debut in the short story collection Hit Man (1998).
Block has written several nonfiction books on the craft of writing. They include Writing the Novel: From Plot to Print (1979), Telling Lies for Fun and Profit (1981), Write for Your Life (1985), and Spider Spin Me a Web (1988). Block has also edited many collections of crime fiction.
Block was born in Buffalo, New York, on June 24, 1938. He attended Antioch College from 1955 to 1959 but never graduated. Block published his first short story under his own name in 1958. He wrote many of his early works under various pen names, especially Chip Harrison and Paul Kavanagh. Enough Rope (2002) collects 83 of Block’s short stories.
