Eighty-four stories! This book is massive, and includes complete versions of three of L.B.’s short story collections: Sometimes They Bite, Like a Lamb to the Slaughter, and Some Days You Get the Bear. Any one of these collections alone is worth well more than $2.99. And there are many other stories to boot.
I can’t stop gushing. L.B. is just the greatest in my book. His stories have been a HUGE influence on me. I could never come close to imitating his style, his subtle (and often not so subtle) wit, etc. so I don’t even try. I might, perhaps come close in regard to his wordiness, which I’ve probably picked up by way of reading these stories over the years. Examples of the wordiness, or little asides (or simply veering off on side tangents within the story) would be prevalent in such stories as his “A Change of Life”, or “Cleveland in My Dreams.” And there are many others.
There are so many great stories here.
The Ehrengraf stories are always a real treat to read.
There are stories featuring L.B.’s series characters as well, such as Matthew Scudder, and Bernie Rhodenbarr, etc.
And being a writer, the story “One Thousand Dollars a Word” (which is in the Sometimes They Bite collection) made me chuckle when I read it years ago.
I can’t praise this book or these stories enough. If you love wildly entertaining short stories, you will not be disappointed with this book. I don’t know what the price is before this discount, but that doesn’t matter. At any price these stories are a fantastic value, but $2.99 is an absolute steal.
But don’t just take my word for it, as I always tell you, go to the Amazon page for the book and use the “look inside,” or “read sample” feature and check it out. I believe the first several stories can be read this way.
If you want to purchase this book at the $2.99 price you need to hurry, as the deal ends at midnight (though I believe it is midnight PST since Amazon is on the west coast).
In any case, trust me, the book is worth whatever the normal price is. Even if you miss the deal you won’t really be missing out.
I don’t know Lawrence Block, and I don’t get anything from the sales that are generated from any purchase.
So what do I get out of recommending this book? The sheer joy of sharing, of turning you on to one of the most entertaining writers of our time.
Like I said, he has had a great influence on me—or rather, his stories have. I had the chance to meet L.B. once at a writer’s conference/workshop hosted by the late Harriette Austin. I missed learning about the conference by a week. I regretted it immediately, as L.B. had been the main speaker at the event.
As for Ms. Harriette Austin (who passed away in 2016), she is, I am quite sure, missed by a whole slew of writers. I had attended a writing class of hers, years ago. I remember her as a kind and gentle soul. And I’ll never forget her calling the story I wrote for class “Poe-esque.” I considered that high praise from a great lady.
And as for Lawrence Block, who knows, I might still cross paths with him one day. In the meantime, I’ll just keep reading his stories.
So go now and purchase Enough Rope, or at least read the sample to see if you might like it. I think you will.