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Lawrence Block Trivia

Lawrence Block Trivia Quizzes

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Lawrence Block is best known for two of his series, both set in New York City. One of them features Matthew Scudder, an alcoholic ex-policeman who works in Hell's Kitchen; the other is much lighter in tone, relating the exploits of Bernie Rhodenbarr, described as a gentleman burglar who keeps finding himself getting involved in a murder investigation during the course of a robbery.
3 Lawrence Block quizzes and 30 Lawrence Block trivia questions.
1.
  The Burglar Who Liked to Play Quizzes   best quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
How much do you remember about Bernie Rhodenbarr, the hero of Lawrence Block's "Burglar" books? A few SPOILERS here.
Average, 10 Qns, agony, Sep 11 07
Average
agony editor
571 plays
2.
  Lawrence Block Novels and Characters   top quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Lawrence Block is the author of dozens of books about several different heroes (and some not so heroic), as well as anthologies, short stories and books on writing. I was surprised to find no existing quizzes on his work.
Average, 10 Qns, scalar, Feb 18 23
Average
scalar
Feb 18 23
384 plays
3.
  "Eight Million Ways To Die" by Lawrence Block   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
The fifth book in Lawrence Block's famous series about Matt Scudder who does "favours for friends". This quiz is about the beginning and end of the book as I do not want to give away the middle. For that you need to go and read the book. Enjoy!
Average, 10 Qns, zippolover, Mar 25 14
Average
zippolover
161 plays
Related Topics
  Mystery & Detective Fiction [Literature] (104 quizzes)


Lawrence Block Trivia Questions
1. What does Matt Scudder do at 8:30 PM most days?

From Quiz "Eight Million Ways To Die" by Lawrence Block

Answer: Attend an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting

Matt Scudder starts this book at the beginning of a 90 (ninety) day program for alcoholics. The plan is to take one day at a time without a drink and attend an AA meeting each day for the full 90 days.

2. Most of the books take place in or around Manhattan - where exactly does Bernie live, though?

From Quiz The Burglar Who Liked to Play Quizzes

Answer: In an apartment on West End Avenue

The brownstone on West 25th is, of course, the home of Nero Wolfe. If you chose New Jersey, maybe you were thinking of Harlan Coben's Myron Bolitar. Long Island is the stomping grounds of many of Susan Isaacs' characters; no burglars there, though both she and Block have novels with a dentist playing a main role.

3. In the earliest books in the series, Bernie was a burglar pure and simple (well, rarely pure and never simple). However, in later books he ostensibly goes straight, and gets a job. What business is he in?

From Quiz The Burglar Who Liked to Play Quizzes

Answer: Used bookseller

Bernie buys Barnegat Books, and makes a little less than a living from it. He enjoys the business, though, and can always supplement his income by 'moonlighting'.

4. What is Scudder's favorite bar?

From Quiz Lawrence Block Novels and Characters

Answer: Jimmy Armstrong's

Even after quitting drinking, Scudder does a lot of his business in various bars. Mick Ballou is one of his best buddies, but thoroughly involved in crime of various sorts; Scudder meets Mick at Grogan's. Danny Boy Bell is one of Scudder's long-time informants; he usually meets with him at Poogan's Pub.

5. Why does Matt Scudder end up in hospital?

From Quiz "Eight Million Ways To Die" by Lawrence Block

Answer: A blackout caused by drinking

Scudder thinks that he can drink as long as he has no more than two drinks in a day. Then he reasons that if more than twelve hours have passed since his last drink, it no longer counts as it is more than a half day in the past. Sunday evening he lifts his third drink to his mouth and does not remember any more till he wakes up in hospital.

6. Bernie's best friend Carolyn works just down the street. What business is she in?

From Quiz The Burglar Who Liked to Play Quizzes

Answer: Dog groomer

Carolyn is the owner and sole employee of The Poodle Factory. She also is not averse to a little moonlighting now and again.

7. Who is Jim Faber?

From Quiz "Eight Million Ways To Die" by Lawrence Block

Answer: A friend from the Alcoholics Anonymous meeting

When Scudder returns home after discharging himself from hospital, there is a message to say that Jim Faber called. It is not until they meet in the street the following day that he manages to put a face to the name.

8. Bernie gains a cat in the course of the series - what is this cat's name?

From Quiz The Burglar Who Liked to Play Quizzes

Answer: Raffles

What better name for the cat of a burglar - and he's toilet trained, too! The incorrect options are all literary cats - Dinah belonged to Alice in Wonderland, Tobermory was the hero (or antihero) of one of Saki's stories, and Mehitabel was of course the pal of Archy the cockroach. One of Carolyn's cats is named Archie, too, but it's spelled differently, as he is named after Archie Goodwin.

9. The second of ten Bernie Rhodenbarr books was "The Burglar in the Closet." A motion picture loosely based on this novel was called just "Burglar." Who starred as Bernie in this movie?

From Quiz Lawrence Block Novels and Characters

Answer: Whoopi Goldberg

Whoopi did a good job as Bernie, despite the imaginative casting. The author wonders why they had to add a car chase.

10. Every less-than-official solver of mysteries has an "in" with the police department - Lord Peter has Chief Inspector Parker, Alex Delaware has Milo Sturgis, even Sherlock Holmes has Inspector Lestrade. Who is Bernie's?

From Quiz The Burglar Who Liked to Play Quizzes

Answer: Ray Kirschmann

Ray always manages to make a nice collar and maybe a little something for himself, when he goes along with Bernie. None of the other answer options would ever make a deal with a burglar for a cut of the action - they just don't do that sort of thing at the 87th Precinct.

11. Who is Joe Durkin?

From Quiz "Eight Million Ways To Die" by Lawrence Block

Answer: The detective in charge of the case that Scudder is looking into

Joe Durkin admits that he will not do much investigating before closing the file on the case. The work that he has already done was cursory. Scudder points out several facts from the photographs on file, including the missing set of hotel room towels.

12. Which Lawrence Block "Matthew Scudder" novel, considered by many to be his best, was made into a motion picture?

From Quiz Lawrence Block Novels and Characters

Answer: Eight Million Ways to Die

This 1986 movie starred Jeff Bridges, Rosanna Arquette and Andy Garcia; it was the last movie directed by Hal Ashby. Its locale was changed from New York to Los Angeles. The author always says he would like to forget another movie, "Nightmare Honeymoon," based on his 1967 "Deadly Honeymoon."

13. Who is Kim Dakkinen?

From Quiz "Eight Million Ways To Die" by Lawrence Block

Answer: A murder victim

Kim Dakkinen is the 23 year old who sets the story going. First she is a client of Scudder, and two days later she is found dead in a hotel room. She was a beautiful blonde with eyes a startling shade of blue.

14. Evan Tanner is featured in eight Lawrence Block novels. What is his most notable characteristic?

From Quiz Lawrence Block Novels and Characters

Answer: He never sleeps

Due to a brain injury from the Korean war, Tanner never has to sleep. He uses part of the time he saves to learn dozens of languages, using them in adventures all around the world. I really like this series, but it doesn't seem to be Block's most popular.

15. Another Block character is Keller. What does he do for a living?

From Quiz Lawrence Block Novels and Characters

Answer: Assassin

Keller (with never a first name) takes on various jobs of murder from an elaborate referral setup. He is in the novels "Hit Man" and "Hit List," as well as several short stories. I am afraid I cannot agree with the many Block fans who like and approve of Keller.

16. Bernie's neighbour, Mrs Hesch, has helped him out in the odd way, now and then in the books. What does she know about his profession?

From Quiz The Burglar Who Liked to Play Quizzes

Answer: She knows that he is a burglar and doesn't much care

In the first book in the series, "Burglars Can't be Choosers", Bernie's name and the details of his lifestyle were widely reported, and his building was buzzing with the news. Mrs Hesch was unfazed, however: "You know the kind of conversations you hear in the laundry room. There are crazy women in this building, Mr Rhodenbarr. One the other day, she's running off at the mouth like a broken record. 'We ain't safe in our own beds!' I said to her 'Gert,' I said, 'in the first place you'd be safe in anybody's bed, believe me.' And I said to her, I said, 'When did Mr Rhodenbarr ever hurt anybody? Who did he ever rob in this building, and who cares what he does over on the East Side, where the rich momsers deserve whatever happens to them?' You might as well be talking to a wall."

17. In his 2003 novel, "Small Town," Block uses post-911 New York as the setting for a wildly steamy murder mystery. The appearance and disappearance of what small figurine has caused a great deal of confusion among readers of this novel?

From Quiz Lawrence Block Novels and Characters

Answer: A Blue Rabbit

I have to say that this novel is not for the squeamish. And I am still not sure how the Blue Rabbit got all the places it did.

18. Right at the end of the book, why does Scudder cry?

From Quiz "Eight Million Ways To Die" by Lawrence Block

Answer: He admits out loud that he is an alcoholic

Alongside Scudder's investigations is his fight to stay sober. He often manages a week at a time, but the urge to drink will not stay away. By standing up at the Alcoholics Anonymous meeting and admitting that he is an alcoholic, Scudder has made the breakthrough.

19. One of Bernie's targets ends up becoming a friend, who sometimes sets up jobs for him. What's his name?

From Quiz The Burglar Who Liked to Play Quizzes

Answer: Martin Gilmartin

Marty is a rich man, who has many rich friends who sometimes find that they have more use for the insurance money than they do for various of their valuables. Handy to know an honest burglar.... Craig Sheldrake is, of course, The World's Greatest Dentist (from "The Burglar in the Closet") and Loren Kramer is the cop from "Burglars Can't be Choosers".

20. One of Block's non-fiction books is a guide for authors. What is its title?

From Quiz Lawrence Block Novels and Characters

Answer: Telling Lies for Fun and Profit

I hope that this brief glimpse into the varied world of Lawrence Block will garner him some new or return readers. To learn more about Lawrence Block, visit his webpage.

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Last Updated Oct 26 2024 5:48 AM
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