
A Candle for the Bag Lady
A Matthew Scudder Story, Book 2
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
$0.99/mo for the first 3 months

Buy for $5.98
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
Lawrence Block
-
By:
-
Lawrence Block
About this listen
Matthew Scudder investigates the brutal murder of a woman known as the “bag lady.” A seemingly homeless woman, she turns out to have distributed her substantial wealth in a complex will naming random strangers. Where did the money come from? Why was she living in such reduced circumstances? And why in the world did she choose these beneficiaries—the owner of a local newspaper stand, a neighbor she rarely spoke to, the detective himself—when her real friends and acquaintances got nothing at all? And how is all this linked to her murder?
©2011 Lawrence Block (P)2012 AudioGOListeners also enjoyed...
-
Out the Window
- A Matthew Scudder Story, Book 1
- By: Lawrence Block
- Narrated by: Lawrence Block
- Length: 1 hr and 11 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Matthew Scudder, a down-but-not-out-detective, is shocked by the apparent suicide of Paula, a waitress at Armstrong’s, one of Scudder’s hangouts. When Paula’s sister shows up and asks Matt to investigate what she believes to be a murder, Scudder agrees to take on the case. A number of clues don’t add up to suicide, and Scudder’s investigation leads him to the dark corners of Paula’s world.
-
-
Good detective story.
- By Wayne on 04-17-16
By: Lawrence Block
-
The Sins of the Fathers
- By: Lawrence Block
- Narrated by: Alan Sklar
- Length: 5 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The hooker was young, pretty...and dead, butchered in a Greenwich Village apartment. The prime suspect, a minister's son, was also dead, the victim of a jailhouse suicide. The case is closed, as far as the NYPD is concerned. Now the murdered prostitute's father wants it opened again--that's where Matthew Scudder comes in.
-
-
Good introduction to a popular series
- By Sharron on 12-26-11
By: Lawrence Block
-
Defender of the Innocent
- The Casebook of Martin Ehrengraf
- By: Lawrence Block
- Narrated by: Don Sobczak
- Length: 6 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Martin H. Ehrengraf, dapper and diabolical, may be Lawrence Block's darkest creation. He's the defense attorney who never sees the inside of a courtroom, because all his clients are innocent - no matter how guilty they may seem. Some even believe themselves to be guilty: They remember pulling the trigger, or wiring the dynamite to their spouse's car, or holding the bloody blade. But things have a way of working out when Martin Ehrengraf is on the case.
-
-
Guilty as sin
- By Wag The Fox on 01-05-15
By: Lawrence Block
-
Burglar on the Prowl
- By: Lawrence Block
- Narrated by: Lawrence Block
- Length: 4 hrs and 56 mins
- Abridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Acclaimed New York Times best-selling author Lawrence Block returns with the extraordinary Bernie Rhodenbarr. Antiquarian bookseller by day, burglar by night, Bernie has an innate knack, a gift, for getting into places designed to keep him out.
-
-
Good book/ bad narration
- By Jon on 02-04-07
By: Lawrence Block
-
The Hunter
- By: Richard Stark
- Narrated by: John Chancer
- Length: 5 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
You probably haven't noticed them. But they've noticed you. They notice everything. That's their job. Sitting quietly in a nondescript car outside a bank making note of the tellers' work habits. Lagging a few car lengths behind the Brinks truck on its daily rounds. Surreptitiously jiggling the handle of an unmarked service door at the racetrack. They're heisters.
-
-
A dark story
- By Dave Nelson on 04-06-13
By: Richard Stark
-
Burglars Can't Be Choosers
- By: Lawrence Block
- Narrated by: Richard Ferrone
- Length: 6 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In this first in a series of wickedly funny mysteries, best-selling author Lawrence Block introduces Bernie Rhodenbarr, sometimes burglar, sometimes sleuth. Pulling only an occasional, very discreet job, Bernie manages to maintain his comfortable New York City apartment and keep his unorthodox vocation a closely-guarded secret. Every burglar knows never to trust anonymous phone calls. But when the caller offers easy money for an hour's work, Bernie can't ignore the job.
-
-
Wonderful Wise-Ass Humour
- By Bodiccea on 02-25-14
By: Lawrence Block
-
Out the Window
- A Matthew Scudder Story, Book 1
- By: Lawrence Block
- Narrated by: Lawrence Block
- Length: 1 hr and 11 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Matthew Scudder, a down-but-not-out-detective, is shocked by the apparent suicide of Paula, a waitress at Armstrong’s, one of Scudder’s hangouts. When Paula’s sister shows up and asks Matt to investigate what she believes to be a murder, Scudder agrees to take on the case. A number of clues don’t add up to suicide, and Scudder’s investigation leads him to the dark corners of Paula’s world.
-
-
Good detective story.
- By Wayne on 04-17-16
By: Lawrence Block
-
The Sins of the Fathers
- By: Lawrence Block
- Narrated by: Alan Sklar
- Length: 5 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The hooker was young, pretty...and dead, butchered in a Greenwich Village apartment. The prime suspect, a minister's son, was also dead, the victim of a jailhouse suicide. The case is closed, as far as the NYPD is concerned. Now the murdered prostitute's father wants it opened again--that's where Matthew Scudder comes in.
-
-
Good introduction to a popular series
- By Sharron on 12-26-11
By: Lawrence Block
-
Defender of the Innocent
- The Casebook of Martin Ehrengraf
- By: Lawrence Block
- Narrated by: Don Sobczak
- Length: 6 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Martin H. Ehrengraf, dapper and diabolical, may be Lawrence Block's darkest creation. He's the defense attorney who never sees the inside of a courtroom, because all his clients are innocent - no matter how guilty they may seem. Some even believe themselves to be guilty: They remember pulling the trigger, or wiring the dynamite to their spouse's car, or holding the bloody blade. But things have a way of working out when Martin Ehrengraf is on the case.
-
-
Guilty as sin
- By Wag The Fox on 01-05-15
By: Lawrence Block
-
Burglar on the Prowl
- By: Lawrence Block
- Narrated by: Lawrence Block
- Length: 4 hrs and 56 mins
- Abridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Acclaimed New York Times best-selling author Lawrence Block returns with the extraordinary Bernie Rhodenbarr. Antiquarian bookseller by day, burglar by night, Bernie has an innate knack, a gift, for getting into places designed to keep him out.
-
-
Good book/ bad narration
- By Jon on 02-04-07
By: Lawrence Block
-
The Hunter
- By: Richard Stark
- Narrated by: John Chancer
- Length: 5 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
You probably haven't noticed them. But they've noticed you. They notice everything. That's their job. Sitting quietly in a nondescript car outside a bank making note of the tellers' work habits. Lagging a few car lengths behind the Brinks truck on its daily rounds. Surreptitiously jiggling the handle of an unmarked service door at the racetrack. They're heisters.
-
-
A dark story
- By Dave Nelson on 04-06-13
By: Richard Stark
-
Burglars Can't Be Choosers
- By: Lawrence Block
- Narrated by: Richard Ferrone
- Length: 6 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In this first in a series of wickedly funny mysteries, best-selling author Lawrence Block introduces Bernie Rhodenbarr, sometimes burglar, sometimes sleuth. Pulling only an occasional, very discreet job, Bernie manages to maintain his comfortable New York City apartment and keep his unorthodox vocation a closely-guarded secret. Every burglar knows never to trust anonymous phone calls. But when the caller offers easy money for an hour's work, Bernie can't ignore the job.
-
-
Wonderful Wise-Ass Humour
- By Bodiccea on 02-25-14
By: Lawrence Block
-
After the First Death
- By: Lawrence Block
- Narrated by: Peter Berkrot
- Length: 5 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It was all too frighteningly familiar. For the second time in his life, Alex Penn wakes up in an alcoholic daze in a cheap hotel room off Times Square and finds himself lying next to the savagely mutilated body of a young woman. After the first death, he was convicted of murder and imprisoned, then released on a technicality. But this time he has to find out what happened during the blackout and why, before the police do.
By: Lawrence Block
-
Resume Speed
- By: Lawrence Block
- Narrated by: Theo Holland
- Length: 1 hr and 54 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When a man called Bill spots a sign in a restaurant window, he grabs his carry-on and gets off his bus. Within an hour he's got himself a job as a short-order cook, and a start on a whole new life in Cross Creek, Montana. Things just fall into place. He applies for a library card, and the next thing you know he's having dinner with the librarian. One thing leads to another, and he can see a whole new life stretching out before him.
-
-
Resume Speed
- By kutzkai on 03-03-23
By: Lawrence Block
-
Death Benefits
- By: Thomas Perry
- Narrated by: Michael Kramer
- Length: 13 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A careful, methodical young data analyst for a California insurance company, John Walker knows when people will marry, at what age they will most likely have children, and when they will die. All signs point to a long successful career---until Max Stillman, a gruff security consultant, appears without warning at the office. It seems a colleague with whom Walker once had an affair has disappeared after paying a very large death benefit to an impostor.
-
-
Perry has me on a roll!
- By Chip Atkinson on 03-11-17
By: Thomas Perry
-
Death of a Dissident
- Inspector Porfiry Rostnikov Mysteries Series, Book 1
- By: Stuart M. Kaminsky
- Narrated by: John McLain
- Length: 7 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Aleksander Granovsky has dedicated his life to exposing the brutality of the Russian penal system. In two days, he will be tried for the crime of smuggling essays to the West. It is a show trial, and there is no doubt he will be convicted and executed, yet before he dies, he intends to tell the truth one more time. But this is Moscow, where death is never heroic. While writing his final speech in his government flat, Granovsky is surprised by an assassin, who pierces his heart with the point of a rusty scythe.
-
The Deep Blue Good-By
- A Travis McGee Novel, Book 1
- By: John D. MacDonald
- Narrated by: Robert Petkoff
- Length: 6 hrs
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
He's a self-described beach bum who won his houseboat in a card game. He's also a knight errant who's wary of credit cards, retirement benefits, political parties, mortgages, and television. He only works when his cash runs out, and his rule is simple: he'll help you find whatever was taken from you, as long as he can keep half.
-
-
Before the A-Team, there was Travis McGee
- By Jim "The Impatient" on 11-12-16
-
Winter's Bone
- A Novel
- By: Daniel Woodrell
- Narrated by: Emma Galvin
- Length: 4 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The sheriff's deputy at the front door brings hard news to Ree Dolly. Her father has skipped bail on charges that he ran a crystal meth lab, and the Dollys will lose their house if he doesn't show up for his next court date. Ree's father has disappeared before. The Dolly clan has worked the shadowy side of the law for generations, and arrests (and attempts to avoid them) are part of life in Rathlin Valley.
-
-
Now I Want to see the Movie!
- By Pamela M. on 11-11-14
By: Daniel Woodrell
-
Memory
- By: Donald E. Westlake
- Narrated by: Stephen R. Thorne
- Length: 10 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Hospitalized after a liaison with another man's wife ends in violence, Paul Cole has just one goal: to rebuild his shattered life. But with his memory damaged, the police hounding him, and no way to even get home, Paul's facing steep odds - and a bleak fate if he fails. This final, never-before-published novel by three-time Edgar Award winner Donald E. Westlake is a noir masterpiece, a dark and painful portrait of a man's struggle against merciless forces that threaten to strip him of his very identity.
-
-
The accident of existence
- By Alicia Czechowski on 07-16-12
-
Every Crooked Nanny
- A Callahan Garrity Mystery, Book 1
- By: Mary Kay Andrews
- Narrated by: Hillary Huber
- Length: 9 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
After 10 years of cleaning up the dirt on Atlanta's streets, Callahan Garrity is trading in her badge for a broom and a staff of house cleaners. But, though the uniform is a little different, Callahan soon finds herself right back in the middle of a mystery when a client's pretty, pious 19-year-old nanny is gone...along with the jewelry, silver, and a few rather sensitive real estate documents. Before she knows it, the meticulous Callahan is up to her elbows in a case involving illicit love triangles, crooked business deals, long-distance scams, and a dead body.
-
-
For light entertainment - Also reviews explained
- By Chicago Laura on 07-05-13
By: Mary Kay Andrews
-
The Secret of Chimneys
- By: Agatha Christie
- Narrated by: Charles Armstrong
- Length: 6 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This mystery novel follows Anthony Cade, a man who unknowingly finds himself in the middle of an international conspiracy and a murder investigation after accepting a simple delivery job from an old friend. As Cade slowly begins to realize his predicament has potentially put him in danger, he begins his own investigation into the strange series of events just as Inspector Battle of Scotland Yard begins the main, official investigation.
-
-
Give it half an hour and then it's lots of fun listening!
- By Avid Listener on 02-20-21
By: Agatha Christie
-
Alison Larkin Presents: The Secret Adversary, Murder on the Links, and The Mysterious Affair at Styles
- By: Agatha Christie
- Narrated by: Alison Larkin, James Warwick
- Length: 24 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Three critically acclaimed recordings are joined together in this dazzling Agatha Christie Triple Bill, read by award-winning narrators Alison Larkin and James Warwick, star of the Partners in Crime TV series on Masterpiece Theater.
-
-
Pitch perfect narration of Agatha Christie!
- By Mary Katherine Worth on 10-18-19
By: Agatha Christie
-
In the Bleak Midwinter
- By: Julia Spencer-Fleming
- Narrated by: Suzanne Toren
- Length: 12 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Clare Fergusson, St. Alban's new priest, fits like a square peg in the conservative Episcopal parish at Miller's Kill, New York. She is not just a "lady"; she's a tough ex-Army chopper pilot, and nobody's fool. Then a newborn infant left at the church door brings her together with the town's police chief, Russ Van Alstyne, who's also ex-Army and a cynical good shepherd for the stray sheep of his hometown.
-
-
Ice Cold Complex Small Town Police Procedural/Mystery
- By Sara on 12-27-14
-
Sea Change
- By: Karen White
- Narrated by: Mozhan Marno, Kate Forbes, Peggity Price
- Length: 15 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Karen White' s New York Times best-selling novels keep audiences up well into the night with their compelling plots and engaging characters. Sea Change is a riveting tale of second chances, forgiveness, and leaps of faith. Plagued by feelings of loneliness and not belonging, 35-year-old Ava Whalen is as shocked as anyone when she falls for child psychologist Matthew Frazier, elopes with him, and settles down on St. Simons Island, Georgia. But her newfound happiness is threatened when her past proves difficult to escape.
-
-
Slow moving
- By Mon on 11-21-12
By: Karen White
What listeners say about A Candle for the Bag Lady
Highly rated for:
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Nebiim
- 06-14-21
Block is one of the all time greats
As always, Block delivers. This is not a true whodunit, and it leaves some of the most vexing parts of the mystery unsolved in the end. Still, it is highly satisfying, primarily because the writing is just so damn good. I had listened to about ten chapters of a recent action mystery novel before switching to A Candle for the Bag Lady. The former was like trying to get comfortable on a stone bench. Block was like stretching out on your favorite couch. He's never predictable, but everything is just right.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- M
- 02-25-23
Light and easy going
The story was light and easy going. The narrator had a clear and soothing voice. All characters blended nicely. Story had a gentle satisfying ending.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- MaryBeth
- 11-12-14
Short and rushed
What did you like best about A Candle for the Bag Lady? What did you like least?
Love the characters but always feel like the endings are rushed.
What didn’t you like about Lawrence Block’s performance?
His voice is very monotone and he speaks to quickly. Needs to slow down and punctuate certain sentences. Also needs to change the pitch of different characters.
If this book were a movie would you go see it?
No too short
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Amazon Customer
- 05-02-22
A Candle For The Bag Lady
An interesting, but dry story. The narration was kind of monotone, yet that style fit this story.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- jeff c
- 12-29-20
Never Get Tired of Lawrence Block
I have always loved his writing style and characters. I have never been to New York, but I have been there many times with Matthew Scudder. Block is a great writer who shoud be included among all of the great mystery writers.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- K. Verleger
- 08-22-22
Great short story
Perfect short story mystery. Great characters, storyline and kept my attention. Very well read. Will look forward to reading more of these.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Anna
- 06-14-24
A waste of $.75
Authors should not read their work. If this short story has been any longer, I would not have been able to listen. I understand the point, but it was very poorly made. Not only did I waste $.75. I also wasted an hour or so of my time.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- GA PEOPLE
- 02-09-23
i liked this short story but oh my head
I am just now discovering and becoming a fan of Lawrence Block (i know, right) and although his stories are always excellent, i need to say that this Audible recording gives me a headache.
Maybe that's because Block's reading voice makes his character sounds like he has a perennial headache. Hey, maybe police just sound like that; for all I know, Joe Friday sounded that way too. At any rate, I would recommend this title. Just take an aspirin, and enjoy Block's craftsmanship.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Q Garcia
- 05-22-21
Inheritance
A super short about a bag lady that leaves Scudder,and others, money in her will. He didn't know her but feels compelled to find her killer.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- anne pettis
- 07-06-22
Everyone matters
An interesting story with a hidden message. The world full of throwaway people but in the end everybody is somebody, and they all deserve a candle.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!