Block's Matt Scudder mysteries locate themselves in the tradition of hard-boiled private eye fiction. Raymond Chandler and Dashiell Hammet are two early classic writers in the genre. Until the last decade or so, that tradition has been predominandy male in its authors, its protagonists, and in its value system. The form has bordered on the misogynist with female characters mosdy femmes fatales who tempt the detective with money and sex to stop investigating the murders or to take the money and the treasure for themselves. Even the Wicked plays against this pattern with Elaine depicted as Matt's faithful love and companion, even though she had been a prostitute for many years. As a repeated endearment, Elaine says that Matt is her "bear." Elaine has her own financial security with her real estate investments and her boutique. She does not have to pressure the detective to acquire...