Lawrence Block is not popular.

I llike mystery books.
I like American mysteries, even if it takes time to read I read in original English.
Because the one I like is not popular in Japan and many his works do not translated in Japnaese.

He has three characters for his series of works.
Matthew Scudder an ex NYPD cop, a non licenced ditective. Those are crime stroies. He was adicted alcohole but he is sobber now.
Bernie Phodenbarr is a Burglar who owns a used book store.
Keller is a hitman who looks regular guy but he is good as a hit man.

I read most of his works.
Even if I could not understand some points but I get his sence of humor and of course the plots.
I have never seen his works to be a movie. HBO might did one or two of his works. I do not know.
One of the reasons I like his mysteries, all of his story take place in New York City where I have spent ten years and he has New Yorker sence of humor.

I also read many other writers' such as Dean Koontz.
Most popular American writer in Japan is Steven King.
My most scared story of all the mystery books I read is his "Pet Cemeterry" , when I read the story, I have same composition of the family and moved to a new place.
Especially, my son was two years old.

When I go to American book stores, I ask the guy there "Where are "Rorense Brock"?"
They seems confused.