Matt Scudder is a fictional character created by author Lawrence Block. He is a former New York City police detective who becomes a private investigator. Scudder is known for his tough demeanor and moral complexity, often grappling with his past and the challenges of his profession. The character first appeared in the novel The Sins of the Fathers in 1976 and has since featured in numerous books. Scudder operates in the gritty underbelly of New York, solving crimes while navigating his own personal struggles, including his battle with alcoholism and his quest for redemption.