The Matthew Scudder Series is a collection of crime novels written by author Lawrence Block. The series follows the life of Matthew Scudder, a former NYPD detective turned private investigator who operates in New York City. Scudder grapples with his past, including his struggles with alcoholism, while solving various cases that often delve into the darker aspects of human nature. The series began with the novel The Sins of the Fathers in 1976 and has since expanded to include over a dozen titles. Scudder's character is known for his moral complexity and introspective nature, making the series popular among fans of the detective genre.