Scan barcode
crowsandprose's review against another edition
3.0
While I personally found the insight into the practice -- and abuse -- of law fascinating, this is probably the slowest, least action filled Burke book ever, and is really only for folks who are going on the journey with the character, as opposed to just reading the books for enjoyment.
I'm here for the ride through Burke's mad world, till the end--the character and the books and what they're about are all important to me. But the casual reader, someone who isn't so invested? Yeah, this is probably going to be a snoozer. It was very slow, if psychologically fascinating. Not Vachss' best work by far.
I'm here for the ride through Burke's mad world, till the end--the character and the books and what they're about are all important to me. But the casual reader, someone who isn't so invested? Yeah, this is probably going to be a snoozer. It was very slow, if psychologically fascinating. Not Vachss' best work by far.
dantastic's review against another edition
3.0
When Burke gets hired by an albino lawyer named Kite, he finds himself investigating a woman who claims to have been sexually abused as a child to see if her allegations are true, hopefully giving Kite's methods validation. Is the woman telling the truth? And will Burke tell Kite the truth when he learns it?
Andrew Vachss' books are as depressing as a room full of dead puppies and this one is no exception. Burke travels to places that make sewers seem like luxury hotels and meets people who make Charles Manson seem charming. Okay, that last bit might be a slight exaggeration but you get the point. These are some bleak books.
False Allegations is more of the same. It was nice seeing the supporting cast again, even though it was light on The Mole and Terry. Clarence doesn't do a lot for me but I'm always a fan of The Prof.
Other than a strong female that's inexplicably attracted to Burke, this doesn't feel much like the other Burke books. There's very little action and Burke actually does a fair amount of research and investigating. Kite was an interesting character and I have a feeling he'll be back.
Still, there isn't much that sets this above earlier Burke books. Like I said, not a lot happened. The writing is good. Vachss' similes read like something Raymond Chandler would write after an all night bender with Jim Thompson.
The Burke series is an engaging one but I don't know if I'm going to go the distance with it. I own one more and that might be the last one I read. Three stars but they aren't happy stars, that's for sure.
Andrew Vachss' books are as depressing as a room full of dead puppies and this one is no exception. Burke travels to places that make sewers seem like luxury hotels and meets people who make Charles Manson seem charming. Okay, that last bit might be a slight exaggeration but you get the point. These are some bleak books.
False Allegations is more of the same. It was nice seeing the supporting cast again, even though it was light on The Mole and Terry. Clarence doesn't do a lot for me but I'm always a fan of The Prof.
Other than a strong female that's inexplicably attracted to Burke, this doesn't feel much like the other Burke books. There's very little action and Burke actually does a fair amount of research and investigating. Kite was an interesting character and I have a feeling he'll be back.
Still, there isn't much that sets this above earlier Burke books. Like I said, not a lot happened. The writing is good. Vachss' similes read like something Raymond Chandler would write after an all night bender with Jim Thompson.
The Burke series is an engaging one but I don't know if I'm going to go the distance with it. I own one more and that might be the last one I read. Three stars but they aren't happy stars, that's for sure.
iam_griff's review against another edition
2.0
This wasn't my favorite book in the series. I did find this book quite preachy with a lot of lingo regarding sexual trauma & healing from it. The story of Burke being hired by a lawyer to see if potential client's allegations of abuse when she was underage is real. The story is a bit weak. Like another review of this book said that you can read books 8 & 10, skipping this one you wont miss anything.
tony_t's review against another edition
2.0
Two stars because I reserve one star for books I don’t finish. Very disappointing - page after page of medical, emotional and psychological trauma caused by child abusers. I get that this is an important subject for Andew Vachss but in this novel that material seems like filler to pad a short story into a novel-length work.
More...