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mikekaz's review
4.0
For those of us who are regular readers of the books, there is some definite heart ache as Burke's family permanently loses a member. At the same time, Burke is nearly killed and left for dead. As he slowly recovers, his focus is to not reveal any information about himself and to be true to memory of the lost member. The investigation removes Burke from his familiar New York City element and puts him in Chicago briefly and then the West Coast.
The story proceeds at Vachss' normal fast pace along with his wonderful ability to reveal so much about his characters while they simultaneously reveal so little. As usual, we get a series of new characters introduced along with the usual suspects. This time though the plot ends up being weaved from threads laid down in other books. If you haven't read any other Burke novels, don't worry about the woven plot; it's explained well enough that you don't need to, though reading them will provide more depth to the story. It will also provide more depth to the death we experience. My only regret with the book is that it focuses on Burke to the exclusion of the rest of the family. Sure, the book, and the series, is about him but it's nice to read about the Prof and Mole and Mama and the rest. This time there is very little family and a whole bunch of Burke. The book is definitely still high on the recommend list though.
The story proceeds at Vachss' normal fast pace along with his wonderful ability to reveal so much about his characters while they simultaneously reveal so little. As usual, we get a series of new characters introduced along with the usual suspects. This time though the plot ends up being weaved from threads laid down in other books. If you haven't read any other Burke novels, don't worry about the woven plot; it's explained well enough that you don't need to, though reading them will provide more depth to the story. It will also provide more depth to the death we experience. My only regret with the book is that it focuses on Burke to the exclusion of the rest of the family. Sure, the book, and the series, is about him but it's nice to read about the Prof and Mole and Mama and the rest. This time there is very little family and a whole bunch of Burke. The book is definitely still high on the recommend list though.
jhpj's review
3.0
I love Burke, but this wasn't his best appearance. Still entertaining though. Nowhere near a total loss.
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