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crowsandprose's review against another edition
3.0
After floundering in the last book ([b:Down In The Zero|888157|Down in the Zero (Burke, Book 7)|Andrew Vachss|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1179196478s/888157.jpg|624938]) -- and having way too much sex, seriously -- Burke seems back on track here, boxed between two cops and their games; McGowan's old partner Morales and Belinda, the hot cop who has been after Burke's contact info for a couple of books now.
The tension is well maintained, but there were points when I lost who was doing what. The Righteous Crusader we'd been lectured at in the past was also gone -- but quite honestly, I didn't really mind Burke's inner monologues against sexual predators, but others have and it probably did detract from the story. We know Burke's beef. We know he's been used and abused and we know his trigger is kids, and it doesn't really need to be pounded home quite so hard -- but all the same, it was kind odd to not have at least one moment of 'Child of the Secret' bitterness from Burke that came with a monologue.
It probably had to do with the case; it was adult crimes on other adults -- sex based, certainly, and had it's ROOT in past abuse -- but it was still adults hurting other adults. To Burke's mind, that's just the human animal, hunting and pissing. Hardly that surprising, especially not to the man who has seen Inside Time. It didn't really turn his personal crank until the end, when one discover the roots of the killer's particular psychosis.
Either way, it seems like this book is better then the last, and so I'll continue on to the next, [b:False Allegations|355568|False Allegations (Burke, Book 9)|Andrew Vachss|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174041414s/355568.jpg|2291574], with vigor, as soon as I've whittled down some of my 'to be read' pile. Still, returning to Burke's New York has always been a strange pleasure for me, so I might find some way to get back there sooner rather then later.
The tension is well maintained, but there were points when I lost who was doing what. The Righteous Crusader we'd been lectured at in the past was also gone -- but quite honestly, I didn't really mind Burke's inner monologues against sexual predators, but others have and it probably did detract from the story. We know Burke's beef. We know he's been used and abused and we know his trigger is kids, and it doesn't really need to be pounded home quite so hard -- but all the same, it was kind odd to not have at least one moment of 'Child of the Secret' bitterness from Burke that came with a monologue.
It probably had to do with the case; it was adult crimes on other adults -- sex based, certainly, and had it's ROOT in past abuse -- but it was still adults hurting other adults. To Burke's mind, that's just the human animal, hunting and pissing. Hardly that surprising, especially not to the man who has seen Inside Time. It didn't really turn his personal crank until the end, when one discover the roots of the killer's particular psychosis.
Either way, it seems like this book is better then the last, and so I'll continue on to the next, [b:False Allegations|355568|False Allegations (Burke, Book 9)|Andrew Vachss|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174041414s/355568.jpg|2291574], with vigor, as soon as I've whittled down some of my 'to be read' pile. Still, returning to Burke's New York has always been a strange pleasure for me, so I might find some way to get back there sooner rather then later.
dantastic's review against another edition
3.0
Burke finds two cops gunning for him. One, Belinda, wants him to clear an imprisoned man for murder. The other, Morales, wants Burke dead or in jail. But how are the two cops linked...
Here we are again, another installment in Andrew Vachss Burke series. Like most of them, it's bleaker than a Valentine's Day at Jim Thompson's house.
Belinda, a character introduced in the previous Burke book, wants Burke to clear a prisoner of a murder. It seems other victims have turned up dead with the same calling card, a red ribbon inserted in the birth canal. Standing in Burke's way is a gung-ho cop named Morales, who wants Burke for a number of crimes, some of which he didn't even commit. As per usual, Burke plots and schemes his way to the novel's thrilling conclusion, which I didn't see coming until it was too late.
For my money, the thing that keeps me coming back to a long-running series of this kind are the characters. At this point, I'd read a book featuring Burke playing cards with Mama and the Prof. In this book, Vachss introduces another character, Frankie. Frankie's an up and coming boxer trained by the Prof and I hope he's a recurring member of the cast.
Belinda and Morales made suitable foils for Burke. I was surprised by the end and hope the repercussions are felt in the next book.
About the only gripe I had was that there weren't enough clues for me to solve the mystery. Other than that, no complaints. It was a worthy addition to the Burke saga.
Here we are again, another installment in Andrew Vachss Burke series. Like most of them, it's bleaker than a Valentine's Day at Jim Thompson's house.
Belinda, a character introduced in the previous Burke book, wants Burke to clear a prisoner of a murder. It seems other victims have turned up dead with the same calling card, a red ribbon inserted in the birth canal. Standing in Burke's way is a gung-ho cop named Morales, who wants Burke for a number of crimes, some of which he didn't even commit. As per usual, Burke plots and schemes his way to the novel's thrilling conclusion, which I didn't see coming until it was too late.
For my money, the thing that keeps me coming back to a long-running series of this kind are the characters. At this point, I'd read a book featuring Burke playing cards with Mama and the Prof. In this book, Vachss introduces another character, Frankie. Frankie's an up and coming boxer trained by the Prof and I hope he's a recurring member of the cast.
Belinda and Morales made suitable foils for Burke. I was surprised by the end and hope the repercussions are felt in the next book.
About the only gripe I had was that there weren't enough clues for me to solve the mystery. Other than that, no complaints. It was a worthy addition to the Burke saga.
iam_griff's review against another edition
3.0
I’m not sure if I can call Burke a P.I., not in the traditional sense like Sam Spade, Atticus Pund, or Phillip Marlowe. He seems more of a grifter mixed with a thug & add a dash of cynicism. In this book the child abuse is pushed in the background as Burke is being hunted by 2 cops for very different reasons. All of your favourites of Burke’s family makes an appearance & even adds a new member to his “family”, Frankie a kid the Prof is schooling to be a boxer.
Vachess’ writing in this book doesn’t seem quite as good as in the previous books, but still this story is enjoyable. I still plan on hanging out with Burke for a few more books.
Vachess’ writing in this book doesn’t seem quite as good as in the previous books, but still this story is enjoyable. I still plan on hanging out with Burke for a few more books.
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