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It's been years since Burke has been home, years since he's seen his "family" and worked in the underbelly of New York City. Although his appearance has changed, his reputation grown dusty and his wallet thin, his skills and his crew remain razor sharp. So when he is contacted by a mob boss to investigate the murder of his illegitimate daughter, Vonni, Burke takes the job and begins searching for an unspeakably brutal killer. Posing as a casting director looking for tomorrow's stars, Burke show more reaches out to the high school students who knew Vonni, and may know the identity of the killer. Before long he unearths a perverse enterprise--a young director pursuing a brutal new type of cinema verité. show lessTags
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Member Reviews
Burke has finally returned to NY to be with his "family." There is a touching scene early in the book when his is reunited with Flower, who is not fazed by Burke's new, mangled face. However, Burke is running out of money, especially after being set up with a new batcave. After some discussion of getting involved in trafficking, Burke is hired by a mob guy and his surprising friend to find out who killed his illegitimate daughter and why. Lots of theories, but the investigation shows the girl Vonni was a normal kid, which is why the violent nature of her death is hard to understand, except as a message. All good, but the book drags and the antics and dialogue of Cyn and Rejii are pretty annoying, although Michelle's star shines bright show more in this one. Vachss uses the younger generation's obsession about video and fame to craft a memorable but very dark story. show less
It is nice to see Burke back in NYC and home with his family after being forced to hide out in past novels.
Rated "Good" in our old book database. 2525.
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Author Information
Hardboiled writer Andrew Henry Vachss was born on October 19, 1942 in New York City. He attended Case Western Reserve University and the New England School of Law. Vachss has worked in many government and law enforcement organizations, ranging from the U. S. Public Health Service to the New York City Juvenile Justice Planning Project. Vachss' work show more as a writer includes a series of books featuring an unlicensed private detective named Burke. Burke's appearances include Flood, Strega, Blue Belle, Hard Candy, Blossom and Sacrifice. Vachss has also written comic books and graphic novels. (Bowker Author Biography) Andrew Vachss was born on October 19, 1942 in New York, New York. He graduated magna cum laude from the New England School of Law in 1975 and received a B.A. from Case Western Reserve University in 1965. Some of Vachss' extensive experience include positions as an Attorney and Consultant, Adjunct Professor at the College of New Resources, New York, NY, Director of the Juvenile Justice Planning Project, New York, NY, Project Director of the Dept. of Youth Services, Boston, MA, and Unit Supervisor for the Dept. of Social Services, New York, NY. He is a member of the American Society of Criminology, National Association of Counsel for Children, American Professional Society of the Abuse of Children, and PEN American Center. Vachss' first novel, "Flood" (1985), began his series of detective stories that feature the unlicensed private detective known as Burke. Burke narrates the novels "Flood," "Strega," "Blue Belle," "Hard Candy," "Blossom," and "Sacrifice." His subject matter uses child-related sex crimes, which is something Vachss spent his entire career observing. His literary awards include the Grand Prix de Litterature Policiere for "Strega" in 1988, The Falcon Award for "Strega" in 1988, and Deutschen Krimi Preis, Die Jury des Bochumer Krimi Archivs for "Flood" in 1989. Vachss has also written collected short stories: "Born Bad" (1994), and "Everybody Pays" (1999). He is also a contributing editor for Parade Magazine. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
Andrew Vachss is a LibraryThing Author, an author who lists their personal library on LibraryThing.
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Common Knowledge
- Original publication date
- 2002
- People/Characters
- Baby Boy Burke
- Important places
- USA; New York, USA; Long Island, New York, USA; New York, New York, USA
- Dedication
- Jennifer Lynne Conti Dermody
4/7/76-4/7/02
loved always, loved forever - First words
- I'd been gone for years.
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)Giovanni and Felix didn't come with us. The last I saw of them, they were putting on long black robes, adjusting the hoods over their heads.
- Original language
- English
Classifications
Statistics
- Members
- 281
- Popularity
- 114,481
- Reviews
- 3
- Rating
- (3.68)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 10
- ASINs
- 4
