Flood (Burke Series #1)

Comic book without graphics

This is easily one of the worst books I have ever read. I finished it simply to see how bad it could be and was not surprised. It is incoherent and reminded me of a comic book without graphics.

The first of many exemplary books by Mr. Vachss

Hidden in the first of his many Burke novels is a message that we all need to hear, but some will never believe. When he wrote the book over 20 years ago to the last in the series, people have thought Mr. Vachss was writing fiction. Read the books. The underlying message is there are monsters out there and we need to do something to PROTECT our kids. Living through the fantasy of the Burke characters, many "children of the secret" have benefited in knowing someone hears us, someone is taking action. I cannot say enough about these books, and the wonderful man who writes them. And, they are a good, gritty, entertaining read....

A SIZZLING THRILLER TO HEAT THESE COLD DAYS

Amazing when you think that this iconic thriller was first written some 25 years ago. Since then there have been a number of copycats who have tried to imitate Vachss's tough guy narrative or replicate the jaw-dropping cast of characters who dwell in hero Burke's netherworld, but it can't be done. Vachss set the pace when he introduced his quixotic hero, a guy with a record and standards he's set for himself. Burke is a street wise (or more accurately dark alley wise) misfit who takes on cases that baffle the police.

A gorgeous gal named Flood comes to him asking for help in finding a child killer so as she delicately puts it she "can kill him with her bare hands." The search is on through some of the most dangerous places in New York City and among the lowest of the lowlifes, the desperate depraved denizens of the City. However, while police and other private eyes would be put off by the likes of these, they're people Burke knows and understands.

Vachss writes in a gripping almost staccato style, which is the way actor Christopher Lane narrates the story. It's a task to take on the voices of not only Burke but also his crew of pals, such as a panhandler dubbed the Prof and a genius in electronic who dwells under a pile of junked cars.

If you want a sizzling thriller to heat these cold days, FLOOD is for you.

- Gail Cooke

First of the "Burke" Novels

I became an instant Vachss fan just by reading the interview that was published in Playboy by Laurence Shames in 1986. I had never read a book that "Told it like it was". Burke became my favourite fictional character (and still remains). Vachss 's books are not something that you would find on your maiden aunt's coffee table during tea time. They are raw, painfully realistic, and down right slammin'. Makes me wish that Burke WAS out patrolling the streets. If he were, we would have lost fewer babies to abuse and murder. If I could cast an actor to portray Burke on the big screen it would have to be Lance Henriksen or Stephen McHattie (since Neville Brand is gone).

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