Blossom

Burke, Book 5

By: Andrew Vachss

Narrated by: Phil Gigante

In the figure of Burke, Andrew Vachss has given contemporary crime fiction one of its most mesmerizing characters. An abused child raised in orphanages, foster homes, and prisons, Burke is a career criminal and outlaw who steals and scams for a living. But he draws the line at the psychopaths and predators who stalk children. Sometimes he draws that line in blood.In Blossom, an old cellmate has summoned Burke to a fading Indiana mill town, where a young boy is charged with a crime he didn't commit and a twisted serial sniper has turned a local lover's lane into a killing field. And it's here that Burke meets Blossom, the brilliant, beautiful young woman who has her own reasons for finding the murderer - and her own idea of vengeance. Dense with atmosphere, savagely convincing, this is Vachss at his uncompromising best.

©1996 Andrew Vachss (P)2010 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"A New York attorney specializing in child abuse cases, Vachss is responsible for some of the grittiest crime fiction written today." (Publishers Weekly)

Rawdog Noir

What can I say about Vachss' Blossom? I devoured this book just as I did upon it's initial publication. I don't recommend this for children (mental or chronological) as it rates high on the scale of bias fulfilment. You need to have lived in many of these environments and or remember that fiction is just that. With that said, I really enjoyed the phrase turning and super evocative narrative. My wife dislikes some (hates all) poetry but loves Vachss. I think that this book uses poetic styling at times that are enjoyable but knows that a little can go a long way (and I am not speaking of "The Proff's"rhyme lines). I think the performance was great for this book and can't think of a way that it could have been audibly done better. All in all, I think that this book reminds me of a time in the "Burke" universe when the end was in sight and this saddens me. I called it "Rawdog Noir" because like with other things, if a filter or protection is not used there can be unforseen consequences. In this case possible bias stoking. But isn't that the truth about everything? Oops starting to drift, sorry. As I was attempting to say, I really enjoyed Blossom in general and this production in particular. Thanks

Trouble Man

Another great story with Burke. We get to see him outside his normal city environment.

Excellent narration.

Great listen

Phil is the best reader of Vacchss’ books. His voice and dialect is perfect for the characters.