Rating: 
Summary: Do the work or be a jerk!
Review: This book was an absolute stunner to read. More complex than the usual linear stuff Vachss specializes in. But my test of a great book is if it's better the second time around. And this one was like unwrapping a new gift every time I went there again. You can't predict what you'll get from Vachss, except that it will find some way to ATTACK!
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Summary: THE BEST!
Review: This book was great! The action was terrific and the sex was totally hot ... This author completely blows standard mystery novels out of the water!
Rating: 
Summary: It's sad when your favorite author dissapoints
Review: This latest, like his last two books, have left me depressed. No, it's not the subject matter. I keep reading and waiting and hoping for something to happen - and it never does. There's no payoff. Nothing.And it's so sad because Vachss has created such unique, rich and readable (almost addictive) characters and stories. But I think he's run out of steam. The early Burke novels were clever, and dark and complex, and like nothing else. Now, they are simply boring. "Choice of Evil" is all talk, most of it re-hash from previous books. You work through the book, through the tedious word play, hoping that any page now Vachss will dip into his arsenal of characters, twists, or grab-you-by-the-throat action. But it never happens. There's no danger - the book is all talk, up to the lame, three paragraph climax. I have read everyone of Andrew Vachss novels, and shared them with many friends. I doubt, though, that I'll rush out to buy the next one. I'm sad to say that , just like Pansy, this sereies is getting old and tired.
Rating:
Summary: Burke and Vachss continue to mature as character and writer.
Review: This was an excellent novel. Very crisp and smooth. In fact, that is my one complaint. Vachss seems to be mellowing little. Don't misunderstand, this is outstanding stuff. I just miss the dangerously jagged edges of the early works. Still very tense, very intense just more...grown up than the previous stuff. Why hasn't David Mamet bought a Burke story for a movie? I like Jurgen Prochnau (sp?) as Burke and Jet Li as Max....maybe Kevin Spacey as Wesley...
Rating:
Summary: Vachss's Unmistakable Voice Rings with Truth
Review: Those familiar with Andrew Vachss's work know that there is a spine around which he builds all that he writes. That spine is child abuse, yet each work is a distinctly separate creation, the commonalities as diverse as the creatures we label mammals--as diverse as Burke's family and Homo Erectus. With "Choice of Evil" Vachss once again goes into new territory but even as he does so there is no mistaking his voice--lean to the point of skeletal, authentic, compelling, powerful--and there is no mistaking, either, that by focusing on the very real subject of fag bashing, Vachss again transcends all those let's-just-tell-a-story books that are, finally, empty at the core. "Choice of Evil" resonates in the way only truth can; it will echo through you and change the way that you SEE.
Rating:
Summary: ORegon needs to think
Review: To: "A reader from ORegon." The review is a mirror image of a Flood "review," that was removed by Amazon due to the fact that it was so full of holes that its only reason for existing was a slander against the author (I remember this because I was the one who replied to you, and called you on all your "mistakes"). In reference to your past posts, and to clarify my ending statement about your posting in response to yourself let me say this: while your review *was* removed for the reasons I cited, it actually "agreed with 100%" the "review" from "NY", which is still up here. I attacked "reader from ORegon" originally for not writing a review at all, but merely "agreeing with" a stupid review ... and then pointed out why *that* review was stupid, and blatantly, wrong. For you to have "learned from your mistakes," your have to be the SAME PERSON posting as the "reader from NY" and then "agreeing with" YOURSELF. Also, you said: << Vachss needs to read CLOCKERS by Richard Stark. Or my favorite Dennis Lehane, "Gone, Baby, Gone", "Prayers for Rain" >> And yet there are no reviews for either of these by "A reader from ORegon" on the Amazon sites, what does that tell us? Your obsession with bashing Mr. Vachss for your own personal reasons continues. What those reasons are, I can not guess, but I for one wanted to make certain everyone saw your "reviews" for what they are. Lies and slanders against a man, not constructive reviews of a book. Now your "mission" seems to be to dissuade people from reading *any* of Mr. Vachss' books. You were nailed on the "facts" you "cited" in your whining about Flood, and because your "credentials" were laughed at, you changed tactics and now sticks to "opinions." Still you couldn't hide who you were, (even if you had used a different name) because your astounding lack of knowledge surfaces again, because, of course, "Clockers" was not written by Richard STARK, but by Richard PRICE. I'm curious why someone who hated Flood (the first in the series) as much as you appear to, would still be reading the same series a dozen books later? Also you are familiar with all the characters (to the point where you appear to hate them personally ... as if they were, dare I say it, "real" to you.). Your agenda is transparent to me and to everyone, you are out to slander the man, not review the books. And your responses to yourself under a different identify are as blatant as your lack of class, and intellect.
Rating:
Summary: excellent
Review: Vachss is the one writer I can not seem to put a book dow
Rating:
Summary: No one better, ever.
Review: Vachss never fails to deliver a powerful story built to bowl the reader over. CHOICE has a multi-layered and complex plot that builds on the story of bisexual Crystal Beth, first introduced in the previous novel, SAFE HOUSE, and her effect on Burke, whom she loved. Vachss' writing, as always, is spare, yet richly evocative. Whether this is your first taste of Vachss, or the one you've been waiting for, you won't be disappointed!
Rating:
Summary: Terrific Action and Unique Storytelling
Review: Vachss never fails to deliver a powerful story built to bowl the reader over. CHOICE has a multi-layered and complex plot that builds on the story of bisexual Crystal Beth, first introduced in the previous novel, SAFE HOUSE, and her effect on Burke, whom she loved. Vachss' writing, as always, is spare, yet richly evocative. Whether this is your first taste of Vachss, or the one you've been waiting for, you won't be disappointed!
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