Rating: 
Summary: Burke¿s back in town
Review: Eva Wolfe lost her job as sex-crimes prosecutor when she refused to let a politically protected offender get away with his crimes. Though the success rate of prosecuting these vermin has dramatically gone down, her former superiors remain happy to see her gone, as she was a career liability. Not so shockingly, street vigilante Burke, who eradicates sex predators as an illegal but cleansing sideline, admires and loves Eva with a passion though she apparently does not return his feelings.When convicted serial rapist John Anson Wychek gains his freedom due to a legal technicality, the police arrest Wolfe, accusing her of rage when her former case unraveled leading to her shooting him three times. Before becoming comatose, Wychek accused Wolfe of trying to kill him. Thus, this one is personal on two counts as Burke with the help of the Irregulars begins digging for the truth because the love of his life would not shoot this human bug in cold blood. Burke is a wee bit different in this novel though the dregs of society looking from DOWN HERE would probably differ. This time he wears positive feelings on his sleeves, not just his usual avenging soul. Still even as Burke shows more heart than usual, the story line remains classic Vachss with lowlifes taking it in the shorts. The investigation is fun to follow as Max the Silent, the Professor, and Mama are their typical irresistible selves enhancing the fact that Burke's back in town. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: Vachss is the best.
Review: I got this book online last week (what a cheap price), and I read it in one sitting, as I do with all of his books. LEt me tell you, for all you Burke fans, this is the book that we've been waiting for. I don't want to give anything away, but the relationship between Wolfe and Burke is fantastic in this book! You will not be disappointed. Vachss is one of the greatest writers, period. He should be FAR more popular than he is right now. Tell ALL your friends to buy this book.
Rating:
Summary: The only thing more scary than Burke is real life
Review: In "Down Here," Burke is dragged into investigating a crime that's being blamed on Wolfe, the stunning prosecutor-turned rogue by circumstances that never should have happened. He uses his wits and contacts to open yet another hornet's nest.
The only thing that seems unreal about Vachss's characters is their loyalty to one another -- it's undying, and it's inspiring.
Unlike earlier books, "Down Here" does not directly deal with Attorney Vachss's real-life fight against crimes against children. I'd love to see another book along that genre.
The more I read about the character Burke, the more I wish I knew people who were that dedicated and that true to one another and to their convictions. Even though I know I'd get on their nerves...
Vachss's writing is so noir that I know people who simply can't handle his books anymore. He's brilliant.
Rating:
Summary: The only thing more scary than Burke is real life
Review: In "Down Here," Burke is dragged into investigating a crime that's being blamed on Wolfe, the stunning prosecutor-turned rogue by circumstances that never should have happened. He uses his wits and contacts to open yet another hornet's nest.
The only thing that seems unreal about Vachss's characters is their loyalty to one another -- it's undying, and it's inspiring.
Unlike earlier books, "Down Here" does not directly deal with Attorney Vachss's real-life fight against crimes against children. I'd love to see another book along that genre.
The more I read about the character Burke, the more I wish I knew people who were that dedicated and that true to one another and to their convictions. Even though I know I'd get on their nerves...
Vachss's writing is so noir that I know people who simply can't handle his books anymore. He's brilliant.
Rating:
Summary: ANOTHER EXCEPTIONAL "BURKE" NOVEL ...
Review: In DOWN HERE, the 15th book in Andrew Vachss' extremely popular "Burke" series, Mr. Vachss' protagonist, Burke, finds himself trying to unravel the complicated strands of evidence which he hopes will lead to the exoneration of his sometimes collegue/compatriot, Wolfe, from charges of attempted murder. His search for the truth takes Burke into the worlds of big city real estate specualtion, law enforcement double-dealing, and (in an unusual but brillantly-done twist) Mid-Eastern terrorism. Burke's family of choice (Max, Mole, Michelle, Terry, Clarence, Prof, et al.) accompany and assist in this intelligent, exceedingly well thought out, and highly entertaining crime drama ... remarkably rich in detail with an undeniable feeling of authenticity ... certain to be a hit with fans of the series and an excellent book for newcomers as well.
Rating:
Summary: Another powerful chapter in the literary life of Burke...
Review: It's difficult to believe that Down Here is the fifteenth novel about Burke, that grown-up "Child of the Secret" who lives across the border that separates the normal world from the world of lawlessness and violence. The novels read more like one lengthy, continuing story, each book another chapter in the story arc of Burke's life. Some chapters are naturally more interesting than others, but all have been well worth reading, and Down Here is one of the more effective ones. There is a power to Vachss's writing that sustains and nourishes the reader during even the most procedural of scenes, and there are a great many of those here. That's only natural, however, since Burke is put in the situation of investigator. The woman he deeply admires and possibly loves, Wolfe, is a former sex crimes prosecutor who has been accused of attempted murder by a convicted multiple rapist now free on a technicality. Burke takes it upon himself and his colorful crew to prove Wolfe's innocence, but once that's done, there are still more puzzles to be solved and links to be made. The plot is primarily that of discovery, and it's to Vachss's credit as a writer that the process never becomes boring. Interest is maintained by his icy prose style, the never less than fascinating characters, and the viewpoint of Burke himself, who, in an ethically ambiguous situation, pimps himself, initiating an affair with the rapist's sister, an artfully drawn businesswoman of whom Burke grows fond. The core of Burke's "family" is present - Mama, Max the Silent, the Prof, Michelle, the Mole, and the adopted offspring Terry and Clarence. They're their usual helpful selves, except when they want to help themselves to some money. Burke's altruism toward Wolfe isn't always shared by Mama and the Prof, who seem frustrated by the lack of profit in this particular job. Their greed is a quality that makes them both a little less admirable but a lot more human. Burke's humanity comes through as well, in spades. He's a living, breathing character whose observations can be touching, but whose cynicism still stings. As always, Vachss's Zen-like refusal to use traditional chapter breaks makes the novel flow like a stream, and once you pick it up it's a tough book to put down. When you finally do, you'll find yourself wishing, not for the next book in a series, but for the next chapter in the dark, brooding, and somehow hopeful life of Burke.
Rating: 
Summary: Burke is back in the neighborhood
Review: Rebeccasreads recommends Burke's latest incarnation as he sets out not only to prove the beautiful Wolfe innocent of attempted murder, he wants to skewer the creep Wycheck & get him for the string of brutal rapes that has Manhattan in a nightmare. That redemption comes at a terrible price, is part & parcel of living DOWN HERE in the underbelly of the City. Could not put it down!
Rating:
Summary: Burke is back in the neighborhood
Review: Rebeccasreads recommends Burke's latest incarnation as he sets out not only to prove the beautiful Wolfe innocent of attempted murder, he wants to skewer the creep Wycheck & get him for the string of brutal rapes that has Manhattan in a nightmare. That redemption comes at a terrible price, is part & parcel of living DOWN HERE in the underbelly of the City. Could not put it down!
Rating:
Summary: Burke Goes into Action to Save the Beautiful Wolfe!
Review: The best thing about this book (next to the return of all Vachss' terrific characters) is the twisted plot. Forget about the standardized gumshoe pap that passes for mystery/suspense nowadays; Vachss knows how to keep the reader guessing. I have been waiting restlessly for the next Burke book to come out, and this one is *well* worth it.
Rating:
Summary: Subdued and Soulful
Review: The latest Burke novel is a little more mellow than some of the previous books of the series. Part of that is because Burke himself is a changed man, I suppose. The old rage is still there at his core, but the rage is expressed more subtley. Wolfe, a former prosector of sex crimes, is accused attempting to murder a rapist she put away years ago. Burke, who has had dealings with (and unresolved feelings for) Wolfe, is brought in to help the DA-turned-outlaw. But it soon becomes apparent that there is something far more to this groundless accusation as the city pushes a case that is worthless on its face. Vachss demonstrates once again how good he is at dealing with the underside of society. His characters are hard-bitten, hard-fighting, fully fleshed out people, who are horribly damaged, in many aspects unsavory, and completely lovable. But I was surprised at the relatively soft touch Vachss brought to this book. There's a great deal of tenderness in Burke, hinted at previously, that shines through more than usual. He's not above hurting people to get the job done (and in some instances, he seems to relish in it still, but Burke seems to be tired of this violent life of his. The result is an unusually soulful entry in a series that is the very definition of hardboiled.
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