Although this book was published in 1990, Blossom has introduced to me a talented writer with an eye for the realism that is the underworld of New York. Andrew Vachss is a New York Lawyer in real life who specializes in the problems of child abuse. His writings reflect the often dark and depraved side of that world.

He writes from the perspective of a true New Yorker who knows his city from the inside out; the dark as well as the light.There’s no sugar coatings on the descriptions of the city and it’s occupants, they are all laid before us in a bright light that allows no evil to hide.

Written in short, almost staccato sentences, often not even complete sentences, the writing style emphasizes the pace of the story line. You’re quickly immersed in the world of Burke, an ex-con, ex-orphan, ex-abused child who has taken on himself the task of ridding his world of as many of those sick and evil humans who prey on children as he can. He works apart from the law and they have an uneasy truce.  His “family” is made up of other ex-convicts, prostitutes and others who operate on the other side of the law. They are a tight family and when one of them is in need, the others come to their aid.

When one of his former cell mates gets in touch with him because the nephew he took in is in trouble with the law, Burke responds by bringing his unusual talents to bear to not only get the boy off, but find the real killer and bring him to justice.

Blossom is the fifth of seventeen books which features Burke, the first being Flood which was published in 1985 and the most recent one being Another Life which will be published on December 30th of this year and is touted as being the end of Burke’s journey.  Vachss says he didn’t set out to write a series, but if this is an example, I can see how they pretty much wrote themselves.

Vachss’ passion for children and bringing to justice those who prey on them is very apparent and he writes convincingly and well. 

Blossom by Andrew Vachss
Published by Ballentine Books 1990
ISBN: 0-8041-0751-3

Tags: Andrew Vachss, Blossom, Child abuse

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