Hard Candy

Burke #4

by Andrew Vachss

In this mercilessly compelling thriller, Burke—the private eye, sting artist, and occasional hit man who metes out a cruelly ingenious vengeance on those who victimize children—is up against a soft-spoken messiah, who may be rescuing runaways or recruiting them for his own hideous purposes. But in doing so Burke becomes a target for an entire Mafia family, a whore with a heart of cyanide, and a contract killer as implacable as a heat-seeking missile. Written with Vachss's signature narrative overdrive—and his unnerving familiarity with the sub-basement of American crime—Hard Candy is vintage Burke.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Crime, Thriller, Noir, Mystery Thriller, Suspense

242 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

Andrew Vachss has been a federal investigator in sexually transmitted diseases, a social-services caseworker, a labor organizer, and has directed a maximum-security prison for “aggressive-violent” youth. Now a lawyer in private practice, he represents children and youths exclusively. He is the author of numerous novels, including the Burke series, two collections of short stories, and a wide variety of other material including song lyrics, graphic novels, essays, and a “children’s book for adults.” His books have been translated into twenty languages, and his work has appeared in Parade, Antaeus, Esquire, Playboy, the New York Times, and many other forums. A native New Yorker, he now divides his time between the city of his birth and the Pacific Northwest.

The dedicated Web site for Vachss and his work is
www.vachss.com. That site and this page are managed by volunteers. To contact Mr. Vachss directly, use the "email us" function of vachss.com.

Reviews

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

While Burke is reeling over Belle's death, he's called by someone from his past, a hooker named Candy. Candy's daughter Elivira is mixed up with a cult leader named Train and it's up to Burke to bring her back. Complicating matters is the fact that a hitman named Wesley is furious over Burke's killing of Mortay and wants the money he was promised by the mob. Can Burke settle things with Candy and avoid being Wesley's next victim?

The Burke books get bleaker and more twisted with each passing volume. As usual, Vachss paints a dark picture of New York's cesspool-like underbelly of freaks and criminals. Burke's pain from Belle's death was in character and well done. It was nice to see Burke's supporting cast again; Max the Silent, the Mole, the Prof, Michelle, Terry, Mama, and the rest. Hell, it was nice surprise to have Strega make an appearance. As usual, Burke had a couple of scams going and it all came together in the end.

However, I couldn't justify giving this better than a three. It was good but not as pants-shittingly good as it could have been. Burke meandered for 90 pages, doing a lot of moping, until Candy finally got into touch with him. While I liked the rest of it, the first third of the book was almost painfully slow.

The second 2/3rds of Hard Candy was a ripping page turner. Just be prepared for it to be a little late getting off the starting line.

[Skip · Rating 3 out of 5]

A prostitute named Candy, who Burke knew from his younger years, asks him to rescue her teenage daughter from a guy named Train. What she is doing there is left unclear, but when Burke finds out the truth he is horrified. Meanwhile, a psycho killer named Wesley is furious that Burke blew up a guy named Mortay (in the last book), and goes after the mob for not paying his fee, even though Mortay was killed by Burke. Wesley forces Burke to help him find the Don so that he can Wesley can get his revenge. Not as good as the last book, in part because Burke is moping for about 40% of the book, and finds no solace in exacting his own revenge on dead Belle's father.

[brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

our first impression as children is usually what sticks. so, after years spent in manhattan - that vast, multi-personalitied behemoth - it'll always remain somewhat in the vision of death wish: graffiti'd subways, garbage-strewn streets, cracked-out floppy-titted streetwalkers, and roving gangs of dark-skinned thieves with afros who flash switchblades and call people 'sucka!'... mix that in with a bit of romanticized east-village punkrockery and that's my NYC. and vachss kinda riffs on this world. but - and this cannot be overstated - his is a much darker, deeper vision of nyc (and humanity, in general) than michael winner (or anyone, really) came close to creating. this is about as bleak as it comes.

i was gonna dock a star as the beginning is unnecessarily confusing and meandering... and, as with much crime fiction, a few questionable plot mechanics threaten to overtake character and atmosphere... but naw. it's all too dirty and too fun. i mean, burke has a pitbull named pansy. he has a lover named candy who he dresses up in whacko outfits, handcuffs to a stairwell railing, shuts up with a gag ball, and plows from behind. he also counts a deaf mongolian, a tranny, and a guy named mole who lives in a junkyard as his best friends.

and this is how wikipedia describes him:

Andrew Vacchs is an american crime fiction author, child protection consultant, and attorney exclusively representing children and youths. He is also a founder and national advisory board member of PROTECT: The National Association to Protect Children.

and here's what he looks like:

[Toby · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read a Burke book a while ago, the first one in the series, it was relentlessly grim, headache inducing in its constant matter of fact depictions of horrible events and the life goals of anti-hero Burke. It kind of put me off reading another one, I'd look at the shelves of my library and see the few Vachss books I have in the hardboiled section and feel a bit sick at the thought of opening another one, but I guess two years is enough time to calm down about it all.

Jumping ahead to the fourth book at random I get the impression that this series shares more similarities with Richard Stark's Parker books on the Matt Helm series from Donald Hamilton than any PI series I've read to date. Burke needs some cash, Burke wants revenge, Burke is going to put an end to people who abuse kids, Burke has gadgets and friends who make gadgets, Burke has friends as keen on killing kiddie fiddlers as he is, a plot is in there somewhere, with some hangover from the previous books. Basically the early Parker books but with child abuse instead of heists.

The first third of this book features a rather tedious series of moping scenes as Burke contemplates the events of the previous book. At this point I'm pretty certain that I will never read another Burke novel again, but then things start to come together, plot starts to happen, he interacts with people, another couple of absolute horrifying events involving children surface and Burke weaves his way through intrigue and danger and although it's all kinda implausible in a boy's own adventure kind of way the manner in which Vachss balances the grim realism with the cartoonish wish fulfilment action eventually brings clarity and something approaching enjoyment and respect for the skill of the author.

Will I read more? Oh probably. I own some anyway so it's not like I have to go out of my way to find another. But it's not going to be something I look forward to.

[Josh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Burke, the epitome of a hardman, and vigilante (of sorts) who seeks vengeance on those who victimize the young, is up against a monster with tendencies akin to his own – they both know the rules of the street and how to manipulate lost souls into doing their righteous bidding, the only difference is Burke’s intentions are good – who for – that’s sometimes questionable, but Wesley, and by extension the cool calm character called Train, who may be rescuing runaways or recruiting them for his own hideous purposes are cogs in the machine in desperate need of lighter fluid and a match; Burke’s got enough rage to burn hell down to its core.

Hard Candy is the fourth entry into Vachss’ pitch black noir series and largely centres around Candy, a prostitute and former ‘lover’ of Burke’s (if quickies on the stairwell count as love…) who has a thriving business playing, well, ‘play thing’ to her male customers. Her call to Burke isn’t to rekindle their stairway to heaven as it were, rather, her 15yr old daughter Elvira has taken off with a cult and she wants Burke to rescue her. Of course, the case isn’t as black and white as Candy makes out, and before long Burke is once again wading deep in the shades of grey.

An excellent entry into the Burke series.

[Harry · Rating 5 out of 5]

What did I think? This guy's the king of "Noir", is what I think. Andrew Vachss, a lawyer and author with a penchant for the welfare of kids and women - especially the kids - has created Burke to let some steam escape.

Burke's world is not the world you and I live in. Burke exists in NYC but he is not seen in it. When society mentions the name "Burke" it is in the fashion of a legend: a myth, someone who is not real. Burke likes it that way.

With unforgettable characters fully developed over a long series of books,we dive into the seedy, underground realm of the city. The rules are different, alien to someone such as myself. Life is very physical but full of kick ass psych ops aimed at evil.

These books are dark, very raw...and not easily set aside.

Usual disclaimer. There's no need to discuss plot. The books are excellent, period. And if you've read this review, you've read 'em all (save you some time)

[KillerBunny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely my favorite from the series !
Wow

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't really plan to start this 4th Burke entry, but I guess I figured that I could handle some noir right now. hmmm, not so much. Not as good as the last book, because Burke is moping after losing Belle (last book) for about half of the book. It did get better and I appreciate Andrew Vachss and his style. I enjoy Burke and his relationship with his "brother" Silent Max, and the rest of his "family." God help me, they seem like old friends at this point. The second half of the book was pretty well plotted and I did like it, but I didn't put the next on my Kindle. Maybe enough, already.

[Oliver · Rating 4 out of 5]

The fourth and strongest entry in the series to date. Burke and his co-horts feel like a family now, the underground they inhabit, a dark yet familiar social reality. Burke reels from the death of Belle and in the process, finds himself having to work with Wesley, the most notorious contract killer in New York. It's a fast paced, lean & mean story that takes Burke face to face with gangsters, cult leaders and a high class hooker connected to his past. All in all, a really satisfying story about a man trying to overcome his grief. A side note: One of the first things I've noticed about Hard Candy is that Vachss adopts a more terse writing style for this installment. That more terse style is what I happen to be more familiar with as he seems to have adopted it for his later novels entirely (of which I've read 2 or 3).

[Janka · Rating 2 out of 5]

kdybych vedela, ze tomu predchazeji tri dily, mozna bych to i pochopila a bavilo by me to

[Larry Bassett · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the end of the e-book

About the Book In this merceilessly compelling thriller. Burke—the private eye, sting artist, and occasional hit man who metes out a cruelly ingenious vengeance on those who victimize children—is up against a soft–spoken messiah, who may be rescuing runaways or recruiting them for his own hideous purposes. But in doing so Burke becomes a target for an entire Mafia family, a whore with a heart of cyanide, and a contract killer as implacable as a heat–seeking missile. Written with Vachss's cignature narrative overdrive—and his unnerving familiarity with the sub–basement of American crime—Hard Candy is vintage Burke.

Now that I am going through this series for the second time using the audible and e-book formats, I have a little bit of the benefit of hindsight. I don’t remember the details but I have a pretty good recollection of the overview of the books. It is interesting that this book is filled with references to the women who highlighted the first three books in addition to a new woman from BURKE’S teenage years.

———————-
Reading books about the war in Vietnam was probably my introduction to graphic violence. But the violence in Andrew Vachss books is more violent and intense than just about any other books I have read. I am not sure that I would like to see this violence on the Big Screen but reading it seems to mostly keep the intensity at a manageable level for me.

One of the ways that I relate to Vachss books so far is that I was a child abuse and neglect social worker way back when for a couple of years. Talk about an intense job! A big part of that intensity was knowing that I held the lives of people (kids and caretakers) in my care. While Burke is not even vaguely like anyone I ever encountered, he allows an expression of the hatred you can harbor for people who damage kids severely. Burke does all the socially unacceptable things to achieve vengeance that society prohibits. Somehow my opposition to the death penalty does not seem to impact my willingness to emotionally participate in the street justice that Burke doles out.

The first two books in this omnibus were 300 and 330 pages. The final story in the book is much shorter, only 220 pages. I am interested to see how Vachss continues to handle character development in this eighteen book series in fewer pages. So, let’s get to it: Hard Candy .

From the first three books in the Burke series, I expected that the Candy from the title of book four would be another woman in Burke’s life. And so it is a woman he knew (in the biblical sense) in his teenage years. She asks Burke to rescue her teenage daughter from a cult and wants to reconnect with him in other ways as well.

Hard Candy starts with a bang – or actually several of them signaling the end of the life of Belle’s abusive father. (See Burke #3 to see why he deserves what he gets.) And it ends with a bang. Actually several of them.

Definitely interesting to read. Quirky and violent with a Prof who speaks in rhyme. Another one with four stars as I begin to work my way through the series.

[Kortick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is known as book 4 in the Burke series, however books 2,3, and 4 (Strega, Blue Belle, and Hard Candy) are the re-working of Andrew Vachss first novel "A Bomb Built in Hell". Vachss took the main charecter from that book, an ultimate hit man named Wesley, and introduced him into the Burke series. If one was to read 'Bomb' you would see how Vachss melded that book into the Burke series by adding charecters and situations to make it fit his new storylines. To read Hard Candy on its own is a great read, but one needs to read the previous 2 books to get the entire story that was "Bomb Built in Hell" converted into a 3 novel arc.

[Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Burke and his "brother" Silent Max, and his other "family" members, living among the "citizens" of New York. The problem with these type of citizens that Burke is pursuing...they're the sickos.
Only four books into this hard-boiled, grittier than being caught in a dust storm series.....and I can really see how Vachss & Burke are a cult favorite. 4.5 stars

[🐴 🍖]

bro what the heck happened in blue belle? skipping ahead a couple vols in the series was perhaps inadvisable. the prose style has changed massively, stripped of detail, lish'd into chapters sometimes just a paragraph or 2 long. you might expect this to pay off in terms of momentum, but burke's trauma casts a gray pall over this thing that never lifts. v technically impressive in how it evokes depression, but apathy is a tough environment for a thriller to thrive

[John Culuris · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first reaction to the start of this novel could legitimately be: “Why is Vachss cleaning up loose ends from a previous book now?” Turns out it is completely relevant to this story. Perhaps he had learned from an oversight earlier in the series. In his second book, Strega, Burke was dealing with a loss suffered in his debut outing; and the angst did not particularly match what the readers had experienced at his side in Flood. This time we know exactly how far Burke has fallen as a result of his latest loss.

Burke’s World is populated by people like himself, living on the fringes of New York City, along its underbelly. These are almost always long-term relationships: some are personal, some are professional, a few are antagonistic. All are to one extent or another ambiguous. This time Burke entwines himself with an early girlfriend and a childhood friend turned hit man, the latter suspecting that Burke is encroaching on his territory thanks to previous events growing in stature as it circulates through the rumor mill. As always, Vachss drags elements from the seamy side of life into harsh daylight, and enthralls you along the way. A master craftsman with a successful effort.

[Spencer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first Burke (and first Andrew Vachss) novel I read and it sizzled. I have recently started the Burke series from the beginning and just re-read this one in a single day. I have to say that so far, this is a transitionary novel for sure. The tone is much leaner than the previous 3 books, plus Vachss, while still maintaining his hardboiled roots, really seems to be finding his own voice here. Everything about the story is more streamlined, the characters are more straight-forward and feel less over-the-top and cartoonish than the last novel, even when the plot veers into territory where it could have been hokey (a breeding cult; a robot-like contract killer). There's also a darker edge running under the surface, Burke coming to grips with who he may really be afterall is said and done. There's less flashbacks, but when they happen they are short and to the point (and a bit more obvious and less intrusive than in past books). While I still have several more to go in the series, I'll go on record stating this is the one where Vachss really hits his stride.

[Bert Edens · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not sure how I managed to miss Vachss's Burke novels until now, but I have. That's a mistake that will be remedied quickly, having read my first Burke novel.

This is the earliest book in the series I could put my hands on for now, but it's definitely a good introduction to Burke and his world. Naturally, it gives away some secrets from the previous books, but hey, it's not Vachss's fault I'm reading them out of order. :)

The writing is clean, crisp, efficient and to the point, much like Burke himself. I definitely found myself interested in the characters and their world. I will definitely be tracking down others in the series.

[Craig Werner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not so much a "mystery" (or whatever genre the Burke books belong to), but a really smart study of depression and impotence. Burke's reeling from the events of Blue Belle (the previous book in the series) and Vachss places his psychological struggle at the center, subordinating another plot that circles around issues of sexual abuse and exploitation. Really liked the way he handles the tension between Burke and Silent Max. And it was a relief of sorts not to have the sex scenes that typically use up more space than I want them to. The best book in the series so far (number four in my sequential reading/re-reading).

[James Kidd · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book about grief. In a direct continuation from Blue Belle, our anti-hero Burke has lost his way. After a solid revenge start, he spends most of the novel coming to terms with loss and trying to regain what he had before Belle. As such, there is not so much of a plot. But we learn more about what makes baby-boy Burke tick, and that is never a bad thing. It offers up the usual spotlight on the underbelly of NY. I don't denigrate it by saying "usual". This is Vachss after all. Compelling and satisfying as you are rewarded from the previous books.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, I just can't read Vachss' books any more. Knowing his history, I feel that his characters are acting true to life, and the life painted is more bleak than any I have ever experienced or imagined. I'm such a wuss that the writing stays with me and I feel that I should go down to the Bowery and spend the rest of my days handing out sandwiches and warm clothing, but even doing that 24/7 will never even scratch the surface of the evil that walks and talks in the Caverns of Gotham. It breaks my heart, and I simply can't read any more because it frightens me so much.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

"If there is no truth, saying it is the truth. So there is always truth." I had a hard time getting into this writer's style and I was unaware that I was reading the 4th of a series which made it more difficult but as the story unfolded I was gripped by the realness, the rawness of the characters. Lifestyles that I would never imagine, crimes I couldn't dream. It pulled me in and I had to devour it. I will be reading more from this series. If you can handle the gruesome detail of child abuse and street crime that most of us don't understand or deal with then you will love this book.

[Beauregard Shagnasty · Rating 5 out of 5]

"City vultures never have to leave the ground"...Vachss gets it down so tight the freakin' hinges squeak in this, the fourth and one of the best in the Burke series. Someone needs to get Martin Scorsese or Abel Ferrara to adapt these suckers into movies! They are so quintessentially New York City that they just scream out for either of those two filmmakers...and right now Mickey Rourke would make the perfect Burke!

[Tim Warner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is prime Vachss! However, I have noticed while reading this Burke Book, (my third or fourth) that due to Andrew Vachss's style of writing, it seems like I am getting or comprehending only about 65% of what is written or what is being revealed. Nevertheless, I am hooked on this series. And I confess that I am reading the books entirely out of sequence. These books are an acquired taste because they are so completely unique.

[Elizabeth Rebecca Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Story about Burke recovering from the loss of Belle and getting involved with a woman from his past as well as a man that he'd tried to emulate. The usual attempt to rescue young people from the pit of New York; unsuccessful in this case. An interesting mix of characters from previous stories in this one. I like the development of Burke's character and his mix of friends. The battling with the police and the mob are interesting touches.

[David Ward · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hard Candy (Burke #4) by Andrew Vachss (Vintage Books 1989) (Fiction - Mystery) finds Burke along with his usual cast of characters. A cult leader named Train is running a baby breeding operation; Burke joins forces with the hero/monster psychopath Wesley against Train and the mob. My rating: 5/10, finished 4/6/11.

[Marcia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Burke, the bad guy unofficial equalizer, is at it again. This one seemed shorter and with less involvement from his gang of characters. I missed the odd balls and therefore didn't like this one quite as much as the previous Burke books. However, I like the old school 80's stories set in New York City, so whenver I see a Burke book i will still keep picking them up.

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

The fourth Burke book follows on straight from the third, and Burke has issues to deal with.
By this stage you know what you're getting, lots of bleakness, many sick puppies involved in the underbelly of New York and Burke living outside the law but dispensing justice as he sees it.
A solid entry into the series and better than book 3.

[Karl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Burke's past comes back to grab him and put him in a position where he might not survive. No-one survives head-to-head with Wesley. Can Burke? Well, there is a next book! But getting there with him is why we read! One of the best book series that I have ever read.

[Jiří Pavlovský · Rating 3 out of 5]

Asi nejsilnější příběh z těch, co jsem zatím četl. Jednak navazuje na minulé události, takže hrdina, Burke, je celkem v pytli. Jednak se vracejí i minulé osudové ženy… a jednak se ukazuje, že jeho minulé činy mají následky a bude si je muset odskákat. A na konci se autor nebojí nechat do sebe všechny ty rozjeté vlaky opravdu nabourat, díky čemuž dokáže ze čtenáře vyrazit nějakou tu emoci.
Ale i když jsou sázky vysoké a tempo dynamické, tak pořád je to psáno podobně jako minulé knihy – čili v knize je víc omáčky než na mezinárodní soutěži ve vaření koprovky. Většinu knihy zabírá hrdinovo bloumání, pokecy s děsně drsňáckými a superboreckými kámoši, vzpomínky na mládí v gangu a ve vězení a povídání o rodině. Víc času se věnuje tomu, co se bude dělat, co se kdysi dělalo a co se nedělalo, než tomu, že by se něco doopravdy dělalo.

Vachss je rozhodně zajímavý autor a tady má i silnější příběh. Na hrdinu se valí průsery ze všech stran, ale i tak to všechno působí jako puštěné z televize ve vedlejším bytě. Burkemu i tady vlastně všechno vychází, takže si navíc střihne i pár podvodů, krádeží a vražd.

Samozřejmě, vrací se tu všichni jeho parťáci, kteří jsou tu, jako obvykle, mytizování… ať působí v jakémkoliv oboru, jsou v něm nejlepší. Tou mytizací si tvůrce často usnadňuje práci i u padouchů, kde obvykle pracuje hlavně s tím, že z nich má i hrdina strach a pořád zmiňuje, že s nimi něco není v pořádku a jak jsou děsiví.

Když jsem u toho rozložení a popisů postav, tak ženy tu jsou obvykle buď nástroje sexu, nebo spásy. V podstatě ve všech „záchranných“ rolích máte ženské postavy (psycholožky, právničky ochraňující mládež, policajtky). A samozřejmě, pak tu máme ženy jako oběti, obvykle zvrhlých tatíků, posléze pasáků.

Někdo Burkeho definoval jako Parkera který zabíjí lidi, co ubližují dětem… což mi fakt jako Parker nepřijde. Jasně, je tu ten neskutečný a až úmorný důraz na postupy a zabezpečení, kdy obvykle trvá pár kapitol, než se Burke jen sejde s člověkem, který mu chce zadat práci. Ale je tady daleko víc emocí, morálky a hořekování nad temnou tváří New Yorku. Plus Parker je mnohem soustředěnější. Tady je roztěkaný jak hrdina, tak autor.

Styl je strohý a úderný a dokáže vás udržet u knihy, i když mu hází klacky pod nohy nijak úžasný překlad. Už jsem vážně v knize dlouho nenarazil na „zázvorové pivo“. A ano, chápu, že název Droga je cool, ale mohl by se brát ohled na to, že v knize nehrají drogy téměř žádnou roli.

[Mark Robison · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a hard-boiled detective novel (and series) from 1989 that pushes against the genre by having an agenda: to demonize those who exploit children and expose their methods. It’s got short, tough chapters that pull you along, even if you don’t know most of the characters. I like how Vachss’ books verge on poetry created in a hell of violence, exploitation, and distrust. Somehow he keeps cynicism out of his hero even as his hero exposes and exacts revenge on abusive religious leaders, parents, cops, and average sickos.

Yet this one -- centered around a prostitute and her daughter, who runs away and joins a cult -- didn’t quite work for me. There was a weird sex scene where the hero overcomes his impotence that just felt creepy, and a weird bombing about which I still don't understand the author's point. It’s hard to process some of the violence because the author is so staccato with his scenes. Plus he brought in too many characters from previous books (or references to them). I never felt a connection with anyone in the bleak underbelly of late 1980s NYC.

Still, the ending was strong enough to put the next book in the series on my to-read list. And it inspired me to start reading the author's wife's nonfiction book about being a sex-crimes prosecutor (it's great so far: "Sex Crimes: Then and Now: My Years on the Front Lines Prosecuting Rapists and Confronting Their Collaborators" by Alice Vachss).

Grade: B