Flood: A Relentless Woman

World-renowned for bringing new life to the detective genre, Andrew Vachss worked as a federal investigator, social worker, and director of a juvenile delinquency institution before becoming a lawyer specializing in defending abused children. This work served as a foundation and led him to write this novel, partly to exorcise his own demons, but also to expose to the world the horrors of the dark and real world of child abuse. Flood is the first installment in an acclaimed detective series starring the anti-hero Burke, a private detective dedicated to combating child abuse. The blasé detective Burke knows every corner of New York like the back of his hand. Making a living through the few small cases that come his way, the reclusive investigator divides his free time between betting on horse races and the company of his dog, Pansy, with whom he lives in a small apartment that doubles as his office. His peaceful routine is turned upside down when the beautiful Flood knocks on his door. A fascinating woman with unwavering determination, whose tragic past has left her with both physical and emotional scars. Now, she enlists Burke's help in finding Cobra, the man who raped and murdered her best friend's daughter and escaped prison unharmed. Despite initial disagreements, detective and client join forces and begin a dangerous hunt through the streets of New York, delving into the perverted world of child pornography and turning to some eccentric friends ranging from gang members to gigolos and prostitutes. Flood then reveals herself to be a true expert in martial arts, which, combined with Burke's knowledge of the dangers of street life, will be essential in the extreme situations they find themselves in. Burke gradually begins to make Flood's motivations his own, and as their relationship gradually evolves, the two become lovers. The cat-and-mouse game then takes unpredictable turns, and Flood refuses to rest until she takes justice into her own hands. “Simply extraordinary.” The Washington Post