Overall another good story, I just wish they'd get to finish more sentences. ( )

Burke is being hounded by two cops in this novel, ostensibly having to do with the arrest and conviction of a criminal for beating on a woman, and then for a series of female murders by slashing. One of the cops is Belinda, who seems to be his girlfriend, and the other is Morales, a NYPD partner of one of Burke's friends on the force.

There are three positives in this one:

1. Child abuse is only in the deep background, for once.

2. The addition of a new character to Burke's family. Frankie is a boxer, learning the trade from the Prof with an assist from Max. He is deferential to his mentors and serves with unquestioning loyalty. The boxing scenes add depth to the story too.

3. Mama teaching calligraphy to Flower, who is copying an ancient haiku:

"the ferret hunting
eyes on the ground, never hears
footsteps of the hawk."

Sage advice, especially for those looking at their I-Phones: look all around you, not always down.
( )