Customer Reviews
How do you pronounce Shella? - By: Sam, 17 Aug 2006 
I read a lot of crime novels & some of them can be pretty dark. I think that 'Shella' has taken the award for darkest. We follow a man named Ghost as he searches for his ex Shella after getting out of jail. Ghost is a one man killing machine but is not the cleverest of assassins so is often used by others for their own means. He has to kill for the knowledge he seeks but will the answers he finds be what he wants?
This is a short novel & can be read pretty quickly. The narrative is a bit strange jumping from the present to the past with abandon. The best element of the novel was the middle where the story settled down describing Ghost's timein a right wing camp. However, the beginning & end really lacked cohesion imo.
The characters are likeable enough but the conclusion left me deflated. Add to this the sheer rudeness of the book & a surreal & uncomfortable time was had. I caution those that read this to make sure they do not mind dark & rude books, but if they enjoy the likes of Palahniuk, this could be the choice for them.
An interesting novel let down by narrative flaws & an overdependence of rude words & actions. I look forward to reading more by Vachss as it is obvious there is more to offer.
Shella - By: , 08 Mar 2006 
This is my favourite Vachss novel because I love its bitter sweet love story haiku. As the main character is named Ghost so the whole novel has a spectral, haunted atmosphere. We only get to know the things that we need to know & there's not an ounce of fat on these bones. I've read it at least three times now & each time, even though I know the ending, it still has an emotional kick. Ghost is Burke without his family. Readers of Burke novels will know exactly what I mean by this.
compellingly bleak - By: , 20 Feb 2006 
We follow events thru the eyes the damaged & yet highly evolved protagonist, Ghost or John (or whatever), as he searches for his lost partner Shella. Vachss's pared-to-the-bone prose drives the narrative; a lot happens & not a word is wasted. Ghost operatesin a cruel, violent subworld where lust, avarice, fear, hate & anger are the shaping forces. This is as good as this type of fiction gets, compelling & intriguing. As soon as the story had me hooked -- after a few paragraphs, that is -- I deferred all other activities except reading it until I'd finished it. Highly recommended to fans of modern noire.
Vachss- story without Burke - By: , 11 Nov 2003 Andrew Vachss is my favourite detective story writer. His style is unique, very realistic & tough. This book is not one of his best. Burke is notin it so it is part of the reason. The story is pretty good. It is sad & dark, Vachss-style story. The characters are not so well made asin the other novels. But it is still Vachss-quality, above average novels. There is action & tension & you want to read it fast. Three stars definately.
v good - By: , 11 Apr 2003 tho it's not a Burke story, this is probably my favourite of Vachss' novels, who is my favourite crime writer. So, highly rated.
