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Andrew Vachss
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The Questioner Kindle Edition

by Andrew Vachss (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 192 ratings
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An all-new novelette by Andrew Vachss, author of the acclaimed Burke series

For all secrets created, a tiny percentage is kept against any intrusion. The ultimate extractor of such secrets is The Questioner – a man who has trained himself to become empty, who uses that emptiness to listen fully, to sense what others need to hear, to respond in ways that lead them to reveal their most protected thoughts. Disdaining torture or coercion, he mines those secrets with nothing more than conversation.

For those who meet his price – governments, multinational corporations, and the most complex criminal organizations – The Questioner obtains information. The secrets he learns can create or topple empires, win or destroy fortunes, lubricate the gears of the world ... or grind them to a halt.

But as the Questioner moves from one target to the next, just beyond the outer edge of his probes lurks something dangerous to his own emptiness. It will force him to turn his powers inward, to ask how he became what he is, and to find a truth he has never sought.

Praise for The Questioner

“Oh, my goodness. This is Andrew Vachss at his most engaging and insightful. The Questioner comes across as both riveting tale and instructional guide to the savage mind, the ones who lurk on the outskirts of society and identify victims like hungry lions determining the weakest antelope in a herd. This story looks right into the primitive brain of those who seek control over others for power and dark satisfaction. Right down to the last thrilling and chilling lines of this gripping tale, it's obvious Vachss knows something the rest of us actually know deep in our own primitive brains but are afraid to address. Vachss opens that door for us and turns on the light, dim and as bug-swarmed as it might be, and lets us see, and feel, the ugly truth.” —Joe Lansdale, author of the Hap and Leonard series

“Andrew Vachss after literally a lifetime of vigilant service to the marginalised and abused has produced his finest work. A stunning, vital, necessary book that is so desperately needed in these insane times.”—Ken Bruen, author of the Jack Taylor series, Blitz, London Boulevard

“The Questioner is vintage Vachss: the unparalleled insights into the darkest aspects of human nature; the unflinching portrayal of a societal underbelly Vachss has seen firsthand, and understands like no other writer I’ve ever known. But it’s a departure, too, introducing a new character whose abilities are more cerebral than physical, an interrogator who knows that ‘lie detectors’ are useless against someone who can’t feel guilt, but who doesn’t need a machine because he has something better: himself.”—Barry Eisler, New York Times Bestselling Author of The Killer Collective

About the author

Andrew Vachss has been a federal investigator (USPHS), a social services caseworker, and directed a maximum security institution for “aggressive-violent” youths. Now a lawyer in private practice, he represents children and youth exclusively. His articles and essays have appeared in Parade, MSNBC, New York Daily News, New York Times, Newsday, the ABA Journal, and the Journal of Psychohistory, along with numerous other forums. He is the author of more than thirty novels and three collections of short stories, which have earned him such international awards as the Grand Prix de Littérature Policiére (France), the Falcon Award from the Maltese Falcon Society of Japan, the Deutschen Krimi Preis (Germany) and the Raymond Chandler Award (Italy), as well as graphic novels and a variety of special projects. He is most currently engaged in the work of the Legislative Drafting Institute for Child Protection (www.ldicp.org) Mr. Vachss lives and works in both his native New York City and the Pacific Northwest. More information is available at www.vachss.com
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  1. Print length
    35 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    December 1, 2018
  4. File size
    1.3 MB
  5. Page Flip
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  6. Word Wise
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07KQDZN2L
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ NeoText (December 1, 2018)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ December 1, 2018
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.3 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 35 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 192 ratings

About the author

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Andrew Vachss

Andrew Vachss

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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 youth exclusively, and is a founding member of the Legislative Drafting Institute for Child Protection. He is the author of numerous novels, including the Burke series, three collections of short stories, and a wide variety of other material including song lyrics, graphic novels, essays, and a "children's book for adults." He is most currently engaged in the work of the Legislative Drafting Institute for Child Protection (ldicp.org). 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. His books have been awarded the Grand Prix de Littérature Policiére, the Falcon Award, Deutschen Krimi Preis, Die Jury des Bochumer Krimi Archivs and the Raymond Chandler Award (per Giurìa a Noir in Festival, Courmayeur, Italy). Andrew Vachss' latest books are Mortal Lock (Vintage, May 2013), SignWave (Pantheon, June 2015), and Carbon (Haverhill House, 2019). The dedicated Web site for Vachss and his work is vachss.com.

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
192 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book's writing quality good and readable. They describe it as a great read with accurate descriptions. Readers appreciate the honest and truthful narrative. The story is described as short and dark, with an excellent ending.

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Writing qualityValue for timeAuthenticityShortnessStory length
14 customers mention "Writing quality"14 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the writing quality of the book. They find it well-written and readable, with an economical use of language. The author is described as talented and a master crime writer.

"...Having met a few, I found Mr. Vachss' description accurate and extremely well written...." Read more

"...than a plot driven story, but the main character and the traditional Vachss style of prose still makes it essential reading for his fans" Read more

"...While his knowledge is formidable, the writing about it can be heavy-handed to where I just wanted him to get on with the story...." Read more

"...My first 'shot' was a book of his short stories, Born Bad. So well written, and yet complete and too short at the same time...." Read more

8 customers mention "Value for time"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the book worth reading. They say it's a good book from a great author.

"...authors and though this is a short story, it is no less worth reading than his longer work...." Read more

"..."The Questioner" is no exception. This novelette is an exceptional read and introduces a fascinating new character, The Questioner...." Read more

"...Any book by this guy is worth reading. So... here's one you can read..." Read more

"Good, but not the best Vachs can do. Feels like the lead-up to a novel, was expecting Burke or Wolf to appear." Read more

4 customers mention "Authenticity"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book honest and insightful. They appreciate the author's accurate descriptions and well-written prose.

"...Having met a few, I found Mr. Vachss' description accurate and extremely well written...." Read more

"...and shot through with so much truth that your mind's furniture always ends up rearranged. "..." Read more

"...This work is short, brutal, honest, insightful, and will stay with you long past the final page...." Read more

"It’s Andrew Vachss. Truth disguised as fiction. Read him, have your eyes opened to the world...." Read more

4 customers mention "Shortness"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the shortness of the book. They say it's a sharp, nasty novella with a great story by Andrew Vachss.

"...So well written, and yet complete and too short at the same time. His work engages you in a way that I've never experienced...." Read more

"...This work is short, brutal, honest, insightful, and will stay with you long past the final page...." Read more

"This is a short, sharp and nasty short novella with a chillingly cold protagonist who cuts inside the minds of his victims rather than their bodies...." Read more

"Another great short by Andrew Vachss. Definitely worth a read. Not too time consuming, can be read in a matter of minutes." Read more

4 customers mention "Story length"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the short story. They find it compelling with a compelling new character and dark themes. The ending is described as a real shocker.

"...This story is dark and exposes what you find in some shadows. For that reason alone, it's worth your time. So just get your copy and start reading." Read more

"This is a short, sharp and nasty short novella with a chillingly cold protagonist who cuts inside the minds of his victims rather than their bodies...." Read more

"This story starts off a little slow, but the ending has a real sting." Read more

"Excellent story and a compelling new character...." Read more

Vachssination Time!
5 out of 5 stars
Vachssination Time!
Like a lot of things in my life, I was late in finding this very talented author. Well, it's time for a Vachssination! I have found it so hard to talk about this authors work with others. How do you summarize the importance of the work and yet try to entice others to read it? I felt so awkward describing his work as entertaining, yet it is. It's also very, very disturbing on so many levels, so yeah, getting others to the trough is a bit tough, but that won't deter me.My first 'shot' was a book of his short stories, Born Bad. So well written, and yet complete and too short at the same time. His work engages you in a way that I've never experienced. Sure, you could read this material strictly for the entertainment value, and you'd be a winner. However, within each story is a message that is being conveyed using the 'entertainment' medium. The work has done it's job if you 'see' past the wrapper.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Wim Demeere
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent read.
    Reviewed in the United States on March 27, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Read it, loved it. Mr. Vachss is one of my favorite authors and though this is a short story, it is no less worth reading than his longer work. In short, you get to take a stroll inside the mind of the kind of person many people only think exists in movies or novels. Having met a few, I found Mr. Vachss' description accurate and extremely well written.
    This story is dark and exposes what you find in some shadows. For that reason alone, it's worth your time. So just get your copy and start reading.
    Helpful
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  • eric A. struble
    4.0 out of 5 stars In the Vachss book universe, its definitely one of his lesser efforts.
    Reviewed in the United States on January 21, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    More a character study than a plot driven story, but the main character and the traditional Vachss style of prose still makes it essential reading for his fans
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  • John A. Curley
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent story and a compelling new character.
    Reviewed in the United States on December 2, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Andrew Vachss is like Raymond Chandler on steroids. He has always accomplished at least two things with his writing. He entertains and he teaches. His stories and his characters are among the most compelling in fiction for a reason. It all rings true. "The Questioner" is no exception. This novelette is an exceptional read and introduces a fascinating new character, The Questioner. The only thing wrong with this story is that it too short. I am looking forward to reading and learning more about the character. As with all of Andrew's work, his lifetime of experience in child protection is evident in the writing. His knowledge, that makes him,\ perhaps the world's foremost expert in this necessary but all too often ignored field, *bleed* through the writing. It is easy to misunderstand Andrew's protagonists, in the sense there is a formidable cerebral element to all of them,. The questioner however, is his Holmes. Do yourself a favor and give this a read.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Alfred Smith
    3.0 out of 5 stars Not Sure If It's a Story or a Lecture on the Underground
    Reviewed in the United States on April 4, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    That Mr. Vachss has spent time with life's underbelly is obvious to anyone who's read him through the years. While his knowledge is formidable, the writing about it can be heavy-handed to where I just wanted him to get on with the story.
    That being said, I found the Questioner's analyses of humanity interesting enough to finish the book.
    Helpful
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  • sob
    5.0 out of 5 stars Vachssination Time!
    Reviewed in the United States on December 2, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Like a lot of things in my life, I was late in finding this very talented author. Well, it's time for a Vachssination! I have found it so hard to talk about this authors work with others. How do you summarize the importance of the work and yet try to entice others to read it? I felt so awkward describing his work as entertaining, yet it is. It's also very, very disturbing on so many levels, so yeah, getting others to the trough is a bit tough, but that won't deter me.

    My first 'shot' was a book of his short stories, Born Bad. So well written, and yet complete and too short at the same time. His work engages you in a way that I've never experienced. Sure, you could read this material strictly for the entertainment value, and you'd be a winner. However, within each story is a message that is being conveyed using the 'entertainment' medium. The work has done it's job if you 'see' past the wrapper.
    Customer image
    sob
    5.0 out of 5 stars
    Vachssination Time!

    Reviewed in the United States on December 2, 2018
    Like a lot of things in my life, I was late in finding this very talented author. Well, it's time for a Vachssination! I have found it so hard to talk about this authors work with others. How do you summarize the importance of the work and yet try to entice others to read it? I felt so awkward describing his work as entertaining, yet it is. It's also very, very disturbing on so many levels, so yeah, getting others to the trough is a bit tough, but that won't deter me.

    My first 'shot' was a book of his short stories, Born Bad. So well written, and yet complete and too short at the same time. His work engages you in a way that I've never experienced. Sure, you could read this material strictly for the entertainment value, and you'd be a winner. However, within each story is a message that is being conveyed using the 'entertainment' medium. The work has done it's job if you 'see' past the wrapper.
    Images in this review
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    9 people found this helpful
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  • Brian Troester
    5.0 out of 5 stars A truth-infused, intensely fascinating read.
    Reviewed in the United States on December 2, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Andrew Vachss's work is notable for being both relentlessly readable (to the point that it's hard to stop reading for even a moment) and shot through with so much truth that your mind's furniture always ends up rearranged. "The Questioner" is no exception. There's more going on in this novelette than happens in entire book series written by other authors. Getting a window into the mind and methods of a character who would be a bit player in any other book is absolutely fascinating. It demands to be read in one sitting and, as with all of Mr. Vachss's books, I have no doubt that it will reward repeated re-readings. A story like none before it, it is excellent in every way.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Linton Robinson
    5.0 out of 5 stars Cool Book from a Great Author
    Reviewed in the United States on December 14, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Vachss is not a fun, light-hearted writer. His specialty has long been child abuse, and his style is as gentle as a meat grinder. Any book by this guy is worth reading. So... here's one you can read...
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  • Ayize Jama-everett
    5.0 out of 5 stars It's not only Good, but also important
    Reviewed in the United States on March 27, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Listen, I'm loyal to Vachss. I preach his gospel to anyone who reads Hammett, Spillane, Mosley or any other "hardcore" detective work. Vachss doesn't write that stuff. He writes truth. And truth is always, far grimier than fiction. This is not to say "The questioner" is nonfiction. But much truth can be said in fiction. In particular, the truth about those who cannot feel and thus have given up a part of what we call being human. This work is short, brutal, honest, insightful, and will stay with you long past the final page. Only read this sharp short piece of literary glass if you don't mind a splinter of it being lodged in your brain for the rest of your life. Me, I appreciate such works.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Curtis
    5.0 out of 5 stars It kept me up until 3:00 am reading.
    Reviewed in Canada on December 5, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Andrew Vachss is a true hero with insight into the human psyche gained through experience. I love his work and his cause.
    Report
  • Llygodenfawrdur
    5.0 out of 5 stars Been a while.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 30, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    I think with the end of the Burke series I somehow lost a connection with Vachss work and his often brutally powerful prose.
    The Questioner though has reminded me why I looked forward to his writing and the messages they contain.
    Read during social isolation and with all its induced added anxiety that produces so many questions itself. I felt I too had been sequestered for questioning, making these vignettes all the more powerful.
    This is excellent.
    Report
  • Hombremoya
    5.0 out of 5 stars Typical Vachss... before you know it, the surgeon's knife is in...
    Reviewed in Germany on December 2, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    I have always loved his prose style. Once again he delivers in this novella... directly to the bone, oiling only where necessary.
    Report
  • Jon Snyder
    2.0 out of 5 stars A bit of a non-event
    Reviewed in Australia on January 20, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    I hadn’t read this author and though his style was very good, I didn’t see the point of the storyline or lack thereof.
    Report
  • PenName
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good stuff
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 30, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Needs to be developed to a full story what happens next?, got a lot of potential, maybe burke in his new career
    Report

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