James Lee Burke’s most beloved character, Dave Robicheaux, returns in this New York Times bestselling mystery set in the towns and backwoods of Louisiana: an “enthralling yet grim novel that…will captivate, start to finish” (Publishers Weekly).Dave Robicheaux is a haunted man. From the acts he committed in Vietnam, to his battles with alcoholism, to the sudden loss of his beloved wife, Molly, his … of his beloved wife, Molly, his thoughts drift from one irreconcilable memory to the next. Images of ghosts pepper his reality. Robicheaux’s only beacon remains serving as a detective in New Iberia, Louisiana.
It’s in that capacity that Robicheaux crosses paths with powerful mob boss, Tony Nemo. Tony has a Civil War sword he’d like to give to Levon Broussard, a popular local author whose books have been adapted into major Hollywood films. Then there’s Jimmy Nightengale, the young poster boy of New Orleans wealth and glamour. Jimmy’s fond of Levon’s work, and even fonder of his beautiful, enigmatic wife, Rowena. Tony thinks Jimmy can be a US Senator someday, and has the resources and clout to make it happen. There’s something off about the relationship among these three men, and after a vicious assault, it’s up to Robicheaux to uncover the truth “in the barn-burner of a climax” (Booklist, starred review).
Complicating matters is the sudden death of the New Iberian local responsible for Molly’s death; namely that Robicheaux’s colleague thinks Robicheaux had something to do with it. As Robicheaux works to clear his name and make sense of the murder, a harrowing study of America emerges: this nation’s abiding conflict between a sense of past grandeur and a legacy of shame, its easy seduction by demagogues and wealth, and its predilection for violence and revenge. “It has been almost five years since James Lee Burke’s last Dave Robicheaux novel, and it was absolutely worth the wait” (Associated Press).
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James Lee Burke is a classic, and so is his alcoholic, haunted detective in Robicheaux . I have never been to New Orleans, but I feel like I took a trip as a fly on the wall in Burke’s dark world of the mean streets of the Big Sleazy. I love Burke’s elegant and original turns of phrase; they elevate this police procedural to literature at times, and that sets it apart.
James Lee Burke is one of the finest writers
Love all of his books
I think James Lee Burke is the real deal, a great writer. Burke has a poetic genius side that comes out in his books. Some are better than others; all are interesting; all are filled with bizarre characters and violence; all of them have something real to say about the human condition we are all caught up in. Often dark, somehow redemptive. Dave Robicheaux is Burke’s main character in many of his novels. This particular book is, I think, the best over all re who Robicheaux is, not because Burke tells us all about it, but because he shows this flawed human hero to us through his thoughts and actions. As a writer, I am awed by his ability. Great book. Graphic violence and sex, so be aware.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review this book.
I have enjoyed reading the Dave Robicheaux series for years. The thoughts, philosophies, and humanity of this character are written almost poetically. Dave Robicheaux is a detective with the New Iberia, Louisiana sheriff and police department. Dave’s life after his wife Molly was killed in an accident has left him vulnerable to the daily struggle with alcoholism. He is also still disturbed about the unsolved cases of the eight murdered women referred to as the Jeff Davis Parish Eight. In this current book there are several problems which Dave becomes embroiled with trying to control or to solve. His best friend Clete Purcel is having more problems and needs a favor. The reader must understand that in Louisiana it reflects on a mans honor to be able to help a friend. It seems Dave has to go ‘around the world’ calling in favors and offering favors to others in order to get Clete out of a gambling jam. Dave has to maneuver through dirty politics, a crime boss, and other characters he has respect for, but becomes disappointed in through their actions. In the background of the story, a stranger has come to town and is shooting people who have participated in crimes against children and those who can not help themselves.
The most disturbing is that Dave surrenders to a night of drinking and the next morning discovers his knuckles are scraped and he has bumps and bruises on his body. He does remember the bumper of his truck being hit from behind and later a faint and fleeting memory of a mans face in a broken window and blood. Before he is ready to face the day he receives a call to accompany Helen to a crime scene, there is a homicide to investigate…T. J. Dartez, the driver of the vehicle which hit Molly’s car!
James Lee Burke has given the readers another visit with Dave Robicheaux and the fans are cheering for him to conquer the addiction, rest easy his great sadness, get another pet, and look forward toward the justice of a new day.
I wish I could share with Dave how the day after I read this book, I went to Shiloh and walked among the hills and down by the river. Later as I walked the trail through the woods at Rhea Springs, I could almost see the bedraggled guys from a different time walking among the falling leaves and looking back at me.
(*Language)
Once again I luv this author. I’ve read the whole series.
Beautiful writing
Never read a James Lee Burke book that was not fantastic. This is no exception.
Can’t go wrong with James Less Burke.
The worst thing that happens when you read a Robicheaux book is when you’ve finished and have to wait for the next novel to be published
If you’re looking for a good N’Orleans gumshoe private investigator book, set in modern day, James Lee Burke does a great job of evoking that unique feeling of Spanish moss and gun barrels.
If Clete Purcel and Dave Robicheaux are as good as ever, Smiley Wimple is outstanding. Best bad guy ever. Another triumph. Thank you, Mr Burke.
Little slow in places, still enjoyed.
I have read in order the Robicheaux novels I love them and anxiously await for the next in the series. My only fear is Dave is getting old and I am afraid the series will end.
Anything Robicheaux is five stars!
I enjoy this writer and all his books. The stories he tells are very well crafted.
I believe James Lee Burke is one of the finest American story tellers there ever was, period. For any genre, and age.
james lee burke is one of my favorite authors. His descriptions of the the Louisiana culture and scenery are outstanding i feel the humidity and the thunder and lightning as if i were there. Dave Robicheaux’s loyalty to New Iberia and his struggles with sobriety as he tries to untangle multiple murders and attempts to is totally enthralling can’t wait to read the next episode
I have read a number of the Dave Robicheaux series and have enjoyed them. This latest one “Robicheaux” addresses his demons and downfalls!
So descriptive and evocative of the Louisiana area. Great writing and wonderful in-depth characters.
Robicheaux is my favorite fictional literary character. Burke has done a great job inventing and developing this series. I’ve read them all. I will probably even get to some of his other characters eventually.