Rating: 
Summary: Not his best, but very intense reading nevertheless.
Review: Although Burke appears to have fallen into a formulaic trap with the Robicheaux series, this entry redeems itself with its intense plotting and the carefully wrought prose his readers have come to take for granted. While the plot involves one of New Iberia's "old" families, a woman with whom Dave once had a brief fling, and New Orleans' mobsters, all familiar ingredients of past books in this series, his addition of a 28 year old murder of a civil rights leader by a crusty old misfit added zing to an otherwise tired story. The ending seemed to forewarn of more than an end to this novel, however, perhaps an end to the series itself. Soon James Lee Burke will introduce a new character with a setting in East Texas. Alas for those of us who have come to love the Cajun detective with all of his strengths and failings. Although Burke is such an accomplished writer that his readers will no doubt learn to love the new hero as well, I will miss the people and landscape of Louisiana
Rating:
Summary: The man does what he does well...
Review: Anyone who reads Burke knows about his narrative style, and almost every fan has heard the "Chandler meets Faulkner" talk. It is all true. His style is addictive and hypnotic, producing prose that elevates the mystery/thriller genre, or rather submerges it into the murky depths of the bayou. It's all about the prose...which is why Cadillac Jukebox and the other novels in the series would not make great movies (also why Heaven's Prisoners didn't do Robicheaux or Burke justice). You can't translate this narrative to screen successfully. The plot of Cadillac Jukebox is not structured for Hollywood, and frankly, at times made little sense. But, who cares when the writing is this good. I beg you, Tommy Lee Jones, or whoever optioned this script, please don't make this a movie. You will tarnish this wonderful creation.
Rating: 
Summary: Robicheaux Rights Wrongs Readily Redux
Review: Dave Robicheaux is one of those rare characters in today's American detective fiction -- the honest cop with a heart of gold and the toughness to rout the bad guys. In a sense, he is a throwback to the sheriff in the old Westerns. The difference is that Robicheaux's setting is Louisiana, and its peculiar combination rural charm and especially corrupt politics. You can read this series because you like the Robicheaux character. That would be enough. Or you can read this series for its wonderful treatment of Louisiana and its people. That would be enough. As someone who has visited this beautiful state and its interesting people many times, I love reading Burke's descriptions so I am especially drawn to the latter reason. Luckily, you can read it for both reasons, and that is way more than enough to keep you happily entertained. One caution: The violence can be pretty stomach churning. If that upsets you, this book is not going to please you. This story is one of those interesting and rewarding ironies that makes reading fun. The story revolves around Dave's efforts to clear Lester Crown of the murder of a prominent black civil rights attorney 28 years earlier. Crown is hardly someone you'd invite home for Sunday dinner, and this helps to establish Dave's character. Who else would put his family and himself in danger for such a creepy guy? Lots of people start putting roadblocks and inducements in Dave's way, but that only makes him more determined. The ending will stay with you for a long time. The characters ring true throughout, and make you glad you're rooting for Dave! He's our last, best hope. In fact, he's irresistible as a heroic figure. Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: A Great Entry in the Series
Review: Dixie City Jam is my favorite, but Burning Angel was my least. So I didn't know what to expect next from the series. I was not let down. Burke returned to top form with this book
Rating:
Summary: BEGAN MY "AFFAIR" WITH DAVE ROBICHEAUX
Review: HAVING BEEN TO AND THROUGH LOUISIANA NUMEROUS TIMES IN THE PAST 20 YEARS AND HAVING FALLEN IN LOVE WITH EVERYTHING YTHE STATE HAS TO OFFICER, I WAS ENTHRALLED WITH EVERY WORD IN THIS BOOK, WHICH WAS THE FIRST OF THE ROBICHEAUX SERIES THAT I READ. I COULD ACTUALLY FEEL AND HEAR THE SIGHTS AND SOUNDS OF THE SWAMPS, AND JAMES BURKE'S ABILITY TO DESCRIBE IS PHENOMONAL. HIS ABILITY ALSO TO WEAVE EXTREMELY DIFFERENT TYPES OF CHARACTERS FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE INTO A PLOT WHICH EVENTUALLY DETAILS THEIR INTERRACTION IS INCREDIBLE TO ME. HAVING BEEN A DEPUTY SHERIFF FOR NEARLY 13 YEARS, I WAS ABLE TO IDENTIFY WITH MANY OF THE ACTIONS TAKEN BY DAVE, ALTHOUGH I MUST ADMIT THEY "DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY" IN LOUISIANA!! AFTER READING THIS BOOK, WHICH I THOUGHT WAS OUT- STANDING, I'VE GONE ON TO READ ALL OF THE DAVE ROBICHEAUX NOVELS, INCLUDING BLACK CHERRY BLUES, WHICH I ALSO FOUND TO BE INCREDIBLE. THE DEADPAN HUMOR OF DAVE'S, ALONG WITH THE TWO WORLD IN WHICH HE LIVES (ONE BEING A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER AND THE OTHER BEING THE OWNER OF A BAIT SHOP) MAKE HIM SO MUCH MORE REAL TO LIFE THAN ANY "DETECTIVE" IN ANY NOVEL I'VE READ SO FAR. EACH OF HIS NOVELS GIVES THE READER AN INSIGHT INTO HIS PAST LIFE (WITH REFERENCES TO HIS ALCOHOLISM, HIS WIFE'S MURDER, HOW HIS DAUGHTER CAME INTO HIS LIFE, ETC.) WITHOUT DWELLING ON THEM OR REHASHING FORMER PLOTS. AND HIS ABILITY TO WALK INTO ANY "DIVE" IN NEW ORLEANS AND DEAL WITH MOB CHARACTERS ON THEIR LEVEL IS FASCINATING, AFTER WHAT ALL OF AMERICA HAS HEARD ABOUT THE MOB. THIS WAS ONE OF JAMES BURKE'S BEST BOOKS, AND I EAGERLY ANTICIPATE DISCOVERING THE EXISTENCE OF A NEW ROBICHEAUX NOVEL.
Rating:
Summary: Cajun capers
Review: Having travelled the roads and eaten in the eating places mentioned in this book, I can attest to its complete authenticity. James Lee Burke has captured the heart and spirit of this area of New Iberia and New Orleans, perfectly...I was being driven, as a tourist, through these areas, these same streets, yesterday and am able to get the feeling of the locations as the author intended.
Detective Dave Robicheaux is assigned to act as bodyguard to the Governor elect Buford LaRose, and his attractive and sexy wife Karyn, with whom Dave had a brief fling before his marriage.
Aaron Crown is a virtual Neanderthal of a man who has escaped from prison with a heart full of hatred for anyone in authority and a determination to hunt down and kill certain people who he feels are responsible for his imprisonment. The book is interspaced with all kinds of very dubious characters and crooked politicians, which initially slowed my reading down to a crawl in an effort to absorb just who these people were, but all became clear very soon after. Robicheaux fans will love this tale and perhaps Mr.Burke will gain some new fans with this fast moving story.
Rating:
Summary: Very good
Review: I am a great fan of Burke and his Dave Robicheaux. His fiction is, in my opinion, the most literary of the genre. In addition, his characters are wonderfully colorful, the descriptions beautiful (especially of the Louisiana landscape), and always original. That said, I think that this book is a bit formulaic, although it is very good. He seems to be pasting old themes to a character who needs some renewal. (Sorry, James, if you read this -- I think you are excellent!) Dave Robicheaux is a wonderful creation, but he needs new life. Black Cherry Blues was the finest book he wrote.
Rating:
Summary: HE'S A MAGIC MAN, MAMA!
Review: I am madly, deeply in lust/love with Dave Robicheaux AND James Lee Burke. I've lived in the enchanting state of Louisiana my entire life and Burke makes me fall in love with it all over again each time I read one of his novels set here. He's a word magician and that's putting it mildly. For instance: "Each morning after the sun rose out of the swamp and burned the fog away, the sky would harden to such a deep heart-wrenching blue that you felt you could reach up and fill your hand with it like bolls of stained cotton. The air was dry and cool, too, and the dust along the dirt road by the bayou seemed to rise into golden columns of smoke and light through the canopy of oaks overhead. ." Hell, that's almost poetry! And he ain't just all purty words either! The plots are intriguing and compelling. I've read all of his books and feel totally lost when I've finished the latest Dave Robicheaux adventure. Keep 'em coming Mr. Burke!
Rating:
Summary: Dave is a charmer...
Review: I have read just about everything James Lee Burke has written, but my favorite character by far is Dave Robicheaux. This was actually the first of the Burke books I "read" (this one I actually listened to in audio as it was a gift to me -- and that alone was wonderful as the narrator had a fabulous Louisiana accent that brought the words alive). JLB's style is poetic, and the scenes he sets for you bring you right there to the Bayou with his words. He is a master at setting the scene and making you see the characters and hear their voice. His ability to spin a crime story with twists and turns, while getting you into Dave's head, his history and his love of his family are unsurpassed. Best advice regarding the Dave series: try to read them in the order written -- it helps to get a sense of time in Dave's personal life -- there are changes that occur and I was blind sided by a couple of them because I read out of order.
Rating:
Summary: Dave is a charmer...
Review: I have read just about everything James Lee Burke has written, but my favorite character by far is Dave Robicheaux. This was actually the first of the Burke books I "read" (this one I actually listened to in audio as it was a gift to me -- and that alone was wonderful as the narrator had a fabulous Louisiana accent that brought the words alive). JLB's style is poetic, and the scenes he sets for you bring you right there to the Bayou with his words. He is a master at setting the scene and making you see the characters and hear their voice. His ability to spin a crime story with twists and turns, while getting you into Dave's head, his history and his love of his family are unsurpassed. Best advice regarding the Dave series: try to read them in the order written -- it helps to get a sense of time in Dave's personal life -- there are changes that occur and I was blind sided by a couple of them because I read out of order.
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