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Dave Robicheaux #3
Black Cherry Blues
BACK IN THE UNDERWORLD HE TRIED TO LEAVE BEHINDHaunted by the memory of his wife's murder and his father's untimely death, ex-New Orleans cop Dave Robicheaux spends his days in a fish-and-tackle business. But when an old friend makes a surprise appearance, Robicheaux finds himself thrust back into the violent world of Mafia goons and wily federal agents. From the Louisiana bayou to Montana's tribal lands, Robicheaux is running from the bottle, a homicide rap, a professional killer and the demons of his past.Rich with fascinating characters and dramatic plot twists, the audio debut of James Lee Burke and his Cajun detective Dave Robicheaux recalls the best of Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe -- tough, complex and thoroughly entertaining.
301 pages, Paperback
First published September 13, 1989
1062 people are currently reading
4585 people want to read
About the author
James Lee Burke
119 books4,154 followersJames Lee Burke is an American author best known for his mysteries, particularly the Dave Robicheaux series. He has twice received the Edgar Award for Best Novel, for
Black Cherry Blues
in 1990 and
Cimarron Rose
in 1998.
Burke was born in Houston, Texas, but grew up on the Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast. He attended the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and the University of Missouri, receiving a BA and MA from the latter. He has worked at a wide variety of jobs over the years, including working in the oil industry, as a reporter, and as a social worker. He was Writer in Residence at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, succeeding his good friend and posthumous Pulitzer Prize winner John Kennedy Toole, and preceding Ernest Gaines in the position. Shortly before his move to Montana, he taught for several years in the Creative Writing program at Wichita State University in the 1980s.
Burke and his wife, Pearl, split their time between Lolo, Montana, and New Iberia, Louisiana. Their daughter, Alafair Burke, is also a mystery novelist.
The book that has influenced his life the most is the 1929 family tragedy "The Sound and the Fury" by William Faulkner.
Burke was born in Houston, Texas, but grew up on the Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast. He attended the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and the University of Missouri, receiving a BA and MA from the latter. He has worked at a wide variety of jobs over the years, including working in the oil industry, as a reporter, and as a social worker. He was Writer in Residence at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, succeeding his good friend and posthumous Pulitzer Prize winner John Kennedy Toole, and preceding Ernest Gaines in the position. Shortly before his move to Montana, he taught for several years in the Creative Writing program at Wichita State University in the 1980s.
Burke and his wife, Pearl, split their time between Lolo, Montana, and New Iberia, Louisiana. Their daughter, Alafair Burke, is also a mystery novelist.
The book that has influenced his life the most is the 1929 family tragedy "The Sound and the Fury" by William Faulkner.
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June 10, 2017
Sometimes I wonder if you can really like the Robicheaux series. It isn't easy witnessing a man struggle with his demons, both internal and external, to root for him and watch him both succeed and fail, sometimes in the same breath.
Dave isn't a simple person, which is one of the attractive aspects of him as centerpiece to a series. He knows his weaknesses, fights them and yet is unable to avoid following his pattern, like Sysiphus hauling the boulder again and again only to watch it roll downhill. He's been seeing a therapist since his wife died, and they have an oddly telling discussion:
"'Cut loose from the past. She wouldn't want you to carry a burden like this.'
'I can't. I don't want to.'
'Say it again.'
'I don't want to.'
He was bald and his rimless glasses were full of light. He turned his palms up toward me and was silent.'"
Beautiful.
Book three in the Dave Robicheaux series opens in a motel, Dave dreaming of the helpless night his wife Anne was murdered. Restless and haunted, he heads to an all-night diner and runs into Dixie Lee Pugh, former roommate, master blues singer, old-time rock-n-roller and dedicated drinker. They only spend a few minutes together, but shortly after, Dixie looks Dave up for help with a couple of thuggish business acquaintances. From there, Dixie's flailing, drunken attempts to stay out of Angola pull Dave into a world of hurt. As he asks a few questions on Dixie's behalf, he runs into his former partner Clete. Dave watches him drive away and wishes him a powerful blessing:
"Whatever you're operating on, I hope it's as pure and clean as white gas and bears you aloft over the places where the carrion birds clatter."
Dave almost breaks free of Dixie's situation when the thugs threaten Alafair; Dave's inner demons take over and he finds himself facing a murder charge. Freeing himself will mean digging deeper into Dixie's connections in Montana.
Burke weaves his trademark beautiful, evocative beginning, bringing the varied landscape of the deep south to life, from Louisiana to the edges of Texas. In fact, it's fair to say that the setting stands in for Dave Robicheaux's emotions, and it seems to be raining quite a bit in the bayou these days. Unfortunately, setting doesn't seem to work as well after they head up to Montana, the land of pines, mountainous geography and multi-colored streams. Memories of the south stand in instead.
There is just a touch of humor in this, the kind that makes me smile, albeit crookedly:
"But I had never bought very heavily into the psychiatric definitions of singularity and eccentricity in people. In fact, as I reviewed the friendships I had had over the years, I had to conclude that the most interesting ones involved the seriously impaired--the Moe Howard account, the drunken, the mind-smoked, those who began each day with a nervous breakdown, people who hung on to the sides of the planet with suction cups."
Once the story moved to Montana, I found Clete and Dixie rapidly took over the story with their extravagant personalities. I didn't mind, but if anyone is more flawed than Dave, it's Clete. Clete is no fool either, and is well aware he's Dave's stalking horse:
"'Why'd you keep partnering with me at the First District after you saw me bend a couple of guys out of shape?' He grinned at me. 'Maybe because I'd do the things you really wanted to. Just maybe. Think about it.'"
Character arcs and redemption go farther than I expected, and if the villain is a bit of a sociopath, he's a frustrated sociopath with resources and its no less frightening for it. Batist is well done and avoids both disrespect and pitfalls of the loyal support character. Alafair is written appropriately for a young child, and one of my favorite moments is when Dave acknowledges the foolishness of telling her to be brave: "She had experienced a degree of loss and violence in her short life that most people can only appreciate in their nightmares."
The first read was somewhat less than satisfying, perhaps because I was pushing the mood and the speed. Burke does not write thrillers, although they certainly have their share of violence and mayhem, and his stories are not conducive to skimming. Visual setting and childhood memories are as important as suspect interviews. The second time--largely accomplished on a comfy lounge chair in the sun--was far more successful and satisfying. I always want to visit the bayou after I'm finished with Dave Robicheaux.
Highly recommended. Note: it won Burke's first Edgar Award.
Four and a half, five stars.
Cross posted at http://clsiewert.wordpress.com/2013/0...
Dave isn't a simple person, which is one of the attractive aspects of him as centerpiece to a series. He knows his weaknesses, fights them and yet is unable to avoid following his pattern, like Sysiphus hauling the boulder again and again only to watch it roll downhill. He's been seeing a therapist since his wife died, and they have an oddly telling discussion:
"'Cut loose from the past. She wouldn't want you to carry a burden like this.'
'I can't. I don't want to.'
'Say it again.'
'I don't want to.'
He was bald and his rimless glasses were full of light. He turned his palms up toward me and was silent.'"
Beautiful.
Book three in the Dave Robicheaux series opens in a motel, Dave dreaming of the helpless night his wife Anne was murdered. Restless and haunted, he heads to an all-night diner and runs into Dixie Lee Pugh, former roommate, master blues singer, old-time rock-n-roller and dedicated drinker. They only spend a few minutes together, but shortly after, Dixie looks Dave up for help with a couple of thuggish business acquaintances. From there, Dixie's flailing, drunken attempts to stay out of Angola pull Dave into a world of hurt. As he asks a few questions on Dixie's behalf, he runs into his former partner Clete. Dave watches him drive away and wishes him a powerful blessing:
"Whatever you're operating on, I hope it's as pure and clean as white gas and bears you aloft over the places where the carrion birds clatter."
Dave almost breaks free of Dixie's situation when the thugs threaten Alafair; Dave's inner demons take over and he finds himself facing a murder charge. Freeing himself will mean digging deeper into Dixie's connections in Montana.
Burke weaves his trademark beautiful, evocative beginning, bringing the varied landscape of the deep south to life, from Louisiana to the edges of Texas. In fact, it's fair to say that the setting stands in for Dave Robicheaux's emotions, and it seems to be raining quite a bit in the bayou these days. Unfortunately, setting doesn't seem to work as well after they head up to Montana, the land of pines, mountainous geography and multi-colored streams. Memories of the south stand in instead.
There is just a touch of humor in this, the kind that makes me smile, albeit crookedly:
"But I had never bought very heavily into the psychiatric definitions of singularity and eccentricity in people. In fact, as I reviewed the friendships I had had over the years, I had to conclude that the most interesting ones involved the seriously impaired--the Moe Howard account, the drunken, the mind-smoked, those who began each day with a nervous breakdown, people who hung on to the sides of the planet with suction cups."
Once the story moved to Montana, I found Clete and Dixie rapidly took over the story with their extravagant personalities. I didn't mind, but if anyone is more flawed than Dave, it's Clete. Clete is no fool either, and is well aware he's Dave's stalking horse:
"'Why'd you keep partnering with me at the First District after you saw me bend a couple of guys out of shape?' He grinned at me. 'Maybe because I'd do the things you really wanted to. Just maybe. Think about it.'"
Character arcs and redemption go farther than I expected, and if the villain is a bit of a sociopath, he's a frustrated sociopath with resources and its no less frightening for it. Batist is well done and avoids both disrespect and pitfalls of the loyal support character. Alafair is written appropriately for a young child, and one of my favorite moments is when Dave acknowledges the foolishness of telling her to be brave: "She had experienced a degree of loss and violence in her short life that most people can only appreciate in their nightmares."
The first read was somewhat less than satisfying, perhaps because I was pushing the mood and the speed. Burke does not write thrillers, although they certainly have their share of violence and mayhem, and his stories are not conducive to skimming. Visual setting and childhood memories are as important as suspect interviews. The second time--largely accomplished on a comfy lounge chair in the sun--was far more successful and satisfying. I always want to visit the bayou after I'm finished with Dave Robicheaux.
Highly recommended. Note: it won Burke's first Edgar Award.
Four and a half, five stars.
Cross posted at http://clsiewert.wordpress.com/2013/0...
May 15, 2022
Black Cherry Blues is the third entry in the Dave Robicheaux series, and it remains my favorite of all of James Lee Burke's novels. As the book opens, Robicheaux, a former New Orleans homicide detective, is now running a bait and boat-rental shop in the Louisiana bayou. He's a recovering alcoholic who remains haunted by the brutal death of his wife, Annie, who was murdered by drug dealers. (Parenthetically, no man in the history of crime fiction has had worse luck with wives than poor Dave Robicheaux. I've lost track of how many wives he's now lost over the course of this long-running series, but it's an amazing number.)
Dave is struggling to raise his six-year-old daughter, Alafair, and to adjust to the loss of his wife, when an old college roommate named Dixie Lee Pugh comes back into his life. Pugh left college to become a rock and roll musician. Later, while driving drunk, he hit and killed a child and was sent to prison. Now out, he's working as a leaseman for an oil company up in Montana. One thing leads to another, and Pugh manages to involve Dave with some very unsavory characters. When one of those characters is murdered, Dave is set up to take the fall for the crime.
The principal witness against Dave is Harry Mapes, a scumbag who's associated with the crew that Pugh runs with up in Montana. Mapes has taken off to Montana and Dave decides that in order to clear his name and save himself from a long stretch in prison, he'll have to go to Montana and track the guy down. Accordingly, Dave packs up his daughter and drives up to Missoula. There he rents a house, puts Alafair in school and sets about trying to get himself out of this jam.
It won't be easy. Both Mapes and Pugh have tied in with a mobster named Sal Dio. Dio has a home on Flathead Lake, seventy miles north of Missoula, and when Dave shows up there, he discovers that Clete Purcell, his old partner from the N.O.P.D. Homicide Unit, is also working for Dio. Dio is attempting to expand his interests into Montana and he and his associates, Harry Mapes included, may have committed several murders in an attempt to protect their operations in the Treasure State. Dave's efforts to unscramble this mess and to somehow clear his name will lead him down a rabbit hole of horror.
This is a very dark, dense, violent novel. It's also beautifully written in a lyrical style that few other authors can match. Burke knows this territory intimately, and as in all of his books, the setting becomes a character in and of itself. Even this early in the series, Dave Robicheaux has become one of the most conflicted characters ever to populate a crime novel. The man is haunted by more demons than any rational person should be able to bear; he lives in a world so corrupt as to seem unsalvageable, and yet he somehow soldiers on. It can sometimes be hard to watch him do so, but at the same time, you can't pull your eye away from the page. A truly great read.
Dave is struggling to raise his six-year-old daughter, Alafair, and to adjust to the loss of his wife, when an old college roommate named Dixie Lee Pugh comes back into his life. Pugh left college to become a rock and roll musician. Later, while driving drunk, he hit and killed a child and was sent to prison. Now out, he's working as a leaseman for an oil company up in Montana. One thing leads to another, and Pugh manages to involve Dave with some very unsavory characters. When one of those characters is murdered, Dave is set up to take the fall for the crime.
The principal witness against Dave is Harry Mapes, a scumbag who's associated with the crew that Pugh runs with up in Montana. Mapes has taken off to Montana and Dave decides that in order to clear his name and save himself from a long stretch in prison, he'll have to go to Montana and track the guy down. Accordingly, Dave packs up his daughter and drives up to Missoula. There he rents a house, puts Alafair in school and sets about trying to get himself out of this jam.
It won't be easy. Both Mapes and Pugh have tied in with a mobster named Sal Dio. Dio has a home on Flathead Lake, seventy miles north of Missoula, and when Dave shows up there, he discovers that Clete Purcell, his old partner from the N.O.P.D. Homicide Unit, is also working for Dio. Dio is attempting to expand his interests into Montana and he and his associates, Harry Mapes included, may have committed several murders in an attempt to protect their operations in the Treasure State. Dave's efforts to unscramble this mess and to somehow clear his name will lead him down a rabbit hole of horror.
This is a very dark, dense, violent novel. It's also beautifully written in a lyrical style that few other authors can match. Burke knows this territory intimately, and as in all of his books, the setting becomes a character in and of itself. Even this early in the series, Dave Robicheaux has become one of the most conflicted characters ever to populate a crime novel. The man is haunted by more demons than any rational person should be able to bear; he lives in a world so corrupt as to seem unsalvageable, and yet he somehow soldiers on. It can sometimes be hard to watch him do so, but at the same time, you can't pull your eye away from the page. A truly great read.
April 6, 2024
I don’t profess to be any kind of authority on the written word, but in my (albeit limited) experience, James Lee Burke is as good as it gets. I like crime fiction and more than twenty years ago I read a review of a book I’d enjoyed, in which the journalist stated that good as this book was it wasn’t a patch on anything written by James Lee Burke. This piqued my interest enough for me to grab a copy of one of his novels – I can’t recall which one – and I was instantly completely hooked.
Since then, I’ve worked my way through all of his novels and most of his short fiction, too, so I’m now on the second lap. I’m pretty sure this would have been one of the first novels I picked up. Published in 1989, it’s the third book in his series tracking the life and adventures of Cajun cop – though at this point in his life, the owner of a bait and boat-rental business – Dave Robicheaux. Whilst Dave is mourning the loss of his wife, murdered in the previous episode, he bumps into an old friend: his former freshman roommate Dixie Lee Pugh. Once a local musician of some repute, Dixie has fallen on hard times, and he’s in trouble. He seeks Dave’s help.
Dixie had been selling leases up in Montana, and one night he’d stayed in a motel with two other lease guys. Dixie had hooked up with a local lady and, in his own words went into the bedroom with this big blond gal that looked like she could throw a hog over a fence. But instead of getting into the dirty boogie he listened to a conversation through the thin motel wall. It was his colleagues, and it seemed that they were talking about a double murder and hidden bodies. This conversation disturbed Dixie and haunts him still. But there seems to be more to the story because Dixie now feels threatened. Dave already has enough on his plate at this time and is keen to avoid getting in any way involved in his friend’s issues. However, unfortunately, it isn’t long before Dixie brings his troubles to Dave’s door.
A trip from his native Louisiana to Montana beckons, as Dave now attempts to untangle a the mystery concerning the murders and also corruption involving an organised crime boss called Sally Dio. Dave has somehow dirtied his own hands, and his quest is primarily to save himself from potential prison time. He takes Alafair, a young girl he recently saved from drowning with him. In Montana, he will be forced to confront evil men in his own inimitable way, but he'll also bump into his ex-partner at NOPD, Clete Purcell. Whether Clete will turn out to be a help or a hinderance will remain to be seen.
Robicheaux is an alcoholic with violent, self-destructive tendencies. But he’s an intelligent guy, and he knows exactly what he is. Accordingly, he’s trying hard to stay off the booze, attending regular AA meetings to help him keep his inner beasts at bay. Burke is probably the most descriptive writer I’ve come across, he describes people and places in such a detailed way that he paints clear pictures in your mind: sights come alive, smells permeate your very being, raw emotions are detailed in such away that you might have to stop reading for a period – to take a breath, to take stock. His dialogue is punchy, sometimes funny, often cruel.
I’d read a paperback copy of this book the first time around, but this time, I listened to an audio recording, narrated by the excellent Mark Hammer. He reads at a slow pace, his voice halting, every phrase considered and carefully delivered. I really enjoyed it and plan to press on through the series, with Mark as my guide.
Since then, I’ve worked my way through all of his novels and most of his short fiction, too, so I’m now on the second lap. I’m pretty sure this would have been one of the first novels I picked up. Published in 1989, it’s the third book in his series tracking the life and adventures of Cajun cop – though at this point in his life, the owner of a bait and boat-rental business – Dave Robicheaux. Whilst Dave is mourning the loss of his wife, murdered in the previous episode, he bumps into an old friend: his former freshman roommate Dixie Lee Pugh. Once a local musician of some repute, Dixie has fallen on hard times, and he’s in trouble. He seeks Dave’s help.
Dixie had been selling leases up in Montana, and one night he’d stayed in a motel with two other lease guys. Dixie had hooked up with a local lady and, in his own words went into the bedroom with this big blond gal that looked like she could throw a hog over a fence. But instead of getting into the dirty boogie he listened to a conversation through the thin motel wall. It was his colleagues, and it seemed that they were talking about a double murder and hidden bodies. This conversation disturbed Dixie and haunts him still. But there seems to be more to the story because Dixie now feels threatened. Dave already has enough on his plate at this time and is keen to avoid getting in any way involved in his friend’s issues. However, unfortunately, it isn’t long before Dixie brings his troubles to Dave’s door.
A trip from his native Louisiana to Montana beckons, as Dave now attempts to untangle a the mystery concerning the murders and also corruption involving an organised crime boss called Sally Dio. Dave has somehow dirtied his own hands, and his quest is primarily to save himself from potential prison time. He takes Alafair, a young girl he recently saved from drowning with him. In Montana, he will be forced to confront evil men in his own inimitable way, but he'll also bump into his ex-partner at NOPD, Clete Purcell. Whether Clete will turn out to be a help or a hinderance will remain to be seen.
Robicheaux is an alcoholic with violent, self-destructive tendencies. But he’s an intelligent guy, and he knows exactly what he is. Accordingly, he’s trying hard to stay off the booze, attending regular AA meetings to help him keep his inner beasts at bay. Burke is probably the most descriptive writer I’ve come across, he describes people and places in such a detailed way that he paints clear pictures in your mind: sights come alive, smells permeate your very being, raw emotions are detailed in such away that you might have to stop reading for a period – to take a breath, to take stock. His dialogue is punchy, sometimes funny, often cruel.
I’d read a paperback copy of this book the first time around, but this time, I listened to an audio recording, narrated by the excellent Mark Hammer. He reads at a slow pace, his voice halting, every phrase considered and carefully delivered. I really enjoyed it and plan to press on through the series, with Mark as my guide.
December 13, 2016
4.25★
Rather timely 27 years after publication I’d say. Up in Montana, Star Drilling is going after hundreds of millions of dollars in oil—only problem is, its under pristine wilderness and the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. Shades of Standing Rock. Twenty years ago that same company had a faulty platform out in the ocean that killed Dave’s father. He’s putting his nose where some don’t think it belongs and threats to his six year old little girl are just one of the consequences. That brings out Dave’s tendency to want to control the situation and of course the B word.
All right then, I thought I was making this variation up, but no, there it is on several sites (though for sure auto correct is like WTF and has it underlined in red).
Badassness.
Urban Dictionary: Badassness is the state of being badass.
Portland actually has a Badassness Map on Vimeo.
YourDictionary asks: How would you define badassness?
Wiktionary says it’s a state of having extreme appearance, attitude, or behavior that is considered admirable.
Someone submitted a question: I'm looking for a better way to say badass that doesn't use any words that could be considered profanity (you won’t find it here).
Trust me, this one was seriously good. I love to have girl-fun with my JLB reviews but alongside all that, this is worthy of the praise. Author Ron Hansen wrote: “There’s plenty of action and adventure, but the novel is absorbing even in its quiet moments, when you watch Dave Robicheaux valiantly try to conduct his honest and honorable life.” The reader always gets more.
I wonder where he’s taking me next time? After this third date we’re on third base and I’m ready for a black cherry tattoo.
Ya’ll don’t think I’ve lost my powers of discretion do you, or ruining my reputation and credibility on Goodreads? Be honest.
Rather timely 27 years after publication I’d say. Up in Montana, Star Drilling is going after hundreds of millions of dollars in oil—only problem is, its under pristine wilderness and the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. Shades of Standing Rock. Twenty years ago that same company had a faulty platform out in the ocean that killed Dave’s father. He’s putting his nose where some don’t think it belongs and threats to his six year old little girl are just one of the consequences. That brings out Dave’s tendency to want to control the situation and of course the B word.
All right then, I thought I was making this variation up, but no, there it is on several sites (though for sure auto correct is like WTF and has it underlined in red).
Badassness.
Urban Dictionary: Badassness is the state of being badass.
Portland actually has a Badassness Map on Vimeo.
YourDictionary asks: How would you define badassness?
Wiktionary says it’s a state of having extreme appearance, attitude, or behavior that is considered admirable.
Someone submitted a question: I'm looking for a better way to say badass that doesn't use any words that could be considered profanity (you won’t find it here).
Trust me, this one was seriously good. I love to have girl-fun with my JLB reviews but alongside all that, this is worthy of the praise. Author Ron Hansen wrote: “There’s plenty of action and adventure, but the novel is absorbing even in its quiet moments, when you watch Dave Robicheaux valiantly try to conduct his honest and honorable life.” The reader always gets more.
I wonder where he’s taking me next time? After this third date we’re on third base and I’m ready for a black cherry tattoo.
Ya’ll don’t think I’ve lost my powers of discretion do you, or ruining my reputation and credibility on Goodreads? Be honest.
July 21, 2015
Black Cherry Blues is the third in the Dave Robicheaux series and a familiar pattern starts to emerge of a man shoving his nose where it has no place being, that generally puts both his life and everyone close to him in potential jeopardy. Thankfully Robicheaux doesn't fall of the wagon this time, so there's no depressing plummet into alcoholism but he does have some particularly annoying traits. You can't help thinking, your adopted little girl and the couple that run your business when you're off fucking everything up are gonna die, man, reign yourself back in. I guess this is why good old Dave is a character you can't help but get emotionally invested in, whether it be good shit or bad shit, you're in it for the duration.
To the story, Dave runs into ex college buddy Dixie Lee Pugh, in a diner. Dixie has problems and soon enough Dave's paying a visit to the hospital, he didn't want to get involved but you know, he might just end up helping the guy. When he does there's no going back and pretty soon he's up on a murder charge and linked to Dixie's mafia buddies. He makes bond by mortgaging everything he owns and then he's off with his adopted charge, young Alafair, to Montana desperate to prove his innocence.
He throws himself into dangerous situations with reckless abandon, with neither thought nor care for repercussion and it’s this wildness that has you tearing your hair out. We also have the reintroduction of his old partner now working for the mafia, Clete Purcell and their relationship is yet another reason to draw you into a series that has some remarkably powerful characters. Mafia, the oil business and an Indian reservation all careen through Dave's life, even an Indian woman and the start of a relationship until the inevitable happens, destiny is a heavy weight on this man's shoulders and shit happens, as they say.
There's a lot of depth to the character, you frequently travel back with him to his armed forces days and Vietnam, he sees and speaks with his dead wife, dreams of her. Which reiterates the fact that she died because he was involved in something he really should have avoided but Dave Robicheaux is not someone who turns the other cheek. It's why bad things follow him relentlessly trying their best to cause him grief.
The writing is brilliant as ever, the prose is Southern fried at its most delicious, James Lee Burke paints a scene better than most, his characters are as gripping as a bear hug from the biggest wrestler and he is easily up there with my favourite authors.
Also posted at http://paulnelson.booklikes.com/post/...
To the story, Dave runs into ex college buddy Dixie Lee Pugh, in a diner. Dixie has problems and soon enough Dave's paying a visit to the hospital, he didn't want to get involved but you know, he might just end up helping the guy. When he does there's no going back and pretty soon he's up on a murder charge and linked to Dixie's mafia buddies. He makes bond by mortgaging everything he owns and then he's off with his adopted charge, young Alafair, to Montana desperate to prove his innocence.
He throws himself into dangerous situations with reckless abandon, with neither thought nor care for repercussion and it’s this wildness that has you tearing your hair out. We also have the reintroduction of his old partner now working for the mafia, Clete Purcell and their relationship is yet another reason to draw you into a series that has some remarkably powerful characters. Mafia, the oil business and an Indian reservation all careen through Dave's life, even an Indian woman and the start of a relationship until the inevitable happens, destiny is a heavy weight on this man's shoulders and shit happens, as they say.
There's a lot of depth to the character, you frequently travel back with him to his armed forces days and Vietnam, he sees and speaks with his dead wife, dreams of her. Which reiterates the fact that she died because he was involved in something he really should have avoided but Dave Robicheaux is not someone who turns the other cheek. It's why bad things follow him relentlessly trying their best to cause him grief.
The writing is brilliant as ever, the prose is Southern fried at its most delicious, James Lee Burke paints a scene better than most, his characters are as gripping as a bear hug from the biggest wrestler and he is easily up there with my favourite authors.
Also posted at http://paulnelson.booklikes.com/post/...
July 29, 2014
This novel is best suited for people who like a darkness of human character intertwined with an engaging clue trail amidst melancholy yet beautiful writing.
Robicheaux is back and not too soon. This time around he's recovering from a horrible loss in his family, getting over his binge with alcoholism and wouldn't you know it but the poor guy tries to help an old college friend and gets framed for murder.
What's a detective to do?
Apparently, drive to Montana with his foster daughter.
I'm kidding, really. The clue trail leads that way and so we're off to another state in the Union. Additionally, the head honcho who is responsible for framing Robicheaux is up there as well as an old friend from the first novel. Robicheaux also has two “romances” in Montana but you can tell they're both short term.
Again I could say a lot more but I'd give spoilers so here are some particular passages I enjoyed (which don't give too much away):
p. 26
“A woman once told me my face looked like soil erosion. I think it was my wife.”
p. 29
I am not going to get involved with his troubles, I told myself. When you use, you lose. A mean lesson, but when you become involved with an addict or a drunk, you simply become an actor in a script that they've written for you as well as themselves.
“I can't come, Sister. I'm sorry,” I said.
She paused.
“Is that all you want me to tell him?” she asked.
“He needs a lawyer. I can give you a couple of names in Lafayette or St. Martinville.”
She paused again. They must teach it in the convent, I thought. It's an electric silence that makes you feel you're sliding down the sides of the universe
“I'm sorry.”
“To be frank, so am I,” she said, and hung up.
p. 39-40
We sat at one of the checker-cloth tables on the screen porch by the way, a big bib with a red crawfish on it tied around Alafair's neck, and looked out at the sun setting across the miles of dead cypress, saw grass, the sandy inlets, the wetlands that stretches across Texas. The tied was out, and the jetties were black and stark against the flat gray expanse of the bay and the strips of purple and crimson cloud that had flattened the western horizon. Seagulls dipped and wheeled over the water's edge, and a solitary blue heron stood among the saw grass in an inlet pool, his long body and slender legs like a painting on the air.
p. 47
(letter)
P.S. If you run into Lois, tell her I'm sorry for ripping her off. I left my toothbrush in the bathroom. I want her to have it.
p.72
I heard his pistol come out of his leather holster, felt his hand clamp down on my neck as he stuck the barrel of the revolver behind my ear.
“You're under arrest for murder. You think being an ex-cop lets you write the rules?” he said.
Out of the corner of my eye I saw Alafair staring at us with the stunned, empty expression of person wakened from a nightmare.
p. 91
. . . and I wondered if I had any chance at all of having a normal life again, of being an ordinary person who lived in an ordered town like this and who did not wake up each morning with his fears sitting collectively on his chest like a grinning gargoyle.
p. 274
After supper we did the dishes together while Alafair watched television. When her leg bumped against me, she smiled awkwardly as though we had been jostled against one another on a bus, then her eyes looked at my face with both expectation and perhaps a moment's fear. I suspected she was one of those whose hearts could be easily hurt, one to whom a casual expression of affection would probably be interpreted as a large personal commitment.
p. 307
"I think she reminded me of one of those girls whom Catholic boys were always told, when I was growing up, that they should marry. I doubt that a girl of that kind ever existed, but we believed she did, anyway."
p. 364
"I believe every middle-aged man remembers the girl he thinks he should have married. She reappears to him in his lonely moments, or he sees her in the face of a young girl in the park, buying a snowball under an oak tree by the baseball diamond. But she belongs back there, to somebody else, and that thought sometimes rends your heart in a way that you never share with anyone else."
Overall, a very satisfying conclusion.
CHARACTER/PLOTTING: B to B plus; STORY/PLOTTING: B plus; SETTING: B plus to A minus; CLUE TRAIL: B plus; WRITING STYLE: A minus; OVERALL GRADE: B plus; WHEN READ: May 2012 to January 2013.
Robicheaux is back and not too soon. This time around he's recovering from a horrible loss in his family, getting over his binge with alcoholism and wouldn't you know it but the poor guy tries to help an old college friend and gets framed for murder.
What's a detective to do?
Apparently, drive to Montana with his foster daughter.
I'm kidding, really. The clue trail leads that way and so we're off to another state in the Union. Additionally, the head honcho who is responsible for framing Robicheaux is up there as well as an old friend from the first novel. Robicheaux also has two “romances” in Montana but you can tell they're both short term.
Again I could say a lot more but I'd give spoilers so here are some particular passages I enjoyed (which don't give too much away):
p. 26
“A woman once told me my face looked like soil erosion. I think it was my wife.”
p. 29
I am not going to get involved with his troubles, I told myself. When you use, you lose. A mean lesson, but when you become involved with an addict or a drunk, you simply become an actor in a script that they've written for you as well as themselves.
“I can't come, Sister. I'm sorry,” I said.
She paused.
“Is that all you want me to tell him?” she asked.
“He needs a lawyer. I can give you a couple of names in Lafayette or St. Martinville.”
She paused again. They must teach it in the convent, I thought. It's an electric silence that makes you feel you're sliding down the sides of the universe
“I'm sorry.”
“To be frank, so am I,” she said, and hung up.
p. 39-40
We sat at one of the checker-cloth tables on the screen porch by the way, a big bib with a red crawfish on it tied around Alafair's neck, and looked out at the sun setting across the miles of dead cypress, saw grass, the sandy inlets, the wetlands that stretches across Texas. The tied was out, and the jetties were black and stark against the flat gray expanse of the bay and the strips of purple and crimson cloud that had flattened the western horizon. Seagulls dipped and wheeled over the water's edge, and a solitary blue heron stood among the saw grass in an inlet pool, his long body and slender legs like a painting on the air.
p. 47
(letter)
P.S. If you run into Lois, tell her I'm sorry for ripping her off. I left my toothbrush in the bathroom. I want her to have it.
p.72
I heard his pistol come out of his leather holster, felt his hand clamp down on my neck as he stuck the barrel of the revolver behind my ear.
“You're under arrest for murder. You think being an ex-cop lets you write the rules?” he said.
Out of the corner of my eye I saw Alafair staring at us with the stunned, empty expression of person wakened from a nightmare.
p. 91
. . . and I wondered if I had any chance at all of having a normal life again, of being an ordinary person who lived in an ordered town like this and who did not wake up each morning with his fears sitting collectively on his chest like a grinning gargoyle.
p. 274
After supper we did the dishes together while Alafair watched television. When her leg bumped against me, she smiled awkwardly as though we had been jostled against one another on a bus, then her eyes looked at my face with both expectation and perhaps a moment's fear. I suspected she was one of those whose hearts could be easily hurt, one to whom a casual expression of affection would probably be interpreted as a large personal commitment.
p. 307
"I think she reminded me of one of those girls whom Catholic boys were always told, when I was growing up, that they should marry. I doubt that a girl of that kind ever existed, but we believed she did, anyway."
p. 364
"I believe every middle-aged man remembers the girl he thinks he should have married. She reappears to him in his lonely moments, or he sees her in the face of a young girl in the park, buying a snowball under an oak tree by the baseball diamond. But she belongs back there, to somebody else, and that thought sometimes rends your heart in a way that you never share with anyone else."
Overall, a very satisfying conclusion.
CHARACTER/PLOTTING: B to B plus; STORY/PLOTTING: B plus; SETTING: B plus to A minus; CLUE TRAIL: B plus; WRITING STYLE: A minus; OVERALL GRADE: B plus; WHEN READ: May 2012 to January 2013.
December 31, 2019
The first part of this book almost convinced me to give up on this series. It's pretty depressing and frustrating to see Dave Robicheaux get himself into such apparently hopeless situations. This is also set soon after his wife Annie has been murdered, and Dave sees her in his dreams frequently, as well as the ghost of his father. Meanwhile, Dave beats up two thugs and is arrested the next day for the murder of one of them. Naturally, he didn't kill the guy, but the evidence against him is pretty darn convincing. He gets out on bond and travels to Montana in an effort to find evidence he needs to prove he was set up. The whole story involves oil lease deals handled by criminal elements, including murders of activists, various activities of organized crime, and innumerable unsavory and depressing characters. As I said, I had pretty much made up my mind not to read any more of these books, but by the time I was halfway through, things were picking up and ended up in a pretty good place, especially with the use of the author's amazing talent at describing scenery. He had me wishing I could head out to Montana tomorrow.....although realistically I'll just wait until some of the snow melts! I guess I won't give up on Robicheaux after all!
June 21, 2016
This book won the Edgar Award in 1990 and it is easy to see why. I have read several of the books in the Dave Robicheaux series and this may be my favorite ... so far. There are few authors that I have encountered who have the ability to set the scene so that you feel like you are actually there. His descriptions of a bayou, a lake, the mountains, the rain, even the local foods are masterful. As are the characters in his stories. A great story teller in every sense.
In Black Cherry Blues Robicheaux is still dealing with the death of Annie and being a single parent to Alafair. The love that he and Annie shared is still strong even in death. As is his love for Alafair, the girl he rescued from a plane that crashed in the bayou in Heaven's Prisoners. In this outing you can see the bond between father and daughter. The smile on Alafair's face or the steps Dave will take to protect her. There are moments of comical relief such as when he constantly corrects her grammar ... "Don't say ain't". Alafair has apparently picked up some Cajun since the last novel. Maybe from Batist who works for Dave in his bait and boat rental business.
The story opens when Robicheaux runs into an old college roommate. Dixie Lee Pugh is a burned out musician. He had a brief taste of success but lost that to drink and drugs. Now he works for a Montana oil business and for a small time wise guy named Sally Dio. He has a problem he would like to talk to Robicheaux about. In very short time Dixie Lee's problem becomes Robicheaux's problem. Robicheaux finds himself framed for murder and the only way to clear himself and stop from being sent to Angola prison is to go to Montana and find the person who framed him. We once again meet Clete Purcel, his former partner on the New Orleans Police Department, who is also working for Dio. This is a story of a land-hungry oil company, the Mafia, and American Indian activists.
Dave Robicheaux is a very complex character. He is haunted by the memories of his mother who left the family when he was a boy, the untimely death of his father on an oil rig in the Gulf, his military service in Vietnam, his alcoholism, and of the murder of Annie who he could not save. He is not always easy to like but overall you can forgive these flaws for his just being human and dealing with life the best way he can.
In Black Cherry Blues Robicheaux is still dealing with the death of Annie and being a single parent to Alafair. The love that he and Annie shared is still strong even in death. As is his love for Alafair, the girl he rescued from a plane that crashed in the bayou in Heaven's Prisoners. In this outing you can see the bond between father and daughter. The smile on Alafair's face or the steps Dave will take to protect her. There are moments of comical relief such as when he constantly corrects her grammar ... "Don't say ain't". Alafair has apparently picked up some Cajun since the last novel. Maybe from Batist who works for Dave in his bait and boat rental business.
The story opens when Robicheaux runs into an old college roommate. Dixie Lee Pugh is a burned out musician. He had a brief taste of success but lost that to drink and drugs. Now he works for a Montana oil business and for a small time wise guy named Sally Dio. He has a problem he would like to talk to Robicheaux about. In very short time Dixie Lee's problem becomes Robicheaux's problem. Robicheaux finds himself framed for murder and the only way to clear himself and stop from being sent to Angola prison is to go to Montana and find the person who framed him. We once again meet Clete Purcel, his former partner on the New Orleans Police Department, who is also working for Dio. This is a story of a land-hungry oil company, the Mafia, and American Indian activists.
Dave Robicheaux is a very complex character. He is haunted by the memories of his mother who left the family when he was a boy, the untimely death of his father on an oil rig in the Gulf, his military service in Vietnam, his alcoholism, and of the murder of Annie who he could not save. He is not always easy to like but overall you can forgive these flaws for his just being human and dealing with life the best way he can.
October 31, 2025
Former New Orleans police detective Dave Robicheaux has been arrested for murder, and he’s not even completely sure he’s not guilty.
In James Lee Burke’s third Robicheaux novel, “Black Cherry Blues”, published in 1989, Burke continues his sadistic mistreatment of his tortured protagonist. The guy just lost his wife, Annie, after two Colombian drug cartel henchmen blew her away in her bed. Now, struggling to stay sober despite every fiber of his body telling him to take one sip of alcohol, Dave is raising his adopted daughter, Alafair, alone. When a Vegas mobster ends up dead in a hotel room, Dave is thrown in jail for the murder. He’s released on bail with the help of his old partner, Clete Purcel, who was supposed to be fleeing corruption charges in South America but is now working for the head of afore-mentioned mobsters. What the actual—-?
Needless to say, Dave’s life is a mess right now. Facing a trial date in a few months in which his own lawyer is telling him he doesn’t stand a chance, Dave and Alafair hop in his pick-up and drive to Montana, to help an old classmate of Dave’s, Dixie Lee, a has-been rockabilly star whose life has been ruined by drugs and bad career choices—-he does odd shit jobs for the mob. He’s also there to help himself, as he’s tracking the guy who framed Dave for the murder in Louisiana. Kill two birds with one stone. Maybe three or four. Maybe a dozen. Whatever it takes to clear his name of murder. (Wait, that doesn’t make any… Whatever…)
My favorite of the many book covers, the 1989 hardcover edition
Burke’s series is one of the best detective series ever written. I’ve read most, if not all, of the Robicheaux novels. I’m just going back and re-reading them in chronological order. My second time reading this, and it’s still great.
In James Lee Burke’s third Robicheaux novel, “Black Cherry Blues”, published in 1989, Burke continues his sadistic mistreatment of his tortured protagonist. The guy just lost his wife, Annie, after two Colombian drug cartel henchmen blew her away in her bed. Now, struggling to stay sober despite every fiber of his body telling him to take one sip of alcohol, Dave is raising his adopted daughter, Alafair, alone. When a Vegas mobster ends up dead in a hotel room, Dave is thrown in jail for the murder. He’s released on bail with the help of his old partner, Clete Purcel, who was supposed to be fleeing corruption charges in South America but is now working for the head of afore-mentioned mobsters. What the actual—-?
Needless to say, Dave’s life is a mess right now. Facing a trial date in a few months in which his own lawyer is telling him he doesn’t stand a chance, Dave and Alafair hop in his pick-up and drive to Montana, to help an old classmate of Dave’s, Dixie Lee, a has-been rockabilly star whose life has been ruined by drugs and bad career choices—-he does odd shit jobs for the mob. He’s also there to help himself, as he’s tracking the guy who framed Dave for the murder in Louisiana. Kill two birds with one stone. Maybe three or four. Maybe a dozen. Whatever it takes to clear his name of murder. (Wait, that doesn’t make any… Whatever…)
My favorite of the many book covers, the 1989 hardcover edition
Burke’s series is one of the best detective series ever written. I’ve read most, if not all, of the Robicheaux novels. I’m just going back and re-reading them in chronological order. My second time reading this, and it’s still great.
September 21, 2007
Finally, a modern author who isn't afraid to take his time and use language as it is meant to be used in a novel! Patterson tells a hell of a story...but Burke makes the read wholly worthwhile and rewarding.
"I believe every...man remembers the girl he thinks he should have married. She reappears to him in his lonely moments, or he sees her in the face of a young girl in the park, buying a snowball under an oak tree by the baseball diamond. But she belongs to back there, to somebody else, and that thought sometimes rends your heart in a way that you never share with anyone else."
"I believe every...man remembers the girl he thinks he should have married. She reappears to him in his lonely moments, or he sees her in the face of a young girl in the park, buying a snowball under an oak tree by the baseball diamond. But she belongs to back there, to somebody else, and that thought sometimes rends your heart in a way that you never share with anyone else."
November 17, 2021
Another terrific entry in the Dave Robicheaux series. I usually don't read entries of a series one right after another but I mistakenly had read # 4 without having read #3. So I had to correct that, being OCD about some of my reading patterns!
In this story we not only get the beautiful evocative character of the surrounding landscapes of the LA bayou country and New Orleans but our MC heads to Montana to find out who is threatening his adoptive daughter but also to find a killer and clear his own name. Montana gets the same lovely attention as his usually LA stomping grounds. Burke's writing is a dream moving from these wonderful descriptions to the grittier parts of dealing with evil and greedy people.
DR is such a complex character, I love how he struggles with his past demons and experiences as he tries to bring order to his life and those around him without losing his soul. This story also weaves in a lot of subconscious problem-solving and psychological work through his dreams of his murdered wife and long-dead father. Well done!
In this story we not only get the beautiful evocative character of the surrounding landscapes of the LA bayou country and New Orleans but our MC heads to Montana to find out who is threatening his adoptive daughter but also to find a killer and clear his own name. Montana gets the same lovely attention as his usually LA stomping grounds. Burke's writing is a dream moving from these wonderful descriptions to the grittier parts of dealing with evil and greedy people.
DR is such a complex character, I love how he struggles with his past demons and experiences as he tries to bring order to his life and those around him without losing his soul. This story also weaves in a lot of subconscious problem-solving and psychological work through his dreams of his murdered wife and long-dead father. Well done!
June 30, 2024
I didn't like this one as well as Heaven's Prisoners. Almost nothing happens in the first half of the novel, and the second half had some inconsistent pacing. It was almost entirely set in Missoula, Montana, and I missed the usual Cajun characters and setting.
A lot of the downtime in this novel is Dave dealing with the events of the last book, trying to be a good father to Alafair, and wearing the shoe on the other foot as he mentors Dixie on his battle with the bottle. I enjoyed it all well enough, but I wanted a more fast-paced and actiony novel like the last one was. Still, it's hard to be truly disappointed when you're reading James Lee Burke. His gorgeous descriptions, be they the Louisiana low country or the mountainscapes of Montana, paint a beautiful picture in your mind.
The false dawn, with its illusions and mist-wrapped softness, can be as inadequate and fleeting as Morpheus’ gifts.This time, Dave Robicheaux gets pulled into a heap of trouble when he runs into an old college buddy named Dixie who's in trouble with the mob. Dave tries to intervene "mildly" at first, which only puts Dave and little Alafair, his adopted 7yo daughter, squarely on the bad guys' radar. In retaliation, Dave gets framed for disappearing two men and to clear his name, he's gonna have to follow Dixie to Montana and handle things the Robicheaux way.
A lot of the downtime in this novel is Dave dealing with the events of the last book, trying to be a good father to Alafair, and wearing the shoe on the other foot as he mentors Dixie on his battle with the bottle. I enjoyed it all well enough, but I wanted a more fast-paced and actiony novel like the last one was. Still, it's hard to be truly disappointed when you're reading James Lee Burke. His gorgeous descriptions, be they the Louisiana low country or the mountainscapes of Montana, paint a beautiful picture in your mind.
I had found the edge. The place where you unstrap all your fastenings to the earth, to what you are, what you have been; where you flame out on the edge of the spheres, and the sun and moon become eclipsed and the world below is as dead and remote and without interest as if it were glazed with ice.Onto the next novel, A Morning for Flamingos.
January 20, 2019
This hardcover edition is signed by James Lee Burke.
November 3, 2022
I had seen the movie version of the novel Heaven's Prisoners in the 90s on Cable TV. Black Cherry Blues is its sequel and I bought it from a second hand book store in Chennai sometime in the early 2000s. I read it on the hot terrace of my rented bachelor pad. Burke is one of my fathers favorite writers. The novel takes place after the murder of Robicheaux's wife. He is still struggling with his alcoholic urges, while trying to take care of their adopted daughter when Dixie, an old musician friend knocks on his door, asking for help.
Some writers are lucky to be born in a land from which a gritty culture and people have sprouted out. Robicheaux's descriptions of the hot, sweaty, swampy Louisiana and its wounded people, culture, music and food is what makes this crime novel unique.
The plot about ghosts from the pasts and Robicheaux's alcoholism is nothing to write home about. Every hero in crime fiction is some kind of degenerate or the other. And every one of them has some ghost from the past threatening to consume them.
Some writers are lucky to be born in a land from which a gritty culture and people have sprouted out. Robicheaux's descriptions of the hot, sweaty, swampy Louisiana and its wounded people, culture, music and food is what makes this crime novel unique.
The plot about ghosts from the pasts and Robicheaux's alcoholism is nothing to write home about. Every hero in crime fiction is some kind of degenerate or the other. And every one of them has some ghost from the past threatening to consume them.
September 1, 2012
In previous reviews of the Dave Robicheaux series (#1 and #2) I spoke about having an edge in that I've lived in Southern Louisiana. The prose, the descriptions hit me squarely in the gut. I knew what Burke was describing having smelt, tasted and felt that world through recollections of my own.
In this book, for the first time I saw Burke as most readers see him...I read about a world I'd not visited as Robicheaux visits Montana and thereby could rely only on what I was given to me by Burke. It made no difference in my enjoyment. That is the genius of Burke. He can make you be there with Robicheaux, see things through Robicheaux's eyes as if you were seeing it yourself. The first person viewpoint is a great aid in this and as I think about it...most series I really enjoy are written from the first person (Dick Francis comes to mind, though not technically a series writer).
As with all the novels I've read so far, we continue to delve into the character of Dave Robicheaux. We continue to explore his addictions, his vices, and his determination to not let evil rule his life, but to confront it. Of course, to confront it he must face his greatest fear...the anguish that in order to confront evil it will come at the expense of that which he values the most: love. It is a continuing theme throughout the Robicheaux series.
I will say that the series continues to deepen, that the Robicheaux series get better as we read more of them. Black Cherry Blues won him the Edgar Award and it is most deserving.
In this book, for the first time I saw Burke as most readers see him...I read about a world I'd not visited as Robicheaux visits Montana and thereby could rely only on what I was given to me by Burke. It made no difference in my enjoyment. That is the genius of Burke. He can make you be there with Robicheaux, see things through Robicheaux's eyes as if you were seeing it yourself. The first person viewpoint is a great aid in this and as I think about it...most series I really enjoy are written from the first person (Dick Francis comes to mind, though not technically a series writer).
As with all the novels I've read so far, we continue to delve into the character of Dave Robicheaux. We continue to explore his addictions, his vices, and his determination to not let evil rule his life, but to confront it. Of course, to confront it he must face his greatest fear...the anguish that in order to confront evil it will come at the expense of that which he values the most: love. It is a continuing theme throughout the Robicheaux series.
I will say that the series continues to deepen, that the Robicheaux series get better as we read more of them. Black Cherry Blues won him the Edgar Award and it is most deserving.
July 9, 2017
Burke is a master of crime fiction, with not a weak book in the Dave Robicheaux series is a testament to his skills as a writer. He delves that little bit deeper with his characters, with themes of redemption, family ties, guilt and ghosts from the past, mainly set in a sweltering Louisiana. In places they don't even feel like crime novels, but rather standard fiction. But when the action does take place he doesn't hold back!. And in Dave's buddy Clete Purcell, we have one of the best supporting characters ever!. Black Cherry Blues, the third in the series concerns links to a Great Sioux Reservation and some rather unpleasant gangsters, not as big as his later novels but it still packs a punch. For any crime fan Burke is a must, for my money the earlier novels are his best.
January 26, 2013
Wow! This is the first time I've read James Lee Burke but have wanted to a long time since this book won the Edgar Award. I like to follow those books which are nominated and/or receive an Edgar.
Must check it out but thought this was the first in the series, and I hope so because just read something which said, 'it just keeps getting better.' That's quite a compliment since this book was a great read with all the elements I, personally, love in a book.
The characters were described with clarity, were easy to keep up with and the plot was fantastic. One of the elements I really love though, is the description of the landscape and this was full of wonderful adjectives taking the reader from southern Louisana to Texas and Montana.
The character, Dave Robicheaux, obviously has had his share of sadness and how he responds to trouble is based, in part, to his past experiences which he describes in almost a mystical manner. Just another reason I like Burke's writing.
So glad my reader friend Sandy found this one for me. I owe it to her!
Gave four stars but waffled...without much effort I could have given it five. I really like everything about this book. Aw, hell, I'm changing it and giving it five stars. I really, really liked it!
UPDATE: Just read an article passed to me by Goodreads friend Lynette. By the way, I compared books and there are 131 books we both have read. It goes without saying that our tastes are definately similar...we laugh about it, too. And for those who do not know my (and Lynette's) favorite genre, it's mysteries; James Burke, T. Jeff Parker, Michael Connelly, John Lescroart, Robert Crais and oh, Robert Crais. And I say above, Burke can only get better, and yes, I was right. Dave Robicheaux has only gotten better.
Lynette is on her way to read John D. MacDonald who she's never read and I'm on my way to read J. A. Jance, who I've never read. That's what GR friends are for!
The article she thought I would like (and I loved it) was an interview with Scottish crime writer Ian Rankin who said “The opening chapter of Black Cherry Blues, his first Dave Robicheaux novel, it is an absolute classic. If I was going to take a class on crime writing I would just give the students this chapter. It’s the perfect opening chapter of a book. Everything you need is in there – the characters, the situation, a suggestion of what might happen, what the theme might be – bang, in one short chapter.”
Here's a link to the article on Ian Rankin (creator of Scottish maverick Rebus) who is also on my to-read list now with his love of the masters, Raymond Chandler, Leonard Ellroy, Leonard Elmore and of course, James Lee Burke: Blood and Beer With Ian Rankin
Thanks to Lynette for bringing this article to light (or dark murder.) Great observations on American crime writers by Ian Rankin.
Must check it out but thought this was the first in the series, and I hope so because just read something which said, 'it just keeps getting better.' That's quite a compliment since this book was a great read with all the elements I, personally, love in a book.
The characters were described with clarity, were easy to keep up with and the plot was fantastic. One of the elements I really love though, is the description of the landscape and this was full of wonderful adjectives taking the reader from southern Louisana to Texas and Montana.
The character, Dave Robicheaux, obviously has had his share of sadness and how he responds to trouble is based, in part, to his past experiences which he describes in almost a mystical manner. Just another reason I like Burke's writing.
So glad my reader friend Sandy found this one for me. I owe it to her!
Gave four stars but waffled...without much effort I could have given it five. I really like everything about this book. Aw, hell, I'm changing it and giving it five stars. I really, really liked it!
UPDATE: Just read an article passed to me by Goodreads friend Lynette. By the way, I compared books and there are 131 books we both have read. It goes without saying that our tastes are definately similar...we laugh about it, too. And for those who do not know my (and Lynette's) favorite genre, it's mysteries; James Burke, T. Jeff Parker, Michael Connelly, John Lescroart, Robert Crais and oh, Robert Crais. And I say above, Burke can only get better, and yes, I was right. Dave Robicheaux has only gotten better.
Lynette is on her way to read John D. MacDonald who she's never read and I'm on my way to read J. A. Jance, who I've never read. That's what GR friends are for!
The article she thought I would like (and I loved it) was an interview with Scottish crime writer Ian Rankin who said “The opening chapter of Black Cherry Blues, his first Dave Robicheaux novel, it is an absolute classic. If I was going to take a class on crime writing I would just give the students this chapter. It’s the perfect opening chapter of a book. Everything you need is in there – the characters, the situation, a suggestion of what might happen, what the theme might be – bang, in one short chapter.”
Here's a link to the article on Ian Rankin (creator of Scottish maverick Rebus) who is also on my to-read list now with his love of the masters, Raymond Chandler, Leonard Ellroy, Leonard Elmore and of course, James Lee Burke: Blood and Beer With Ian Rankin
Thanks to Lynette for bringing this article to light (or dark murder.) Great observations on American crime writers by Ian Rankin.
September 13, 2015
Audiobook: James LeeBurke is a master. His writing is vivid, the characters well-drawn, and the plots intriguing. Dave Robicheaux is an ex-New Orleans cop whose-partner, Dixie Lee, now a “lease-man” for an oil company thinks he has overheard two other lease men discussing burying a body. Unsure as to what he heard and what to do about it, he seeks Dave’s help. In the meantime Dave chain-whips a bad guy (he really should have known better) and the guy turns up dead so Dave is facing a murder charge. He’s been a homicide detective but apparently has little faith in their ability to solve the crime and find the real killer so he heads for Montana to sort things out
where his murder charge is resolved (are you really surprised) in the midst of Native Americans fighting against a land hungry oil company (that’s probably a redundancy).
There was something a bit off about this novel. Perhaps it was that Dave was no longer in Louisiana; perhaps it was the -- to my mind -- excessive guilt-ridden self-examination that seems more a plea for forgiveness from others than seeking to understand himself; perhaps it was the excessively slow cadence of the reader who I normally like very much (Will Patton); perhaps it was the implausible plot and would you take your six-year-old daughter on a dangerous mission? or, perhaps it was that I didn’t get the same sense of place that usually pervades Burke’s Louisiana Robicheax novels. Then again it might have been the outrageous way he solves the case.
Personally, had I been the social worker, there is no way I would ever have placed Alifair with Dave given the level of violence with which he surrounds himself.
But he does write beautifully.
where his murder charge is resolved (are you really surprised) in the midst of Native Americans fighting against a land hungry oil company (that’s probably a redundancy).
There was something a bit off about this novel. Perhaps it was that Dave was no longer in Louisiana; perhaps it was the -- to my mind -- excessive guilt-ridden self-examination that seems more a plea for forgiveness from others than seeking to understand himself; perhaps it was the excessively slow cadence of the reader who I normally like very much (Will Patton); perhaps it was the implausible plot and would you take your six-year-old daughter on a dangerous mission? or, perhaps it was that I didn’t get the same sense of place that usually pervades Burke’s Louisiana Robicheax novels. Then again it might have been the outrageous way he solves the case.
Personally, had I been the social worker, there is no way I would ever have placed Alifair with Dave given the level of violence with which he surrounds himself.
But he does write beautifully.
November 9, 2023
Every now and then, when I'm in the mood for a literary mystery, it's time for James Lee Burke. It's no wonder many universities dedicate entire courses to reading and deconstructing his writing.
BLACK CHERRY BLUES was one I never had a chance to read. The familiar Cajun rhetoric, the grit and grime, and the majestic sentences only a master can write are all part of the mix.
As someone who is part of the recovery community for almost three decades now, I find myself ambivalent about the plentiful AA sayings and program references found in his work. This novel in particular seemed to be a bit heavy handed with the recovery parlance. In most of his novels, he has found a beautiful niche for his recovering alcoholic protagonist, Detective Dave Robicheaux. It was for this reason alone I thought this was a 4 star read. To be honest, I'm most likely mistaken. To write like James Lee Burke is darn near impossible. I'm glad I sought out this 1989 gem.
"My father was dead. My wife was too. The false dawn, with its illusions and mist-wrapped softness, can be as inadequate and fleeting as Morpheus' gifts."
To combine this artistry with every day prose, fast paced murder, and an immersive experience -- it's pretty freaking awesome.
~
BLACK CHERRY BLUES was one I never had a chance to read. The familiar Cajun rhetoric, the grit and grime, and the majestic sentences only a master can write are all part of the mix.
As someone who is part of the recovery community for almost three decades now, I find myself ambivalent about the plentiful AA sayings and program references found in his work. This novel in particular seemed to be a bit heavy handed with the recovery parlance. In most of his novels, he has found a beautiful niche for his recovering alcoholic protagonist, Detective Dave Robicheaux. It was for this reason alone I thought this was a 4 star read. To be honest, I'm most likely mistaken. To write like James Lee Burke is darn near impossible. I'm glad I sought out this 1989 gem.
"My father was dead. My wife was too. The false dawn, with its illusions and mist-wrapped softness, can be as inadequate and fleeting as Morpheus' gifts."
To combine this artistry with every day prose, fast paced murder, and an immersive experience -- it's pretty freaking awesome.
~
July 8, 2017
Black Cherry Blues
Another winner by James Lee Burke! I didn't find this one quite as good as the first two but it was close. I'm hooked on this series and I love James Lee Burke. He is a one of a kind writer!
Another winner by James Lee Burke! I didn't find this one quite as good as the first two but it was close. I'm hooked on this series and I love James Lee Burke. He is a one of a kind writer!
December 26, 2013
I felt down and depressed until the very end. But I loved the author’s phrases and the art of his writing.
Plot: the main guy Dave is framed for a crime. He does not do strong or smart things to save himself. I was worried and feeling down during most of the book. If the hero is going to be framed, then I want a hero I can root for, feel hope for, and enjoy watching him give it to the bad guys. But this was not. However, I know many readers like this type of fiction. For me at least the ending was happy, and I really enjoyed the unique phrases and rich descriptions.
Dave is a flawed hero. He is smart, but he does reckless and careless things which get him into trouble. He also did a stupid thing which almost got him killed. And he admitted to himself how stupid it was. He wasn’t thinking. I have moments like that. Dave is a former cop, a former alcoholic going to AA meetings. He grieves for his wife who was murdered a year ago. Dave has several sensitive and loving conversations with his dead wife. These are dreams, daydreams, or his imagination. They add a nice touch, seeing his relationship with his wife’s ghost.
The group of characters are intriguing, interesting, and wonderfully developed - bad guys and good guys. Most of the good guys are flawed. I liked that.
I loved the little girl’s dialogue and her questions. I loved Dave’s relationship with her.
PHRASES:
The author used many phrases, metaphors, and similes. Many I had not heard before. Some I just liked the way he used them. They surprised and delighted me. Some examples.
Cars cross the bridge and “thump onto the road”
About a rhythm and blues singer, someone must have “rubbed a lot of pain into him” when he was young
“When the mosquitos started to boil out of the shadows.”
“Those who began each day with a nervous breakdown, people who held onto the sides of the planet with suction cups”
Girl with a swimsuit “that was tight as tin on her body”
(What does that mean? I don’t know but I liked it.)
This book won the EDGAR AWARD for best novel in 1990.
THE AUTHOR LIVES IN THE PLACES HE WRITES ABOUT.
The two main locations in this story are Louisiana and Montana. The author has homes in both of those places. I’m sure that helps his descriptions be so rich and lush. I wonder about authors who write about places they’ve never visited but instead rely on online research.
NARRATOR & SOUND EQUIPMENT PROBLEM:
Mark Hammer was excellent with his timing and interpretations. His southern accent was comfortable to listen to. I loved the way he spoke for the little girl. He gave her an attitude that touched my heart. I loved the way she said the word Dave - in such a gentle and caring way.
I think there was a problem with the sound equipment. It picked up the narrator’s breathing making it sound as if he had trouble breathing. His breaths were noisy and distracting.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 1st person Dave Robicheaux. Unabridged audiobook length: 12 hrs and 26 mins. Swearing language: strong but rarely used. Sexual language: none. Number of sex scenes: 1. Setting: around 1989 mostly Louisiana and Montana. Book copyright: 1989. Genre: mystery suspense.
Plot: the main guy Dave is framed for a crime. He does not do strong or smart things to save himself. I was worried and feeling down during most of the book. If the hero is going to be framed, then I want a hero I can root for, feel hope for, and enjoy watching him give it to the bad guys. But this was not. However, I know many readers like this type of fiction. For me at least the ending was happy, and I really enjoyed the unique phrases and rich descriptions.
Dave is a flawed hero. He is smart, but he does reckless and careless things which get him into trouble. He also did a stupid thing which almost got him killed. And he admitted to himself how stupid it was. He wasn’t thinking. I have moments like that. Dave is a former cop, a former alcoholic going to AA meetings. He grieves for his wife who was murdered a year ago. Dave has several sensitive and loving conversations with his dead wife. These are dreams, daydreams, or his imagination. They add a nice touch, seeing his relationship with his wife’s ghost.
The group of characters are intriguing, interesting, and wonderfully developed - bad guys and good guys. Most of the good guys are flawed. I liked that.
I loved the little girl’s dialogue and her questions. I loved Dave’s relationship with her.
PHRASES:
The author used many phrases, metaphors, and similes. Many I had not heard before. Some I just liked the way he used them. They surprised and delighted me. Some examples.
Cars cross the bridge and “thump onto the road”
About a rhythm and blues singer, someone must have “rubbed a lot of pain into him” when he was young
“When the mosquitos started to boil out of the shadows.”
“Those who began each day with a nervous breakdown, people who held onto the sides of the planet with suction cups”
Girl with a swimsuit “that was tight as tin on her body”
(What does that mean? I don’t know but I liked it.)
This book won the EDGAR AWARD for best novel in 1990.
THE AUTHOR LIVES IN THE PLACES HE WRITES ABOUT.
The two main locations in this story are Louisiana and Montana. The author has homes in both of those places. I’m sure that helps his descriptions be so rich and lush. I wonder about authors who write about places they’ve never visited but instead rely on online research.
NARRATOR & SOUND EQUIPMENT PROBLEM:
Mark Hammer was excellent with his timing and interpretations. His southern accent was comfortable to listen to. I loved the way he spoke for the little girl. He gave her an attitude that touched my heart. I loved the way she said the word Dave - in such a gentle and caring way.
I think there was a problem with the sound equipment. It picked up the narrator’s breathing making it sound as if he had trouble breathing. His breaths were noisy and distracting.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 1st person Dave Robicheaux. Unabridged audiobook length: 12 hrs and 26 mins. Swearing language: strong but rarely used. Sexual language: none. Number of sex scenes: 1. Setting: around 1989 mostly Louisiana and Montana. Book copyright: 1989. Genre: mystery suspense.
May 20, 2019
Burke is a stunning poet of the gritty noir world. Don't get me wrong, the scenes of truly gratuitous -and otherwise - violence are appalling. And it really is too bad about the gratuitous stuff. But I haven't before so deeply enjoyed a book that repelled me so much in the first few pages.
The book began with the murder of Dave Robicheaux's wife, replayed in his dream/nightmare. Her blond hair and white, white skin contrasting with the blood sprayed around the bed, but the pale beauty of her was evidently left unmarred by the many bullets that tore through her. Okay. The morning following the dream, Dave is being helped in his home and business by the dark, illiterate, "Negro" employees that have been employed by his family since his boyhood. I'm thinking, was this written in, like, 1930?? Sure, this is Louisianna. But this is also 1989 (when the book was written, and when it took place.)
Dave's future freedom and well-being are now in danger due to his chain-flogging of two bad guys. Yes, they are very bad guys, and there is something great about them paying some dues. But, well, jeez! He has a little girl dependent on him for her safety, security, and love. A little child who suffered terrible violence in her life before she came into Dave's. What the hell was he thinking?
So these are the main caveats I have with this beautifully written, actually gorgeously written, book. I heard the silences, the birds calling in the moist air, the nutria screaming, the rain hitting this surface or that. I smelled the rotting flora of the swamp, the blossoming of late spring in the four-season climate, the mud, the oil from this or that, on this or that. Very beautiful writing. And I loved Dave's interactions with his little girl. The conversations are wonderful, and his tenderness and caring for her feel true, notwithstanding the dire situations he brought about himself. All in all, a good read.
The book began with the murder of Dave Robicheaux's wife, replayed in his dream/nightmare. Her blond hair and white, white skin contrasting with the blood sprayed around the bed, but the pale beauty of her was evidently left unmarred by the many bullets that tore through her. Okay. The morning following the dream, Dave is being helped in his home and business by the dark, illiterate, "Negro" employees that have been employed by his family since his boyhood. I'm thinking, was this written in, like, 1930?? Sure, this is Louisianna. But this is also 1989 (when the book was written, and when it took place.)
Dave's future freedom and well-being are now in danger due to his chain-flogging of two bad guys. Yes, they are very bad guys, and there is something great about them paying some dues. But, well, jeez! He has a little girl dependent on him for her safety, security, and love. A little child who suffered terrible violence in her life before she came into Dave's. What the hell was he thinking?
So these are the main caveats I have with this beautifully written, actually gorgeously written, book. I heard the silences, the birds calling in the moist air, the nutria screaming, the rain hitting this surface or that. I smelled the rotting flora of the swamp, the blossoming of late spring in the four-season climate, the mud, the oil from this or that, on this or that. Very beautiful writing. And I loved Dave's interactions with his little girl. The conversations are wonderful, and his tenderness and caring for her feel true, notwithstanding the dire situations he brought about himself. All in all, a good read.
June 9, 2019
Black Cherry Blues is my second “go round” with James Lee Burke and the ever complex Dave Robicheaux. My first novel by the author left me with a mixed bag of reactions. However, I’m very glad I came back for a second pass— and picked what just might be the best one of the series, according to some reviews. I’d believe it.
This book is delicious in so many ways. First, the story is well plotted and dense with complexity. Burke takes us from Robicheaux’s native Louisiana and Cajun world to Montana. Talk abut a change of venue! But it is clear that Burke knows both places intimately and the surroundings and local inhabitants become a natural part of the story.
Second, Burke’s writing is downright poetic at times. Whereas I thought he overdid it in the other novel I had read (Robicheaux), here the prose and style was painfully beautiful.
The bad guys are nasty and Burke occasionally stretches credulity with some of the things his protagonist gets away with, but for the most part, it doesn’t detract from the story. Robicheaux seems destined to find love elusive in this story (his wife having been brutally murdered earlier), but Burke offers us hope in two separate forms. All of his relationships, with perhaps the exception of his young adopted daughter, seem conflicted in some way. Yet Burke treats us to an uplifting ending, filled with promise and hope eternal. He certainly convinced me to have another go and I shall indeed seek out another entry in this series. Suggestions welcome.
This book is delicious in so many ways. First, the story is well plotted and dense with complexity. Burke takes us from Robicheaux’s native Louisiana and Cajun world to Montana. Talk abut a change of venue! But it is clear that Burke knows both places intimately and the surroundings and local inhabitants become a natural part of the story.
Second, Burke’s writing is downright poetic at times. Whereas I thought he overdid it in the other novel I had read (Robicheaux), here the prose and style was painfully beautiful.
The bad guys are nasty and Burke occasionally stretches credulity with some of the things his protagonist gets away with, but for the most part, it doesn’t detract from the story. Robicheaux seems destined to find love elusive in this story (his wife having been brutally murdered earlier), but Burke offers us hope in two separate forms. All of his relationships, with perhaps the exception of his young adopted daughter, seem conflicted in some way. Yet Burke treats us to an uplifting ending, filled with promise and hope eternal. He certainly convinced me to have another go and I shall indeed seek out another entry in this series. Suggestions welcome.
June 1, 2019
I was disappointed in this book. In fact, I almost abandoned it. I had the sense that I've read and enjoyed a number of Robicheaux novels, but I'm thinking not. There is a level of violence and threatened violence here, much of which seems gratuitous and is really too much for me.
The commitment to atmosphere is done to the point of being suffocating. And then there are the dreams. How many freaking dreams does a person have to read? Good grief!
The commitment to atmosphere is done to the point of being suffocating. And then there are the dreams. How many freaking dreams does a person have to read? Good grief!
March 29, 2023
Poster child for PTSD, alcoholism, and depression Dave Robicheaux returns for another dark, depressing mystery that all but ruins his life (yet again).
This series still hasn't returned to the explosive action of the first volume but Burke's writing is so compelling I'm beginning to not care.
This series still hasn't returned to the explosive action of the first volume but Burke's writing is so compelling I'm beginning to not care.
January 3, 2023
3 stars. Not a bad book, but I feel like too much stuff happened to Robicheaux, rather than him doing things to affect the plot himself. Would have preferred him to have a more active role. Also felt the book got a touch repetitive at times—a little too much day-to-day activity.
June 9, 2017
The phrase "genre writer" is a term sometimes used as if it were a venereal disease, and in some cases a deserving critique. but there are the writers that occupy a narrow patch of literary turf that elevate the norm and transcend the genre itself. Black Cherry Blues is a dazzling story. Burke has created such complex and fully rendered characters that we will overlook the fact that our protagonist Dave Robicheaux is not a very likeable character:I almost pickup a little of John D. MacDonald's creation,the wounded but honorable Travis McGee. but Dave is much more haunted and damaged. you can get the plot from a dust jacket so I won't summarize here and it doesn't matter much as I feel the story might be just a way for Dave to exercise his demons of grief,fear, and loss. Burke will have you care about Dave and this cast of characters.(the highest praise is to tell you there were moments I sat the book down, took a drink, and repeated: "it is only a book. these people do not exist" )nobody describes scenery better than Burke,up to and including that last impeccable-nailed-it paragraph. I swear that was distilled essence of Ray Bradbury as he describes the fading Fall twilight. 5 star
March 25, 2018
I could read this author all day, every day.
March 13, 2018
James Lee Burke is the novelist that just keeps on giving... to me. I picked up his first in the Robicheaux series about a month ago, loved it, thoroughly enjoyed the 2nd, and just completed the 3rd, 'Black Cherry Blues'. It's equally good. Burke's literate, lyrical prose in the tough 'crime' genre is a breath of fresh air, his characters are wonderfully developed and memorable, and the star, Dave Robicheaux, is as complex a personality you'll encounter. This series, so far, is simply fantastic.
Black Cherry begins down in the bayou and ends there, but most of the action takes place in the mountains out west. Robicheaux runs into some old acquaintances and quickly gets mixed into a complicated situation with a couple really bad dudes who threaten his little daughter. That's too much for Robicheaux, a man of action if there ever was one, so he takes matters into his own hands and beats the crap out of both of them. However, one of the guys takes the opportunity to kill his fellow miscreant in a way that makes it appear Robicheaux did the murder. Dave's arrested, manages to get himself released on bond, and travels west with his daughter to track down the real murderer before he finds himself in prison among a population he, in many cases, helped put there. Early on and throughout the story Dave is helped by a Federal agent tracking the crew, his former partner on the New Orleans police force is likewise thoroughly involved in the action, and things get even more complex as Mafia characters are encountered and enmeshed in various conspiracies. Robicheaux nearly runs out of time before his murder trial, but a solution comes to him in a dream and things end up working out.
Robicheaux is a fantastic character, a tough recovering alcoholic Vietnam vet ex-cop with a highly developed conscience and a bias toward action, sometimes violent action. He's respectful toward women but has experienced tough luck (and then some) on the romantic side. Since his retirement from the force, he runs a bait shop in a little town on the bayou where he tries, unsuccessfully so far, to lead a quiet life. One interesting aspect of the series is the glimpse we get into 80's-era policing, racial issues, and other societal topics that are still relevant and evolving today. It's fascinating stuff.
The real 'star' of the series, though, is Burke's writing. He can paint a picture like no other in this genre, he's great with dialogue, he's not averse to using unique devices like dream passages in his stories, and his pacing is excellent. I'm not sure where this series is heading but I'm sure happy I jumped on the bus to find out.
Black Cherry begins down in the bayou and ends there, but most of the action takes place in the mountains out west. Robicheaux runs into some old acquaintances and quickly gets mixed into a complicated situation with a couple really bad dudes who threaten his little daughter. That's too much for Robicheaux, a man of action if there ever was one, so he takes matters into his own hands and beats the crap out of both of them. However, one of the guys takes the opportunity to kill his fellow miscreant in a way that makes it appear Robicheaux did the murder. Dave's arrested, manages to get himself released on bond, and travels west with his daughter to track down the real murderer before he finds himself in prison among a population he, in many cases, helped put there. Early on and throughout the story Dave is helped by a Federal agent tracking the crew, his former partner on the New Orleans police force is likewise thoroughly involved in the action, and things get even more complex as Mafia characters are encountered and enmeshed in various conspiracies. Robicheaux nearly runs out of time before his murder trial, but a solution comes to him in a dream and things end up working out.
Robicheaux is a fantastic character, a tough recovering alcoholic Vietnam vet ex-cop with a highly developed conscience and a bias toward action, sometimes violent action. He's respectful toward women but has experienced tough luck (and then some) on the romantic side. Since his retirement from the force, he runs a bait shop in a little town on the bayou where he tries, unsuccessfully so far, to lead a quiet life. One interesting aspect of the series is the glimpse we get into 80's-era policing, racial issues, and other societal topics that are still relevant and evolving today. It's fascinating stuff.
The real 'star' of the series, though, is Burke's writing. He can paint a picture like no other in this genre, he's great with dialogue, he's not averse to using unique devices like dream passages in his stories, and his pacing is excellent. I'm not sure where this series is heading but I'm sure happy I jumped on the bus to find out.
February 17, 2015
This was one of the best mysteries I have ever read, hands down. It has everything - great dialogue, complex characters, interesting bit parts, occasional humor, great descriptive passages, tension, danger, darkness, and depth. It is just very well written all the way thru. The hero is Dave Robicheaux, a Cajun and former Big Easy cop. He is as interesting a paperback detective as I have ever seen. Like most of them, he is tough and cool when necessary, but unlike a lot of them, he is a fully rounded character with deep flaws and heartaches. Robicheaux runs a bait and tackle shop in the Louisiana bayou, and is the guardian of a six year old Latina whom he rescued from some disastrous situation. He pines for his dead wife, who was murdered by enemies of his, and sees her ghost from time to time, along with that of his father. He is a recovering alcoholic, and dark moods can descend on him. The image that comes across is that of an intense brooding man, quiet and controlled, with a strong sense of right and wrong.
In this story, trouble stumbles onto him in the form of Dixie Lee Pugh, an old college buddy and a washed up rockabilly star. Dixie is usually loaded up on beer, and his southern fried speech is hilarious. He hears about some nasty stuff that an oil company he has been working with is involved in - a possible double murder in Montana. Dixie is a brilliant mystery character - seedy, charming, basically decent despite his lunacy and alcoholism. Dave's instinct is to stay away from Dixie's garbage, but he can't help but do a little investigating, and when he does, some oil company goons take an interest in him. After they threaten his little girl's life, it gets personal, and Dave goes after them. He ends up in jail, and then out on bail, trying to solve the crime before his trial date. He goes up to Montana and tangles with a mobster named Sally Dio, and runs into his old police partner, Cletus Purcell, now a freelance hooligan. Purcell is another fine Burke creation. A muscular, tough good ol boy, a former rogue cop for hire, he suffers from impotence and a lack of focus in his life.
I would gladly pass a few hours with Burke again someday. The company can be a little rough, but the quality of the writing is undeniable.
In this story, trouble stumbles onto him in the form of Dixie Lee Pugh, an old college buddy and a washed up rockabilly star. Dixie is usually loaded up on beer, and his southern fried speech is hilarious. He hears about some nasty stuff that an oil company he has been working with is involved in - a possible double murder in Montana. Dixie is a brilliant mystery character - seedy, charming, basically decent despite his lunacy and alcoholism. Dave's instinct is to stay away from Dixie's garbage, but he can't help but do a little investigating, and when he does, some oil company goons take an interest in him. After they threaten his little girl's life, it gets personal, and Dave goes after them. He ends up in jail, and then out on bail, trying to solve the crime before his trial date. He goes up to Montana and tangles with a mobster named Sally Dio, and runs into his old police partner, Cletus Purcell, now a freelance hooligan. Purcell is another fine Burke creation. A muscular, tough good ol boy, a former rogue cop for hire, he suffers from impotence and a lack of focus in his life.
I would gladly pass a few hours with Burke again someday. The company can be a little rough, but the quality of the writing is undeniable.
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