Gripping as always

Will Patton's narration unimpeachable..story compelling but perhaps a little too much overblown philosophising this time.

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Terrific performance

As often the case with James Lee Burke a fairly unbelievable storyline is transformed into a gripping drama ,fundamental to this is an outstanding narration. An incredibly unlikely narrative is secondary to outstanding dialogue and beautiful description.

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Not his best

However, just like an old friend where you don’t have to pretend, the author and narrator are still a class act and spin a mesmerising tale.

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Boom!

No one does it better than Burke. Cleet is the man! Best in the series

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Wonderful as always

Interesting story line given current rise of populism! The “Bopsie twins from homocide” do it again.
Burke’s bad guys are so believable, they make your skin crawl. He is a brilliant writer and I’m, for one, very thankful for his genius.

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Old friend

Always enjoy the narration of Will Patton. It was like reconnecting with an old friend again.

The story was a bit thin n not as intricate as past novels of James Lee Burke. I do love the friendship of the characters - Dave R n Clete Purcell. An ok read

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Patton & JLB? Magnificent as always

James Lee Burke has long been one of my two favourite authors, along with John Connolly, and I never thought anything would trump enjoying one of his wonderfully crafted tales, comprising such beautiful and elegiac prose as only those two men can weave, so wonderfully, so mesmerisingly.

But, I was wrong. For, where Mr Connolly’s publishers have chosen to opt for the droning tones of Jeff Harding, Mr Burke’s have opted for the tragically underestimated and quite wonderful Will Patton.

What a magnificent decision that has turned out to be. Let’s face it, the narration sells the audiobook, otherwise we would all be buying the kindle versions and letting our own inner voice provide the narrative. Patton’s softly measured, honey-and-scotch warmed tones mellifluously transport the fortunate and wise listener to the Atchefalaya Basin, to the Louisiana bayou, and to the home and stamping ground of Dave “Streak” Robicheaux.

This is as equally introverted and explosive a novel as any that JLB has written, and plays Robicheaux very much against himself. Far more introspective even than he was in his early years, Robicheaux is a man constantly at war with the demon dwelling in his dark corners, the violence that lurks in his soul and which comes climbing out of the bottle, when our flawed and tragic hero falls once more.

That Dave doubts even himself, was shocking to me, and I wondered on occasion if he was not right. The storytelling is simply perfect and the tale is a gripping one, with moments of such explosive carnage, counterbalanced by such tenderness and insight, that you have to recognise Robicheaux’s as the heart of a poet - albeit a poet capable of terrible things.

I can relate to a lot of JLB’s characterisation and the questions and soul-searching Dave does. As someone who has dealt with those capable of the most appalling acts, and had to carry on regardless - because someone has to do it - I have wondered were these men not better being dealt with by some other form of justice. So at times, it’s as if JLB can peer into my own soul and provide me with reassurance that, by carrying on carrying on, I was doing the right thing, the decent thing, the human and humane thing.

Still, and all, at times, I like “Streak”, one half of “the Bobbsey Twins, from Homicide” a whole lot better - and what a superb literary creation Purcell is, a Sancho Panza to Robicheaux’s Quixote, always there for his partner, as he tilts at those corrupt and rotten Southern windmills...

“Robicheaux” is a beautiful story, beautifully told by an actor at the top of his game. I look forward to listening to (I pray) a few more such, from the incredible JLB, and the wonderfully cast Mr Patton, in future.

Superb.

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4 people found this helpful

He's back!

Thrilled to see a new Robicheaux on the block. Usual suspects, either real or imaginary. Greatly relieved by the absence of Cletus' ghastly daughter, and minimal outing of Alafair.
But why...oh , but that's a plot spoiler ......see what you think ;)!

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Novel for our time. Extraordinary.

The story seems disorganised at first, but the characters are being painted deftly with light strokes by a master. The narration captures the the atmosphere of Louisiana, lifts the book up, and gives perfect voice to a tapestry of characters.

Listened in 2 sittings. I will definitely listen to this one again.

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Poetic

Listening to a James Lee Burke book is a real pleasure. The stories are always great you revisit characters that you know and love and in particular you he writes in a manner which has depth and is very poetic and evocative. I can honestly say that for me he is in a league of his own.
This book is the latest in a long line of 5star books. A must read

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