Fans of Dave Robicheaux novels are well-advised to grab a copy of James Lee Burke’s latest. It includes all of our old friends from New Iberia Parish, Louisiana, where Dave serves as a detective in the Sheriff’s office, and nearby New Orleans. Clete Purcel makes early and frequent appearances leaving a litter of mayhem, busted heads and empty liquor bottles in his wake, proving the old maxim that there is no situation that can’t be made worse. At the same time, he’s definitely the guy you want watching your six. He and Streak go back to their days on the NOPD, with some Viet Nam flashbacks providing a keyhole view into their shared experiences. There are a number of new names and faces including Sydney Kovick, a fearsome crime boss, who, when not separating his victims from their legs with the help of a chain saw, can be found at his florist shop creating artful flower arrangements.
Robicheaux’s character is a leader in the most nickname category. In addition to Streak, he is also called: Dave, Noble Mon, Pops and Bwana, the last by his boss the androgynous, but highly-effective, Sheriff of New Iberia Parish, Helen Soileau. Dave’s current wife, (he tends to go through them) Molly is an ex Maryknoll nun who’s loyalty vouches for the good side of Streak’s complicated character. His adopted daughter, Alafair, who shares a name with one of Burke’s daughters, has graduated from college and emerged as a smart tough cookie, a characterization that comes in handy when you are Dave Robicheaux’s daughter. Family pets Tripod, the three-legged raccoon and Snuggs, the killer-cat round out the roster at Chez Robicheaux.
The story’s plot follows this full cast of intriguing characters as they each follow their personal quest, which range from the retrieval of a bag of hot diamonds to achieving mere day-to-day survival. But what gives the story added electricity is the fact that it unfolds amid the incredible chaos and devastation left in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, one of the most destructive storms in American History.
In addition to being a highly-talented story teller, Burke also possesses some of the best descriptive abilities in popular literature. His description of the southern Louisianna locales both before and after Katrina’s knockout punch comes through in vivid and intriguing detail. At the same time, his deeply-felt love for this part of the country colors his descriptions of its dramatic beauty, presented with warts and all.
Robicheaux’s character is a leader in the most nickname category. In addition to Streak, he is also called: Dave, Noble Mon, Pops and Bwana, the last by his boss the androgynous, but highly-effective, Sheriff of New Iberia Parish, Helen Soileau. Dave’s current wife, (he tends to go through them) Molly is an ex Maryknoll nun who’s loyalty vouches for the good side of Streak’s complicated character. His adopted daughter, Alafair, who shares a name with one of Burke’s daughters, has graduated from college and emerged as a smart tough cookie, a characterization that comes in handy when you are Dave Robicheaux’s daughter. Family pets Tripod, the three-legged raccoon and Snuggs, the killer-cat round out the roster at Chez Robicheaux.
The story’s plot follows this full cast of intriguing characters as they each follow their personal quest, which range from the retrieval of a bag of hot diamonds to achieving mere day-to-day survival. But what gives the story added electricity is the fact that it unfolds amid the incredible chaos and devastation left in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, one of the most destructive storms in American History.
In addition to being a highly-talented story teller, Burke also possesses some of the best descriptive abilities in popular literature. His description of the southern Louisianna locales both before and after Katrina’s knockout punch comes through in vivid and intriguing detail. At the same time, his deeply-felt love for this part of the country colors his descriptions of its dramatic beauty, presented with warts and all.
1 comment:
Finally getting a chance to check out your blog. Looks great! (And thanks for the shout out on the side links)
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