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Sunset Limited Audiobook
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(3.01) - 1,956 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Detective Dave Robicheaux returns to center stage in an incendiary new novel by James Lee Burke. A gripping tale of racial violence, class warfare, and the sometimes cruel legacy of Southern history, Sunset Limited is a stunning achievement, confirming Burke's place as one of America's premier stylists as well as master storytellers.
The forty-year-old crucifixion of a prominent labor leader named Jack Flynn remains an unsolved atrocity that has never been forgotten in New Iberia, Louisiana. When Flynn's daughter, Megan, a photojournalist drawn to controversial subjects, returns to the site of her father's murder, it quickly becomes clear that her family's bloodstained past will not stay buried. Megan gives her old friend Dave Robicheaux a tip about a small-time criminal named Cool Breeze Broussard, scarcely suspecting that the seemingly innocuous case will lead Robicheaux and his partner into the midst of a deadly conspiracy.
Combining brilliant prose, crackling suspense, and an exquisite sense of character and place, Sunset Limited is a wrenching tale of historic violence and soiled redemption that reveals one of America's finest novelists at his masterful best.
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"I wish you could give 3.5 stars. I don't think that this book quite rated four, but it was better than three. So there ya go. I also had no idea when I picked this up, that it was part of a series (and a later work, at that.) So I didn't have the background that I probably needed to enjoy it to the fullest. I intend to go back and check out some of his earlier works. I guess that's what I get for buying a bunch of $1 books at a flea market by authors I don't know."
— Kimberly (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“Splendidly atmospheric…with dialogue so sharp you can save with it.”
— People -
“One of the best novels of the year from one of the very best writers at work today.”
— Rocky Mountain News -
“This tale’s strength lies in breathtaking, moody descriptive passages and incisive vignettes that set time, place and character…In rich, dense prose, Burke conjures up bizarre, believable characters who inhabit vivid, spellbinding scenes in a multifaceted, engrossing plot.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“We should never underestimate Burke’s ability to twist formula in new directions, always spicing the literary comfort food that is genre fiction with a distinctive new tang.”
— Booklist -
“Once again, with strong and graceful prose, Burke presents a tale as dark and rich as a cup of chicory coffee. Highly recommended.”
— Library Journal
Awards
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A New York Times bestseller
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A USA Today bestseller
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A 1998 New York Times Notable Book for Mysteries
Sunset Limited Listener Reviews
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" The best writer and literary artist of all time. Any audio book by Burke is an addiction to me. "
— LILLIE WHITE, 3/27/2021 -
" Dave Robicheaux is haunted by an old crime. Megan and Cisco Flynn's father, a union organizer, was beaten and nailed to a barn. Decades later, the Flynn siblings are back in town: Cisco is making a movie, Megan is a world class photographer. Assisted by the unusual (usual) cast of characters (Clete Purcell his ex-partner, Helen his current partner, weird hit men, the New Orleans Mob, and downtrodden Cajuns) Dave finally unravels who perpetrated the crime and why. I listened to this book on tape several years ago; reading it was almost a new experience. "
— Beth, 2/19/2014 -
" I do agree with others who have already reviewed this book generally. I like very much his sense of place - his words paint evocative pictures. I loved the scenes with Robicheaux and daughter Alafair fishing together. Its a compelling mystery and made me unable to put it down. "
— Christine, 2/11/2014 -
" I always enjoy reading Dave Robicheaux books. This one is no exception. "
— Lou, 2/8/2014 -
" It was a bit confusing at time and just did not grip me to keep reading really fast. So I forced myself to finish "
— Laurie, 2/5/2014 -
" Burke injects his stories with the feel, sounds, and even taste of Southern Louisiana. It kills me that he was teaching at UM in Missoula while I was there and I wasn't aware of his work at the time! Great mysteries......hope he still has some stories to tell. "
— Sam, 1/17/2014 -
" Another favorite character of mine - Dave Robicheaux. If you like mysteries, have the slightest interest in New Orleans, the Louisiana Bayous and crooked corrupt Louisiana Government find the first book (The Neon Rain) and read them all. "
— J.D., 1/15/2014 -
" I found the plot lines a bit confusing, and contrived. I'm usually a fan of complicated story lines, but this one just didn't seem that pulled together to me. "
— Cheryl, 1/8/2014 -
" Not as satisfying as others in this series but still very good. "
— Mailmanr5, 12/26/2013 -
" I love JLB, he is one of my favorite authors. But this one just became tiresome. The characters lacked the typical depth given by the author, the plot seemed too familiar; just nothing new seemed to happen in this story. OH I wish it had been better. "
— Suzn, 11/3/2013 -
" I have read a majority of his books and enjoy the great writing and different people and lifestyle of and area I've never been too, New Orleans. "
— Wally, 10/29/2013 -
" He's my favorite author. Read a Burke book and your in a dark theater by yourself surrounded and engulfed by his images. I've read them all but can only do so once every 3-4 months because in the end they are their message about the human condition is not hopeful. "
— Mike, 10/1/2013 -
" Another fine robicheaux novel, taking us to different parts of his life. I could see parts of this story really happening for that time. "
— P.e.lolo, 9/23/2013 -
" Takes a look at the dark side of people. "
— Karla, 9/1/2013 -
" A superb read with characters like "Cool Breeze Broussard." "
— Jeffrey, 6/21/2013 -
" Enjoy this series and listened to most while travelig to Mexico "
— Boni, 5/31/2013 -
" A long-time reader and fan of the Robicheaux series, this was the slowest story. Not a page-turner. "
— C, 5/26/2013 -
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Thomas Sawyers, 5/1/2013
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" There's never much to disappoint you in this series by Burke. The characters are familiar and interesting and as long as it's set in Louisiana [one book wasn't] I'm happy. "
— Kay, 4/23/2013 -
" A little hard to follow in some spots but I love the picture tapestry Burke weaves with his words. "
— Pat, 2/7/2013 -
" Dave Robicheaux mystery--typical of his style "
— Suzanne, 1/7/2013 -
" Another good one involving Dare Robicheaux. I enjoyed this one more than the last one, although it just seemed to come to a stop, as opposed to ending. Still looking forward to the next one. Recommended. "
— Rick, 12/22/2012 -
" Just to hear Will Patton read this amazing book is worth the effort. "
— David, 12/20/2012 -
" Well done but not too impressed with the ending "
— Ruth, 12/18/2012 -
" I really like the Dave Robicheaux books and while this one was not one of my favorites it is still pretty good. Burke has a fine insite into the darker side of the human spirit. "
— S, 11/14/2012 -
" did book on tape. liked it but not my favorite of the cop dave r. "
— Steve, 10/12/2012 -
" Read in 1997 and rereading now..2013 "
— Joann, 7/10/2012
About James Lee Burke
James Lee Burke is a New York Times bestselling author of forty novels and two short-story collections. He has won the Edgar Award, the CWA Gold Dagger, and the Grand Prix de Littérature Policièr. He was named Grand Master by the Mystery Writers of America. His novel The Lost-Get Back Boogie was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize, and two of his books, Heaven’s Prisoners and Two for Texas, have been made into motion pictures.
About the Narrators
Mark Hammer has had long and distinguished career in the theater. After earning an undergraduate degree from Stanford University, he completed an MFA degree at Catholic University. For twenty-three years after that, he served on the drama faculty at that university and as co-chairman of its MFA acting program. For the last sixteen of those years, he was also a member of the resident acting company at Washington, DC’s Arena Stage. There, he had significant roles in both classic and contemporary dramas. He was twice nominated for the Helen Hayes Award for his performances in Cloud Nine and The Wild Duck. He has also appeared in several Broadway plays. Hammer was proud to be chosen to narrate the opening film of the permanent exhibit for the National Holocaust Museum.
Will Patton is an award-winning actor and narrator. HIs narrations have earned the prestigious Audie Award for Best Fiction Narration and also won dozens of AudioFile Earphones Awards. His numerous film credits include Remember the Titans, The Punisher, The Mothman Prophesies, Armageddon, and The Spitfire Grill. He starred in the TNT miniseries Into the West and on the CBS series The Agency and won Obie Awards in the theater for his performances in Fool for Love and What Did He See.