2009 Audie Award Finalist for Mystery
Beloved Louisiana lawman Dave Robicheaux returns—this time, traveling from New Iberia Parish to the wilds of Montana.
Dave Robicheaux, his wife, and his buddy Clete Purcell have retreated to an old friend’s ranch, hoping to spend their days fishing and enjoying their distance from the harsh, gritty landscape of Louisiana post-Katrina. But the serenity is soon shattered when two college students are found brutally murdered in the hills behind where the Robicheauxs and Purcell are staying.
Deftly weaving intricate, engaging plotlines and original, compelling characters with his graceful prose, Burke transcends genre yet again.
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"James Lee Burke is one of my all time favorites. His books are hardly light, though. They do make me smile occasionally, but they show a darker side of life and a much rougher existence. This books starts out with this paragraph: Clete Purcel had heard of people who sleep without dreaming, but either because of the era and neighborhood in which he had grown up, or the later experiences that had come to define his life, he could not think of sleep as anything other than an uncontrolled descent into a basement where the gargoyles turned somersaults like circus midgets. It gets better from here. Clete is a tortured man, with big appetites and an affinity for attracting trouble. His partner and best friend, Dave Robicheaux, a decent man, a recovered alcoholic and good guy fight evil in every book. And the evil in these books is breathtaking in it's evilness."
— Susan (5 out of 5 stars)
“Another triumph.”
— Los Angeles Times“A sprawling, exuberant thriller.”
— Oregonian“Burke’s lyrical language and eye for detail are well suited to the rugged physical beauty of Montana, and his characters spring to life as he deftly juggles several different plotlines.”
— Bookmarks magazine“Patton’s voice is perfectly suited for Burke’s rough and tumble tale, his gritty Southern dialect sets the tone for this brooding murder mystery.”
— Publishers Weekly“No fan of hard-boiled crime fiction can help but feel the pulse quicken when a new Robicheaux appears.”
— Booklist" Listened to unabridged on audio book [15 hours]. Loved Will Patton's Southern accents with some Louisana Cajun snuck in. I enjoyed the authors writing style. He can make murder and mayhem sound poetic. I enjoyed all the charecters and the little surprise at the end caught me off guard. "
— Andrea, 2/19/2014" Not one of my favourites. Somehow, taking Dave out of Louisiana has changed his appeal to me. Montana may be nice, but its just not the right place. And somewhere I've lost touch...what has happened to Dave's wife and daughter? And where is Dave's tortured soul, not so much here. Too much Clete maybe, and the other characters were evil, but not real enough. I love Dave when the characters he comes across are just a bit more of him. Then its a story of good and evil, that touches our hearts in some ways. "
— Palmreader, 2/13/2014" There is nothing by James Lee Burke that I could dislike. This story is excellent. I hope Burke lives forever; I can't bear to live without thinking that he's got some new book in the works. "
— Clare, 2/13/2014" I like the Dave Robicheaux's novels the best of James Lee Burke's writings. I like how Sally Dio was brought back in this novel and how Clete just seems to make things worst. I love all of the James Lee Burke's books. "
— Jeffrey, 2/7/2014" Gritty and philosophical, James Lee Burke sticks pretty close to his usual formula. I listened to the audio version, performed by Will Patton, and absolutely enjoyed the cadence and tone of the voices he used to bring Clete, Dave and company to life. Of course, they live to see another day, and Dave is still dry, even though it appears as though each day is a battle for him. "
— Scott, 1/28/2014" Detective Dave Robicheaux and his side-kick Clete Purcell go on vacation in rural Montana but find that murder did not take any time off. And much evil is lurking behind the flimsy sophisticated facade of the rich and (in)famous residents that have mysterious ties to Clete's past. The author starkly contrasts the spectacular and tranquil Montana mountainside with the repugnant behavior of so many amoral characters who are determined to keep their secrets secret. "
— Brenda, 1/27/2014" I was disappointed in this book. I love James Lee Burke, but this one was phoned in. I recommend everything he has written except this one. "
— Gail, 1/18/2014" Another good one by Burke although I prefer his books set in Lousiana. "
— Cheryl, 11/26/2013" probably the best Dave Robicheaux book ever. Dave, Molly and Clete are visiting a friend in Montana and get involved in problems with some locals. "
— Gail/Ladyvolz, 11/14/2013" Burke's best Robicheaux in Montana by far; Clete is his usual bad ass self. "
— Patrick, 7/30/2013" There is something about these Dave Robicheaux novels. James Lee Burke is one of those writers that can set a taste in your mouth that lingers. You are reading right along and out of the blue he turns a breathtaking phrase and you say yes, this is good writing. "
— Blackbook, 7/16/2013" I need a dose of Dave Robicheaux every so often. This time he's finding bad guys in Montana. "
— Siszurpicki, 5/12/2013" I wish somebody would make a timeline of Dave Robicheaux... now here's a third wife arriving out of the blue. Plus, Dave's getting a little old for some of these shenanigans by now, I'd think. "
— Karen, 3/24/2013" I didn't really like this book. I probably won't try another one of his. "
— Susan, 11/27/2012" Dave, Molly and Clete are off to Montana to chill out after the rigors of Katrina. Why Montana when Dave and Clete have a history there is beyond me. Of course they get a whiff of trouble and stir up the fires. Go home Dave! "
— Mary, 11/4/2012" Dave Robicheaux is one of my favorite literary characters. "
— Tamela, 10/9/2012" Not too great. My first read of this author who comes stronly recommended by 2 friends. Will try somae more in the future. "
— Ross, 4/24/2012" I usually like books in this series, and this was no different. The setting in Montana rather than La. was interesting. "
— Cyndee, 2/25/2012" james lee burke has never been better. "
— Thomas, 8/5/2011" I don't really read "grown-up books", but I was desperate for something to read on the plane home. It was suspenseful and all, but, um... I'm used to teenager-type melodrama... so it was a little too macho for me. "
— Kate, 5/27/2011" Great messy crime story - while his books are grueling in nature - his words are beautiful they uck me right in. "
— ~mad, 5/12/2011" Dave Robicheaux is one of my favorite literary characters. "
— Tamela, 4/16/2011" Beautiful, sad and a study of mortality in an angry and good man. "
— Gordon, 1/9/2011" Dave Robicheaux goes to Montana. A good yarn, however I found the end a bit disappointing. "
— Jim, 1/4/2011" Dave Robicheau in Montana? Yet, the story works. <br/>I liked it. "
— Gary, 11/24/2010" Another enjoyable read from James Lee Burke. "
— John, 11/19/2010" Mr. Burke got a little lazy on this one - TWO rescues in the nick of time in one novel! Also, as much as I love his flawed heroes, it's time for Clete and Dave to change and grow, and not by just changing the scenery. "
— Val, 11/4/2010" Very entertaining (although I wanted to hit Clete over the head several times!) Burke does a tremendous job with his characters. I really enjoyed this novel - I was able to read all day as I recovered from my bout with poison ivy :) "
— Charisse, 11/2/2010" another masterpiece- different setting this time- we learn somethings about Montana "
— Sharonb, 10/19/2010James 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.
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.