From New York Times bestselling author James Lee Burke, Detective Dave Robicheaux becomes entangled in a mystery that connects a series of grisly murders with an ex-convict turned bestselling author, a notorious local pimp, and the man currently dating Robicheaux’s daughter.
On the trail of a killer responsible for the deaths of seven young women in neighboring Jefferson Davis parish, Detective Dave Robicheaux and his best friend Clete Purcel can’t seem to stay away from Herman Stanga, a notorious pimp whose name constantly resurfaces in their investigation, and whom both men despise. When Stanga turns up dead shortly after a fierce beating in front of numerous witnesses at the hands of Clete Purcel, the case takes a nasty turn, and solving the mystery of the Jefferson Davis deaths becomes more important than ever.
Adding to Robicheaux’s troubles is the matter of his adopted daughter, Alafair, on hiatus from Stanford Law for a semester and home in New Iberia to put the finishing touches on her novel. Her literary pursuit has led her into the arms of Kermit Abelard, celebrated novelist and scion of a once-prominent Louisiana family whose fortunes are slowly sinking into the bayous. In Robicheaux’s mind, Abelard’s association with a sleazy ex-convict turned bestselling author named Robert Weingart puts him at the center of some very shady business, and Robicheaux fears he’s taking Alafair down with him. But at the same time he fears for Alafair’s well-being—and possibly her life—she’s becoming more distant toward him, convinced his concerns are just the paranoia of an overprotective father. To protect his daughter and clear his best friend’s name, Robicheaux will need every ounce of guts, wit, and investigative chops he can muster.
From the creator of “one of America’s best mystery series” (Library Journal, starred review), James Lee Burke’s The Glass Rainbow is a “superlative” (Publishers Weekly, starred review) bayou thriller.
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"This is my first James Lee Burke novel and it won't be my last. Mr. Burke's use of language is phenominal. This book had me captivated from the very beginning and I found myself living the story through the eyes of Dave Robicheaux and his sidekick Clete Purcel. "
— Marvin (5 out of 5 stars)
“The sights, smells, and sounds of the Louisiana bayous become sensory experiences in Burke’s novels.”
— Publishers Weekly (starred review)“Intensely lyrical, heavily melancholic prose.”
— Booklist (starred review)“Burke, whose sonorous cadences and obsession with the past have often recalled Faulkner, has never resembled the sage of Yoknapatawpha more closely than in this magnificent attempt to get it all down between one cap and one period.”
— Kirkus Reviews (starred review)“Another beautifully crafted effort.”
— Library Journal (starred review)" A deeply disappointing read for me. I've had varied reactions to the Robicheaux series but I've loved the last two, Swan Peak and The Tin Roof Blowdown. I've enjoyed the Billy Bob Holland books and thought Rain Gods was absolutely killer. But this one felt like someone writing a parody of Burke's good stuff, like writer's tricks instead of the truth. "
— Charlie, 2/4/2014" I can't wait to see what happens to Dave next! I was stunned by the twist at the end. "
— Sara, 1/9/2014" you cannot beat James Lee Burke for mystery. Dave Robicheaux and Clete Purcell rock. i have read every book in this group. "
— Sandra, 1/6/2014" Listening to -- the better to enjoy the lyrical language and Cajun names. Good but not great. Kinda wandery and then not a very big payoff "
— Coki, 1/6/2014" The plot is in danger of being smothered by too much description. Definitely not a page turner. Definitely not one of Burke's best. "
— Les, 11/22/2013" Dave Robicheaux and Clete Purcel, back in Iberia Parish --- it doesn't get any better than this. "
— Larry, 11/10/2013" The latest book in the Dave Robicheaux series and by far the most poignant of them all. "
— Phil, 10/24/2013" Interesting main character, lush overblown writing, that really works. The tension builds, had to keep reading until the end. "
— Ann, 10/24/2013" The only thing better than reading a James Lee Burke book is listening to Will Patton read it on audiobook. Honest!! "
— Rose, 9/1/2013" James Lee Burke is currently my favorite author! Excellent series and I really enjoy the Dave robicheaux character! "
— Joel, 7/8/2013" I am a huge fan of the Robicheaux books and this one did not disappoint. James Lee Burke raises the bar for mystery writing. No spoiler, but the ending was upsetting...I think. "
— Lilli, 4/2/2013" seriously? seriously? (you know what I'm talking about, Mr. Lee Burke). "
— Maggard, 3/23/2013" Tn excellent thriller. Well written. "
— Thomas, 10/20/2012" I love all his books. "
— Adelaide, 9/26/2012" I love this character, and have been reading the series since 1979. If you read them, start at the beginning. "
— Mary, 9/19/2011" Mr. Burke looks like Tommy Lee Jones and his main character talks like him too. I would read more. The book, a mystery in a series with a hard bitten detective is slightly formulaic, and I mean that in a good way. "
— Laura, 9/1/2011" More introspection and obsessive-compulsion from South Louisiana's most troubled cop, all with a nail-biting cliff-hanging ending. Not to be missed by Robicheaux fans. "
— Shruts, 7/13/2011" Fabulous! But I am so biased! James Lee Burke is my favorite novelist and I can't get enough of his Dave Robicheaux series. He does not disappoint with this latest offering. "
— Diane, 5/9/2011" Reading The Glass Rainbow, I couldn't help but think Burke's phoning it in at this point. I feel like I've read the same characters facing the same situations over and over and over again. "
— Rebecca, 5/4/2011" First book i have read by Burke and enjoyed it. I love to read southern based novels and authors. Just something about the south that makes a book so much more beautiful. Good suspence, was trying the whole way thru to try a figure out who did it. Good Read "
— Rachael, 4/22/2011" I would read anything by James Lee Burke. He never lets me down. "
— Darla, 4/21/2011" It may have taken a bit longer to read, <br/>But it was well worth it. Loved the twist and turns this book took. "
— Linda, 4/4/2011" I've read all of Burke's books. <br/>He does a great job of setting scenes and building climaxes but generally the end comes about too quickly - left thinking what happened there? <br/> <br/>So JL a little less build up and a little more ending! "
— Andrew, 3/25/2011" I love this character, and have been reading the series since 1979. If you read them, start at the beginning. "
— Mary, 3/24/2011" <br/>Another great entry in a great series. <br/> <br/>Already ready for the next one! "
— Frank, 3/1/2011" Makes Southern Louisiana come alive. Dave Robicheaux and his pal Clete Purcel do their usual damage to the bad guys. Great story. "
— Lou, 2/19/2011" One of the best if not THE best in the series. "
— Mailmanr5, 2/14/2011" It was good, much better than the previous one but still too much philosophy which slows the story down. I found myself skipping whole paragraphs. "
— Anne, 2/14/2011James 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.