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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
This, the third in the Dave Robicheaux series, is the first totally deserving of five stars. The first two books are great, but here all the elements of plot, character, setting, and truly inspired storytelling come together to create a fantastic page-turner. Burke is a master, and his writing will delight while his plots hold you on the edge of your seat.
It seems that every book in this genre has to be part of a series, often with very inconsistent results. If you want to write a great series, study James Lee Burke. Each book has to add to the strength of the series. No book should be allowed to gain merit from the books that precede or follow without making a real contribution to the whole series. Each Robicheaux novel is worthy on it's own, and takes the reader deeper and deeper into the characters and the events, places and conflicts that shape and change them. Black Cherry Blues stands out as one of the most enjoyable, smartly written books I've read in recent months.
It seems that every book in this genre has to be part of a series, often with very inconsistent results. If you want to write a great series, study James Lee Burke. Each book has to add to the strength of the series. No book should be allowed to gain merit from the books that precede or follow without making a real contribution to the whole series. Each Robicheaux novel is worthy on it's own, and takes the reader deeper and deeper into the characters and the events, places and conflicts that shape and change them. Black Cherry Blues stands out as one of the most enjoyable, smartly written books I've read in recent months.
Not my favorite Dave Robicheaux book, but I never tire of hearing Will Patton's narration.
It has been a long time since I read a book by James Lee Burke. I enjoyed this one - Dave Robicheaux is always a good guy - his style is not mine, but that is partly why I like him. Fun, light reading
The lush, lyrical prose is the best thing about this third Robicheaux novel. I only started reading Burke recently and was pleasantly surprised, as I used to think he was too macho for me. After a few books, it turns out it's quite the opposite. Burke the writer and Dave the character are little too sentimental for my taste. Dave keeps having these sappy dreams about his angelic dead wife whose only fault was that she was simply too good for this world. I wouldn't dare say this to Dave, but I always thought she seemed a bit slow on the uptake. And while I'm at it, the sex scenes are a little nauseating. It's all about easing the pain for Dave, while the ladies gaze lovingly into his eyes, apparently without expecting any sweet release in return. As for the bad guys, they are not just bad but evil, which strikes me as odd considering that Dave, Cletus and the other moderately good guys are pretty three-dimensional. Still, there's enough pistol whipping and beautiful imagery for me to keep reading.
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is my second time reading this series. Black Cherry Blues is one of his best. Cheers to James Lee Burke!
I'm a big fan of James lee Burke, but I was slight disappointed in this book. I had a fairly hard time following the plot, while at the same time I felt like absolutely nothing was happening.
Burke is a beautiful writer and his prose always reads like poetry, but as far as storylines go, this one was not my favorite.
Burke is a beautiful writer and his prose always reads like poetry, but as far as storylines go, this one was not my favorite.
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes