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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
A somewhat repetitive odyssey of Robicheaux sticking his nose into other people's corpses, getting beaten up and doing some beating of his own, all the while struggling with his inner demons. He also finds the time to engage in a lot of badly written sex scenes. Dave being a complicated guy with lots of issues, the sex is not about having a good time. It's about easing his pain and being enveloped by an all-encompassing love. And good boobs. He's like catnip to the ladies, who are all tailor-made to accomodate his need for a nice bust and unconditional maternal love. These pretty young things have no needs of their own, and are happy just caring for an old violent-prone alcoholic. That must surely make up for the hard times, Dave?
My second reading of this novel was as good or better than the first. Can't get enough of Burke's writing.
"...I sometimes recall a passage from the Book of Psalms. I have no theological insight, my religious ethos is a battered one; but those lines seem to suggest an answer that my reason cannot, namely, that the innocent who suffer for the rest of us become anointed and loved by God in a special way; the votive candle of their lives has made them heaven's prisoners." p. 241
"...I sometimes recall a passage from the Book of Psalms. I have no theological insight, my religious ethos is a battered one; but those lines seem to suggest an answer that my reason cannot, namely, that the innocent who suffer for the rest of us become anointed and loved by God in a special way; the votive candle of their lives has made them heaven's prisoners." p. 241
fast-paced
I almost put this one down, despite the series being a strong recommendation from a friend. A bit too much of the old South in its attitudes to women and people of color, and pretty heinous violence. I suspect (mystery humor!) I'll try one of the later ones in the series to see if it's more to my taste.
Burdened by grief and guilt, Robicheaux muddles his flawed way through retribution and innocence, crime and protection. Is he seeking justice for himself or for his wife? Is he removing criminals or trying to expiate his own sins? Who are you when you are irrevocably changed?
Ok, so the plot wasn't as strong as the first in the series, but Burke's writing and character development is just so outstanding that I can't give this any less than 3 stars. These are 'intelligent' mystery/thrillers, full of atmosphere and 3-dimensional characters. Sure there's drugs/alcohol, violence, and sex, but all of it serves a purpose (if you will) unlike *some* thriller writers (side-eye at Lee Child - review to come after this post).
"But perhaps age has taught me that the earth is still new, molten at the core and still forming, that black leaves in a winter forest will crawl with life in the spring, that our story is ongoing and it is indeed a crime to allow the heart's energies to dissipate with the fading of light on the horizon. I can't be sure. I brood upon it and sleep a little. I wait like a denied lover for the blue glow of dawn."
When you open up a detective novel, you don't expect to read prose like poetry. But that's what Burke gives you: every. single. time.
The books in the Robicheaux series keep getting better and better. I feel like I am walking down the streets of New Orleans, eating boudin and hearing the Japanese water lilies pop.
When you open up a detective novel, you don't expect to read prose like poetry. But that's what Burke gives you: every. single. time.
The books in the Robicheaux series keep getting better and better. I feel like I am walking down the streets of New Orleans, eating boudin and hearing the Japanese water lilies pop.
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes