Scan barcode
wigwamjunior's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
katel1970's review against another edition
2.0
Weird mix of violence and woo woo made this one meh for me. 2.5 stars.
sandin954's review against another edition
4.0
This series just keeps getting better with each book. Dave is a fascinating character, the plot of this book was one of the best in the series, and I always enjoy the descriptions of the lush scenery. Listened to the audio version read by one of my favorites the late Mark Hammer.
ewg109's review against another edition
4.0
A deceptively complex mystery that evokes its setting like none other.
ashirak's review against another edition
2.0
Eh. But it was Shabbat and I didn’t have much else to read.
mickeymole's review against another edition
5.0
This was the first Robicheaux novel I read, and my favorite. I've since read most of them twice. The great title of this one foreshadows the fantastic writing and story that follows. Robicheaux is one of the best protagonists in modern literature. Burke is one of the best writers.
motormouth95's review against another edition
4.0
Mystery, murders, an unsolved murder from the 1950s, set in the south, and a Confederate General's ghost. This book was really right my alley and I enjoyed every minute of it.
cher_n_books's review against another edition
1.0
1.5 stars - I didn't like it.
Stereotypes and tropes galore, I could not wait to leave the southern Louisiana town full of hatred, vitriol, racisim, bigotry, sexism, and where ignorance in general just runs amuck. There was no enjoyment to be found spending literary time in a shoddy place full of weak, despicable people. Not even the paranormal ghost story element could save this one for me, which is normally a fictional favorite for me.
If it had not been a selection for a local book club, it would have been DNF'd early on, easily and without regret. I never became invested in any of the characters and found almost every character to be dislikeable. To be fair, this was the first book for me in this series, so maybe those that have read the others will have more of an attachment to the characters. I dislike reading a series out of order, but again, it was chosen for a local book club.
I will say the author developed the characters enough for me to detest spending time with them, which requires more skill than poor characterization with flat, cardboard cut-outs, for which you feel nothing. I'd be open to reading something else by him, but have no inclination to pick up anything else from this particular series.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Favorite Quote: Maybe we have so much collective guilt as a society that we fear to punish our individual members.
First Sentence: The sky had gone black at sunset, and the storm had churned inland from the Gulf and drenched New Iberia and littered East Main with leaves and tree branches from the long canopy of oaks that covered the street from the old brick post office to the drawbridge over bayou Teche at the edge of town.
Stereotypes and tropes galore, I could not wait to leave the southern Louisiana town full of hatred, vitriol, racisim, bigotry, sexism, and where ignorance in general just runs amuck. There was no enjoyment to be found spending literary time in a shoddy place full of weak, despicable people. Not even the paranormal ghost story element could save this one for me, which is normally a fictional favorite for me.
If it had not been a selection for a local book club, it would have been DNF'd early on, easily and without regret. I never became invested in any of the characters and found almost every character to be dislikeable. To be fair, this was the first book for me in this series, so maybe those that have read the others will have more of an attachment to the characters. I dislike reading a series out of order, but again, it was chosen for a local book club.
I will say the author developed the characters enough for me to detest spending time with them, which requires more skill than poor characterization with flat, cardboard cut-outs, for which you feel nothing. I'd be open to reading something else by him, but have no inclination to pick up anything else from this particular series.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Favorite Quote: Maybe we have so much collective guilt as a society that we fear to punish our individual members.
First Sentence: The sky had gone black at sunset, and the storm had churned inland from the Gulf and drenched New Iberia and littered East Main with leaves and tree branches from the long canopy of oaks that covered the street from the old brick post office to the drawbridge over bayou Teche at the edge of town.
greenblack's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75