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lelandbuck 's review for:
Black Cherry Blues
by James Lee Burke
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.