Publication Date June 11, 2024
A few years back, I reviewed another of James Lee Burke’s Robicheaux novels, and got the opinion of one of the biggest Robicheaux fans on the planet – my husband. I gave it four stars, and noted that “My husband found it well-written, as expected. He also enjoyed the repetition of familiar characters in the series. One thing he just doesn’t get with this series is why the rich and famous people meekly turn the other cheek over and over and over and continually take so much crap from Robicheaux. The things he does appreciate about the series in general and this title in particular include the beauty of the language used by Burke and the literary and historical allusions (to things including Vietnam, the life of a reformed alcoholic, and the contrast between the incredible beauty and the grime and misery of Southern Louisiana). “ (I am including this quote because it applies to Clete just as it does to other books).
Clete is the latest in the series, and thanks to Grove Atlantic and Netgalley, both my husband and I got to appreciate it (in exchange for this honest review). My husband says Clete is Robicheaux’s “gorilla” – like Hawk is for Spenser (Robert B. Parker) and Joe Pike is for Elvis Cole (Robrt Crais). Clete Purcel is Dave’s longtime friend and sometime partner. Clete is hired by a woman named Clara Bow and soon there is a storyline revolving around drugs.
As expected, there is action galore and the continuing story of Robicheaux and Clete, together and singly. Four stars.