Vintage JLB, with his violence, his lyrical settins, his magical realism, and what I can't resist: his keening elegy to a Louisiana that is fading, fading, but not quite extinguished.

JLB writes for the English major and warrior spirit in his readers. The reader is alternately word-struck and pumped full of adreneline during the whole-shebang-fourth-of-July-fireworks finale in this book.

Clete Purcell plays a key role in this book, and he's a larger-than-life train wreck, as usual. Some of the reviewers found the book angry, but I don't know how anyone who loves Louisiana and its once-glorious natural treasures can be anything but angry at the systematic catastrophes caused by human activity there. JLB's level of anger seems appropriate to me. Somebody has to speak up for this lost biodiversity and culture that is unique in the world.

Will Patton is spectacular, as always. A perfect match.

JLB writes stories with such depth. What I love most about his books are the history that he writes about. It’s wonderful to be able to in vision the sights, smells and feel as though your right in the middle of things. A word about the narrator, Will Patton, OMG why does that guy not read every audible book out there? I could listen to him forever. His voice is like silk across your body. He knows how to use his voice to command his words. Love him. Wonderful listen.

His masterful voice with all its inflection and tone, to make it sound as if you are right there. This would not be a best seller in my mind if it were not for Will Patton.

I have a job that makes it possible for me to listen to books, I will not put this one down.

James Lee Burke's fantastic ability to paint the story coupled with Will Patton's ability to bring it to life is unbeatable, epecially when the story line includes Dave Robicheaux and Clete Purcel. I have listened to hundreds of books and this combination is far ahead of anything I have listened to. I hope Mr. Burke keeps this combination coming!

Yes, the story and its plot were superior!

Everthing. I love Will Patton's narrations!

New Orleans, the city that never sleeps

The angst of the heroes we know. Burke's descriptions are evocative and often lyrical, but they bog...down...the...plot. This novel was not outstanding but if you like the author, you will get what you have come to expect. Not great, but the references to the damage done by the oil spill are poignant and remind the reader of the massive destruction done to the residents of not only Louisiana but to all of us.

Cleet's voice sounds like Patton deepened his voice and then they speeded up the soundtrack. I loved his narration but I found that part of it disconcerting.

Poetic, well narrated, Louisiana local color. I recommend it! One of the better of Burke's series.

Yet another superb Burke story, with superb prose, with a depth of character seldom if ever matched by other modern writers. A treat to the literary senses all around. Other reviewers have outlined the basics of this complex tale but a troubling political agenda that has long been the underpinning of Burke's work has finally bubbled to the surface in an in-your-face, no holds barred manner. Mr. Burke's political leanings have been apparent to us all over the years but we were willing to overlook this, with a nod & a wink and an "oh well", for the sake of unsurpassed story, literary environment and character development & complexity. Added to the mix in audiobooks is Will Patton's reading which really puts all others to shame.
A misguided, misinformed, very liberal agenda which can only be described as hubris has become the forte of the modern liberal artisan. Think of those Hollywood stars whom we have long admired for their on-screen character(s), who then with unqualified arrogance think that we are interested at all in their political agenda or opinions. You begin to seriously wonder if those movies were really that good and you wonder if you will ever see another of their efforts nor enjoy it.
At the end of this reading, or in this instance storytelling, you get the feeling that you need a bath.
Let's put it another way - if I agreed wholeheartedly with Mr. Burke than we would both be wrong.
Regardless of your opinion as to the above, get this audiobook and judge for yourself. It is a must own for any Burke fan. I regret the 3 star overall rating but that disappointment that I was left with was worth at least a 2-star minus. I lament my lost anticipation of another Burke effort.

Any one that blames everyone else for there problems.

Not include his liberal agenda. How many times do New Orleans'ers need to be plummeted beneath the sea before you realize you live in the wrong place?

It’s a fictional book and an entire chapter is about the "evil" corporate, oil and drilling companies. People dying on the rigs and massive oil spills. At the same time the main character is hallucinating back to Vietnam and a local poor, mistreated, drug addict, out of wedlock welfare recipient that could have, would have been a super star singer! How about just doing a good job at what you’re being paid to do. I would have thought that PETA would have been a great supporter of the “spill” so those murdering shrimpers and clamers couldn’t kill those poor crustaceans!

The left wing political rhetoric.

The last Burke I will read. I actually get paid to get up every morning and go to work. Then they write me a check for the work I have done. I then spend the small amount of money I have left after the government takes most of it on what I want. I don’t want any more of Jimmy's books!

I am enjoying the story line, but it is definitely not a page turner.

The inner story line of how the characters are all connected.

No, not yet.

No.

RICH, SUSPENSEFUL, AMAZING

THE PLOT KEPT ME INTERESTED AND ENGAGED AND INVESTED IN THE LIVES OF THESE CHARACTHERS.

ROBICHEAUX IS STILL TORMENTED, STILL DEVOTED TO HIS FAMILY AND STILL HOLDS CLETE PURCELL IN HIS HEART AND SOUL. LISTENING - I AM LOST IN THE WORDS AND ATMOSPHERE AND FEELINGS.
THE STORYLINE WAS GRIPPING, OF COURSE. WILL PATTON IS THE ONLY READER FOR THESE CHARACTERS. FABULOUS!!!