A Morning for Flamingoes

A Dave Robicheaux Novel

By: James Lee Burke

Narrated by: Mark Hammer

Length: 12 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

Dave Robicheaux felt the bone-grinding pain rip through his body as the .45 did its damage. Through the agonizing haze that enveloped him, he heard an almost inhuman laugh: the hideous, victorious cackling of Jimmie Lee Boggs - a sound he would never forget.

It had started out as an ordinary prisoner transfer, then turned into a blood bath when the convicted murderer got hold of a gun. Robicheaux could still hear that contemptible laughter, replacing the horrors from 'Nam he relived every night, echoing in the still of his darkened bedroom.

When Boggs is spotted in New Orleans, Robicheaux follows, joining a DEA sting operation in the Quarter. Poised for revenge, he prepares to face his fears and silence the laughter once and for all. But, in the murky water of the Pearl River, Robicheaux finds that some things are more important than sweet, simple revenge.

More mayhem? Listen to another of James Lee Burke's Dave Robicheaux thrillers.

©1990 James Lee Burke (P)1993 Recorded Books

Critic reviews

"A highly spiced gumbo of vice, violence, voodoo." ( Observer)

Good solid story

Would you listen to A Morning for Flamingoes again? Why?

I would listen to this book again because I love this series. Dave Robicheaux is such a likeable character that I almost think of him as real.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Dave's best friend Cleet is great. He is funny and helps move the story along in a way only cleet could do.

Which scene was your favorite?

In the very beginning when Dave got shot was so interesting I found myself driving home the long way just so I could listen longer.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No it took me a couple of days to listen to this book. Not for lack of trying though.

Any additional comments?

Good book, great series

A review of A Morning for Flamingos

I have always enjoyed the writing of James Lee Burke. Having lived, fished and hunted the sites in which he sets his tomes, I can picture what he sees in my minds eye.

Buy the setup, it's fined

James Lee Burke writes poetry. He wrote it better in the last book in this series, but it's still very fine here. I had trouble buying Dave Robicheaux's motivation for this undercover adventure. Wuddahell, I suspended disbelief and let the thing drift along like a log on the salt. Glad I did. Again Mark Hammer grabbed my imagination like a gator's jaws, and held fast through the rich imagery till the end. Yep, it'll be good to visit with Dave again.

Tedious

Not an awful book, but the narrator's voice is tedious - enough to put you to sleep.

One of my favorites if this series

The narrator is so good with all the characters. And the writing is evocative. I feel transported into the places in the story.

a good early one by Burke in the Robicheaux series

I started somewhere in the middle with the Dave Robicheaux series and have listened to them all going forward from there. I got this one on a 2 for 1 audible sale and didn't notice that Mark Hammer not Will Patton was the narrator. To me, Will Patton is Dave Robicheaux and Hackberry Holland, he is James Lee Burke's characters. I didn't think I'd listened to any by Hammer but when I looked through my audible history I had. I would never turn down a good Burke book, especially since I'd already bought it. But like most novels, after initially thinking about Patton not being the narrator I got into the story and quit thinking about who the narrator was, the story just flowed. I still prefer Patton but Hammer is OK.

In the end it was still all about the characters that Burke created, his insight into human nature, his flowery writing style, and the stories themselves. This one was no different. There are some south Louisiana nasties he's in contact with, he's just beginning to work with Clete Purcell, and there are some women. Dave has lived and lives quite the life. I will eventually get to all of the books in the series. It will be a sad day when Burke writes no more.

I've fallen in love again

James Lee Burke infuses his scenes and character with such detail and color....I can almost taste, smell and feel all that he describes. His heroes are truly human...good men, but troubled, tortured and imperfect as are all of us. Nothing comes easily for them....and they are often torn and undecided. Hey, I can relate. Love these books, love the series.

A great story that keeps you engaged

A great story that keeps you engaged and wanting more ;) I think I am hooked ;)

Narrator Mark Hammer really grew on me.

Compared to the previous 3 novels, this book takes a different direction by placing Dave Robicheaux under cover. However, it still has the same feel as the other books. Although I prefer Will Patton as the narrator, I felt Mark Hammer did an exceptional job during this book (as compared to Black Cherry Blues). I wasn't crazy about him in Black Cherry Blues. If you enjoyed the first 3 books, definitely check this one out. Its one of my favorites so far.

James lee Burke and mark hammer Great match!!!

There is nothing like being able to listen to book versus reading it yourself. Mark Hammer is the voice that helps you feel like you are a part of the story. I like Will Payton but I will miss Mark. I have listened to this series many times and it never gets dull.