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)

Sublime

pissy insights into The Human Condition at its post the now and it's most horrific for a descriptions of the very ordinary and the most profound

Horrible narrator

I love JLB's books read by Patton. Tried this one since it was on sale. The pace of the narration totally distracts from the story. It is so bad, I have no idea what the story is even about. Hammer makes every character sound like the same on.
If you like JLB, read them if they are narrated by this guy.

Have Will Patton re-record these!

I am a huge fan of James Lee Burke. His is, literally, a poet of a novelist. His words bring the history, culture, and people of Louisiana to life. You come to know these people, to see, feel, hear, and know the things they know. He is, in a word, one of the very best writers I have ever read.

Now for the however - - - Hammer is a NIGHTMARE!!!! I don't know where this man grew up, but I have a sneaky suspicion he is a something like a New Jersey native, as he certainly isn't Southern! I don't know if I find him more phony, hokey, or just plain obnoxious. I have to hold my sides and laugh hysterically when I see people who have apparently never stepped foot in Louisiana, or possibly even the South, raving about what a wonderful "Southern" reader Hammer is. Believe me - - this is NOT Louisiana Cajun, in any shape, form, or fashion! Obnoxious...... especially when he forgets to play up his phony southern accent and drops into his normal accent - is that New Jersey? New York? It certainly isn't Cajun! In addition, if you are going to read the book, it would be really nice if you would at least look up how the names of towns and the names of people are ACTUALLY PRONOUNCED. What a mess. It made my skin crawl trying to listen to him.

Will Patton IS Dave Robicheaux. The accent, the smooth delivery, the pronunciations - all are spot on. He pulls you into the story, makes you a part of Burke's world, and leaves you wanting more.

Here's a shout-out to Recorded Books:

When you are deciding on a narrator for a particular book, actually LISTEN to the prospective narrator before you make a decision on who does the reading. If the reader is distracting, doesn't fit the language, or sounds irritating for any reason, whether it be a lousy accent like Hammer or droning pitch, etc., it is going to RUIN the experience. I can't tell you how many times I have failed to purchase the (more expensive!) audio books of certain authors because I can't stand the narrator.

I buy a LOT of books - they are my entertainment, rather than sitting and watching the idiot box. And most of my books (over 600 at last count) are in AUDIO form. I listen to books just about every minute I am not sleeping or working. Losing out on good authors because of bad narrators is really disappointing.

Would really LOVE IT if you would re-record these masterpieces of Southern literature with Will Patton. I would be the first lined up to buy them!

Great Book

Bought this book on sale last year because I love how James Lee Burke always makes the characters in his stories believable. The narration was not the best... but I got used to it. So, if you are able to get this book on sale... and you are already a fan of JLB, this will be a great choice.

Wonderful surprise!

This was the 1st Robicheaux I ever read; afterward, I bought the books from Neon Rain up to Flamingos & have read every book since. So I know the story. The surprise was Mark Hammer's performance. (yes, a performance more than a 'reading') I will buy every single Burke audio-book that involves Hammer!

great book

loved this book, like all James Lee Burke. Great story with lots of excitement loved the characters

Good storyline.

The storyline was good but I got lost in the unnecessary descriptions of unimportant factors sometimes. Some characters were ecplored too much, others not enough. Overall, good Robicheaux novel.

Another winner

Well written. Fast paced, nicely written, believable characters, Burke is a master story teller. Even better second time around.

can't put it down

keeps you guessing. Dave is a unique character. Sad at times but always a good friend.

Awesome book!

This book was a good story which is narrated very well. I could listen to this one over and over. The fact that the setting is New Orleans is a bonus because the storyline edges along the superstitious nature of modern times and the dark voodoo from the past.