Creole Belle

A Dave Robicheaux Novel, Book 19

By: James Lee Burke

Narrated by: Will Patton

Length: 18 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

Dave Robicheaux is back, in a gorgeously written, visceral thriller by James Lee Burke, “the heavy weight champ, a great American novelist whose work, taken individually or as a whole, is unsurpassed” (Michael Connelly).

Creole Belle begins where the last book in the Dave Robicheaux series, The Glass Rainbow, ended. Dave is in a recovery unit in New Orleans, where a Creole girl named Tee Jolie Melton visits him and leaves him an iPod with the country blues song "Creole Belle" on it. Then she disappears. Dave becomes obsessed with the song and the memory of Tee Jolie and goes in search of her sister, who later turns up inside a block of ice floating in the Gulf. Meanwhile, there has been an oil well blowout on the Gulf, threatening the cherished environs of the bayous.

Creole Belle is James Lee Burke at his very best, with beloved series hero Dave Robicheaux leading the charge against the destruction of both the land and the people he has sworn to protect.

©2012 James Lee Burke (P)2012 Simon & Schuster

Critic reviews

“This tale plays out much like The Glass Rainbow—intimations of mortality; melancholic musing on the pillaging of once-Edenic South Louisiana; cathartic, guns-blazing climax—but, as always, Burke brings something new to the table...Dave and Clete may still be unbowed, but they are certainly broken—and all the more interesting for it.” ( Booklist)

“Another stunner from a modern master.” ( Publishers Weekly)

“Great news for readers who feared that Burke had left Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Deputy Dave Robicheaux dying at the end of The Glass Rainbow (2010); Dave and his old friend Clete Purcel are back for an even more heaven-storming round of homicide, New Orleans–style.... A darkly magnificent treat for Dave’s legion of admirers.” ( Kirkus Reviews)

Corruption, Violence, Oil, Greed, and great Evil

As Dave recovers in the hospital, he receives a late-night visit from a troubled young woman. Shortly after, he realizes that the woman, Tee Jolie Melton, is in trouble.

Meanwhile, Clete is visited by thugs who claim he owes them money from a long settled debt. While tracking these thugs, he finds one is dead and sees another executed. This becomes a mystery he must solve since it is likely he could be blamed. Enter the daughter he never got to know who happens to be a trained assassin.

When Dave returns to work, he tries to find Tee Jolie while also helping Clete. The two soon discover that everything - Clete's daughter, the missing woman, the mysterious debt, and the dead men - are all involved in some way to one evil family.

An awful lot is going on in this book, requiring one really pay close attention. As is usual with the Robicheaux series, the book is full of action and violence as well as the lore and flavor of New Orleans.

finally a will patton narration i liked

I have yet to really like any recording by Will Patton. His voice is so calm and monotonous that it puts you to sleep. Not here though! He was brilliant! I felt like I was really in the Bayou. The story was rich with dialogue, characters and settings. I was surprised though that I kind of lost interest during the last few chapters. First two thirds of book was much stronger.

Dave is ready to retire

As much as I love them, Burke has worn out these characters. David Robicheaux and Clete Purcell need to retire or Burke needs to find a new formula. Everything that made Robicheaux amazing has been wrung out of his character, and the only thing I can see that might save Dave is if Burke can take him to a new level. I wish that Burke would promote Dave to head the Sheriff's office and bring in a new, younger character for Dave to mentor and guide. Or perhaps Dave retires and takes up a PI license and a younger partner. Perhaps Alifair could fall in love with a young cop from New Orleans and bring him to Iberia Parish to be taught by her Dad. Clete could continue to be the thorn in Dave's side, but he is just too damned old to go on being that reckless and still get out of bed in the morning.

David Robicheaux is an old man. So is Clete. By trying to keep Dave from "living" his age (and Clete from dying from the abuse of his aged body,) Burke is turning Dave into a caricature and Clete into a cartoon. It makes me sad.

Robicheaux fans will probably like the book. It isn't going to get Burke any new fans.

As Usual, Another Masterpiece

Depth and detail by author of not only the story but the region and history paints a tapestry that brings the ages of the south and its various cultures to make a masterpiece of reading one cannot put down. The only disappointment is in that that it ends.

Second time I've purchased this title!

It's obvious that I *love* the Robicheaux series. What I DON'T love is Audible "vanishing" purchased titles from my archives!

Six stars out of five!

Would you consider the audio edition of Creole Belle to be better than the print version?

Absolutely! Thanks to Will Patton!

Who was your favorite character and why?

It is difficult to determine a favorite character because James Lee Burke creates characters like Charles Dickens did years ago. They are alive; they are vivid; they are complex; they are real people with their heroic abilities and lingering weaknesses. They fight injustice; they take on corrupt corporations, government and evil people and they also fight their own demons. That said, Dave Robicheaux is one of my favorite characters in all literature. And in the J L Burke series, dear old lovable Cletis is not far behind.

Which character – as performed by Will Patton – was your favorite?

See above

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Most moments in a James Lee Burke novel are moving and I consider "Creole Belle" as one of his best. This novel is filled with memorable and deeply moving scenes; Clete's revelation to Gretchen particularly moved me.

Any additional comments?

This is something I've never done before. I finished "Creole Belle" and then went immediately back to the beginning and I'm now re-listening to the story. James Lee Burke takes on the BP oil spill off the Gulf coast, Nazi war criminals, systemic racism, human torture, complacent law officers and other manifestations of the "dark clouds" of humanity. However, amid this battle waged primarily by Dave and his loyal and dangerous friend, Clete, there is humor (I thought this was J L Burke's most humorous work), there is love between fathers and daughters, husband and wife, friends, colleagues - and all clothed in the author's beautiful poetic language.
I believe many books and stories are read and forgotten. "Creole Belle" will stay with you as long as you live.
And long live James Lee Burke! Long live Will Patton!

As wonderful as ever.

Would you consider the audio edition of Creole Belle to be better than the print version?

Yes! Thanks to Will Patton. He makes the story live.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Yes. Love the characters. Like seeing old friends.

Have you listened to any of Will Patton’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

He is the only one that should ever be allowed to preform this series.

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

Yes.

Any additional comments?

Mr. Burke can't write this series as fast as I would listen to them.

Outstanding!

Any additional comments?

Burke's writing is lovely (as always), the story is complex and interesting, the characters are compelling, and Will Patton brings the story to life. This one is very dark, but not heavy handed. I have come to adore these characters--even the bad guys. As most Audible listeners will agree, the narrator can make or break a novel. Will Patton is among the very best narrators. I think the guy could make the classified section of a small town newspaper hard to turn off! Combine him with a novelist like Burke and you've got a winner. If only EVERY audio book could be this good! I'm tempted to postpone using my next credit in favor of listening to this book again. Get it! You'll be glad you did!

Best Robicheaux yet

Creole Belle is even more colorful that past Robicheaux novels. The twists in the story were extra fun, and there was an addition of just great characters for Dave and Clete to bounce off of. The climax was great. All of the same Burke charms are in tact while making the story even better. I would recommend this book to people who haven't followed this series, it's that good.

Once again KUDOs for the Bobbsey Twins Of Homicide

If you could sum up Creole Belle in three words, what would they be?

Twists and feints

What other book might you compare Creole Belle to and why?

I thought it was the best Dave Robicheaux story to date

What does Will Patton bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He brings his soft, Southern Gentleman accent, and his ability to differentiate via dialect between the players. It is always possible to know when it is Clete speaking, or Dave, or any of the other many players.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I had a 24 hour delay in listening to the rest of the book. At one point in the book, toward the end, many of the protagonists are in dire straits, and I found myself wondering throughout the 24 hour period just how James Lee Burke could possibly pull THIS rabbit out of the hat!

Any additional comments?

I eagerly await each new book in this series. I have yet to be disappointed. I highly recommend this series.