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)

Wow..Good Book

You will be a fan once you listen to this book if you are not already. Differently not a waste of a credit because Dave and Cleat will put you through their wild ride all the way to the end of the book. I found myself sitting the car late for an appointment just wanting to hear the last detail in that story line... Will Patton is the best narrator for JLB audible books. Enjoy!!

Well written....and narrated....a great listen

Where does Creole Belle rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Creole is one of the better stories that I have listened to so far....It tells a story of a side of the New Orleans culture that is vaguely known or experienced by people outside of southern Louisiana....I may visit this story a second time in the future

Who was your favorite character and why?

Clete Purcell....he reflected ambiguity and paradoxical behavior within a persons' life quite well...the reality of things is usually not black and white but in the grey areas of life

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

No....

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

Evil disguised as righteous-ness in quite a few characters

Get past the preaching enjoy the story

As usual narration is spot on. Will Patton is a genius if a narrator. The story is good made better by the introduction of Gretchen.

Dave and Clete are Back!

I was so glad to see this series continue. The way the last book, prior to this one, ended I wasn't sure if the author decided to continue it or not. This is one of the best in the Dave Robicioux (never can spell that right, sorry!) series and I enjoyed it even more than the others (which I wasn't sure was possible). I love the narrator (Will Patton) and was a little concerned I wouldn't now that he's in the hit series Fallen Skies and takes on his own persona, but that wasn't a problem at all. He quickly became Dave (won't bother trying to spell that last name again) and I couldn't stop listening from beginning to end. Another winner from James Lee Burke who I thank for continuing this series.

Dave's back!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This was better than the last few, but I have liked them all. I feel in love with the region when I attended USL. I think I've listened to all the books in the series. A little bit of a stretch on the level of evil in the bad guys (no spoiler, but he threw the genetic/political/conniving-businessman/historical book into the pot on this group of baddies).Will Patton is a good narrator, but he should ask folks from that area how they pronounce Cypremort (Si-pra-more) Point. At least he didn't have to say pirogue (pea-row, not pi-rogue).

What did you like best about this story?

Delved into Cleet a little more, and his and Dave's ongoing enabling relationship.

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

Cleet.

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

That would spoil the surprise.

Any additional comments?

Maybe not the best one to start on, if you've never read a D.R. series novel. Purple Cane Road was the first...

Another James Lee Burke masterpiece.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Excellent read,very exciting.

What did you like best about this story?

Love the characters who all fight their own demons.

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

Love the New Orleans accent.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I couldn't get away from this book. I kept going to work out so I could listen.

Wow! Edge of my seat, stay up way too late good!

Will Patton could read me the phone book! Mr. Burke has done it again! Thanks!

One of James Lee Burkes best.

Where does Creole Belle rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

What a great book. With the words from James Lee Burke and the voice of Will Patton, you can almost feel the atmosphere and ambiance that is New Iberia. By far, one of the best in the Dave Robicheaux series.

marvelous language and descriptions

What did you like about this audiobook?

James Burke writes using wonderful descriptions, adjectives and a complete and vast expanse of vocabulary.

James Lee Burke strikes gold, Again!

Another addition to a very enjoyable series. Will Patton and J L Burke go together like, well like Licorice Spice tea and honey. The only thing i didn't like about this listen, was that it ended. Dave and his friends seem to age like like a fine wine under Mr Burke's guidance. Hope the next one is out soon.