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)

Sensational!

What did you love best about Creole Belle?

I love how Burke draws you into the characters in a way that when the book is over you can't possible read another for a peroid of time. You need to process what you have just read. More than when reading, audio books with a narrator like Will Patton, and a writer with the descriptive powers of Burke, give a very clear mental image in my mind about the lay of the land, how the characters look, feel, think. I could go on & on.

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

Randy Wayne White's, "Night Vision" and "Deep Shadow" Great characterization and intense story line. Perfect narration.

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

I only want Will Patton when listening to James Lee Burkes Dave Robicheaux novels. Will puts everthing into his narration. He distinguishers between different charactors. If narrators can't do that I would just as soon "read" the book myself.

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

This book absolutely made me cry several times. Especially at the end when Clete threw himself on the villian and risked his own life. I admire Dave & Clete and their motivations to do the right thing. It reminds me of a time when men protected & cherished their families.

Any additional comments?

I love the addition of Clete's daughter Gretchen. Hope to see more of her character interacting with Clete. Can't wait for Burke's next novel!

Typical James Lee Burke

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

If you have read James Lee Burke previously, this is his typical combination of culture, history and philosophical narrative to understanding the bayou country of Louisiana, The plot is a little more non realistic than most of the previous Dave Robicheaux Novels. It is worth listening as the narrative flows well, especially read by Will Patton. He has the dialect and the distinctive voice change to pick out the individual characters.

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

Yes and No; It flowed well but there were some districting interludes that you could of done without.

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

Yes as noted above

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

Not really

Any additional comments?

Worth the listen

I'd add stars if I could!!

Will Patton's rendition of the characters is so consistent that I've been able to imagine all of them aging as I travel through each book in the Robicheaux (sp) series. And Burke is a master story teller. Creole Belle is so visceral and thick with the darker end in the spectrum of humanity I had to take breaks. The creep factor of the Dupree family unpacks slowly, with pitch- perfect tension. Bravo, James Lee Burke! I'm all caught up on New Iberia and waiting for the next book (I mistakenly read "Light of the World" first - I recommend that too!). Grateful to have found this series so many years ago.

The best yet

Would you listen to Creole Belle again? Why?

The strory is exceptional and the story telling brings the bayou to life

What did you like best about this story?

The setting

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

His voice brings you right into the story and makes the characters real you get engrossed in the story from the very begining

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

The whole book is fantastic but the end when they are at Key West really made me think

Any additional comments?

I have always loved James Lee Burkes novels but the last two have in my miond made him the best in this genre and Will Patton is by far the best teller of Burkes tales!!

I'm addicted!

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

I've never read a print edition. Will Patton is brilliant and brings the characters to life!

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

I was on the edge of my seat in several chapters;; however, it's not the thrill that keeps me but Burke's writing. The guy is a brilliant writer. He is a master at creating a visual in the mind of the reader...and he can do it with minimal obscenities and sexual encounters which is why I stopped listening to novels that make me want to take a shower to wash off the filth
( like Tami Hoag)

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

I don't know how he does it! He can take his voice to different registers and the characters come alive. He is a 'voice magician!.'

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

Both

Always a pleasure...

Although this plot seemed to have a more disjointed flow than many of his previous novels, I would follow Burke down any story line. His descriptions are are so lush and full of character illumination as well as active plot twists, it would be near impossible to not fall into the novel's characters and world. The narration is key and stellar to the audiobook's success as is evident upon first listen. Keep them coming!!!

Wow

This is excellent, but you will not enjoy it. It will tear you apart with the tension and power of the story and the images drawn by the author. The narration is flawless. I could only stand short segments before I had to calm down by listening to something else. I recommend it with reservations because it has the power to depress you, to terrify you, and to affect you like very few stories ever will.

good story line and lots of action

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

Yes it was interesting

Who was your favorite character and why?

Tee Jolie -even tho she didn't have a huge part. And I really liked Cleat.

What about Will Patton’s performance did you like?

I liked the way he changed accents/speech for each actor

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

No I listened over several days

Will Patton should get an Oscar!

If there was an Oscar for reading, Will Patton should get it for the multi-layered work he does on the Dave Robicheaux novels of James Lee Burke. While the story at times get a tad far-fetched, the performance makes up for any small shortcomings. Well worth the buy and the listen!!

fantastic novel and great reading.

looking forward to starting the next in the series. the descriptions of life, nature and people's challenges and choices are extraordinary