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)

Marvelous cop mystery book

Would you listen to Creole Belle again? Why?

absolutely I would listen to this book again. Will Patton gives a flavor of the deep Louisiana south that is rich with texture and sense impressions. He is a great reader. He takes his time and lingers on the images so they really come to life.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The two main characters, Dave and Cleet, are just fantastic. Damaged, broken, funny, loving, richly drawn. Real characters of the South. Again, Will Patton gives each an identity with the sound of his voice and he doesn't hold back.

Any additional comments?

The author in partnership with this reader, gives a visceral sense of the air, the fog ogg the bayou, the pecan trees, the rain, the heat - and the ambience of New Orleans.

I couldn't stop listening.

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

Disturbing, hypnotic, Southern

Who was your favorite character and why?

I didn't really have a favorite. They were the kinds of main characters that I could not relate to and yet were human, earthy, filled with good and also disturbing qualities.

What about Will Patton’s performance did you like?

His reading and voice made the story. I don't think I could have finished it without his excellent rendition. I could listen to him read to me forever.

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

The book was filled with the darker sides of human nature and yet included realism. I was "moved" by men's cruelty and wanted to stop listening...but couldn't.

Any additional comments?

The story is haunting, picturesque, a literary masterpiece of words that creates reality as you listen. I believe this is a man's story or one who doesn't have trouble with vulgarity, sadism, deprivation. I'm not a writer so I'm having a hard time finding words to describe the story. You slide into it and then you can't stop listening. I have not listened to any of the author's other books. I'm not sure I want to. The images from the story are in my brain now and some of them I wish were not. Having said that, those who like these kinds of stories and characters will love this book.

Great read, many twists and turns. Reader is great

What did you like best about this story?

It is a complicated story but not confusing. Keeps your interest throughout.

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

Jeez that's a hard one. Cleet is a person who you can't help caring about despite his issues. The friendship between him and Dave is very deep and palpable.

Creole Belle

What did you love best about Creole Belle?

Liked the story line, was easy to follow, not a lot of twists and turns.

Any additional comments?

Mr. Burke's stories are becoming more and more political.

Best James Lee Burke yet

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

Have listened to 45 books since November. At the top.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Clete Purcel. Such a complicated man and yet easy to understand.

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

Dave Robicheau.

Classic Dave and Cleat

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

I always prefer audio James Lee Burke because of the reader Will Patton. Will has all the characters down perfectly. He has a great Louisianna, Creole and Cajun accents.

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

The James Lee Burke books are getting more philosophical and more interesting. Dave and Cleat are slowly getting over Viet Nam. I love all of his Dave and Cleat stories.

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

Cleat Purcell. He always sounds hassled and harried. He usually is.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Dave to Cleat "This is another mess you got us in"

Loved Creole Belle!

A combination of Burke’s beautiful writing and Patton’s voice take you to southern Louisiana like no other. You can close your eyes and almost smell the bayou country. Keep them coming Mr Burke!

One of the best I have listened to

Would you listen to Creole Belle again? Why?

The story comes alive when it is read by Will Patton. He makes the characters and keeps your attenton. He keeps the action going and brings an added beauty to the words that Burke writes.

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

Yes, it was the continuation of a previous story that I truly enjoyed. "The Glass Rainbow"..

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

Dave Robicheaux

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

Definitely entertains while on a long ride.

Emotionally and intellectually gripping

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

Will Patton's narration brings lift to the printeded version in a very special way. His subtle shift of accents seems to be a reflection of his and the the authors subconscious.

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

I could not stop listening to this book. I played it three times over... the last three chapters five times... and found new insights with each reading that profounding affected me strangely at times seeing a reflection of myself as I saw myself steering through lift's twists and turns; up and downs.Every cycle was there! Few books will touch your soul, heart and mind so intimitly.

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

Yes... several of them besides James Lee Burke... his reading of James Dickey's "Deliverence", or several of his readings of Charles Frazier' Thirteen Moons, Cold Mountain and Night Woods made these books classics for me personally. Will Patton has a very special gift for interpreting and accenting the profound. Along with Whispersync on my Kindle it truly becomes immersion reading.

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

Every emotion possible was electrified and intensified to a point reaching the pinnacle of the human experience. I was finding myself entering the soul of the characters and blending into their minds and hearts. He is by far the best narrator in the business. His reading of Faulkner's "Light in August" showed me Faulkners true genius which I never got from the print version.

Any additional comments?

I have encouraged all my friends to read this book. It will help you understand yourself better than any psychiatris tcould possiblly do and in the end make you a better and more compassionate human being. What could be better!

Fantastic Listen!!

Any additional comments?

I really enjoyed this book's story line. Very engaging and fast paced, and took you into one of the deep, dark worlds of the Bayou. Even though this is the 19th book, its the first I've listened to, but I'm looking forward to listening to the others now! What really caught my attention was the narrorator. He made it sound like more than one person was reading with his different voices for each character. Probably one of the best performances I've listened to yet!