Heaven's Prisoners

By: James Lee Burke

Narrated by: Will Patton

Length: 3 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's summary

Vietnam vet Dave Robicheaux has turned in his detective's badge, is winning his battle against booze, and has left New Orleans with his wife for the tranquil beauty of the Louisiana bayou. But a plane crash on the Gulf brings a young girl into his life - and with her comes a netherworld of murder, deception and homegrown crime. Suddenly Robicheaux is confronting Bubba Rocque, a brutal hood he's known since childhood, Rocque's hungry Cajun wife, and a Federal agent with more guts than sense. In a backwater world where a swagger and a gun go further than the law, Robicheaux and those he loves are caught on a tide of violence far bigger than them all.

©1996 James Lee Burke (P)1996 Simon & Schuster Inc., AUDIOWORKS Is an Imprint of Simon & Schuster Audio Division, Simon & Schuster Inc.

Critic reviews

"Heaven's Prisoners never loses tension-strongly recommended." (The New York Times Book Review)

Unfortunately adbridged

Where does Heaven's Prisoners rank among all the audiobooks you???ve listened to so far?

It's difficult to review a book that has only partly there. Who knows what's been left out? This was only available in the abridged, so no choice. Sometimes whole characters are cut. This one has the tone of the others, as far as I can tell, but some characterizations are shallow. Or have been so shaved down as to leave little information. I think the story is probably pretty good, but I advise anyone interested to either also buy the print book, or for Audible to get the whole book. There were certain jumps in the story, usually involving a character or how they feel about something. You can tell you've missed something.

If you???ve listened to books by James Lee Burke before, how does this one compare?

This one lacks something, like the rest of the book.

What about Will Patton???s performance did you like?

The narrator's performance was fine, he is the

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

This book is short enough to listen to in one long session. It's the exasperation of the missing bits that makes you want to stamp off in a snit.

Any additional comments?

When is the whole book going to be available?

Always enjoy James lee Burke

Lots of flavour lots of feeling, it's nice to escape.I really enjoyed this book is so much fun.

Not my cup of tea (perhaps some spoilers)

Seems like Detective Dave got more upset when his brother gets shot in book one rather than what happens to Annie in book 2.

Tired of the wah-wah. Patton does a good job narrating.

Also, in both books, I think some unwarranted leaps of investigative prowess are taken.

Louisiana at its best.

this is my type of writing. I will continue with book 3. I loveDave Robicheau.

Leave the sad sex out of it a focus on a better storyline.

Yes, she was wearing white pants and had big breasts (ugh). I read a Burke book some time ago and remembered liking it but this book was drudgery. So many names to keep track of and every chapter some woman (not Dave's wife) is taking his privates into her. Just felt like seeing to much into the thoughts of a horny, pissed off drunk that most certainly votes for the right to keep and bear arms. Thought majority rooted for the fair guy that loves family and tries to do good. This character has a wife that supports, loves and sleeps with him. Why cheat all the time? Why put her in danger? Why put himself at risk? It's not in character with a guy that puts his life at risk and suffers physically to save a little girl. I'm sure I shouldn't write reviews when Im tired. Sorry. Just couldn't like this one.

May Be Short, But Packs a Punch

You do not want to miss this Dave Robicheaux story. Its number two in the series, but only available in abridged form. If you miss it, you will miss the flavor and importance of these early events which haunt Robicheaux the rest of his life, as the series continues. Being just over three hours long is plenty long to tell this story of when the plane came down and Robicheaux decides in the space of seconds to claim the sole survivor, a little girl, as his own. The heartache of the murder of his wife sends him into an alcoholic slip, after being sober and going to AA meetings. A lot of action, a lot of pain and one heck of a story.

Weak for Burke

I have read Burke and loved his great coloring, his pithy rendering of characters. Having never been on a bayou, I think I would know it if I was by his descriptions, even the smell of the place.
Now comes the real challenge> getting someone to read the work, someone who will not run the whole thing into a ditch. But, here comes Will Patton and not only are Burke's words NOT sinking beneath the lily pads, but they actually soar to new heights. So infused is Will's voice in my mind now, I cannot read Burke any longer without hearing it in Will's voice and inflection.

A rare conjunction of two wonderful talents! Crush some more mint into that Mint Julep and enjoy the trip!

Only a three hour novel??

It was an okay story but not long enough to develop a good plot. Sure not worth an Audible credit.

Just ok

Maybe I have to get used to the accent. Just did not keep me glued to my seat

Disappointed that this is abridged

Overall good. I enjoy all of the JLB books I’ve read, and Will Payton is an outstanding narrator, but I’m so disappointed to purchase a man abridged book for full price. I didn’t notice before, so I’ll be more diligent about checking in the future.