Light of the World

A Dave Robicheaux Novel, Book 20

By: James Lee Burke

Narrated by: Will Patton

Length: 19 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

"America’s best novelist" (The Denver Post) and "the reigning champ of nostalgia noir" (The New York Times Book Review) introduces his most evil character yet in the 20th thriller in the best-selling Dave Robicheaux series.

A New York Times best-selling author many times over, James Lee Burke is a two-time Edgar Award-winner whose every book is cause for excitement, especially those in the wildly popular Dave Robicheaux series.

In Light of the World, sadist and serial killer Asa Surrette narrowly escaped the death penalty for the string of heinous murders he committed while capital punishment was outlawed in Kansas. But following a series of damning articles written by Dave Robicheaux’s daughter Alafair about possible other crimes committed by Surette, the killer escapes from a prison transport van and heads to Montana - where an unsuspecting Dave happens to have gone to take in the sweet summer air, accompanied by Alafair, his wife Molly, faithful partner Clete, and Clete’s newfound daughter, Gretchen Horowitz, whom listeners met in Burke’s most recent best seller Creole Belle.

"James Lee Burke remains the heavy weight champ," says New York Times best-seller Michael Connelly, "a great American novelist whose work...is unsurpassed." The master proves it once again with this harrowing novel that examines the nature of evil and pits Dave Robicheaux against the most diabolical villain he has ever faced.

©2013 James Lee Burke (P)2013 Simon & Schuster

Great quality pulp fiction for the masses

Any additional comments?

Many have commented on Burke / Patton combo. In audio book circles they most certainly must have made their mark.

If I'm ever in a hurry I just download the most recent Burke / Patton book and hit the road.
Don't even need to read the reviews.

All the virtues of a very good book are there. High end literature? No. But then that high end lit requires ones complete attention to enjoy.

These books are like going for a long walk in the bush with a talkative and interesting friend.
You still listen to everything your friend is saying, but it's not so taxing that you don't enjoy your walk. Or your friends jabbering for that matter.

Top 3 dave robicheux

What did you love best about Light of the World?

I really liked this book , tension was high all through it and you really feel yourself transported to Montana.

What other book might you compare Light of the World to and why?

Just as good as Pegasus decending and tin roof blowdown , but it has a different feel to it

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

Will Patton is amazing as usual.

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

I could not stop listening , it only took me 2 days to get through it .

Burke & Patton, doesn't get any better

When a new James Lee Burke book comes out narrated by Will Patton, I know I'm going to like it, no question. This one was no different. In western Montana for summer vacation, trouble naturally finds Dave Robicheaux and his sidekick Clete Purcell. Throw in an especially nasty bad buy and some very colorful characters and you have the makings of a good yarn. Burke's insight into human nature, his character development and the way Patton brings it out with his narration are second to none. If you've ever thought about listening to a book and haven't, these guys would be a great way to start. It's amazing how much life a narrator can bring to a good story. Enjoy!

A great series that never disappoints

What did you love best about Light of the World?

The return of Gretchen.

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

Yes, bec the two lead females are strong-willed, yet surrounded by old-fashioned, militant older males who they challenge.

Which scene was your favorite?

Whenever Gretchen or Alafair tells somebody off and they react.

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

Stubborn, old-world mentality meets with modern-age morality.

Any additional comments?

No.

Two New Orleans detectives track down child murder

James Lee Burke has put together another masterpiece that details the actions of two New Orleans detectives, out of their native element in Montana, who track down an evil mastermind who kidnaps, tortures and murders children. The plot structure, description and characterizations are all done well and make the novel interesting from beginning to end. I highly recommend this novel. Will Patton has the perfect voice for this work.

Another Astounding Book From James Lee Burke

Would you consider the audio edition of Light of the World to be better than the print version?

Absolutely,Will Patton makes the Burke characters come alive.

What other book might you compare Light of the World to and why?

Several of the Earlier books were similarly as good.

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

Yje best narrator in the business.

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

I would have if I could have but it is a lengthy book.

Any additional comments?

James Lee Burke's Characters and story lines keep getting better and better. I true master of the novel and totally unlike James Patterson who seems to deliver multiple books every year which he either writes or puts his name on to get published that are mostly total crap.

Doesn't get any better

What made the experience of listening to Light of the World the most enjoyable?

Will Pattons narration and his emphasis of the prose poetry style of JLB

What did you like best about this story?

Unique supporting characters

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

He is the perfect narrator to emasize the unique style of JLB

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

Happy that the Bobsey Twins are still in business

Any additional comments?

I can't imagine why JLB is not in theist seller list, or readers favorite

Ambiviolence, or the Bobbsey Twins Letdown

I've read/listened to every Burke/Robischeaux/Patton effort and am not quite finished with this one so maybe I should wait to write this, but a few things stand out. I know that all the books are violent but I got through that because the writing and description is so extraordinary that it didn't matter so much, but it seems a bit more acute here. I'd have to go back and listen again to some of the others for a comparison, but I find the brutality in this book unsettling when before it took a back seat.
The second problem for me is Will Patton. He's a great narrator, and his voices for Dave and Clete (especially) are spot on. Except his voicing of the women here doesn't quite work. He pushes into the higher register for Gretchen and Alafair and it sounds like a falsetto. Both women, in "real life" would have strong voices. Again, I need to go back and compare it to what he's done before, but here the high pitch is irritating.
The writing is still first rate. Burke could tell the same story in half the pages but his tendency to describe people and places and smells and light lifts up the whole experience. This is still true here, but I'd still be happy with less descriptions of the blood and stuff.
As I said I've read them all and enjoyed some more than others (faves are "Jolie Blon's Bounce," "Tin Roof Blowdown" and "Creole Belle"). Neil Young characterizes his output as "It's all one song." Burke has that characteristic too, there is a unifying theme and feeling that lifts all of his books to a remarkable level. Neil has a greater quality variance quotient than Burke, but neither is consistently great.
Writing one really good book let alone 20 is a tremendous feat so I feel a bit churlish about this note. On the other hand, this is not the best of the Burke/Robischeaux/Patton series. Those already on the train will dig this but newbies should start elsewhere.

I love this series!

What made the experience of listening to Light of the World the most enjoyable?

The narrator does an excellent job of brining the characters to life. This series is enjoyable on all levels.

White trash people

This is my first book of James Lee Burke. For mi this book is a recollection of white trash people, always in trouble, coming out of jail or going to jail, rapes, alcoholics, people without any culture, duty people.
The Will Patton does a good male voice but female voice are annoying.