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

Patton & Burke: A Perfect Combo

I'm a Robicheaux/Purcell fan, so don't look to me for the most objective of reviews.

Dave seems to have left his maudlin, end-of-life worldview behind since the last couple of books, and Clete is as sparkling and ridiculous as ever. The plot contains its usual bunch of miscreants and mean rich people doing unspeakable things.

The real star of this book was Montana's Bitterroot Valley, which Burke captures in such evocative detail that it almost drives you out the door to head west. The guy is a landscape poet.

Gretchen, Alafair and Molly all have roles in this book, although I don't enjoy them. Alafair is such a hard character - but she never fought in Vietnam, she never worked for NOPD - she's just a stubborn and lippy pain in the butt. Gretchen, who's had a crappy life, is a much more sympathetic character and softer, even though she kills a few folks.

Will Patton nails the narrative - a perfect fit for Burke.

Great,

I plan on reading more Dave Robicheaux novels very soon. This was an audio book and anything narrated by Will Patton is worth reading. He is fantastic at his job.
James Lee Burke, thanks for a wonderful book. The crazy times just added to the story.

Bust em or Dust em Noble mon

For all you Clete Purcell fans out there, the ending of this book is will leave you buzzing!

one of his best ever

this is a great audiobook enjoyed it from start to finish James Lee Burke is one of the greatest writers I have ever heard of and Will Patton is the best reader of audio books nobody even comes close to him he's the absolute best he has the rare ability to change his voice for each character very few narrators can do that I will listen to this audiobook over and over again it was terrific

Excellent Listen

Interesting development of characters and the reader really made them come alive. So 5 stars for the book and 5 more for the reader's interpretation.

I've heard it before

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

As a reader and listener of Burke's novels I've eagerly awaited each new book in whatever series he has written. I'm a huge fan of Dave and Clete but I just heard too many story lines and similar characters in other books.

As usual, Will Patton's narration is spot on. I love each character and how he allows the writing to be the "voice", not his voice.

Worth listening to....yes....But not quite what I was hoping..

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

Too many similar characters from other novels

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

Dead on. I'd repurchase Burke's novels if he redid those done by Mark Hammer

Was Light of the World worth the listening time?

Yes..

Another Outstanding Book by James Lee Burke.

The prose from Mr Burke transports you to another world. He can pick you up and deposit you hook, line, & sinker into a different reality. He is a masterful story teller, perhaps the best there is.

His Best Yet

This was the 1st of his books I ever read. I was so enthralled with it I went to the beginning and got all 19 others. this was still my favorite but why it is I'm still not sure.

Good as always

Would you listen to Light of the World again? Why?

Yes

Who was your favorite character and why?

Dave Robicheaux

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

Dave Robicheaux

Any additional comments?

I thoroughly enjoy the Burke method of character development and story. This book was superb.

Must read for James Lee Burke fans

Storyline was great, lots of action. Hard to distinguish between characters, because of narrator. the female voices he used were very masculine and hard to hear the difference between characters