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

My new favorite by James Lee Burke!!

I was hooked from the beginning.. A truly riveting story!! Will Patton just gets better and better!!

Might be my Fav Burke and Patton

Burke’s eloquence, snippets of wisdom, and random observations are as enjoyable as the story itself.

The Bobbsey Twins from Homicide are Back!

James Lee Burke writes in his usual poetic literary form that paints a vivid & authentic picture in ur mind like a painter on a white canvas while Will Patton, who I believe is the ONLY voice of the series does an amazing job as always creating a distinct voice for every character. The last book 'Creole Belle' is one of my favorite books in the series although I was forced to either listen to an abridged version of books before 'Crusaders Cross' to listen for Patton narration or read the hard copy, because I refuse to listen to Mark Hammer & his monotone voice that literally puts me to sleep. I'm not from the south, & Hammer could very well have a great southern voice but its the only 1 voice he uses for every character.

What happens when a rodeo clown, his mysterious girlfriend, an escaped serial killer looking for Alafair, ex hit-girl (kinda), & a family of malicious 'old-money' Montanan-ian's walk into a bar where the Robicheaux family, Clete, & reformed daughter are spending vacation time in?? Well, u know one fact for sure... things won't turn out all copasetic. I've felt that in the last few books the relationship divide between Dave & Clete was morphing into something new, but I think in this book the duo falls back to old times. Dave continues to battle his demons while giving an internal dialogue that borders on a meta-physical/profiling examinaton of the nature of evil in each slimy character, dialogue, & events that occur (there is a great line that Dave says suggesting he needs a chaperone when examining the depths of his own mind); while Clete leaves the analytical for Dave & just wants to rock & roll; BUT instead of trying to tame the animal that lives in Clete, Dave just lets his friend live & let be because he's not the only one that 'needs to/feels obligated to' watch his friends back anymore; just like Clete can't think of only himself anymore now, he has years he feels responsible to make up for with lost family... This dynamic between friends & family is a great storyline in itself, but add to it a serial killer whose determined to pay back the favor Alafair did for him in writing during his trial & how any of these random people & encounters can somehow be a small part of an overall larger & much more sinister picture is exactly what Burke does best. No one does skin crawling evil like Burke & u won't be disappointed.

I can't say this is the best that Burke has written in the series, considering the last 3-5 books he's written were spectacular but most books that are only average for Burke would be a highlight for another author. No one matches DLB's writing style & how he can transport the reader from the swamps of Louisiana or this case the wild outdoors of Montana. Cheers Clete, & the Dr. Pepper is on me Dave because its well worth the credit...

Great Book!

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

Absolutely without hesitation

What was one of the most memorable moments of Light of the World?

The whole book from beginning to end was interesting, intriguing, fast paced, mysterious, & a few dozen other good words.

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

All of them!!!!!!

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

No but I stayed with it until it was done. That made me feel lkie a rodeo rider.

Any additional comments?

Man what a book!!! I even looked up the author & narrator on the Internet to see what they looked like & that was fun.

I've read them all this one is the best so far.

I read all the Dave robicheaux novels in order a couple of them have aggravated me. the rider has been annoying at times especially with Dave's character portraying him as a bumbling fool. however this one is my absolute favorite. Clete Purcell is one of my favorite literary characters of all time.

This is JLB killing BTK, I think!

Divine retribution! This book (although violent & scary at times) made me laugh out loud, as I think it does to BTK what Quentin Tarantino did to the Manson family. If only…;-).

Good story, great narration!

I really enjoy the writing style of JLB, and have listened to all of the Robicheaux novels. This book is classic JLB and will not disappoint those followers of the Robicheaux/Purcell escapades. The characters are complex and the details true to form. I do enjoy the ones set in south Louisiana better (but that's just because I love that area it's rich history). Will Patton is a master narrator (as usual) and really brings all the characters to life.

Dave and Clete are at their best, never dull

If you could sum up Light of the World in three words, what would they be?

Twisted, provocative, Redeeming

Who was your favorite character and why?

Clete, I love Dave and without him their would be no sanity, but Clete is so raw and honest and the balance that keeps the story real. I would love to see this book made into a movie and find out who would be cast as Clete.

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

Will Patton has the ability to be so many characters. I wish that all the Dave Robicheaux novels were narrated by Will. There are books in the series that I can't listen to because of the narrator. Will has a clear voice with just the right accents. He varies his voice for the individual characters and paints such a picture that I can see the landscape and people as if I was there.

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

Evil wins....or does it?

Any additional comments?

I cant wait for the next book, I know it takes Burke a long time to write one novel and me only days to swallow it up barely digesting it before I am ready for the next.

The osmosis of evil

Where does Light of the World rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

about in the middle

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

Burke's books

What about Will Patton’s performance did you like?

Incredibly good changes of voice and accent for each character

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

No

Any additional comments?

It's a good story but pretty heavy on the evil and deranged minds. Sometimes I had to shut it off-- feeling too much like I was absorbing the vibes of bad company.

What a Writer!

James Lee Burke, one of America's best writers. Ever. Ten eleven twelve thirteen fourteen fifteen.