• Pegasus Descending

  • By: James Lee Burke
  • Narrated by: Will Patton
  • Length: 11 hrs and 57 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (2,082 ratings)

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Pegasus Descending  By  cover art

Pegasus Descending

By: James Lee Burke
Narrated by: Will Patton
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Publisher's summary

A troubled young woman breezes into Detective Robicheaux's hometown of New Iberia, Louisiana. She happens to be the daughter of his friend: a friend he witnessed gunned down in a bank robbery, a tragedy that forever changed Robicheaux's life.

The twists begin when Trish Klein, the only offspring of Robicheaux's Vietnam-era buddy, starts passing marked hundred-dollar bills in local casinos. Is she a good kid gone bad? A victim's child seeking revenge? A promiscuous beauty seducing everyone good within her grasp? And can Robicheaux make peace with his friend's murder in time to figure out how a local mobster fits into all the schemes and death? Will his life be whole again when it has been shattered by so much tragedy?

In Pegasus Descending, James Lee Burke explores psyches as much as evidence, and tries to make sense of human behavior as well as his characters' crimes. Richly atmospheric, frightening in its sudden violence, and replete with the sort of puzzles only the best crime fiction creates, Burke's latest novel is an unforgettable roller coaster of passion, surprise, and regret.

©2006 James Lee Burke. All rights reserved (P)2006 Simon & Schuster. All rights reserved.

Critic reviews

"The novel is steeped in complex personality studies, lyrical prose, and richly drawn depictions of Mr. Burke's beloved bayou country." (The New York Times)
"With peerless naturalistic descriptions and lush, metaphysical imagery, Burke creates another challenging morality play for his flawed, everyman hero." (Publishers Weekly)
"Everything that makes this series so compelling - the elegiac, seductively lyrical prose; the complex character of Robicheaux; the lovingly evoked bayou setting - is here in abundance....The fact remains that no serious reader of hard-boiled fiction should ever miss a moment of Dave Robicheaux in action." (Booklist)

What listeners say about Pegasus Descending

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

He's Back!

This is the type of Robicheaux novel you would expect. He storyline in this book far succeeds the book just prior to this one. There are lot of references to his books in the series too. I liked it. Lots of twists and turns and unexpected bad guys.

Also, Will Patton found his character voices back in this one and he did a wonderdul job.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

JLB does it again

James Lee Burke (my fave writer) + Will Patten (my fave narrator) + the great character Cletus Purcell all together make for a compelling & great audiobook book worth a well spent credit. Loved it.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Amazing author and amazing narrator!

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

Duh, Monarch Little. Although he does a great job with Coco Aber, too. All around, Will Patton is just an extremely gifted narrator.

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

I just love JLB's writing style. Ex. In a flashback, Dave decided after a brief stint at sobriety to head to the bar for a drink. So he got himself all dressed up and (I paraphrase) "pretended that I could throw lighted matches into a gas can without consequence." I love the way I can enjoy the image that creates and at the same time be following a great storyline. Thank you to JLB for being such an amazing writer.

Any additional comments?

This is a good Dave Robicheaux novel. I was very engaged by the storyline throughout. The characters were memorable, but not as strong as in some of his other books. The ending came on quickly once I got to the end of the book and as I sometimes have to do at the end of a Dave novel, I had to sit and think about all the loose ends and make sure I understand how they all tied up, how everything was connected, who was responsible for what, etc. I actually listened to this audio twice, and I enjoyed it just as much the second time. Decent book, but Swan Peak is still my favorite.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Loved every word!

Burke is a masterful weaver of words and Patton's voice...the beautiful garment. I am a new and forever fan of both gentlemen.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Great listening

Would you listen to Pegasus Descending again? Why?

Mr. Burke is an exceptional writer. Mr. Patton is an exceptional narrator. Dave Robicheaux is a heck of a cop. Get this book. You will definitely find it entertaining.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Will Patton is phenomenal!

The story was excellent! If you are a fan of who-done-it detective novels you will love this one. Burke's superb plot told with Patton's gruff makes this one a real treat.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Fabulous

If you could sum up Pegasus Descending in three words, what would they be?

Lyrical, mesmerizing, beautiful

What was one of the most memorable moments of Pegasus Descending?

Any time Clete Purcell is in the scene

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

Crete Purcell

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

Just loved it

Any additional comments?

I listen to everything narrated by Will Patton - if he read the phone book I would stop everything and listen.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

A few things..

Firstly, I'm genuinely a fan of Mr. Burke's writing and also of Mr. Patton's skills as a narrator, so I make these comments as kindly as I can..
Mr. Patton, please take the time to learn how to pronounce words like beignet and pirogue, so my suspension of disbelief isn't bitch slapped, while I'm in the throes of enjoying your talents. Thank you :)
Mr. Burke, how is it possible that every person, civilian or otherwise, uses the same slang regardless of who or where they are? Most people have ways of speaking about things like "taking the bounce" that differ from each other, so it gives me pause when everyone says things exactly the same way. Also, not unlike wearing too much cologne, is the tiresome overuse of the Bobbsey Twins descriptor.. I love your writing, and those two characters, please don't make me roll my eyes. It distracts me from the narrative.
Lastly, the way you convey Dave's singular love for, and attention to, his wife is the way women anywhere would hope their men love them. Thank you for that. It's earthy and tenderly palpable. You are a very fine writer, i barely want to read anyone else.
Oh one last question, Is Trishklein one word or two? ;) Were you worried either Dave, or your readers would forget which Trish you were speaking of if Clete only referred to her by her first name only?

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Too much going on- got lost

The mastery of the Englush language is a bit overdone. Great narration, as Will Patton always does

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

My new favorite author.

This is a perfect example of author and narrator being synchronized. I will go to the next book with confidence that I'll be thoroughly entertained.

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