Pegasus Descending

By: James Lee Burke

Narrated by: Will Patton

Length: 11 hrs and 57 mins

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)

Engrossing & Complex

My second time through this skillfully written & read audiobook. Burke & Patton are an unbeatable combination. Burke's thickly woven plots are greatly augmented by Patton's skills as a verbal guide through the moody miasma of Bayou Tesh.

The Synergy of Will Patton & James Lee Burke.

...is truly masterful. Burke is a master storyteller and Patton's Charleston roots and acting saavy make for the perfect delivery.

This is a story of revenge, life coming full circle for a haunted detetective and the evil housed in the criminals in New Orleans. I know without asking how deeply Burke loves New Orleans. Yet he chooses to expose the corruption and twisted evil seemingly embraced and even celebrated by its citizens. Before we lose hope, there is always a sliver of redemption throughout this magnificent series.

As always, there is an atmosphere of danger and suspense from beginning to end. If you haven't read a Burke novel, now is the time to do so.

Great, with a bonus of a little sense of humor

I love this series for the same reason the other reviewers have listed. The imagery, the unending depth of the characters, and the story lines that are complex without losing you. But one of my favorite parts of this story was the FBI agent who was charmingly bumbling. I laughed outloud (in public) a few times during this story, mostly when she was involved. In the end, it was a little odd, because she didn't end up playing a key role in the story--I hope he brings her back in future books.
I love Burke, I respect his views, I love his themes. This series gets better and better.

Bravo

When I find myself not wanting to get out of the car, running in the house to continue where I left off, and finding reasons to listen to a book, I know I have found a winner. <p> This is one of those books, and I picked it off the best sellers list; a first for me. <p><b> I put the rest of his books on my wish list. <p> <b> Bravo, is all I need to say........ </b>

Once again, I am left with deep thoughts.

Is there a killer in each of us? When is killing ever justified?
Every time I finish a book of Mr. Burke's, I am sure it is the best one. The writing is not just passion, intrigue or morality. The words are flowing poetry that you can touch, taste and smell.

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.

Pretty good

Good listen, follows the same lines as the other books in its series. Easy to follow.

Well told tale

Will Patton does a great job with an interesting story.

Will Patton was great!

This is my first James Lee Burke (Dave Robicheaux) mystery and at first I wasn’t sure I would be able to finish it. To me, the story was very confusing until the very end. There are lots of characters and, even though Mr. Patton did a great job of voicing them, it was still hard to follow.
I have another Robicheaux book in my library so I will give that one a try before giving up on Mr. Burke.

Pegasus Decending

Outstanding story loaded with colorful, interesting characters. Genuine Burke with a carefully plotted New Orleans landscape.