Rain Gods

A Novel

By: James Lee Burke

Narrated by: Will Patton

Length: 15 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's summary

When Hackberry Holland became sheriff of a tiny Texas town near the Mexican border, he'd hoped to leave certain things behind: his checkered reputation, his haunted dreams, and his obsessive memories of the good life with his late wife, Rie. But the discovery of the bodies of nine illegal aliens, machine-gunned to death and buried in a shallow grave behind a church, soon makes it clear that he won't escape so easily.

As Hack and Deputy Sheriff Pam Tibbs attempt to untangle the threads of this complex and grisly case, a damaged young Iraq veteran, Pete Flores, and his girlfriend, Vikki Gaddis, are running for their lives, hoping to outwit the bloodthirsty criminals who want to kill Pete for his involvement in the murders. The only trouble is, Pete doesn't know who he's running from: drunk and terrified, he fled the scene of the crime when the shooting began. And there's a long list of people who want Pete and Vikki dead: crime boss Hugo Cistranos, who hired Pete for the operation; Nick Dolan, a strip club owner and small-time gangster with revenge on his mind; and a mysterious God-fearing serial-killer-for-hire known as Preacher Jack Collins, with enigmatic motives of his own.

With the FBI, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and a host of cold-blooded killers on Pete and Vikki's trail, it's up to Sheriff Holland to find them first and figure out who's behind the mass murder before anyone else ends up dead. In this thrilling and intricate work, James Lee Burke has once again proven himself a master storyteller and a perceptive chronicler of the darkest corners of the human heart.

©2009 James Lee Burke (P)2009 Simon & Schuster Audio

fantastic story

I loved this story. The characters are human and deep and the story was wonderful. You cant beat this narrator, I couldnt wait for an excuse to keep listening to the story. Ive listened to many audiobooks and this has been one of my all time favorites.

A good listen

Thank goodness Hackberry has changed. Now that he is a sheriff, and a non-drinker we can actually care about him. This story has good pace, a good plot, and likeable characters. The narrator Will Patton has to be about the best in the business.

Another Burke/Patton Winner

Packed with complex, interesting characters involved in a crime that is so vile Sheriff Hackberry Holland can’t turn his back on it and leave it to the Feds. From that simple premise a story rich in drama, violence and heartbreak never lets off the gas. Burke’s writing sets every scene so vividly I am sweating along with the participants in that south Texas heat. PS And who can resist the sex appeal of Hackberry Holland. Phew!

This book is why I started Audible

The performance and the way that Will Patton narrates is just UNBELIEVABLE. Very consistent and so well done

Will Patton is an amazing narrator

I've seen him in movies before, but in this format his vocal abilities really shine. He puts a different voice to each character and makes them believable

Great Book

Great book and Will Patton does an amazing job. I recommend this book very highly.

GREAT narrator, tough story, ending was good

The narration rocked! The story was solid and the ending good. Yes, a solid recommendation.

great read

great read narrator Will Patton great voice that keeps you awake. The villain was scary hope to see the Preacher again.

Best James Lee Burke in years

I enjoyed Moon of the Red Ponies very much, and thought the narrator was excellent. But this one has surprised me with how good Burke still is. I thought the story was going to be predictable, but surprises appear in the plot. And Will Patton is the best at reading Burke's novels - someone had complained about his Dave Robicheaux reading not being an authentic Louisiana accent. But I don't care how accurate the accent is -- his narration of the story just knocks me out. All around recommended.

Great listen - best in a LONG time

Excellent book and narrator was on another level. Almost better than Frank Muller!

We need more quality prose.