Swan Peak

A Dave Robicheaux Novel

By: James Lee Burke

Narrated by: Will Patton

Length: 13 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

James Lee Burke's new novel, Swan Peak, finds Detective Robicheaux far from his New Iberia roots, attempting to relax in the untouched wilderness of rural Montana. He, his wife, and his buddy, Clete Purcell, have retreated to stay at an old friend's ranch, hoping to spend their days fishing and enjoying their distance from the harsh, gritty landscape of Louisiana post-Katrina.

But the serenity is soon shattered when two college students are found brutally murdered in the hills behind where the Robicheauxs and Purcell are staying. They quickly find themselves involved in a twisted and dangerous mystery involving a wealthy, vicious oil tycoon, his deformed brother and beautiful wife, a sexually deviant minister, an escaped con and former country-music star, and a vigilante Texas gunbull out for blood.

At the center of the storm is Clete, who cannot shake the feeling that he is being haunted by the ghosts from his past - namely Sally Dio, the mob boss he'd sabotaged and killed years before.

In this expertly drawn, gripping story, Burke deftly weaves intricate, engaging plotlines and original, compelling characters with his uniquely graceful prose. He transcends genre yet again in the latest thrilling addition to his New York Times best-selling series.

More mayhem? Listen to more of James Lee Burke's Dave Robicheaux thrillers.

©2008 James Lee Burke (P)2008 Simon and Schuster, Inc.

Could we have a prequel?

Great book. Great author and great characters. Best narrator ever. Great listening experience. I hope the bobsey twins go on to other adventures. Why not a prequel?

excellent writer and story

I listen to dozens of books a year and write for a living. I rarely give books five stars. This author can flat out write and the narrator is excellent. People who rate this under four stars do not appreciate superior writing.

Enjoyed

Kept me interested through out the book
Will order other books by him
I would recommend this for other to listen

Great book

Different place but same great story. Author is a master storyteller. He has a new book coming soon!

Will Patton is terrific!

I am an avid mystery reader/lister and always on the lookout for a new series to grab me. James Lee Burke's Dave Robicheaux novels did just that. I started with Swan Peak and am now on my third book in the series (Tin Roof Blowdown and Crusader's Crossing). I especially like Will Patton as the narrator. Although the plots are complex, I can follow them as they are exciting and clever. The novels are also humorous at times (Dave's friend Clete) yet beautifully written, the characters intriguing. I highly recommend trying a Burke novel if you like mysteries. If you're a Michael Connelly fan, then Burke might be for you.

Rough language

Great plot, kept me very interested. Loved the authors ability to paint a visual picture. The only negative for me was the language. I don't enjoy reading/hearing the "f" word used as much as it was.

WOW! You won't be dissappointed

Will Patton reading James Lee Burke is like music to the ears! Absolutely beautiful. I found myself driving the long way home just to get further along in the story... and with gas prices what they are... that's saying something!

I particularly enjoyed Swan Peak because it features the same great New Orleans characters in an absolutely beautiful setting.

For those of you who enjoy James Lee Burke's Dave Robicheaux series, you will not be dissappointed.

If this is the first in the series you're considering, I would go back a few and maybe start with something like Crusader's Cross, then Tin Roof Blowdown, then Swan Peak. With the brilliant character development Burke does, I feel it's important to be introduced to the main characters on their own turf "pre-Katrina" then "post-Katrina"... then enjoy their run-ins with the Montana folk!

James Lee Burke is not for the faint of heart. Expect violence and strong sexual language. If that sort of thing doesn't bother you... you'll be hooked!

Patton and Burke will have you from jumpstreet.

Wow do I love this duo. I don't get excited about too many things but this combo of writer and narrator are the best I have come across. Get this book and tell your friends. I hope they both know how much joy they bring to peoples lives.

Swan Peak: Enjoyable And Satisfying

An enjoyable listen. I listen to audiobooks to be entertained and as a distraction from something mundane that I am doing like vacuuming or cleaning. With Burke's novels, I get fully engaged in the plot and is entertained by the fun and engaging characters of Dave and Clete.

Detective Robicheaux, his wife, and his buddy, Clete Purcell are vacationing in Montana at a friend's ranch. Their vacation is disrupted by murder. Yes, the plots of the Robicheaux novels are a bit formulaic but I like the formula. The publisher's summary gives a very good outline of the plot.

In this novel, Burke deviates a little from the usual formula in that in this story the really bad guy is totally unexpected and pretty much appears "out of nowhere" in the last few chapters of the novel. The violence is pretty high... even Dave is heavy handed (unusually violent) in this one. Some of the acts committed by Dave and Clete are not much better than those committed by the criminals. You always have to wonder how they will justify themselves and escape being sent to jail, they always get away with the crimes of voilence they commit. Dave and Clete are flawed to perfection! Suspend disbelief and enjoy!

Will Patton is his usual excellent self... Recommend...

Wow!

Tin Roof Blowdown was the first Dave Robicheaux novel that I listened to and Swan Peak is the second. I'm not sure who's better: James Lee Burke, the author, or Will Patton, the narrator. The combination is terrific. I can't stop recommending the author to everyone I know that enjoys great reading. I can't wait for the next in the series and just hope that Will Patton is the narrator.