The Glass Rainbow

A Dave Robicheaux Novel

By: James Lee Burke

Narrated by: Will Patton

Length: 6 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's summary

James Lee Burke’s eagerly awaited new novel finds Detective Dave Robicheaux back in New Iberia, Louisiana, and embroiled in the most harrowing and dangerous case of his career. Seven young women in neighboring Jefferson Davis Parish have been brutally murdered. While the crimes have all the telltale signs of a serial killer, the death of Bernadette Latiolais, a high-school honor student, doesn’t fit: she is not the kind of hapless and marginalized victim psychopaths usually prey upon. Robicheaux and his best friend, Clete Purcel, confront Herman Stanga, a notorious pimp and crack dealer whom both men despise. When Stanga turns up dead shortly after a fierce beating by Purcel, in front of numerous witnesses, the case takes a nasty turn, and Clete’s career and life are hanging by threads over the abyss.

Adding to Robicheaux’s troubles is the matter of his daughter, Alafair, on leave from Stanford Law to put the finishing touches on her novel. Her literary pursuit has led her into the arms of Kermit Abelard, celebrated novelist and scion of a once prominent Louisiana family whose fortunes are slowly sinking into the corruption of Louisiana’s subculture. Abelard’s association with best-selling ex-convict author Robert Weingart, a man who uses and discards people like Kleenex, causes Robicheaux to fear that Alafair might be destroyed by the man she loves. As his daughter seems to drift away from him, he wonders if he has become a victim of his own paranoia. But as usual, Robicheaux’s instincts are proven correct and he finds himself dealing with a level of evil that is greater than any enemy he has confronted in the past.

Set against the backdrop of an Edenic paradise threatened by pernicious forces, James Lee Burke’s The Glass Rainbow is already being hailed as perhaps the best novel in the Robicheaux series.

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

©2010 James Lee Burke (P)2010 Simon & Schuster

Critic reviews

"MWA Grand Master Burke offers everything his readers expect--brilliant prose, prosaic situations that suddenly become mystic experiences, and a complex plot that repeatedly plumbs the depths of human depravity and the heights of nobility - in his superlative 18th novel featuring Iberia, La., deputy sheriff Dave Robicheaux." ( Publishers Weekly)

"[S]uperb suspense leading to a gripping, set-piece finale that is a masterpiece of texture and mood, with the high-energy climax in the foreground both contrasted against and supported by the intensely lyrical, heavily melancholic prose that swells and recedes underneath the action. Not to be missed by any follower of the landmark series." ( Booklist)

Dave Robicheaux: stupidest cop on the planet!

I love Burke's writing. I think I have all his Robicheaux books, but... is there a STUPIDER police detective on the planet? This character makes me want to scream! He can't see anything that would be obvious to a blind man! And he is willing to put anyone else's life in danger; his wife's, daughter's, friends, ANYONE'S, just so he can show the world how tough he is. He hasn't got the sense God gave a chicken. In fact, a chicken has common sense is spades compared to Dave Robicheaux.
No one is this stupid, are they? Please Mr. Burke, even a broken clock is right twice a day: stop making this village idiot so stupid!

Excellent Book

I am looking forward to listening to more of James Lee Burke's book and Will Patton was an excellent narrator.

Another Stellar Dave Robicheaux Book

Sadly, I did not realize I purchased an abridged version, but as usual, Will Patton, the narrator, did a superb job of voicing this Detective Dave Robicheaux story.

A number of young girls' society was not concerned with were murdered. One girl was the honor roll 17-year-old sister of a convict who sent word that he needed to talk to Robicheaux. His story was that his sister's murder had to be solved. She was not just some inconsequential prostitute but a loving and innocent girl with a great future ahead of her.

When Robicheaux begins looking in new directions at her death, he finds many low lifes and dangerous criminals as well as society people with questionable behaviors. One of those is a man dating Dave's daughter, Alafair. Dave and Clete Purcell, his friend, keep digging while the danger from those surrounding the deaths of the girls rising.

As usual, the book is gritty and violent with almost a vigilante feel to it, but it keeps you glued to the story. I highly recommend the Dave Robicheaux books by James Lee Burke.

Excellent! Highly recommend!

I’ve enjoyed every James Lee Burke book I’ve ever read and Will Patton’s amazing narration is icing on the cake! 👍