The Glass Rainbow

A Dave Robicheaux Novel

By: James Lee Burke

Narrated by: Will Patton

Length: 15 hrs and 8 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)

Glass Rainbow

I read each and every one of your Burke's books to this point and this without a doubt is the best one.

And again on the edge of my chair!

What made the experience of listening to The Glass Rainbow the most enjoyable?

Will Pattons performance, of course! His ability to define each and every character is an exciting listening experience.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Dave Robichaux.......so sad, heartbreaking honest, but totally loyal to his friends. Never shy
to speak his his mind!

What does Will Patton bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

His voice has the ability to transfer you into 'Cajun Country'........his talent allows you to feel the humidity of the hot Summer nights as well as the brutality of a mean fist fight! Hard to explain.........must listen to comprehent :-)

Great Performance

Where does The Glass Rainbow rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

TOP 5 BUT I WOULD HAVE LIKED A BETTER ENDING, MORE DEFINED...

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Glass Rainbow?

WHEN DAVE & CLETE WERE DISCUSSING THE FEMALE SHERIFF'S SEXUAL ENCOUNTERS AFTER SHE HAD BEEN WITH CLETE....

What about Will Patton’s performance did you like?

HIS VOICES ARE JUST GREAT....HIS CLETE'S VOICE JUST CRACKS ME UP....

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

LAUGHED OUT LOAD A FEW TIME'S, MOST WHEN HEARING CLETE'S VOICE/CHARACTER

Any additional comments?

IT DID KEEP ME INTERESTED....

Best Yet

Best Burke novel I’ve read so far out of three. Colorful characters with a very good story line. Love the integrity of Dave Robicheauz and in his own special way, Cleet too.

Maybe best Dave Robichaux so far

This version didn’t drift into deep Viet Nam catharsis ir mystic dreaming other than related to story. Pacing was smooth and crescendoed all the way to the end.

Really enjoyed this one...

Burke always delivers great tough crime stories. Dialogue and writing are excellent. And patton is perfect

Wow. Great listen and amazing characters. Thanks and bring on more 👏👏

Multiple characters make it hard to keep straight. But it is a major part of the story.

First Jack Reacher, now Dave??? Clete???

This book is worth listening to just for the description of Clete Purcell given by Dave in the early portion of the book. Burke is at his best in this book with beautiful writing, though I sorta had everything figured out before it happened and that might be because I've read all his books 2-3 times. I had a hard time with the mercenaries too. I least like his stories when the family is brought into it. Alafair, to me, after her childhood has been an uninteresting character and I didn't particularly like her in this book.

However, after writing the above complaints, it was a get go book from the start and it was very hard to put down when I had other things to do. His prose is beautiful, the setting gorgeous, and the Bobsey Twins of Homicide are at their best and most loyal.

Will Patton is the best narrator around, hands down. Other narrators should listen and learn (do you hear me Scott Brick?).

His very best

I love all the James Lee Burke novels. This one is the best ever. Will Patton takes you into the heart of David Robichdaux and you can see through his eyes and feel the pain in his heart.

Perfect Word Pictures & Story. Do This Book!!

This was my first JLB novel if you can believe that. I was thirsting for a new author having had some recent disappointments. I struck pure, sparkling clear water with Rainbow, and have 2 more Dave Robicheaux episodes in the cart. I appreciate the reviews here, both good and bad, but I am now more than willing to explore for myself.

I am older and wiser at this time in my life. I have stories of my own to tell, and I love a good story. I am not a finicky reader, being pretty easy to entertain. That said, "Rainbow" did entertain better than Bourbon Street on a Saturday night! I love New Orleans! Our last trip there was 2003 and we had such a good time. JLB painted perfect word pictures bringing back some favorite memories of rub boards, Bayou Teche and crawfish etouffee. Some not so good memories were also brought back by JLB's short soirees into the Vietnam debacle. In 1966, I was an Army aviator in country for 13 months in III Corps. The author handled this sidebar in Robicheaux's life perfectly, neither preaching nor giving it too much ink. The effect of combat on ones physique was nevertheless illuminated in a clear manor.

I have a daughter who was a Navy Combat Field Medic during Desert Storm. Robicheaux's relationship with his daughter Alafair (what a great name) was so poignant yet painted beautifully as intellectual equals. Again, such good memories brought back of my little girl growing up too fast. Father and daughter as developed by JLB will take you on a thrilling swamp boat ride into a most unusual relationship.

The bad guys were very bad, and the good guys were human . . . imperfect but engaging. And Clete Purcel, everyone should have a comrade like Clete. Listeners will love getting to know Clete! I was a little worried about the inclusion of spectres as I am not a fan of the supernatural. Once again, JLB was perfect with this part of the story. The ending was phenomenal. It was so believable and moving! 7 stars! A winner!!