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)

Great as always

Burke's writing combined with Patton's narration makes for a great audiobook....as always when Burke and Patton team up.

James Lee Burke should win the National Book Award

James Lee Burke is the best writer in the US, period. He gets no respect because of his genre. But listening to him is as close to literary heaven as one can get. Every book he has written is great and I wish Audible would publish all of his books so I can listen to every one.

Great Writing, Good Plot... But.....

I agree with the other reviewers who commented that the writing is rich and poetic, and when compared to other novels their writings are lacking. I can listen to Will Patton perform Burke's poetic stories all day long, but like another reviewer said the performance of the female parts is a bit dull and they all sounds the same. Yet, it does not take away from the overall goodness of the performance.

Also, I thought Alafair's trust of her homosexual ex-boyfriend was a little too much, especially after learning that he was homosexual. Why would she not only let him get into her car, but let him get in behind the wheel and take her keys!. Anyway, that part of the story seemed an afterthought that conveniently paved the way to the ending. And, yes, I thought the science fiction-type meanderings were just too much and well over the top. That stuff should have been written in a novel of the scientific genre.

On the whole, I enjoyed the novel although it did deviate from the plot too much. The deviations were mini stories in themselves. But the writing and performance was top notch that it held my interest throughout. I was in the story and wanted to know what happens next.

I am a Burke newbee. When compared to other novels of this thriller/mystery genre, this Writer is by far the best and easiest that I've found to listen to for 12 to 15 or more hours. If you like well written literature, then you will like Burke and Patton!

I agree, 6 STARS

I've loved them all, Will Patton is a terrific narrator and should actually play the part of Dave if they ever make another movie, can't wait for the next one Mr. Burke, get busy...
J

Way to go Robicheaux!

Certainly one of the very best efforts of my favorite author. It really pulled an emotional string in me; I found myself yelling at my iPod. I noticed slightly less politics and, as others have noted, fewer familiar Burke conventions (no mentions of "meat fires" were noted). Will Patton does a terrific job of narration, although I truly miss Mark Hammer who will always be Dave & Clete to me. The ending is the best of any suspense novel I have read. If you have never read a Dave Robicheux novel, do yourself a favor and read a few, or all, of the early ones before reading this one,

I like it

I really like James Lee Burke. the narration by Will Patton is big bonus and compliment to the experience. I am writing this review because I am surprised that I can handle the language and violence in most of his novels. I enjoy his writing so much it over rides what would normally be too "masculine" for my taste. I find the harshness interesting, and suppose it is realistic because I have never had any experience to compare this with. I also like the depth of the characters and their consistency from book to book. I have "read" about five of his novels and will continue because this is a cut above in terms of writing abilty, character development, and narration.

GREAT!

When's the next one coming out! I hated for this book to end. Now I have to wait until Mr. Burke writes his next Dave Robicheaux novel! Not soon enough!

Masterpiece

This is by far the heaviest Dave R. story I recall however, IMHO it is the masterpiece of them all. It was haunting in many ways not the least of which is the passing of a generation that is truly from a different world.

Good listening read

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

The Dave Robicheaux novels are among my favorites of a mystery/adventure because of the detail to culture and locations. I rank them in the top 1/3.

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

Any moment involving the dialogue between Dave and Clete. They have great rapport.

Have you listened to any of Will Patton’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have listened to his performances and I think he is a great audible book actor.

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

I laugh at the dialogue and dialect of the actor. The various insights of Dave are quite moving sometimes

I like his style and I believe in his Dave

What did you love best about The Glass Rainbow?

The plot was reasonable and the characters made sense. The people who came and went in the story were easily understood as part of the story line. They all made sense.

Any additional comments?

I like this author.