A Morning for Flamingoes

A Dave Robicheaux Novel

By: James Lee Burke

Narrated by: Mark Hammer

Length: 12 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

Dave Robicheaux felt the bone-grinding pain rip through his body as the .45 did its damage. Through the agonizing haze that enveloped him, he heard an almost inhuman laugh: the hideous, victorious cackling of Jimmie Lee Boggs - a sound he would never forget.

It had started out as an ordinary prisoner transfer, then turned into a blood bath when the convicted murderer got hold of a gun. Robicheaux could still hear that contemptible laughter, replacing the horrors from 'Nam he relived every night, echoing in the still of his darkened bedroom.

When Boggs is spotted in New Orleans, Robicheaux follows, joining a DEA sting operation in the Quarter. Poised for revenge, he prepares to face his fears and silence the laughter once and for all. But, in the murky water of the Pearl River, Robicheaux finds that some things are more important than sweet, simple revenge.

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

©1990 James Lee Burke (P)1993 Recorded Books

Critic reviews

"A highly spiced gumbo of vice, violence, voodoo." ( Observer)

A GREAT WRITER

I previously reviewed and was critical of this reader's rendition of the southern dialect; however, now that i am on book 11, I take it all back. I think he's gotten better as he has gone on from book to book.

As concerns the book(s) themselves, I cannot say too much good about Burke's writing. His use of the language, his ability to create an atmosphere of drama/tension without the need for constant "action," his ability to make one think (I mean really think), his use of imagery, the accuracy of his descriptions of outdoor situations, his character development. Usually I'm ready to move on after this many books by one author, but I'm going to stick with him and still be sad when I've gone through them all.

The first JLB book

I picked it up in Miami off a paperback book rack. I read New Orleans in the review and I knew it was mine. I’ve loved JLB and Dave Robichaux for a long time. Always will.

Another good read

Big fan of this series. Unlike some readers I like the narrator better than Will Patton. Both readers are good. But the story is the thing. JLB is a mighty fine story teller.

5 Stars for Burke & Hammer

A feast with all the fixin's! There's much to like about this book and its presentation. One thing I must single out though: why I read reviews, other than my own, is a mystery; at tiimes when I do I feel like one of those folks back in the teens that would pack a picnic and take the carriage out on Sundays to watch the inmates at the local asylum. Anyway, in some of these things I've read knocks on Mr. Hammer in response to which I must say: you flat don't get it! This is the real deal. If anything, Mr. Burke ought to build an extra room on his house...he's an asset, no doubt about it! He's got it down, cher!

The Reader

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Yes I would change the reader

Would you be willing to try another book from James Lee Burke? Why or why not?

Yes as long as the reader is Will Patton.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Mark Hammer?

Will Patton

Was A Morning for Flamingoes worth the listening time?

I couldn't make through 5 minutes with this reader.

Any additional comments?

I'm sure the book is great but I will to read it myself.

Hammer is a distraction

What did you love best about A Morning for Flamingoes?

The story is pure James Lee Burke, which is to say a gutsy, well written story with a tempo that keeps you interested till the end.
The narrator, Mark Hammer, however, is a complete foreigner to the geographical and cultural base of the story. His pronunciations of names from this region and overall performance, sometimes jar a reader familiar with S. Louisiana loose from the story.
The story itself does draw you back. If you know nothing of this area and culture, you will not notice the shortcomings of the narrator.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Robicheaux

How could the performance have been better?

different narrator

Great narrator...

Where does A Morning for Flamingoes rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of the highest rating.

What did you like best about this story?

The plot.

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

By this same author.He does accents very well,making it easy to get into the story.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes.

Any additional comments?

The main character's loyalty to each other,the dialogue and the narrator's performance are a winning combination for this series.

Absolutely fantastic!

This book transported me to Louisiana and it's richness of the landscape, people and culture. The story was full of people who were often more than just the cliches they seemed. Loved it!!

Awsome

Love JLB and his Robicheaux Novels. A hometown Hero from da berry. I highly recommend.

2nd time! Even more bettah, cher!!

Not sure which affected me more, Trump losing or Mark Hammer retiring! Still in mourning!!;)

Left La. in early 80s - still miss the people & the food! JLB & 'Dave Robicheaux' rekindle & keep my precious memories of it alive!

Merci Beaucoup, Mon Ami!
Stay Safe & GOD Bless!!

"LOL!"¹
jim, 1rcs!



¹ "LAUGH OUT LOUD!" or
  "LOTS O' LOVE!!"
Whichever Works Best for You, NOW!