Creole Belle

A Dave Robicheaux Novel, Book 19

By: James Lee Burke

Narrated by: Will Patton

Length: 18 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

Dave Robicheaux is back, in a gorgeously written, visceral thriller by James Lee Burke, “the heavy weight champ, a great American novelist whose work, taken individually or as a whole, is unsurpassed” (Michael Connelly).

Creole Belle begins where the last book in the Dave Robicheaux series, The Glass Rainbow, ended. Dave is in a recovery unit in New Orleans, where a Creole girl named Tee Jolie Melton visits him and leaves him an iPod with the country blues song "Creole Belle" on it. Then she disappears. Dave becomes obsessed with the song and the memory of Tee Jolie and goes in search of her sister, who later turns up inside a block of ice floating in the Gulf. Meanwhile, there has been an oil well blowout on the Gulf, threatening the cherished environs of the bayous.

Creole Belle is James Lee Burke at his very best, with beloved series hero Dave Robicheaux leading the charge against the destruction of both the land and the people he has sworn to protect.

©2012 James Lee Burke (P)2012 Simon & Schuster

Critic reviews

“This tale plays out much like The Glass Rainbow—intimations of mortality; melancholic musing on the pillaging of once-Edenic South Louisiana; cathartic, guns-blazing climax—but, as always, Burke brings something new to the table...Dave and Clete may still be unbowed, but they are certainly broken—and all the more interesting for it.” ( Booklist)

“Another stunner from a modern master.” ( Publishers Weekly)

“Great news for readers who feared that Burke had left Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Deputy Dave Robicheaux dying at the end of The Glass Rainbow (2010); Dave and his old friend Clete Purcel are back for an even more heaven-storming round of homicide, New Orleans–style.... A darkly magnificent treat for Dave’s legion of admirers.” ( Kirkus Reviews)

Dave, I still love you after all these years.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Will Patton's masterful narration drips with the languid grace of hot, steamy days on the bayous of Louisiana. Burke's well tuned prose continues to be a joy. I listened to parts of this book again and again just to catch all the nuances of these finely crafted scenes.

What other book might you compare Creole Belle to and why?

The Light in August by William Faulkner because it gives you such a sense of place and personality.

What about Will Patton’s performance did you like?

It is hard for me to think of a Dave Robicheaux novel and not think of Will Patton as the narrator--a perfect fit!

Dave and Clete improves with age...

I have long been a fan of James Lee Burke novels, with the vivid pictures of people through the eyes of Burke's heros and the evocative descriptions of the landscape of the story. "Creole Belle" rises above the others in both categories - accompanied by a gritty, multilayered tale that is more bizarre and complex and any other to date in the Robicheaux series. All the characters you expect appear, with just a bit more explanation of why they behave as they do than previously known. Even the bad guys are more complex. If you are a fan of this series, or even if you are a first time James Lee Burke listener, this satisfying and gripping story is hard to let go.

Best Burke/Patton combo yet!

Where does Creole Belle rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Since I always look for long books for more details, I found Creole Belle to be very entertaining and liked all the detail and background of Louisiana. Did not want the book to be over!

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Yes. The fact that things were not as they appeared. As soon as I saw the book available; I didn't hesitate to get it!

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

Will Patton paints a picture that I think could not be experienced by just reading the book. He truly makes you feel you are there. I vote for him to always be the narrator.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I just enjoyed the whole book.

Another winner

Hooray, another great novel by James Lee Burke. I love all of the Dave Robicheaux novels and can not wait for the next one. This one is just as exciting and well written as all the others. The character are wonderful and Dave and Clete are at it again. They can not be beat and this book does not disappoint.

Burke at his BEST, AGAIN!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this book to EVERYBODY! James Lee Burke writes with a depth and a level of insight that is so rare and such a joy to read! Will Patton, (a truly under-appreciated actor and an EXCELLENT ORAL interpreter) brings not only the troubled Dave R. to life (investing him with a dignity and a level of suffering that is not just poignant, but outright cathartic) he also populates the story with an abundance of rich characters JUST BY VIRTUE OF HIS VOICE & PRESENCE! OUTSTANDING WORK! The Cajun/Creole/Louisiana dialects used in the Burke novels are difficult to master and a joy to hear. Patton is the perfect talent to breathe life into the rich and layered characters that only Burke could imagine and create! I love the way that Burke brings these folks to life on the page and the way Will Patton makes them burst to life over my ear buds!I love to listen to my Audible books while I work-out and the daily hour on the treadmill is always a JOY when I have Will Patton doing a James lee Burke story! GENTLEMAN THANK YOU BOTH FOR ENRICHING MY DAYS!Do yourself a favor and listen to CREOLE BELLE! BTW->I have enjoyed EVERYONE of the Burke books-but this is clearly one of the BEST!

What other book might you compare Creole Belle to and why?

Since CREOLE BELLE is part of the Dave R. series and since you have a cast of characters that you come to love->I would recommend ALL of the DAVE R. books->but I also love the Texas Sheriff and the Texas lawyer that Burke created. This story is similar to and I enjoyed it almost as much as BITTEROOT...which not only NAILS modern Missoula, MT->but also tells a story of corruption & intrigue! You cannot go wrong with Will Patton bringing JAMES LEES BURKE to life on your IPOD!

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

Mr. Patton is so talented that he layers the novel with emotion and empathy and anger all in the proper amounts. He truly is EXCELLENT!

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

YES. But It was instead enjoyed over a two day period!

Any additional comments?

I love what Audible provides for me via the work of authors like Burke and great actors like Patton->THANK YOU ALL for an absolutely EXCELLENT entertainment experience!
On a purely personal note-I am living with Cancer and as john Denver used to say: "Some days are diamonds and some days are stones!" But everyday with these great stories makes the workout and the recovery from the big "C" easier and HAPPIER! I really want to thank you ALL for helping me to recover from and live with Cancer. Like my old Methodist Minsiter used to say: "You are doing the Lord's work!" THANKS SO MUCH!

Dave, Clete (& James Lee Burke) still have it!

Not going to expound just saying I really enjoyed this one more so than some in the series which I diligently have kept up with.

another great Dave Robicheaux book

If you're familiar with James Lee Burke's novels, then I have only to say that it is another in the same line and tradition. Will Patton does an admirable job of reading; I can't imagine anyone doing better for the characters...and I grew up in South Louisiana. In my view, this is one of his best novels, right after Tin Roof Blowdown.

Great writing

If you could sum up Creole Belle in three words, what would they be?

Genteel, meandering, suspenseful

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

No, but I doubt the author intended it that way. I think he wanted to build a story that was bigger than a suspenseful plot by creating in the reader an in-depth appreciation for the characters, their flaws and philosophies, their interactions, and their natural surroundings. It is more about the characters than the plot. The plot was indeed clever, but not "edge-of-your seat" stuff like Greg Hurwitz or Harlan Coben.

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

His delightful southern accent and his expert ability to vary characters' voices when they are in conversation mode.

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

No. But it made me want to visit New Orleans again.

Dave Robicheaux and Clete are in the fight.

Where does Creole Belle rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I loved Creole Belle as a man's man of audio books. This police procedural is gritty and fun while tackling the questions of how honest men should deal with evil in their midst and growing older in a world that is often violent. I enjoyed the depth of description of the characters and the plot twists that keep you guessing all the way to the end.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

The plot of Creole Belle is complicated and there are plenty of bad guys. You don't know who Dave and Clete should trust and who they should take down. This book is very well done and there is constant action. I love Clete Purcell and his daughter Gretchen and hope to see more of them in future books.

Which character – as performed by Will Patton – was your favorite?

Clete Purcell was my favorite character. He reminds me of someone that I know and who was profound in my life. A great bigger than life character.

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

This book kept me riveted until the end. I was sad to see it finish and am sure that there is more coming in the next Dave Robicheaux book. Can't wait.

My 1st book in the series, won't be my last

I was almost afraid to jump into the series at the 19 th book. But I was able to get into the characters and enjoyed the action. Loved Tom Paxton as the narrator. Very detailed at times I thought it was a little to lenghty. I will be reading his next installment .