Feast Day of Fools

By: James Lee Burke

Narrated by: Will Patton

Publisher's summary

Celebrated crime master and two-time Edgar Award winner James Lee Burke returns with a gorgeously crafted, brutally resonant chronicle of violence along the Texas-Mexico border.

Sheriff Hackberry Holland patrols a small Southwest Texas border town, meting out punishment and delivering justice in his small square of this magnificent but lawless land. When an alcoholic ex-boxer named Danny Boy Lorca begs to be locked up after witnessing a man tortured to death by a group of bandits, Hack and his deputy, Pam Tibbs, slowly extract the Indian man’s gruesome tale. It becomes clear that the desert contains a multitude of criminals, including serial murderer Preacher Jack Collins (whom The New York Times called “one of Burke’s most inspired villains”).

Holland’s investigation leads him to Anton Ling, a mysterious Chinese woman whose steely demeanor and aristocratic beauty compel Hackberry to return to her home again and again as the investigation unfolds.

James Lee Burke is at his engrossing and atmospheric best in this, his 13th novel, as Hackberry plumbs the depths of man’s inhumanity to man - from killers-for-hire, to the U.S. government, to the misguided souls in search of a better life across the border.

©2011 James Lee Burke (P)2011 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Critic reviews

“[O]utstanding.... The richness of Burke's characters, always one of his strengths, reaches new heights.... The intricately plotted narrative takes numerous unexpected turns, and Burke handles his trademark themes of social justice and corruption with his usual subtlety.” ( Publishers Weekly)

“As Burke steers the elaborately structured narrative toward its violent conclusion, we are afforded looks inside the tortured psyches of his various combatants, finding there the most unlikely of connections between the players. This is one of Burke’s biggest novels, in terms of narrative design, thematic richness, and character interplay, and he rises to the occasion superbly, a stand-up guy at the keyboard, as always... Though he is best known for his Dave Robicheaux series, the broader canvas of this Hackberry Holland adventure makes a fittingly grand stage on which to play out such a landmark event in American publishing.” (Bill Ott, Booklist)

“The dialogue scenes, along with the action sequences, the South Texas landscape and the indelibly conflicted characters make you want to give Burke a medal.” ( Kirkus Reviews)

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4 out of 5 stars

By Mary Ann on 05-18-15

Brutal Telling

I would have to say that this is one of the most brutal books I've ever listened to but I would also add that it had one of the most riveting scene I've ever heard. There was one point in the book that I listened for a solid 2 hours were I just couldn't turn the narrative off. This man is an amazing writer who has a strange cast of characters. I sure hope that the characters he writes about I never have the pleasure of meeting in real life.

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4 out of 5 stars

By Ocalagator on 11-06-13

Will Patton is #1 in my book!

What did you love best about Feast Day of Fools?

Compelling action. My first Hackberry Holland and I am an instant fan. Burke does it again. A pretty dark story, gruesome at times, but you don't want it to stop. I'm hooked!!

What did you like best about this story?

The actual "story" or plot unfolds slowly. There are so many rich characters, most of them up to no good, and you keep wondering where it's all going. For me the story is sort of like Hitchcock's "McGuffin." It almost doesn't matter. It's how Hack and his deputies interact with all of the characters that makes this one move along and hard to put down.

What about Will Patton’s performance did you like?

I could listen to Will Patton read a grocery list. His ability to change his voice for every character is amazing. I've always noticed Mr. Patton in his film roles. He usually plays somewhat unlikeable characters --- the sniveling, suck-up, etc. But his talent here shines right through. I find myself seeking out books that I otherwise would have overlooked because he is reading them. Check out "When Zachary Beaver Came to Town" by Kimberly Willis Holt. It's an interesting coming of age story set in a small town, made much better because of Mr. Patton's skills. The first one I heard him read was James Dickey's "Deliverance." Perfect!

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

If I could have, I would have. But, reality and life do go on!

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4 out of 5 stars

By Lynn on 10-19-11

Window into twisted minds and redemption

I must admit, I love Will Paton's reading James Lee Burke novels. However, at first I had to divorce myself from thinking I was listening to Clete...since this is a totally different novel. However, I appreciate James Lee Burk's writings and his gift of detai,richness and insights into humans nature. I loved the book and hated for it to end.

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