Light of the World

A Dave Robicheaux Novel, Book 20

By: James Lee Burke

Narrated by: Will Patton

Length: 19 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

"America’s best novelist" (The Denver Post) and "the reigning champ of nostalgia noir" (The New York Times Book Review) introduces his most evil character yet in the 20th thriller in the best-selling Dave Robicheaux series.

A New York Times best-selling author many times over, James Lee Burke is a two-time Edgar Award-winner whose every book is cause for excitement, especially those in the wildly popular Dave Robicheaux series.

In Light of the World, sadist and serial killer Asa Surrette narrowly escaped the death penalty for the string of heinous murders he committed while capital punishment was outlawed in Kansas. But following a series of damning articles written by Dave Robicheaux’s daughter Alafair about possible other crimes committed by Surette, the killer escapes from a prison transport van and heads to Montana - where an unsuspecting Dave happens to have gone to take in the sweet summer air, accompanied by Alafair, his wife Molly, faithful partner Clete, and Clete’s newfound daughter, Gretchen Horowitz, whom listeners met in Burke’s most recent best seller Creole Belle.

"James Lee Burke remains the heavy weight champ," says New York Times best-seller Michael Connelly, "a great American novelist whose work...is unsurpassed." The master proves it once again with this harrowing novel that examines the nature of evil and pits Dave Robicheaux against the most diabolical villain he has ever faced.

©2013 James Lee Burke (P)2013 Simon & Schuster

Wish all audiobooks were this good

Can we just have Will Patton read all audiobooks? Please? He's flat-out the best. The book itself is terrific as well. Love the Dave Robicheaux series. If you haven't tried them, start with the first one and enjoy.

Hated to see THIS story end...

What made the experience of listening to Light of the World the most enjoyable?

Excellent. Will Patton is superb as narrator. The best! AND this Burke novel is the best so far. Love all the family members involved. Scary good.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Light of the World?

So many can't choose...

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

This is a tough choice, but the non main characters were completely compelling: Clete, Gretchen, Bertha, and Wyatt.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Evil gets the upper hand... almost.

Any additional comments?

Can't say enough good things about Will's narration. Just fantastic.

Super fun Book

Dave R. never gets old and Burke brings each character alive like no other author. Will Patton at his best!

A must listen!

What did you love best about Light of the World?

The combination of Burke's artistry with words and Patton's mastery of narration is by far the best set of audio books I have ever listened to and would venture to say will ever listen to.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Dave Robicheaux is a man's man, and draws you into every situation he encounters. A perfect lead character. However, Cletus Pursell consistently cracks me up. His perception of virtually everything is always entertaining.

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

Perfection! He has completely captured the true accents, inflections and attitudes of every character. I often wonder if Patton colluded with Burke to present the most accurate portrayal of how each character was to be presented. His narration flawlessly brings you right into each scene and (I'm certain) presents each scene exactly as Burke imagined it. I'm sure I would have just skimmed over a lot of the descriptive text that sets the aura of each scene, but Patton grabs your attention and imprints every minor detail, so that you feel like you are there with them.

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

Can't recall

Any additional comments?

There is - hands down - no better combination of writer and narrator that I have ever listened to. I was stationed in Louisiana for a couple of years and visited New Orleans and other locations listed in the book, and every book presented by these two immediately brings me right back there. The most enjoyable book listening experience that exists or ever will exist.

Lacking

I have listened to several Burke "Robicheaux" stories and this one just left me feeling incomplete. It seemed to drag on without advancing the story and it left some areas that I would have like to known more about incomplete. This is the first review I have written, but this time I didn't feel like I got my money's worth. Again, I remark... just my opinion.

Burke and Patton are unstoppable

I‘ve read nearly all of James Led Burke’s books. He really knows how to build suspense. Will Patton is one of the best narrators working today.

Thank you Mr Burke

My favorite of all the Burke books.
I feel sad the story had to come to an end.

Great story and Great Narration

Really liked the plot, the story and the narrator was perfect. About to buy next book in series

The best yet!

Would you listen to Light of the World again? Why?

James Lee Burke is the best writer of American fiction in the country today. No one strikes a better prose. The only thing that I can comment on is that I have to wait another year or so until the next Dave Robicheaux novel. If your a fan of the series make sure to add this one, if this is your first exposure to the series you can start with this one. Thanks Mr. Burke!!!!

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

Couldnt stop listening to this book. Not knowing if Alafair would wind up in Asa's clutches was keeping me on edge!

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

As always Clete Purcel is my favorite character. Will Patton is the best in the biz today. He bring's Clete to life!

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Good vs evil, the light vs the dark, finally Dave and Clete meet a true modern master of evil!

Longest Burke book ever

What did you like best about Light of the World? What did you like least?

The mystery of the book is good. I loved the crazy cowboy. Burke's use of cliches & supposed colloquialisms were boring. "What's haps?" Really? People don't talk like that in real life. I have met people from all walks of life and many vets. I have not heard anyone talk like Clete. Although that may be the point, it is tiresome. His daughter is a cliche in her behavior & past.

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

No More I have read all of the other books by James Lee Burke. This one repeated descriptions of the scenery, emotions, & inner thoughts ad nauseum. I do not remember that other books did this to this extreme. It felt as if he were trying to fill pages

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

Always very good and the redeeming grace in this book in particular.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

no