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 work.

I really enjoyed this book. Narrator was great and distinctive . On to the next Robicheaux novel.

A wonderful marriage of writer and narrator.

This was my first James Lee Burke audiobook but it won't be the last!

Classic Robicheaux

James Lee Burke is at it again with all the characters and color of New Orleans beautifully narrated by Patton. Just listening to the poetry of the words is almost enough, but the story is great too.

Worth the credit!

This was my first Dave Robicheaux novel and will not be my last. You will also enjoy the narration of Will Patton. If a your a Jack Reacher fan, these novels will be right up your alley.

Slooooow read

This is my first Dave Robicheaux novel, the series gets such high ratings I just had to try it.

Much like the setting, I found the book very laid back and slow. Most books are like roller coasters, they have ups and downs throughout, but not this one. Like the long, slow, boring climb at the beginning of a roller coaster this book spent the first 3/4 getting to the top of the hill. The ride down the other side very mildly exciting but not worth the wait.

A earlier reviewer had commented about the narrator, no doubt Will Patton is good narrator, but during the descriptive sequences I found his voice almost hypnotic. And what's with the marathon descriptive sequences, I know the author is trying to give us a picture of the setting but come on. There seems to be 5-6 paragraphs of description for one little sentence of action. Between the long narratives and sleepy voice of Patton, is was very difficult to stay focused on the story and easy to fall asleep.

After listening the John Corey (Nelson DeMille) and Jack Reacher (Lee Child) series, which are full of action - this was a bit difficult.

As far as another reviewer banging on Scot Brick, I dare you to fall asleep listening to his excellent work.

Missing Dave and Clete Like Old Friends

Is it just me, or does anyone else feel when they reach the end of a Robicheaux novel like they've lost two of their closest friends. When I can't escape the real world for New Iberia, life is just a little duller. And yes, Will Patton IS Dave Robicheaux and there will never be another in my book! This particular book is close to, but not as good as, the Tin Roof Blowdown. The next installment cannot come out a moment too soon!

Dave's still the best

I agree with some reviewers who stated that Alafair was more appealing when she was a little girl. That said, nobody writes evil skin-scrawly bad guys better than James Lee Burke. I also liked the way he handled the ending.

Superb writing, reading and listening.

If you could sum up The Glass Rainbow in three words, what would they be?

James Lee Burke is an exceptional storyteller and no one tells or reads his stories better than Will Patton. Like all of their collaborations, this is another in a series of very entertaining listening experiences. You will not regret buying this book.

Dave Robicheaux at his perfect flawed hero best...

James Lee Burke and Will Patton are a practiced team in this latest contribution to the ongoing life and times of Detective Dave Robicheaux...and the older and frailer Dave gets, the more telling and poignant the telling of his story grows. Listening to a book on tape doesn't get much better than this one.

Great Gumbo Combo

Burkes books work so well on Audio because he's a good writer and Will Patton reads with a Cajun accent that makes you feel like you're right there in Louisanna with the action. Once in a while the author gets a little long winded when he ponders some situations, but generally that not too big of a distraction. All in all this is a pretty good dective mystery that will keep you guessing what the actual motive for the killings were throughout the book. A good listen going down the road.