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)

Very visceral and well read

I follow Will Paton so when I see he is reading a book I am open to listen. This author is able to make you not only connect with the characters but you can taste, feel and smell the story. Going on to the next book. I love Cleat!

Best Yet... Almost

As I listened I thought three things: 1. Best Robicheaux book yet: descriptive, exciting, convoluted. 2. Will Paton is really the only person who should ever be allowed to narrate these books. 3. Does everybody in Louisiana have a professorial knowledge of classical literature and a poet's eye?

The "almost" comes from a real disappointment in the novel which I can't in good conscience list for fear of spoiling what was almost a five star book. That said, I can't wait for his next.

WOW again

This is again a powerful story about LA., and gets you in the heart, just love his prose.

I guess I've had my fill

First of all, I think Will Patton is one of the best narrators and he absolutely is the voice of Dave Robicheaux. That being said, I think James Lee Burke needs to ratchet down the philosophical reflection and imagery a few notches. It has gotten to the point where it disrupts the flow of the story telling. I've gotten through only the first half of the book (it's in two parts) and I'm not sure I even care about listening to the rest. Burke's story lines are usually good but they are becoming secondary to his philosphizing...and it's become a drag.

Great book!

What did you love best about The Glass Rainbow?

The story is very compelling and has a dark, serious undertone that keeps you wanting to find out what happens next. I love the descriptions the author gives of the Louisiana landscape.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Glass Rainbow?

The discovery of the perpetrators of the terrible crimes described in the story.

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

I've listened to Swan Peak and got hooked on Will Patton's narration and the story.

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

The friendship of the strong and somewhat careless Clete and the more contemplative Dave is a theme that comes together at the end of the book. Made me purchase the next book.

Any additional comments?

I will continue to buy this series. It draws one into the story, so you feel as though you are there. I really enjoyed the whole experience.

It's.... OK

Would you listen to The Glass Rainbow again? Why?

This Burke book left you really hanging. A good read if you like Dave R...

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

The fall of a local dynasty.

What about Will Patton’s performance did you like?

Love anything Will does

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

The relationship between Dave and Alf

Any additional comments?

I will be reading the next one.

Entertaining

The story was engaging and I enjoyed it. However the complicated French names were at first hard to keep straight. While I enjoyed the performance the narrator could make more effort with the female characters.

will patton

Mr. Patton, Bream, the fish, is pronounced brim as on a hat. Not like stream

Purest Evil Fells Dave and Clete...Nearly.

Would you consider the audio edition of The Glass Rainbow to be better than the print version?

The evil perps and miscreants in this one are so bad and the fully-matured relationships between the Robicheaux's (and Cletus) so steely that explosion must occur.

What did you like best about this story?

The Glass Rainbow is not a lot of small mysteries interwoven but a single rat's nest of evil; that makes it particularly well suited to audiotheater format.

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

I've listened to all of the Robicheax novels more than once (except the one that came out 7-23) and Mr Patton you are the man! Bravo!

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

If you don't feel murderous rage when Alf is abducted, go lay down in a whole because you are already dead.

More than interesting!

Would you consider the audio edition of The Glass Rainbow to be better than the print version?

I was looking for another mystery/detective series and I believe I have found it. Very good story..

What did you like best about this story?

character development and story line.

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

He gives great character to the story I would not have experienced by reading a hard copy.

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

I laughed at some parts.