The New Iberia Blues

By: James Lee Burke

Narrated by: Will Patton

Length: 15 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's Summary

The shocking death of a young woman leads detective Dave Robicheaux into the dark corners of Hollywood, the mafia, and the backwoods of Louisiana in this gripping mystery from “modern master” (Publishers Weekly) James Lee Burke.

Detective Dave Robicheaux’s world isn’t filled with too many happy stories, but Desmond Cormier’s rags-to-riches tale is certainly one of them. Robicheaux first met Cormier on the streets of New Orleans, when the young, undersized boy had foolish dreams of becoming a Hollywood director.

Twenty-five years later, when Robicheaux knocks on Cormier’s door, it isn’t to congratulate him on his Golden Globe and Academy Award nominations. Robicheaux has discovered the body of a young woman who’s been crucified, wearing only a small chain on her ankle. She disappeared near Cormier’s Cyrpemort Point estate, and Robicheaux, along with young Deputy Sean McClain, are looking for answers. Neither Cormier nor his enigmatic actor friend Antoine Butterworth are saying much, but Robicheaux knows better.

As always, Clete Purcel and Davie’s daughter, Alafair, have Robicheaux’s back. Clete witnesses the escape of Texas inmate Hugo Tillinger, who may hold the key to Robicheaux’s case. As they wade further into the investigation, they end up in the cross hairs of the mob, the deranged Chester Wimple, and the dark ghosts Robicheaux has been running from for years. Ultimately, it’s up to Robicheaux to stop them all, but he’ll have to summon a light he’s never seen or felt to save himself and those he loves.

Stephen King hailed New York Times best-selling author James Lee Burke “as good as he ever was”. Now, with The New Iberia Blues, Burke proves that he “remains the heavyweight champ, a great American novelist whose work, taken individually or as a whole, is unsurpassed” (Michael Connelly).

©2019 James Lee Burke (P)2019 Simon & Schuster

Great but I really wish he'd stop it with...

Great, but I really wish he'd stop it with the same tired plot construct of Alafair getting involved with someone super shady shores Dave then warns her about and she gets angry and then Dave surprise surprise turns out to be right. it must be like the last 6 novels did this

8 of 9 people found this review helpful

Marvelous!

One of the very best of the best in the Robicheaux series. It’s a poetic, beautiful struggle of good over evil while remaining true to the characters we love. Will Patton is perfectly on target as always.

7 of 8 people found this review helpful

Never again

OK, I have enjoyed this author's work before. This time, the plot was dramatic and, in the end, made no sense at all. Taro card murders, tattoos, revenge for a prison murder, and the protagonist's endless tormented argument with himself about a woman, whose status remains unclear even to the end make for an incomprehensible stew.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Bored

Book was a head book. Not enough action. Main character shared SO.O..O..O.... MUCH of his internal thoughts and morality. So much it got monotonous. Got two thirds through and could not finish.
The story line was segmented. A bit here and a bit there, the bits were interesting but never came together for a good story.
The writer's command of the language was good but never pulled me, as the reader/listener, into the characters or story.
Loved the sound of the narrator's voice, even when it was boring on about random thoughts of the main character.

This was the first book listened to from this series, maybe if I had read the series chronologically, were more invested in the characters and back story, it would have been a better read.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

James Lee Burke stops my heart every time!

How is it that author James Lee Burke who has been crafting the life of Dave Robicheaux for over 30 years is still able to stop me in my tracks and halt my motions as I listen to Will Patton with trepidation. Wanting to hear every word yet not being able to stop the mind reeling ahead in dread. Long live The Bobbsey Twins of Homicide.

3 of 4 people found this review helpful

Burke and Patton have another winner!

Just finished this compelling and bizarre trip back to New Iberia and loved every minute of it! Dave, Clete, and the colorful cast of characters are skillfully brought to life by Will Patton’s amazing voices. Mr. Burke’s poetic descriptions of the Louisiana landscape are as exquisite as ever, leaving me always wanting more!

Never disappoints

The combination of James Lee Burke’s writing and Will Patton’s talented narration is always first class. Love this series!

ROBICHEAUX IS BACK ON FULL FLEEK!

I am a big fan of this series, mainly due to Will Patton’s masterful narration. My late husband and our children are descendants of pre-Civil War free people of color, who still live and farm in New Iberia LA. Burke provides rich descriptions of the people, locale, food, even, the smells of New Iberia. His crime writing is well-crafted and suspenseful. I had listened to all of the books in this series but was very disappointed by the previous one “Robicheaux”. It was such a rambling mess of similes and sustained angst about his dead wife that I thought I would kill myself!!! Even Will Patton seemed to be bored, not sustaining the different voice characteristics in each person, even losing Dave and the glorious gangsta P.I. Clete Purcell in the messiness of his narration. But everyone is back in da house in “The New Iberia Blues”! Dave is finally over his tragedy and the loveable rogue, Crete, is as grumpy and out-of-control as ever! Even the “Sweet Sociopath” Smiley makes us want to fist bump him like you know want to do with Hannibal Lecter! Well worth the credit/cash. I can’t wait for the next installment!

Amazing

James Lee Burke is an amazing teller of stories and writer. His work continues to get better with each book. I can see, smell, and hear from his works. That is am supreme talent.

Dark and creepy.

My first James Lee Burke book. Loved the characters and the Louisiana setting. Very creepy at times and dark but I really enjoyed the narration and the plot. Will get more.