Crusader's Cross

Pairing Will Patton and James Lee Burke's Cajun protagonist, Dave Robicheaux, was genius. Patton grew up on South Carolina and went to a school for the arts in North Carolina, so he comes by his accents both through upbringing and avocation. The Dave Robicheaux series calls New Iberia, Louisiana, home base, with excursions to other parishes as well as New Orleans. Burke has a touch of Hemingway about him, and his books frequently detour to provide intimate descriptions of the local people and landscape.<br /><br />I'm still learning to appreciate audio books. Kobna Holdbrook Smith and the Peter Grant series are one of the few that can reliably keep my attention. However, as I'm commuting a little farther these days, I'm giving audio another go. One of the challenges I've discovered is that for me, audio versions give equal weight to the entire story. Every chapter evolves at the same speed, as does the entire book. My physical reads pace very differently; the beginning is slow and thorough, but if it's a great story, I read faster and faster as the tension rises. Dull books get similar treatment--I also get faster, but mostly because I've switched to skimming. So one of the aspects of audio for me is that I end up paying far closer attention than I might when reading physical books.<br /><br />Experiencing the story by audio read made weaknesses in Burke's storytelling apparent. Primarily, though billed as a 'mystery'/'detective fiction,' this barely qualifies. Ostensibly, there are two mysteries, that of a young woman who disappeared soon after meeting Dave and his half-brother, Jimmy, a couple decades ago, and that of a serial killer who seems to be targeting suburban housewives. Dave gets involved in the hunt for the killer by going back to the Iberia sheriff's department and asking his boss, Helen, for his detective job back. They certainly do things different in the south, because this seems perfectly acceptable to all involved and he's soon assigned to the multi-jurisdiction investigation.<br /><br />Meanwhile, some incident that happened early on gets Dave rethinking about Ida Rubin. Mostly, it's a lovely opportunity for Burke to indulge in some memories of when Dave and his brother were working oil rigs pre-college, spending time and money hanging on the coast between jobs. It becomes apparent to both of them that Ida is working as a prostitute, although it turns out, an unwilling one. However, just as she and Jimmy are about to head to Mexico, she disappears.<br /><br />Yet despite the terrors and horrors happening to these women, long swathes of the book are devoted to Dave's personal problems. A reporter and, more importantly, brother of a woman who seems to be interested in Dave, come to blows. An incident where Dave gets blackout-level drunk becomes the basis for a weak plot point. Given it is book 14 in the series, I had been hoping we'd be past the alcoholic demons of the first few books. Dave makes another impetuous decision that changes his life. There are about three moments where Dave 'works' on the case of the serial killer, and honestly, everything he accomplished could have been done as a P.I. In fact, should have been done as a P.I., as he uses virtually no legal or ethical methods.<br /><br />In other words, what I discovered as I listened to Patton's melodic descriptions, is that I don't like Dave very much. He's a dry drunk, about as illogical a detective as I've ever seen, and prone to making accusations and getting in fights because of his 'gut' feeling. He makes decisions that result in physical violence, and put him in a corner where it's him against the world, and conveniently, a perfect excuse for either drinking or condescending judgement of others. In this book, he's particularly hard on women, and the visits to the murder scenes seemed a more about violence-porn than moments of compassion or empathy.<br /><br />I also have to note--because this is flat-out weird--that there are about four instances of Dave using the word 'phallus,' describing a guy in a swimsuit and another guy at the urinal. I'll be perfectly content to never run into the word again in a mystery novel. I'm honestly not sure what was going on there.<br /><br />In regards to plotting, I'd have to say this was weak, and couldn't recommend it to people who are more focused on the mystery-detective plotting. The narrative left Dave a few times for viewpoints of three other characters, which was a little confusing. I couldn't tell if this was Dave speaking 'as told to me by __,' or if it was an actual narrative switch. The reveal of the serial killer was a huge disappointment and provided no narrative resolution.<br /><br />All of that said, I enjoyed Burke's descriptions of Louisiana and its people, and Patton's ability to capture the richness and cadences was lovely. Patton's voicing of the characters was varied and entertaining; I was surprised by his voice for the impetuous Clete Purcell, but I found I rather enjoyed it. Result? I'll listen to another of Burke's books as read by Patton. But I sincerely hope there's not as much phallus in it.<br /><br /><br />Verdict?<br />Patton's reading: four solid stars<br />Audio editing: three stars (seriously, fix those chapter transitions)<br />Plotting: one star<br />Writing: three stars

My first book by James Lee Burke and I am delightfully surprised. I did not expect that I would like this book. I used to shun formulaic suspense-thrillers that flood the bookstores next to romance novels. Just the sight of them made me cringe before. But early this year, I said to myself: <i>why not try some of these?</i> and put 4 or 5 of the books by different authors in my shopping cart. Yes, they are both formulaic, but if they entertain and somewhat also educate, then why should I care?<br /><br />According to Wiki, <i>Crusader's Cross</i> is the 14th <b>Dave Robicheaux</b> novel and this character has been portrayed on the screen twice, first by Alec Baldwin (<i>Heaven's Prisoner</i>) and Tommy Lee Jones (<i>In the Electric Mist</i>). Dave Robincheaux is an ex-New Orleans police officer who is fond of breaching police protocols just to solve his assigned case. He is an alcoholic so this oftentimes gets in the way of his performance. His alcoholism is due to his being an ex-Vietnam soldier and is impoverished childhood in Louisiana, his mother who abandoned him (and who was later murdered) and his father who died in an oil rig explosion. Aside from his mother, his wife was also murdered. Very unfortunate fellow.<br /><br /><i>Crusader's Cross</i> is not about those characters however. It is mainly about his brother who falls in love with a prostitute and after a brief romance, parts ways with her. However, after many years, Dave learns that the prostitute is still alive and in order to solve the mystery of her disappearance, Dave has to untangled the people behind it. That's where the actions really are and since this is a mystery-suspense-thriller book, I will not give any spoilers.<br /><br />So far, I have read a number of books in this genre. I think what differentiates James Lee Burke from the rest is his attention to the locale of his novels. With Deep South as the setting of this book (and I assume all this other books as well), Lee Burke takes time to vividly describe the beauty of the Deep South that reminds me of the Western books, classic books as well as the Pat Conroy novels. If John Connolly incorporates paranormal in his suspense-thriller books, James Lee Burke stays pure with this genre but he differentiates himself by his beautifully engaging prose.

I am constantly amazed at <a href="https://goodreads.com/author/show/7031.James_Lee_Burke" title="James Lee Burke" rel="noopener">James Lee Burke</a>'s story telling ability. I have found that there appears to be a formula in all these stories. At least in the Dave Robicheaux series. An event in the past, usually some crime, resurfaces and it impacts current events. And Robicheaux finds himself caught up in these events. It is like the tides. For those who are not familiar with him a few brief words of introduction. Dave Robicheaux is a recovering alcoholic, a Vietnam veteran, he has been married three times, he has issues with the rich and powerful; those who rule over the poor and less fortunate.<br /><br />In this story Dave hears the deathbed confession of an old classmate. The confession reminds him of a time in his youth when he and his brother, Jimmie, were in Galveston and were saved by a prostitute. It was 1958 and her name was Ida Durbin. She was pretty and Jimmie fell for her hard not knowing her profession. When he did learn he wanted only to save her. And then she disappeared.<br /><br />Meanwhile in the present day Dave Robicheaux is unemployed having resigned from the New Iberia Sheriff's Department at the end of <a href="https://goodreads.com/book/show/1070893.Last_Car_to_Elysian_Fields__Dave_Robicheaux___13_" title="Last Car to Elysian Fields (Dave Robicheaux, #13) by James Lee Burke" rel="noopener">Last Car to Elysian Fields</a>. There is an apparent serial killer on the loose and Dave's former partner, Helen Soileau who is now sheriff, reluctantly allows Dave back on the force. She needs his help to stop the killer and he needs the badge in order to investigate the disappearance of Ida. <br /><br />We meet the wealthy Chalons family. Valentine Chalons and his sister Honoria, a deeply disturbed woman, and Raphael the patriarch of the family. Once again the author seems to imply that wealth and it's trappings come with a price. We meet Molly Boyle, a nun, with whom Dave is drawn into scandalous relationship. And of course there are the ever present mob figures who represent the underbelly of New Orleans.<br /><br />The author masterfully combines the landscape of southern Louisiana, with it's bayous and New Orleans, and wonderful characters who come alive. It is the story of the innocence of youth and how those memories cannot be removed or die. Dave Robicheaux may be aging but he has had a very full life. He is a decent and honorable man. He has his character defects but is aware of them and has many people in his life who love and support him. Dealing with some of the things he has had to deal with in his life these people, and his sobriety, are a gift. He is certainly one of the most fascinating characters in this genre.

<b>Gumbo di salsicce e pettirosso</b><br /><br />Mi sono persuaso che l’altalenante gradimento verso i romanzi di James Lee Burke, almeno quelli scritti nella maturità (anni ‘90- anni 2000), non dipenda tanto dal loro intrinseco valore narrativo, perché nel loro ambito si tratta di opere omogenee e pregevoli senza eccezioni, quanto dalla disposizione d’animo e dalle aspettative del lettore. <br /><br />E’ un criterio (banale) che è facile adattare a tanti altri autori, specie “di genere”, ma a mio avviso vale soprattutto per Burke, uno dei migliori esponenti del poliziesco contemporaneo, capace di imbastire un’opera come questa, con molte qualità al suo attivo: solidi personaggi ben caratterizzati nel fisico, nel carattere, nel fardello del passato che ognuno di essi porta sulle proprie spalle; un’ambientazione ineguagliabile nel multicolore bayou della Louisiana fra mangrovie, paludi, fauna e flora rigogliose; un profondo senso dell’architettura, della musica, degli usi e costumi e della storia di luoghi che sembrano appena usciti dalla guerra civile e non ancora dalla segregazione razziale; una trama narrativa complessa e articolata priva di pause che non siano funzionali all’equilibrio del racconto; uno stile molto più accurato della media dei thriller e ricco di sfumature.<br /><br />Sull’altro piatto della bilancia, l’elemento che può tradire le aspettative e generare distacco, pur in una lettura per molti versi appassionante, risiede nella costruzione dell’impianto principale dei romanzi, in cui l’autore è solito utilizzare un medesimo canone e adottare un ricorrente metodo standard, caratteristica (lecito recepirla come difetto) che risalta soprattutto quando capita di leggere due Burke a breve distanza di tempo. <br /><br />Tutto ruota sulle azioni di un tipico detective protagonista, alcoolista ma sagace, impulsivo e violento ma generoso, insofferente alle regole ma ligio al proprio senso morale, intriso nel codice genetico della sua terra cajun ma refrattario e oppositore degli aspetti più retrogradi, tradizionalisti e reazionari di quella cultura, insomma il mitico Dave Robicheaux, portato sullo schermo da Alec Baldwin e Tommy Lee Jones.<br /><br /> Attorno a lui e al suo partner Clete, unici personaggi ricorrenti, si muovono figure che corrispondono a un cliché predefinito, in ogni episodio cambiano ovviamente nome (anche perché la maggior parte lascia la pelle nel corso del plot…) ma ripropongono uno specifico carattere come in una “commedia dell’arte” e quindi ecco la femme fatale, il ricco possidente dal passato ambiguo, il killer spietato, il vecchio conoscitore del territorio e dei suoi segreti, il testimone inaffidabile e opportunista, che interagiscono su schemi in parte prevedibili a comporre una tavolozza che tuttavia presenta ogni volta qualche variante di rilievo…<br /><br />Ne consegue che Burke può essere definito uno scrittore molto originale rispetto ai suoi colleghi autori di polizieschi, ma molto poco da un romanzo all’altro e questo può infastidire: il trucco è leggerli a congrua distanza di tempo, in cui il dejà vu della trama sfuma nella nebulosità del ricordo, conservando il divertimento e il fascino dei luoghi. Ci rivediamo fra qualche anno, Dave…! <br />

Another day and another Robicheaux novel. These are always fairly easy to write even if the content is rather Dark. The Robicheaux tales are not easy to digest stories, they are not mysteries or thrillers. They make you follow the main character Dave Robicheaux (brilliant name for a leading character)on his journey through life and see life in New Iberia / Louisiana / New Orleans through his eyes. He is not a knight in shining armor but he tries to be good.<br />In this novel Dave returns to the police force while they are chasing down a serial killer who kills women in a most horrific ways. The other story-line is about Dave and his half-brother Jimmie who long ago got involved with a prostitute by the name of Ida. Jimmie was hellbent on saving the girl and she ends up missing. This has always been the great mystery of Jimmie's life and in this book Dave and Jimmie find out what did happen. <br />The story is about loss and a return of happiness, entitlement and the ways of the elite and how they still and always have been a leading force of evil and power in Louisiana. Robicheaux goes head to head with some influential family and almost ends up in a place where he responsible for but is totally unjust.<br />In the beginning Dave thinks about the serial killer and how they always tend to far less interesting when you meet and talk to them. You are always left with more questions than answers. And that is also how the story ends with the capture of a serial killer which was predicted earlier in the book. At the end of the book you know it is not about the killing but all about Dave Robicheaux and another day on the Bayou.<br /><br />Well worth your time reading as are more titles in this series, which I have not yet read.

More of the same? Yes and no. Largely true to form, mayhem sprinkled with lyricism and languid observation, and, ultimately, another solid installment in the <i>Robicheaux</i> story arc.... <br /><br />Not necessarily one of my favorites, but, still, a compelling yarn in which the pages turned easily, a sufficient number of twists and turns complicated things, and the end arrived in a gratifying rush....<br /><br />At this point, I think I've read nearly 20 JLB novels, and I don't expect to stop anytime soon. Indeed, I already have more in my to-read pile (but I almost never read them consecutively... I think I like knowing I've got one in the pile for when I'm looking for a safe/reliable choice). If I continue to ration, I expect I'm still a few (or at least a couple) of years away from catching up to the author on <i>Robicheaux</i>...

I picked up this book to take on a trip because I liked Burke's "Tin Roof Blowdown" so much. This novel has the same main character, a retired detective living in New Iberia, La.(a real place). The descriptions of the land, the bayous, the bays, and the small towns are so vivid and sensual they could be used as a travel ad for Louisiana.<br /><br />I like the protagonist, Dave Robicheaux, but I am growing increasingly irritated by characters who act out their creator's male midlife fantasies of virility and youth. From the dates given in the novel, one can deduce that Dave is in his late 60s during this episode. Not only does he give much younger men a good whuppin', but he shows amazing sexual prowess (without Viagra!) and performs physical feats that would send most 50-year-olds to the hospital. This silliness detracts from the action and ultimately ruined the book for me. Maybe it's time to let Dave retire to his shotgun house with his young wife and let the book's lesbian police chief solve the cases.

<strong>Crusader's Cross</strong><br /><br />With every book that I read in the Dave Robicheaux series it just keep getting better and better! This is the best series that I have ever read and I do not say this lightly especially because John Sandford and John Grisham are among some of my very favorite authors. James Lee Burke started at the top of his game and so far is still way ahead of the game. He writes poetically and magically. No one writes about Louisiana and the bayou the way he does. I have lived along the bayou most of my life and now that I'm living in the city I can see it all so clearly when I read his writing. A++++++

I am always sad when I finish a James Lee Burke."Dave Robicheaux" novel, because it usually means I will have to wait a while for the next one. This is number 14 in the series, and addresses a benchmark moment in Dave's life. For some reason, I have fallen behind in the series, so I have a very pleasurable experience ahead of me-catching up on the books I have missed. <br /><br />This book has all of the beautifully rendered language we look forward to in J.L.B.'s prose. I found that I frequently stopped to reread a page or a paragraph, in order to savour the richness of the vocabulary and the images conjured up. I envy the individual who has yet to discover Mr. Burke's work, and can plunge into the delightful task of reading the Dave Robicheaux books from the beginning. The world of the bayou-its wildlife, its food and drink, and its inhabitants, all come to life thanks to Burke's talents. You feel the humidity, you know what the landscapes looks like after a downpour, and you can hear the dialogue of all of his characters, in your head-as if you were there in the pickup truck, in a fishing boat, or waiting for a cold beer in a bayou bar. <br /><br />I have no intention of mentioning the plot. There are too many twists and turns which lead you through the story as if you were a set of dominoes, falling from one situation into another. Dave and his good buddy, Clete, are looking for a woman from Dave's past, and a serial killer targeting young women. <br /><br />Once again, Mr. Burke has finished the book, leaving me wishing for more. What more could an author want to hear from his or her reader?

I'd classify this as a "gritty" detective mystery, not sure if there is such a category. Gritty suggests a "noir" type of mystery. My classification is based on the messy life of the Louisiana (recovering) alcoholic police detective, Dave Robicheaux. Although this is the first I've ever read of the Robicheaux mystery series, it's #14 in the series.<br /><br />The story line is complicated by the fact that Dave is usually involved in violent conflict with several of the suspects.<br /><br />For me, an interesting part of the character was his Roman Catholic faith and his relationship with it. While not a dominant part of the storyline, it reminded me of the relationship a lot of people have with their church. <br /><br />Narrator Will Patten (also narrated Thirteen Moons) added a lot to the story in the audiobook, with clever accents and voices.