Rating: 
Summary: The best of a great series
Review: Burke has saved his best for last. I've read and loved the whole series, but "Purple Cane Road" is the best so far. It saddens me to think the series has come to an end, so I'll just hope it hasn't.
Rating: 
Summary: Moving..
Review: Dave Robicheaux, a Lousiana cop, is suddenly confronted with his identity and his past when he learned by chance that his mother had been murdered, from then on his investigation to find the real truth about her ordeal during the last moments of her life, brings about a lot of Louisiana characters, landscapes, foods, colors and tastes shown as vivid portraits by the author who benefits from his thorough knowledge of the culture and way of life of some particular areas of the state, all told with the particular southern language.What I liked the most in this novel are two things that I would like to highlight, firstly the special characterizacion of Dave Robicheaux as a multidimensional memorable, likeable, determined, human being and secondly the slow subtly construction of the mystery surrounding his mother tough life, awful marriage and death. Burke is one of the few authors I came upon who likes to employs novelist descriptive detailed narrative to carry out a crime fiction plot, making a great product A must read for those currently leaving in Lousiana and surrounding states and also for those who spent their childhood in this state and want to dig inside themselves to refresh unforgettable memories
Rating:
Summary: Moving..
Review: Dave Robicheaux, a Lousiana cop, is suddenly confronted with his identity and his past when he learns by chance that his mother had been murdered, from then on his investigation to find the real truth about her ordeal during the last moments of her life, brings about a lot of Louisiana characters, landscapes, foods, colors and tastes shown as vivid portraits by the author who benefits from his thorough knowledge of the culture and way of life of some particular areas of the state, all told with the particular southern language. What I liked the most in this novel are two things that I would like to highlight, firstly the special characterizacion of Dave Robicheaux as a multidimensional memorable, likeable, determined, human being and secondly the slow subtly construction of the mystery surrounding his mother tough life, awful marriage and death. Burke is one of the few authors I came upon who likes to employs novelist descriptive detailed narrative to carry out a crime fiction plot, making a great product A must read for those currently leaving in Lousiana and surrounding states and also for those who spent their childhood in this state and want to dig inside themselves to refresh unforgettable memories
Rating:
Summary: Superb
Review: This book was fast paced and emotionally moving. Burke was superb as usual. This book tugged at my heart strings. I was glad to know what really happened to his mother. Although I cried several times reading this book, but I loved it!!!!!!!!
Rating:
Summary: I Need Some Deep Fried Shrimp & Potato Salad
Review: James Lee Burke has done it again. Sort of reminds me of John MacDonald's Travis McGee series with his love of the Deep South shining through every chapter. After you read a few chapters you will be craving some "down-home" cooking, and if you've never had it, you will want to try it. Burke writes with glorious colors and descriptions, realistic characters, and realistic police procedure. Great, intricate plot development. By "realistic characters" I mean the "good guys" have their problems and the "bad guys" have some redeeming qualities, however faint. Burke's hero has his own problems, is somewhat of a rebel, and has a great friend in Clete Purcell, sort of a "good-ol'-boy" counterpart to Spenser's Hawk. Both would make great friends when the chips were down. A great read when you can concentrate, not really a book to read on BART.
Rating:
Summary: The Literary Blues
Review: James Lee Burke's novels are the literary equivalent of the blues: somtimes lyrical, sometimes gritty and profane, sometimes pathetically comic or violent, but always moving. The story is always first-rate, but the reason to read Burke is the prose -- his glorious and somehow incredibly Southern voice. He's Eudora Welty crossed with Conan Doyle, Faulkner mixed with Elmore Leonard. All in all, he's not to be missed. Read them all. This one's as good a place to start as any.
Rating:
Summary: Swamp People
Review: Pick any page and you'll find a sentence to copy and hang on the wall. Another story of a beatup ex-cop solving a crime. The locale is between bayou and big easy. A few too many scenes of raindrops. The characters are complex, unusual and believable. The sex is not just another peep show, but shows the characters' emotions. The suspense makes one cringe at the possible outcome. All the baddies-- a whole cast -- get crunched. Satisfying on many levels.
Rating:
Summary: Burke At His Best
Review: If you are new to James Lee Burke, "Purple Cane Road" would be a good place to start. The moody, broody Dave Robicheaux collects a clue concerning the long ago murder of his mother while trying to get a friend off death row. The steamy Louisiana bayous are an ever-present background to Dave's search. The story is quickly paced in spite of the subplots and diversions. The characterizations are unforgettable: Clintonesque Governor Belmont Pugh, sidekick Clete Purcel who has no sense of proportion (if a little disturbance is good, a full-scale riot is better!), more than slightly mad Mrs. Cora Gable, and John Reneta, a hit man like no other. The low life scum of New Orleans and New Iberia are delightful cameos. Sometimes they are far more attractive than the citizens who are the pillars of the community. Though there are a few places where the solutions are a mite slick, the overall strength and great story weaving overcome any minor flaws. Best of all, Dave Robicheaux makes a good companion and friend. You get to do all the talking, as Dave is a man of very few words. A great read.
Rating:
Summary: The Smells!
Review: I have never "smelled" the sceenery of a book before; the rain, the musty leaves, the fish, the water, the flowers. However, I am always suspicious of stories about "Mothers" - especially by sons. Fraud has done it all - nothing new can be added. When authors begin to rip into their families usually it is s sure sign that they are running out of ideas. I sincerely hope it's not the case. There is a bit too much brutality in the violence - nevertheless there is something mesmerizing abut the book; its impressionistic style and dreamy progression. I can still see the purple cane road in the lightning.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Yet
Review: Absolutely brilliant! I once believed that writers like Hemingway and Laurie Lee had no equals. I was wrong! In my opinion, Burke is probably the finest writer alive today; possibly one of the finest writers 'ever'.
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