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312 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 11, 2024
I'm pretty much on auto-buy for anything from James Lee Burke where his longtime hero Dave Robicheaux appears. This one was no exception, but the gimmick here is that it's narrated by Dave's hotheaded friend and partner, Clete Purcel, instead of Dave himself. This worked OK for me. Clete turns out "in his own way" to be as sensitive, damaged, and haunted as Dave is.
That said, it didn't stop the publisher from putting "A Dave Robicheaux Novel" on the front cover.
Things start out innocuously enough: Clete leaves his treasured vintage Cadillac convertible at a car wash for detailing, only to discover it being torn apart by three thugs for some reason. Why? Well, they're looking for something, and when they fail to find it, they set upon Clete, suspecting that he's got it. What could it be? We don't find out until near the end. (And it turns out to be something that only exists in the JLB universe, but that's OK.)
The usual JLB plot elements are here. Bad guys with repulsive physical features, and even more repulsive ideologies. Rich bastards seemingly untouchable by the law. Corrupt cops. Decent cops. Unlikely coincidences and accidental revelations. Protagonists put through near-unendurable pain, both psychic and physical.
And, if you know the series, you know that Dave has supernatural visions, ever since (I think) In the Electric Mist With the Confederate Dead. Somewhat surprisingly, Clete has such visions too, involving (no additional spoilers, just a hint) a maid you've probably heard of, probably appropriate for the Louisiana setting.
It gets a little weird, by which I mean a lot more weird in the thrilling climax. That's fine; at this stage, JLB has earned the right to write it whatever way he likes.