I love James Lee Burke's novels and search for any I haven't read yet whether in thrift stores or book stores. This novel was beautiful. His mysticism and deeply felt emotions are a wonder. ( )

At times I think I've read too many of James Lee Burke's novels. His characters are at times too violent and too out of control. And those are the protagonists not the villains. Pegasus Descending is the 15th Dave Robicheaux story. Robicheaux is an alcoholic who is working hard on his recovery and attends AA meetings and Mass regularly. But he still struggles with demons from childhood, Army service in Vietnam and his years as a New Orleans police officer. In Pegasus Descending there are too many crimes , including murders, to enumerate. Set in the time just before Hurricane Katrina in 2006 casinos in Louisiana have introduced new crimes and criminals. A college freshman woman shoots herself after being gang raped in a fraternity house. Or is it suicide. The son of a wealthy criminal is shot to death and a drug dealer suspected of the crime. But is that a frame. Burke captures the flavor of Louisiana, though I have never been there to confirm that. Someday perhaps. ( )

I've now read books 1 through 7, 9, 11, and 15 in the Dave Robicheaux series, and I'm sad to report this will be my last, as each new book seems to reinforce Burke's flaws without building further on his great strengths. There have been no good surprises in several books now.

The repetitiveness of the later entries of the Robicheaux series shouldn't detract from Burke's achievement in creating an intriguingly complex hero and a rich and unique environment in which he lives and works. Burke is one of the very best thriller writers from the standpoint of prose style. His descriptions are fine, and when probing human character he never underestimates the reader's capacity to register nuance. You can pick up almost any of these books as your first, and be satisfied. But I'd start at the beginning. ( )

January 2007:
The latest Dave Robicheaux novel, and one of the best. If you read Burke, you know his special brand of detective fiction--hard boiled, but redemptive. His assessment of humanity is scathing and hopeful at the same time. And Louisiana is a character in every book. This one climaxes just before Hurricane Katrina hit the coast and wiped out much of Southern Louisiana, for decades, if not for always. ( )

The plot holds together well in this excellent entry in the Robicheaux series. Burke provides more insight into the Dave-Clete relationship than he has in previous books, and really shows the bond that has formed in these two throughout the years. Burke also does a nice job with the relationships between Dave and Helen Soileau and Dave and Molly. This was some his best character work in several books.
( )