Burning Angel

A Dave Robicheaux Novel, Book 8

By: James Lee Burke

Narrated by: Mark Hammer

Length: 14 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

James Lee Burke's blockbuster best-seller at a new low price!

Detective Dave Robicheaux becomes entangled in the affairs of the Fontenot family, descendants of sharecroppers whose matriarch helped raise Dave as a child. They are in danger of losing the land they've lived on for more than a century. As Dave tries to discover who wants the land so badly, he finds himself in increasing peril from a lethal, rag tag alliance of local mobsters and a hired assassin with a shady past.

©1996 James Lee Burke (P)2012 Simon & Schuster Audio

Overflowing with the richest characters in fiction!

Riveting stories, rich characters and perfect narration by Mark Hammer. The scene descriptions put you feel like you are actually there. Really enjoyed hearing the James Lee Burke talk about his persistent pursuit of his art, during the 13 year that publishing companies were not responding positively. For his readers and listeners, it was well worth the wait. As close to perfect for me, as humanly possible! Congratulations to all involved. I have laughed out loud, gotten damp eyes and enjoyed every moment listening. Thank you James Lee Burke.

Excellent

Overall a great read, I love the details of each character's life and how they interact. I especially like the complicated Dave Robicheaux and his constant fight to stay on the straight and narrow.

HAUNTING: A Mystical Bayou Cop Story...

In one of his best earlier (the sixth) Dave Robicheaux stories, “In the Electric Mist With Confederate Dead” James Lee Burke began to explore the thin line between spirituality and mysticism. In the process he created a new genre - the metaphysical cop story. Here in the eighth Robicheaux he revisits that idea. I’m glad. You will be too, especially if you’ve started the series from the beginning.

In fact, I’d recommend that you skip right over “Dixie City Jam,” Burke’s seventh and slowest novel and come from “Electric Mists” to “Burning Angel”. You’ll miss nothing in the epic evolution of Dave, Bootsey, Alafair, and Cleetus but you’ll get to enjoy Burke’s growing his ability to explore this lyrical new story arc.

Of the eight Burke novels, I still think that the first and that “Electric Mist” are the most haunting. But with the exception of “Dixie City Jam”, they are among the absolute finest work in American detective fiction … EVER! Uh-huh…. EVER! And as always,The late Mark Hammer’s lyrical talent to create this back-bayou Louisiana world is magical. If you enjoy detective/police/thriller/mystery fiction… the Dave Robicheaux series is a must start.

Enjoyed it way more the 2nd and 3rd time around!

Great story! Initially I found it somewhat confusing but I gets better with each lesson. The key is to listen to the little stories within the bigger story. It's kinda like Where's Waldo except in this case Waldo is Sonny

My favorite

James Lee Burke’s novels are my absolute favorites! Especially the Dave Robicheaux novels. I don’t have time to read books, so I listen to the audio books in my car. I have listened to them all more than once and am currently going back and listening in order. Mr. Burke’s use of simile and metaphor is so intricate and imaginary. I can literally see the scenes he paints come to life in my mind. Will Patton’s performance in reading some of the novels is spectacular. His accents bring the characters to life!

Great book!

James Lee Burke is a favorite but once Will Patton began reading the tales I can't enjoy the Mark Hammer as much. Sorry, just telling the truth. Still better than almost any other fiction out there IMHO. Happy listening.

disappointed

very disappointed in this story after reading so many other enjoyable Burke novels.

better story than narration

This was was a struggle for me. While the story was as expected for Robicheaux, the narration was horrid. I do want to complete the saga but not sure I can. Being from Louisiana, I love recognizing towns & streets. Hearing the mispronunciation is tough. And what is with the over pronunciated "eww" in words like suit, super, et al? Just no! I love listening while on car trips but will probably find another book to follow.

Ugg

What would have made Burning Angel better?

The narration was dull and boring. It needs someone livelier.

What didn’t you like about Mark Hammer’s performance?

He sounds bored and dull.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Burning Angel?

I’m unsure. Maybe I just don’t like the subject.

What was it about again?

I'm sorry I love J Burkes books though Mark Hammer You try , Will Patton ruined Burkes books forever since he read the books with such whimsical poetry making listening to Audible a very great experience. Mark Hammer I was lucky to listen with a player that could speed up the reading since the the recorded version was so sloow, It helped a bunch, mellow reading style made it very hard to distinguish between characters, in fact this is one of the first books out of 300 that I can't even tell you what the plot was or outcome, I hate to be negative about someone making a living, I can't listen to M Hammer as a reader w/ Burkes stories, Patton where our you.