As always in these books, the atmosphere looms large and, as has been the case in several of them, Dave's own family is at grave personal risk. In this case, it's his adopted daughter, Alafair, who is home on a break from college and struggling to complete a novel. Alafair begins a relationship with Kermit Abelard, the son of a family that has long constituted something of the local aristocracy. I only wished I opened a chapter into the character David Robicheaux's life more sooner than this. I took to reading this novel now as I had creole belle to read before release, wanting the run down on this Bayou saga. This story is epic it covers more than just a crime. One thing for sure is have James Lee Burke up there as a writer in the league of his own.

I have had visions of them that I do not try to explain to other. Sometimes I thought I heard cries and shouts and the sounds of musket fire in the mist, because the Union soldiers who marched through Acadiana were turned loose upon the civilian populace as a lesson in terror. The rape of Negro women became commonplace. Northerners have never understood the nature of the crimes that were committed in their names, no more than neocolonials can understand the enmity their government creates in theirs. Their pastoral solemnity of a civil war graveyard doesn’t come close to suggesting the reality of war or the crucible of pain in which a solider lives and dies. Quotes : Like most Irish, the pagan in him was alive and well, but he kept a pew in a medieval cathedral where the knight-errant genuflected in a cone of stained light, blood-soaked cloak or not.The main suspect in a serial killer case is acquainted with Alafair's (Robicheaux's daughter) latest boyfriend - Kermit Abelard. The Abelards are rich Southern landlords, the kind that has played antagonists to Robicheaux since the series started. It is nice to see Alafair making errors in judgment, she has been too perfect in previous entries. Highlights include a great gunfight and an ending that would have been a fitting finale to the series.

This is the 18th book in the David Robicheaux series. In this story the detective with the New Iberia, Louisiana sheriff's department is investigating the deaths of seven young women in neighboring Jefferson Davis Parish. They appear to be the work of a serial killer but one of the victims, Bernadette Latiolais, was a high school honor student and does not fit the profile of the other victims. Despite the number of victims there seems to be little interest or belief that a serial killer is in their midst. But Dave has his best friend, Clete Purcel, to help him with the case. Choosing which memorial piece you want can be a really difficult decision. If you've looked online for memorial jewellery, chances are you have come across the concept of resin being used as a preservation tool for ashes and hair. We do not use resin here and generally advise against it.Needless to say, then, Dave is not at all happy about Alafair's relationship with Abelard, and he's even less excited about the fact that the Abelards are hosting Robert Weingart, an ex-con-turned-writer who's being celebrated as the next great prison writer. Dave refuses to believe that Weingart has reformed and he believes that the Abelards are dupes or worse for allowing Weingart into their home. But naturally, when Dave attempts to warn Alafair of his concerns, she revolts against him and Dave runs the risk of losing his daughter. Burke and his wife, Pearl, split their time between Lolo, Montana, and New Iberia, Louisiana. Their daughter, Alafair Burke, is also a mystery novelist. The Glass Rainbow is the best James Lee Burke novel, the best Dave Robicheaux tale. The novel begins with the investigation of the deaths of seven girls and young women. There is a list of suspects: an heir to a plantation fortune turned author of historical novels; an ex-con turned author of a novel about his prison time (one of those people made famous by an affluent "sophisticated" readership living vicariously on illicit thrills); a swamp-wise dealer/pimp/entrepreneur who preys expertly on desperate people with dreams of a significant life; a nouveaux-riche millionaire and his wife with old money pretensions, under investigation by the IRS and the SEC.

In The Glass Rainbow Dave and Clete find themselves investigating the murder of several young girls. An ex-con Robert Weingart, who was freed from prison by the intervention of the Abelard family, is the focus of the investigation. He was released after writing a book that was compared to Soul on Ice and the state decided that he was reformed...enough. Kermit Abelard is dating Alafair, the daughter of Dave Robicheaux. He is wealthy, attractive, a published writer, and emotionally available to an impressionable young lady. Kermit just happens to prefer going to the bed sheet rodeo with Robert Weingart. Needless to say Alafair may be a modern woman, but she ain't that modern. As the investigation continues it becomes evident that the real reason these girls are turning up dead has to do with a land deal that would allow an ethanol plant to be built. Scumbags, professional cleaners, an ex-college tennis player, a rich ex-cop, a crooked prison guard, old money and new money all figure in the plot of the novel. As they weave their way through the investigation Dave and Clete find themselves on both sides of the law. As the lies unravel for all those involved the desperation of the liars and our heroes comes to one last stand where even I was wondering if this was going to be the last Dave Robicheaux novel. I am a member of the camp that finds the work of James Lee Burke necessary. I have read that he is the modern day Faulkner. All I know is that he brings alive the Louisiana that I know and his characters remain with me in between the releases of the books. More of the same, for the most part, and that's just fine ... particularly because I took this one along on lengthy trip (with two long flights in each direction) - and when I wasn't sleeping on the planes, it kept me fully entertained. James Lee Burke does weave some philosophy into all his novels. Those moments of self-reflection which Dave has as he tries to determine if he is doing more good than harm.Seven young women in neighboring Jefferson Davis Parish have been brutally murdered. While the crimes have all the telltale signs of a serial killer, the death of Bernadette Latiolais, a high school honor student, doesn't fit: she is not the kind of hapless and marginalized victim psychopaths usually prey upon. It has been my experience that most human stories are circular rather than linear. Regardless of the path we choose, we somehow end up where we commenced - in part, I suspect, because the child who lives in us goes along for the ride.” Robicheaux is the most layered protagonist in crime fiction history. With age both Burke and his protagonist has gotten more judgmental but he is often wondering whether his decisions are tinged with inherent biases and condescending attitudes. This sort of internal rumination makes him so appealing to me. He is certain about his motivations but confused about the morality of his actions. Dave Robicheaux and Clete Purcel are some of the best characters I have ever encountered ... they balance each other out perfectly. And, there has been great character development as the series progressed. The ending in this book is a true masterpiece. I'm sure that this will be considered an American Literature Masterpiece or Classic someday. Clete Purcel his ex-partner in upholding the law steps onto the scene and becomes part of the web. He’s a great addition to this story!