vernacular of the area, can be harsh and bloody in situations, unusual characters painted finely, self told so you are always in the author's head, wording is often lyrical and beautiful to read ( )

Another good installment with Dave, although the ending was a little predictable. Good stuff about alcoholism. Dave (Burke?) tends to express the false alternative that degenerate individuals have either a sociological or theological source, when criminal personalities stem from the potentialities of our civilization and our species. ( )

In the summer of 1958, Dave Robicheaux and his brother Jimmy are swimming in Galveston Bay when sharks appeared nearby. A young woman, Ida Durbin, sees their situation from the beach and rescues them, forever leaving her imprint on their lives.

Jimmy, in particular, becomes infatuated with Ida. When he learns that she has been working in a house of prostitution, he attempts to rescue her. Just when Jimmy and Ida were ready to run away to Mexico, Ida disappears.

Years later, Dave learns from a dieing friend that Ida was snatched by two policeman who were on the take. They were paid off by the owner of the house of prostitution.

Shortly after learning this, Dave is assaulted. He thinks it is because someone didn't want him knowing about Ida. Sheriff Helen Soileau wants Dave to look into the Baton Rouge killer. He is killing women in Baron Rouge but his last victim was from New Iberia who might have been a victim of opportunity. While Dave is looking for the killer, he also has the chance to look into Ida's disappearance.

There is a continuing dispute between Dave and Val Chalons. Val is a TV personality and when his sister is murdered, a set of Dave's prints were found in her home. Val makes this public as well as publicizing the fact that Dave has just married a Catholic Nun. This escalates the conflict to one of a physical nature where Dave puts Val in the hospital and almost loses his job. However, after a periof of desk duty, he's back on the trail. He becomes the Crusader, looking for the killer.

James Lee Burke is simply one of the best mystery writers in America. He is one of only three people who have won the Edgar Award for Best Mystery Novel of the Year, two times. "Crusader's Cross" continues his history of excellence. The plot is interesting, Dave is one of the most famous characters in mystery writing and his friend Clete is one in a million.

Don't miss this story. ( )

(review of the audiobook version) I loved the narration of this book and the names of the characters deserve mention -- so lyrical! As mysteries go, this is one of those gritty stories involving an impulsive cop who is trying to solve the disappearance of a prostitute decades ago and a string of modern-day murders. The bad guy is obvious, but is he the perpetrator? Set in the Louisiana bayou, this book is rich in its dialogue and narrative. I would recommend it to mystery/crime story lovers. ( )

There is a spooky, exotic ambience created by the writing of James Lee Burke. The characters can be crass and ough hewn but sometimes surprisingly gentle. ( )