Could not finish

This is the most recent book in the Dave Robicheaux series. Instead of Louisiana the book is set in Montana. Dave with his wife Molly and Clete Purcel are on vacation living there as guests of Albert Hollister. Hollister is a writer and also teaches at a university.
The story begins with the murders of Seymour Bell and Cindy Kershaw two students at the university in the area. The murders are very gruesome and appear to be the work of a sadistic serial killer. Shortly after their murders another couple is murdered in equally gruesome fashion. Dave is asked by the Sheriff Joe Bim Higgins to assist in the investigation of the murders of the students. Clete is helping Dave out but not at the request of the Sheriff.
One of the other plot lines in the story is about Jimmie Dale Greenwood. He had escaped from a prison in Texas after attempting to murder a guard who had raped him and was going to do it again. Greenwood came to Montana looking for his old girlfriend and their son. The guard, Troyce Nix, comes into Missoula County looking for Greenwood and revenge. Along the way Nix had picked up Candace Sweeney and they had developed a very strong relationship which brought real change into the life of Troyce Nix.
The story of Nix and Candace Sweeney and their relationship is one of the high points of the book. At first Nix appears to be a stereotype bad guy but as he and Candace fall in love he shows that the love of a good woman can bring change to a man's life. They provide one of the real surprises in the ending of the book which you will have to read to learn about.
The book is a showcase of the writing talent of James Lee Burke. He is the master of poetic description of the people, objects and action in the story. Clothing, weather, clouds, people's voices are all given unique descriptions that make reading the book a real pleasure. I marvel at his talent.
Clete Purcel plays a large part in the story, larger than in a number of the previous books in the series. He is in the middle of a lot of the action, some violent and some romantic. He has a fling with Jamie Sue Wellstone and becomes more seriously involved with Alicia Rosecrans an FBI agent who is also hunting the serial killer. Some bad things happen to Clete, which I will not detail.
The other major characters are Ridley and Leslie Wellstone. Leslie is a real creep who is married to Jamie Sue who once was a country singer with Joe Dale Greenwood. They are the rich guys that Dave loves to hate and they earn his hatred.
I thought this was one of the best books written by James Lee Burke that I have read. The suspense in the last seventy-five pages wouldn't let me put the book down. I like Clete Purcel more than I did before I read this book. Troyce Nix goes through a metamorphosis that is wonderful and believable. Dave Robicheaux is still trying to solve the world's problems as he struggles with his own. I give it five stars because that's as high as I can go. ( )

Burke's books keep getting darker and darker. The baggage that Clete and Dave carry is depressing to read... the way the story is told is truly magical. I LOVE the way he describes scenes and the thoroughness with which he expalins situations and everything. But, DAMN!, these books are depressing. ( )

excellent quick read "pulp" fiction

I'm very partial to renegades Dave Robicheaux & Cletus Purcel. Having said that, this story flows like a swollen river from begining to end. There must be about a dozen characters to grab your emotions which should cover the gamut from 'she's really a kind sweet soul' to 'you dog; I can't wait for you to get yours'. It's all that in between action that keeps the pages turning. Burke writes with a knowledge that seems as though he's experienced it all, not just researched it. As much as I love the 'Big Easy' locale, Montana has a way of drawing you into it's snow capped, mountainous terrain; just enough to let go of the bayou till next time. ( )