The Glass Rainbow: A Dave Robicheaux Novel

James Lee Burke

Jul 2010 · Dave Robicheaux Book 18 · Sold by Simon and Schuster

About this ebook

From New York Times bestselling author James Lee Burke, Detective Dave Robicheaux becomes entangled in a mystery that connects a series of grisly murders with an ex-convict turned bestselling author, a notorious local pimp, and the man currently dating Robicheaux’s daughter.

On the trail of a killer responsible for the deaths of seven young women in neighboring Jefferson Davis parish, Detective Dave Robicheaux and his best friend Clete Purcel can’t seem to stay away from Herman Stanga, a notorious pimp whose name constantly resurfaces in their investigation, and whom both men despise. When Stanga turns up dead shortly after a fierce beating in front of numerous witnesses at the hands of Clete Purcel, the case takes a nasty turn, and solving the mystery of the Jefferson Davis deaths becomes more important than ever.

Adding to Robicheaux’s troubles is the matter of his adopted daughter, Alafair, on hiatus from Stanford Law for a semester and home in New Iberia to put the finishing touches on her novel. Her literary pursuit has led her into the arms of Kermit Abelard, celebrated novelist and scion of a once-prominent Louisiana family whose fortunes are slowly sinking into the bayous. In Robicheaux’s mind, Abelard’s association with a sleazy ex-convict turned bestselling author named Robert Weingart puts him at the center of some very shady business, and Robicheaux fears he’s taking Alafair down with him. But at the same time he fears for Alafair’s well-being—and possibly her life—she’s becoming more distant toward him, convinced his concerns are just the paranoia of an overprotective father. To protect his daughter and clear his best friend’s name, Robicheaux will need every ounce of guts, wit, and investigative chops he can muster.

From the creator of “one of America’s best mystery series” (Library Journal, starred review), James Lee Burke’s The Glass Rainbow is a “superlative” (Publishers Weekly, starred review) bayou thriller.

Ratings and reviews

What could draw the attention of Dave Robicheaux and the New Iberia police department more than the death of seven young women. Dave is asked to look into the death of one of the girls who doesn't fit the profile of the other murder victims. Bernadette Latiolais was a high school honor student who had received a college scholarship offer. When a body is dumped in the field of a cane farmer in New Iberia Parish, Dave and his boss, Helen Soileau find something that connects this body with Bernadettes and they begin their official investigation. Dave hooks up with his old and loyal friend, Clete Purcel. They turn their attention to a former pimp named Herman Stanga. When Stanga and Clete get into a confrontation, Clete beats Stanga so severly that Stanga is hospitalized and then begins the process of suing Clete. Later, when Stanga is murdered, Clete becomes the central suspect. Dave Robicheaux's daughter, Alafair, is attempting to get her first novel published and is associating with two men of bad reputation. Dave does his best to warn his daughter about these men but she doesn't want his interference. This leads to major complications later in the story. The setting, as always with James Lee Burke, is described as if the reader was watching a painting unfold before them. "...a town square that opened onto lovely vistas of oak trees and flowers...planted along the bayou's edge." Very visual and entertaining. The novel will keep the reader's attention as the story unfolds and once again, Dave Robicheaux shows that he is one of the finest characters in literature.

I loved this book until I got to the extremely unsatisfying ending. I don't mind cliffhangers, so the disposition of Cleve and Dave are bearable. But the details of plot has so many loose ends that I feel betrayed as if the reader is just supposed to trust that the endless plot strings do tie together--HOW???????????? Why was the Canadian girl tortured and murdered and are the murders of 5 other girls related? Why was ritzy Catherine in cahoots with sociopaths Robert and Kermit? Was the grandfather in on whatever criminal scheme they all had going? Just what did they all have going? WAY TOO MANY unanswered plots elements. I listened to this book on tape because the reader does such a great job with the accents and various voices (especially Clete's), so maybe if I'd had the print version to refer back to events I could figure some of this out. BUT I DOUBT IT. Beautiful writing but disappointing plot development.

About the author

James Lee Burke is a New York Times bestselling author, two-time winner of the Edgar Award, and the recipient of the Guggenheim Fellowship for Creative Arts in Fiction. He has authored forty novels and two short story collections. He lives in Missoula, Montana.