Pegasus Descending

De: James Lee Burke

Narrado por: Will Patton

A troubled young woman breezes into Detective Robicheaux's hometown of New Iberia, Louisiana. She happens to be the daughter of his friend: a friend he witnessed gunned down in a bank robbery, a tragedy that forever changed Robicheaux's life.

The twists begin when Trish Klein, the only offspring of Robicheaux's Vietnam-era buddy, starts passing marked hundred-dollar bills in local casinos. Is she a good kid gone bad? A victim's child seeking revenge? A promiscuous beauty seducing everyone good within her grasp? And can Robicheaux make peace with his friend's murder in time to figure out how a local mobster fits into all the schemes and death? Will his life be whole again when it has been shattered by so much tragedy?

In Pegasus Descending, James Lee Burke explores psyches as much as evidence, and tries to make sense of human behavior as well as his characters' crimes. Richly atmospheric, frightening in its sudden violence, and replete with the sort of puzzles only the best crime fiction creates, Burke's latest novel is an unforgettable roller coaster of passion, surprise, and regret.

©2006 James Lee Burke. All rights reserved (P)2006 Simon & Schuster. All rights reserved.

Reseñas de la Crítica

"The novel is steeped in complex personality studies, lyrical prose, and richly drawn depictions of Mr. Burke's beloved bayou country." (The New York Times)
"With peerless naturalistic descriptions and lush, metaphysical imagery, Burke creates another challenging morality play for his flawed, everyman hero." (Publishers Weekly)
"Everything that makes this series so compelling - the elegiac, seductively lyrical prose; the complex character of Robicheaux; the lovingly evoked bayou setting - is here in abundance....The fact remains that no serious reader of hard-boiled fiction should ever miss a moment of Dave Robicheaux in action." (Booklist)

Good Entertainment, Well Written & Performed!...

I thoroughly enjoyed this listen. This is best one that I've listened to so far. I've listen to three others. This story is rich in characters and atmosphere. My favorite character is Clete. I don't like thinking of Clete as Dave Robichaux's sidekick because he's much more than that. Not only are they good friends who understand and know how the other thinks, they are also detectives and they have each other's back!

In this well written story, there are 3 or 4 murders, each one complicated. Are they related to each in some way or not? Dave Robichaux goes on the hunt for the clues. What makes Burke's stories so very unique for me are the settings, the poetic language peppered with many Louisiana's sayings which adds to the flavor and richness of the story. The characters are well developed and the mystery and complexity of the story lines are easily followed. There is a good amount of humor which is very entertaining. My favorite character, Clete, is "laugh-out-laugh funny" in how he come up with Louisiana sayings and phrases with a nonchalant attitude even in the face of danger. Nothing fazes Clete!

As one reviewer noted, " Will Patton is the embodiment of the New Iberia detective." Will Patton's performance is always exceptional. Patton uses many voices which are realistically southern Louisiana. His accent leaves you feeling that you are in fact down in New Iberia on the Bayou Teche ... Highly Recommend....

One of my favorites

I can't get enough of the Dave Robicheaux novels (unabridged)with Will Patton narrating. The characters were engaging, but I especially liked the plot of this one. Burke's prose, as always, is lyrical, full of Southern imagery. Very literary but never boring.

JLB does it again

James Lee Burke (my fave writer) + Will Patten (my fave narrator) + the great character Cletus Purcell all together make for a compelling & great audiobook book worth a well spent credit. Loved it.

Big Fan

Being from California, I love hearing the tales of Dave Robicheaux and New Orleans. What an interesting and historical place. James Lee Burke always tells an interesting story and I wish I had begun them in chronilogical order so I could keep up with all of his wives and Clete's activity. But, I have nearly listened to them all and am greatful he has kept the same narrator, who does a fantastic job. Love em!

Great Novel

Overwhelmingly wonderful plot, characters, pacing, prose and philosophies. The performance is perhaps the best I have ever heard in all my years on audible. Buy this!

Awesome Story Teller

Burke ability to form words into pictures is captivating and leaves you wanting more. Colorful characters and intriguing plot.

So Good!

This was the first book I've read by this author although I love police dramas. I'm sorry I haven't indulged before. Also, Will Patton tops it off with his performance. I did not want to put it down.

Has a way of touching Louisiana's Soul

Great story telling, has a way of describing South Louisiana that touches your heart & soul.

What a combo, fascinating and nicely performed.

As usual, Will Patton's epic storytelling keeps us so engaged that I added several kilometers to my daily commute while listening.

James Lee Burke is new to me and if this is his caliber of storytelling I will be sure to take on more.

It was great to see these two paired together for this novel.

Well, I will need to increase my gas budget for the next installment.
I hope you enjoy this as much as i did.

Burke and Patton: what a pleasure.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. In fact, I have been doing so for about twenty five years now. Mr. Burke's sense of place is magnificent. He describes Iberia Parish and New Orleans so perfectly that you can almost see, feel, smell and taste them. Further, he addresses moral, ethical and personal areas, particularly around issues of conscience, that few other writers would ever even attempt to discuss.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Although you always know that Dave Robicheaux will eventually come out on top, his road there is strewn with vicious characters who put him into very dangerous plights. His buud, Clete Purcell, is a walking hand grenade, ready to explode at any moment with his own brand of hurt from his time in Viet Nam. Dave is also hurt and vulnerable to depression, particularly when he feels the racist big shots running the towns. Dave's sense of morality is a complicated, developing thing. Everything about his life is interesting to the reader. I may not have read all of his books, but it is hard to imagine Mr. Burke writing anything below truly extraordinary prowess and sensitivity. He puts most other thriller writers to shame.

Have you listened to any of Will Patton’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have. I can't name them right here, but his voice is quite distinct. His portrayal of Southern accents is awesome. At times there is some overlap between the voices of Dave and Clete, but this is a quibble. He holds my interest almost as well as Mr. Burke's content does.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I can't possibly do that, for reasons I am not really sure about. Twelve hours is a long time, and I can't think of anything I do without stopping for that long. I find it nice to read several hours, and then in a few days come back to the book, as the talents of these two men are things to savor, and I like to make them last for a long time.