A Private Cathedral

A Dave Robicheaux Novel

By: James Lee Burke

Narrated by: Will Patton

After finding himself caught up in one of Louisiana’s oldest and bloodiest family rivalries, Detective Dave Robicheaux must battle the most terrifying adversary he has ever encountered: a time-traveling superhuman assassin.

The Shondell and Balangie families are longtime enemies in the New Iberia criminal underworld and show each other no mercy. Yet their youngest heirs, Johnny Shondell and Isolde Balangie, rock and roll-musician teenagers with magical voices, have fallen in love and run away after Isolde was given as a sex slave to Johnny’s uncle.

As he seeks to uncover why, Detective Dave Robicheaux gets too close to both Isolde’s mother and the mistress of her father, a venomous New Orleans mafioso whose jealousy has no bounds. In retribution, he hires a mysterious assassin to go after Robicheaux and his longtime partner, Clete Purcel. This hitman is unlike any the “Bobbsey Twins from Homicide” have ever faced. He has the ability to induce horrifying hallucinations and travels on a menacing ghost ship that materializes without warning. In order to defeat him and rescue Johnny and Isolde, Robicheaux will have to overcome the demons that have tormented him throughout his adult life - alcoholism, specters from combat in Vietnam, and painful memories of women to whom he opened his heart only to see killed.

A Private Cathedral, James Lee Burke’s 40th book, is his most powerful tale, one that will captivate listeners—mixing crime, romance, mythology, horror, and science fiction to produce a thrilling story about the all-consuming, all-conquering power of love.

©2020 James Lee Burke (P)2020 Simon & Schuster Audio

Muddled mess

I must say that I am a HUGE fan of most of Mr. Burke's work. At the height of his powers very few can paint as vivid a picture with words as he can. This go around however with Dave and Clete just seems to fall flat among the lily pads floating on the Teche... I don't necessarily have an issue with the author dabbing in the supernatural as his stories always seem to be imbued with a larger than life tableau that may inspire thoughts of the paranormal. In this instance however I failed to see how the often bad and sometimes good actions of the shadowy character named Gideon fit in with the much more evil designs of the two primary villains in the plot. Overall it just felt like much ado about nothing in the Robicheaux canon which is a shame considering it's impressive body of work prior. Alas only the continually stellar voicework of Mr. Will Patton kept this undercooked tale afloat for me leaving me to wonder if Dave's eventual denouement will bring back that old time rock n roll we all love about the coo from New Iberia.

The Worst JLB

Simple just out of new ideas!! Alifairs books are way better. I wonder if he actually wrote it himself?

disappointed

Struggled to finish it. Too supernatural for me.

Will Patton great. Hope next book is better.

too much supernatural

He's strayed a bit too much into the supernatural in this one. Otherwise very engaging full of suspense.

Perfection!

James Lee Burke has an amazing talent of making you feel everything in his books. You can hear the music, smell the marsh, feel the wind and weather, and literally put you inside his character's head, heart and soul. Will Patton just ices this cake with his narration. His readings of the novels makes one melt like hot butter. Prepare for a sweltering ride though the bayou, sit back and enjoy the experience.

Strange Different book

A lot of reading for a story of good & evil. Too much supernatural. Has Burke run out of ideas?

Some may not like the departure from reality

I can't get enough of James Lee Burke. Some may not like the departure from reality, I didn't, but between the writing and Will Patton's narration, I will listen and read yet more.

anti trumpism subtle but noticeable

there r more problems in america caused by everybody but neonazis seems odd to tell an author to read and shut off cnn

Loved the book!

A great story written by one of the greatest storyteller’s and read by a favorite narrator!

struggle

I love the Dave Robereaux series but this one I had struggled to follow sometimes. it's got alot of extra