Clete

A Dave Robicheaux Novel

By: James Lee Burke

Narrated by: Will Patton

Length: 9 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

In the latest installment in his famous Detective Dave Robicheaux series, New York Times bestselling author James Lee Burke brings Dave’s partner and friend Clete Purcel to the forefront for the first time as Clete and Dave attempt to stop ruthless smugglers of a dangerous new drug.

Clete Purcel—private investigator, ex-member of the New Orleans Police Department, and war veteran with a hard shell and just a few soft spots—is Dave Robicheaux’s longtime friend and partner in detective work. But he has a troubled past. When Clete leaves his car at the local car wash, only to return to find it ransacked by a group of thugs tied to the drug trade from Mexican cartels to Louisiana, it feels personal—his grandniece died of a fentanyl overdose, and his fists curl when he thinks of the dealers who sold it.

Just as Clete starts to trail the culprits, Clara Bow, a woman with a dark past hires Clete as a detective to investigate her scheming, slippery ex-husband, and a string of brutal deaths all link back to a heavily tattooed man who seems to lurk around every corner. Clete is experiencing shockingly lifelike hallucinations and questioning Clara’s ulterior motives when he and Dave start to hear rumors of a dangerous substance with potentially catastrophic effects. The thugs who destroyed his car might have been pawns in a scheme far darker than they could’ve imagined.

Gripping, violent, yet interlaced with Clete’s humor and consistent drive to protect those he loves, Clete brings a fresh perspective to a truly iconic series. James Lee Burke proves yet again that he is the “heavyweight champ” and “great American novelist whose work, taken individually or as a whole, is unsurpassed” (Michael Connelly).

©2024 James Lee Burke (P)2024 Simon & Schuster Audio

What a listen!

JLB AND WILL PATTON HAVE DONE IT AGAIN! A fabulous listen .Pure poetry mixed with horrendous situations
makes this another winner in the pantheon of the great Mr.Burke!!!

More

Please Sir, I want some more. I love all the writings of Burk. His prose are poetry, and stories captivating. He always leaves me awaiting his next release.

Outstanding Performance by Will Patton!!

I absolutely loved it! James Lee Burke is one of the best writers on this planet!

Joan of Ark

Loved the whole thing. Much better than that Cloak story. Hated that. Burke is a great writer.

Learning more about Clete.

The stories about Dave and Clete become richer for allowing Clete to narrate. And this is Clete’s story. His decisions. His world view which is a rich tapestry of a bumpy ride through life. I am grateful that he got his own book in his own voice.

Another amazing story

great characters, amazing world building, incredible turn of phrase, gritty realism, with a satisfying dose of mysticism

Clete

James Lee Burke again takes the reader on a journey that leaves them wanting more. A journey through the darkest corners of one’s imagination that we come to realize, exist all around us. Continuing the experiences of Dave and Clete amongst some of the most dark and malicious offenders or simply confronting true evil itself. Leaving us with a great story, but also with great introspection of ourselves, the human element and this world in which we live.
As in all of Mr. Burkes writings, this comes highly recommended.

A stunning cultural and poetic book from an author who transcends the mystery/thriller genre into important literature.

Captures the extremes of human nature which we all struggle to understand. A unique work in this career long series.

First JLB I've heard without the word "skillet!"

James Lee Burke is my favorite writer, hands-down, and I was so excited for this book. I have listened to every book in this series and almost everything else he has written. And while I don't think it's the best of the series, it's still excellent, colorful, and worth a listen.

Getting to spend so much time with Clete is a rare treat, but I have to agree with one reviewer who said that the voice sounded more like Dave than Clete himself. I only point this out becuase we've gotten to know Clete so well in all the other books, so it stood out a bit. Regardless, Dave and Clete are two sides of the same brilliant coin, and they complete each other. It was fun getting to hear Clete's take on how Dave needs protecting, Instead of the other way around, as we always hear in the other books.

I think this could have been a richer experience. Still though, we get a lot of insight and new perspective into the best character in a series that is packed with outstanding characters. And at the end, we even see a new side of him that we haven't seen before. It was also funny to hear Jl.B indirectly poke fun at himself as the writer of Flags On The Bayou (which is outstanding if you haven't read it/listened to it).

Will Patton, as always, hits it out of the park. I could listen to that man read the phonebook.

One of his best

I’ve always wondered about Clete. The man through his eyes and not just Dave’s. I now know why Dave loves him and so do I! His cats sleep on his head - he won my heart right there.eves,mmm