::AMAZON REVIEWS::

This One Didn't Do it For Me
I am a big James Lee Burke fan. I can tell this was an early novel. The plot took a hard to believe turn when (plot spoiler) he decided to take Alafair with him to Montana. Why in the world would he decide to take a 6 year old with him on a trip to confront deadly gangsters, some of whom had already once threatened the child? Well, to me it was so she could be threatened or harmed in some manner later on in the book. I don't know if I am correct, I haven't finished the book, but I bet I am.

Also, there is an awful lot of "coincidence" in this eveyone knows someone who knew someone all tied together. Hard to swallow. The bad guys here seem pretty stereotypical. I'm just not diggin' this one like I have the other books with this character. 2 stars, might not finish it.

Ok, I finished it. I was wrong about the daughter, the only purpose it served was to waste page space having to add who he left the child with every time he went out.

Also, I personally think the author does not understand the term "dry drunk" at all. Additionally I grew weary of hearing about the alcoholic issues. Maybe I'm wrong...but I think an "alcohiolic" who has been sober a very long time doesn't have to go through the sweaty white knuckle moments and physical illness/symptoms anymore.

Maybe 3 stars. I found the ending to be sort of flat like a soda with no carbonation. Almost an as if the "climax" was an epilogue or something. I read it as a rough first effort and will likely continue to read the Robicheaux series.

Black Cherry Blues
Narrator was excellent but James Lee Burke flowers descriptions up too much like he is being paid by the word wow. I work from home and listen to so many audio books. Black cherries Blues I couldn't concentrate on it after two cassettes I had to stop I was day dreaming too much so started a different audio book with a different author fully engrossed in it instantly from the first line. If James Lee Burke would just get on with the storyline which is actually quite OK more people would follow his books. sorry will never buy another James Lee Burke again.

A thoroughly gripping mystery
[***** = breathtaking, **** = excellent, *** = good, ** = flawed, * = bad]

I'm not a worshipful fan of every single thing that Burke writes, but I found Black Cherry Blues one of his best. Robicheaux gets framed on a murder charge, and once he's out on bail, he must travel to Montana to investigate an illegal Mafia take-over of tribal lands that, in a complicated way, pertains to his murder trial.

The character interactions are nothing short of amazing. I found myself shaking my head again and again at the foolish actions of has-been singer Dixie Lee, mentally urging Robicheaux to get the heck away from him, and simultaneously kind of liking him for being so colorful! And Clete Purcell ... words fail me. Was there ever a cop who was more out-of-control than this self-destructive hellraiser? His hospital scene with Robicheaux made me burst out laughing at the same time that it almost brought a tear to my eye.

Definitely read this book. There are scenes that give you the chilling feeling that you are one imperfect guy with the impersonal forces of the universe arrayed against you. The book puts you deep into Robicheaux's psyche. Longer review at the Mystery Books site on BellaOnline (BellaOnline.com).

My New Favorite Detective Series
Black Cherry Blues is my second James Lee Burke read - I also enjoyed Pegasus Descending. I think this is the superior book in my opinion but nevertheless I'm now hooked on the Dave Robicheaux series and have to get them all.

I would compare Burke's writing to Michael Connelly in regards to a dark element in all the characters - "good" and "bad" ones. These are flawed characters who've lived hard lives. Dave Robicheaux is like your "Harry Bosch" character of Michael Connelly's except with a more small town Louisiana/Cajun flavor.

Burke has a real talent for taking you to Louisiana and back - the anecdotes about growing up cajun are fascinating and warmly sentimental.

The rich descriptions, atmosphere and cultural flavor coupled with a strong Clint Eastwood type of character make these stories winners. There is a sort of noir feel like the old Clint Eastwood movies.

Pegasus Descending got me interested but this book hooked me and made me a serious fan.

I highly recommend - especially if you like Michael Connelly's work.

Decent reading
My first book by this author, and definitely not the last. There is quite decent plot in it, even though sometimes one asks oneself, is the main character masochist or what? Some outcomes are predictable, but generally a good mystery book. I also like the description of Montana.