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Light of the World (Dave Robicheaux) Kindle Edition

4.3 out of 5 stars 3,462 ratings

James Lee Burke's legendary detective Dave Robicheaux returns to try to save his daughter from a sadistic killer.

When Detective Dave Robicheaux's daughter, Alafair, declares her intention to interview a convicted serial killer called Asa Surette, he does all he can to dissuade her. Dave has always encouraged her ambitions as a writer, but as a father he doesn't want her to be exposed to a man so nakedly evil. And his fears seem well founded when Alafair is visibly shocked by the encounter.

Two years later, the horror Surette evoked is all but forgotten, as Dave and his family are vacationing amidst the natural beauty of Montana. But evil, it seems, has followed them into this wild paradise. Someone is stalking Alafair, and Dave begins to suspect that it's Surette - even though he officially died when the prison truck he was being transported in collided with an oil tanker. Is Alafair now the target of one of the most depraved serial killers ever to have been caught, or has she unwittingly crossed paths with a murderous psychopath closer to home?

Praise for one of the great American crime writers, James Lee Burke:

'James Lee Burke is the heavyweight champ, a great American novelist whose work, taken individually or as a whole, is unsurpassed.' Michael Connelly

'A gorgeous prose stylist.' Stephen King

'Richly deserves to be described now as one of the finest crime writers America has ever produced.'
Daily Mail

Fans of Dennis Lehane, Michael Connelly and Don Winslow will love James Lee Burke:

Dave Robicheaux Series

1.
The Neon Rain
2.
Heaven's Prisoners
3.
Black Cherry Blues
4.
A Morning for Flamingos
5.
A Stained White Radiance
6.
In the Electric Mist with Confederate Dead
7.
Dixie City Jam
8.
Burning Angel
9.
Cadillac Jukebox
10.
Sunset Limited
11.
Purple Cane Road
12.
Jolie Blon's Bounce
13.
Last Car to Elysian Fields
14.
Crusader's Cross
15.
Pegasus Descending
16.
The Tin Roof Blowdown
17.
Swan Peak
18.
The Glass Rainbow
19.
Creole Belle
20.
Light of the World
21.
Robicheaux

Hackberry Holland Series

1.
Lay Down My Sword and Shield
2.
Rain Gods
3.
Feast Day of Fools
4.
House of the Rising Sun

Billy Bob Holland Series

1.
Cimarron Rose
2.
Heartwood
3.
Bitterroot
4.
In The Moon of Red Ponies

* Each James Lee Burke novel can be read as a standalone or in series order *

Shop this series

 See full series
There are 24 books in this series.

In this series (24 books)

Kindle Edition

Product description

Review

Richly deserves to be described now as one of the finest crime writers America has ever produced. ― Daily Mail

A gorgeous prose stylist. ―
Stephen King

When it comes to literate, pungently characterised American crime writing, James Lee Burke has few peers. ―
Daily Express

James Lee Burke is the heavyweight champ, a great American novelist whose work, taken individually or as a whole, is unsurpassed. ―
Michael Connelly

There are not many crime writers about whom one might invoke the name of Zola for comparison, but Burke is very much in that territory. His stamping ground is the Gulf coast, and one of the great strengths of his work has always been the atmospheric background of New Orleans and the bayous. His big, baggy novels are always about much more than the mechanics of the detective plot; his real subject, like the French master, is the human condition, seen in every situation of society. ―
Independent

His lyrical prose, his deep understanding of what makes people behave as they do, and his control of plot and pace are masterly. ―
Sunday Telegraph

One of the finest American writers. ―
Guardian

The gentle giant of US crime writers, Burke always ensures that his Louisiana detective Dave Robicheaux grapples with hot topics as much as with his own inner demons. ―
i newspaper

The king of Southern noir. ―
Daily Mirror

From the Back Cover

When Detective Dave Robicheaux's daughter, Alafair, declares her intention to interview a convicted serial killer called Asa Surette, he does all he can to dissuade her. Dave has always encouraged her ambitions as a writer, but as a father he doesn't want her to be exposed to a man so nakedly evil. And his fears seem well founded when Alafair is visibly shocked by the encounter.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00CIVLWEM
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Orion
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ 4 July 2013
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ 1st
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.2 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 561 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1409128670
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 20 of 24 ‏ : ‎ Dave Robicheaux
  • Customer reviews:
    4.3 out of 5 stars 3,462 ratings

About the author

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James Lee Burke
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James Lee Burke is a New York Times bestselling author, three-time winner of the Edgar Award as well as the Grand Master Award from Mystery Writers of America, winner of the CWA Diamond Dagger and Gold Dagger and the Grand Prix de Littérature Policière, and the recipient of the Guggenheim Fellowship for Creative Arts in Fiction.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
3,462 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book to be one of the best in the series, praising its fascinating plot with lots of twists and turns. They appreciate the complex character development and wonderful descriptive prose, with one customer noting the natural beauty of Montana as background. The pacing receives mixed reactions, with some enjoying the pace while others find it problematic.

52 customers mention ‘Readability’48 positive4 negative

Customers find the book readable and enjoyable, with several noting it's the best in the series, and one mentioning it kept them reading for days.

"James Lee Burke in my opinion is undoubtedly one of the best writers of the crime/thriller genre. This novel is no exception...." Read more

"...Brilliant and I liked the more sympathetic treatment of Wyatt Dixon and was left wondering why Clete was so ungrateful for that shot which probably..." Read more

"A good read with lots of twists and turns...." Read more

"Enjoyable book with an interesting storyline, my only negative being that it follows a bit of a formulaic plot line that we have seen before in..." Read more

37 customers mention ‘Plot’27 positive10 negative

Customers enjoy the plot of the book, describing it as thrilling with lots of twists and turns.

"Enjoyable book with an interesting storyline, my only negative being that it follows a bit of a formulaic plot line that we have seen before in..." Read more

"Robicheaux as conflicted as ever, great plot all the familiar characters reappear. Lee Burke on top form still" Read more

"...Unfortunately, as a keen Burke fan, I found the plot implausible and the characterisation weak...." Read more

"This is another great story from a master crime writer. Has you hooked from the first turn of the page." Read more

28 customers mention ‘Character development’24 positive4 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, noting that the author crafts complex characters and is a highly skilled writer of thrillers.

"I have read and bought all of James Le Burke's books. He is a fabulous writer and terrifically skilled...." Read more

"...Lee Burke in my opinion is undoubtedly one of the best writers of the crime/thriller genre. This novel is no exception...." Read more

"...Hope JLB never stops writing these books - great characters, great word pictures, great plots!!" Read more

"This is another great story from a master crime writer. Has you hooked from the first turn of the page." Read more

26 customers mention ‘Writing quality’26 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, particularly its wonderful descriptive prose and poetry collection.

"As usual excellent writing,if a bit grim by his standards,The best writer of crime on the planet.Keep going James Alan Roy" Read more

"The older James Lee gets, the better his writing...." Read more

"...Mr.Burke is a very male writer, always has been. I feel he should remain true to himself...." Read more

"...books, Creole Belle and Light of the World, up there with the best he has ever written...." Read more

7 customers mention ‘Love of characters’7 positive0 negative

Customers love the characters in the book, particularly James Lee Burke's writing style.

"Classic Dave, Clete, Alafair and the most entertaining Gretchen Horowitz...." Read more

"Love these characters and the way the next generation is fitting right in, but there were some plot issues I felt were inexplicable...." Read more

"Wonderful James lee Burke, so rich and descriptive. Great plot, fabulous characters that jump off the page...." Read more

"Bought as a present for myself. Love ALL of James Lee Burke's books. Saving this one to take on holiday...." Read more

7 customers mention ‘Picture quality’7 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the vivid imagery in the book, with one noting how the natural beauty of Montana serves as a perfect backdrop, while another mentions how the scenes are easy to visualize.

"...He brings the setting into such beautiful clarity and his philosophy is always absorbing and interesting. So much so, you just want to go there...." Read more

"...This latest has many of the Lee Burke touches - atmosphere, beautiful but tough writing, strong characterisation...." Read more

"...Nobody can write prose like him. The imagery is truly magical. Thank you Mr. Burke." Read more

"...characters, the surroundings the landscape etc are all so easy to picture in your head. I can even "smell" the swamps!..." Read more

10 customers mention ‘Pacing’6 positive4 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the pacing of the book, with some appreciating the organic violence in the story, while others find it too slow.

"...He brings the setting into such beautiful clarity and his philosophy is always absorbing and interesting. So much so, you just want to go there...." Read more

"...The book dwells on vivid descriptions of cruelty...." Read more

"...magical , the characters richly drawn, and the inclusion of topical issues thought provoking...." Read more

"...of the most unpleasant books I've read for a long time, full of gratuitous sexual torture. In retrospect, I wish I'd passed." Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 4 September 2013
    Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
    The older James Lee gets, the better his writing. He brings the setting into such beautiful clarity and his philosophy is always absorbing and interesting. So much so, you just want to go there. My America is James` America.
    Dave, Clete and now the two girls remain fascinating with time bombs always ticking and the new "villains" are as ever, scary, violent and doomed.
    A longer than usual book but remains gripping to the end. Will he write more?
    It is so refreshing to see quality and work maintained through a writers career, where so many others get rich, lazy and begin to just turn the handle.
    Well done James Lee Burke. Another winner.
    4 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 7 October 2013
    I have read and bought all of James Le Burke's books. He is a fabulous writer and terrifically skilled. "Light of the World" starts very well but declines as Alafair and Gretchen continue to appear. Mr.Burke is a very male writer, always has been. I feel he should remain true to himself. I admire Mr. Burke greatly and feel his characters Roubicheaux and Purcell are quite personal to him and should remain that way. I think these women added nothing and rather spoiled the book. I write this, as a woman. Great respect to Mr.Burke.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 4 March 2014
    As an avid reader of all the Dave Robicheaux novels, I have found his last two books, Creole Belle and Light of the World, up there with the best he has ever written. The prose is even more magical , the characters richly drawn, and the inclusion of topical issues thought provoking. I can't agree with a reviewer that he should stick to just Dave and Clete. I think the development of the 2 strong daughters as characters has added a much needed new dimension to the story lines which were becoming a bit repetitive. Their inclusion in no way feminizes the books for me. My only criticism might be that Molly is such a shadowy character. She is Dave's refuge, but not much else and I think the books would be enhanced if she was developed more.
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 April 2015
    Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
    For me JLB is simply the best. Light of the World is just one of the best books that I've read. All the main players in Roubiceaux's life are in here, including the larger than life Clete Purcel, Gretchen Horowitz, Alafair and Molly, all featuring front and centre in this story set around the evil that surrounds money and power.
    JLB paints pictures that make me want to visit the place he describes. He crafts characters that are complex and leave little room for doubt as to what side of the line they are on.His insight and discussion of good and evil support yet another great Roubiceaux story, this time set in Montana.
    Truly one of the greats!
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 18 January 2014
    Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
    I have always enjoyed reading James Le Burke for the quality of the writing alone and this book is no exception, my problem is it never seems to get going. The amount of introspection and worldly wisdom spouted by the main characters gets a little tiresome after a while and I found myself sympathising with the local sheriff. The book follows a well worn path of bad rich guy and good alcoholic and celebrates the wild west tradition of the bad guys getting their comeuppance.
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 24 November 2014
    Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
    Another excellent story involving the "dynamic(if geriatric) duo" of Purcel and Robicheaux. This is a jolly good read by a highly skilled writer of thrillers which combine social realism with Catholic mysticism. The book is unputdownable. It is fast paced and suspenseful. One can tell that Mr Burke is a pedagogue. His work could/should be used by students/teachers of the art of writing. Even the pontifical aspects give the non USA reader an insight into the mentality of a nation where rampant religiosity is almost the norm.
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 16 July 2017
    Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
    The books by James Lee Burke featuring Louisiana detective Dave Robicheaux have always been well developed engaging atmospheric crime thrillers. This book is number twenty in the series.
    This time the action moves to the mountains of Montana.
    Dave, his family and his sidekick, Clete Purcell, have gone to the Rockies to reflect and recuperate. It just so happens that an escaped serial killer is also lurking in the valley. After a series of increasingly sinister incidents the action reaches a climax in a violent cataclysm with only the innocent left standing.
    Unfortunately, as a keen Burke fan, I found the plot implausible and the characterisation weak. Of all the places to go for their vacation, our heroes just happen to be relaxing in close proximity to a serial killer on the run. The key characters in driving the story forward are mostly emotionally stunted; preoccupied with inflicting physical and emotional pain on others. The book dwells on vivid descriptions of cruelty. These are uncomfortable to read and unnecessary to the plot, given readers already know the perpetrators are cruel and sadistic.
    Local law enforcement is incompetent or else corrupt and criminal. In this dark country justice is only achieved through the barrel of a high powered gun.
    In summary, this is a bleak disappointing read. I hope that in his next Robicheaux book Burke will return to the high standard of the earlier books.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 14 July 2013
    Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
    I have ploughed my way through the Dave Robicheaux series and have thoroughly enjoyed living with Dave through all of them. The characters in the books are larger than life especially Clete. This book is one of the best in the series and is set in Montana rather than New Iberia. The villains are particularly nasty but there is the usual humour that comes with Clete doing what Clete does best. The story gathers momentum towards the end with an edge-of-the-seat climax. Can't wait for the next book.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report

Top reviews from other countries

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  • Richard B. Schwartz
    5.0 out of 5 stars JLB's Most Ambitious Novel Yet
    Reviewed in the United States on 8 August 2013
    Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
    Light of the World is James Lee Burke's most ambitious novel to date. At just under 550 pp. it includes a broad cast of characters and a complex plot that appears to be sprawling but turns out to be tightly constructed and brilliantly drawn.

    Dave and Clete are on vacation in Montana, staying with a successful but quirky novelist who has a ranch in the mountains. Molly is with Dave and she plays a larger role in this novel than most. Clete's daughter Gretchen is also there and so is Dave's daughter Alafair. Like Jim's real-life daughter, Alafair, Dave's Alafair is a novelist. She once interviewed a Kansas serial killer named Asa Surrette. He appears to have escaped from prison and is seeking revenge on the world and Alafair in particular. Alafair and Gretchen each play a significant role in trying to prevent this from happening.

    Along with Surrette there is a billionaire industrialist who has a gothic family, each of whom is demented and dangerous in his or her own way. The industrialist manipulates the local members of law enforcement, some of whom are prepared to cross any moral line that might be drawn or imagined. Add to that mix a rodeo clown who had been significantly abused by his parents and whose brain was further addled by electroshock `therapy' and powerful drugs administered by the state.

    In the course of the novel we discover which individuals actually fathered which individuals, which individuals turn out to be siblings, which individuals are responsible for which violent actions (and who hired them to do so) and what are the motivations for various acts of murder, torture and mayhem. The initial stories concern the escape of the serial killer and the murder of the adopted Native American daughter of the industrialist's son and his wife. Dave and Clete become involved when Alafair narrowly escapes being shot in the head by a razor-sharp arrow.

    It sounds complicated, but the plot is easy to follow and all of the expected constituent elements are there: dazzling description of the natural landscape, extensive reflections on the nature of man and the nature of evil, dark secrets from the past that eventually surface, threats to Dave's and to Clete's families, violent circumstances that drive Dave and Clete to seek justice and justifiable vengeance. The latter is a crescendo of suspense and violent action that occupies approximately one-fifth of the novel. And this time Gretchen is there for the ride, with her assorted weaponry and Alafair egging her on, while Molly throws in her two cents, staring into the face of evil. The Bobbsey Twins from Homicide are back in a big, satisfying book.
  • hermann maier
    5.0 out of 5 stars wieder ein Meisterwerk
    Reviewed in Germany on 9 August 2015
    ich habe Jim Burke erst vor etwas mehr als einem Jahr zufällig gefunden, als Regengötter es in Deutschland auch in die charts schaffte.
    Sein Stil hat mir so gut gefallen, dass ich begann Kritiken zu allen seinen Büchern zu lesen. Überall wurde Burke fast nur in höchsten Tönen gelobt und auch ich kann mich mittlerweile seinen Büchern einfach nicht mehr entziehen.
    Ich habe dann begonnen die Robicheaux-Serie von Beginn an zu lesen und war beim dritten Band "Black Cherry Blues" hooked und zum Burke-addict geworden. Auch wenn die ersten Romane von Ulrich von Berg super übersetzt waren, wollte ich dann auch mal Burke in der Originalfassung lesen und hatte mir die Katrina-Sache "Sturm über New Orleans" / "The TinRoof Blowdown" in beiden Sprachen geholt. Die deutsche Fassung hätte ich mir sparen können, das Original war einfach nicht zu toppen.
    Erst hier habe ich gemerkt wie bildgewaltig seine Sprache wirklich ist, und ich kann wirklich jedem nur empfehlen dies auch zu tun.
    "Light of the world" ist wieder ein absolutes Meisterwerk. Von einem Spannungsabfall, weil der Held mittlerweile ja auch schon in die Jahre kommt, ist nirgends was zu spüren. Speziell hier vor der gewaltigen Kulisse Montanas setzt Burke seinen spannenden und teilweise mit Paranoias gespickten plot wieder unvorstellbar gut in Szene. Ein absoluter pageturner.
    Warum dieser Autor im deutschen Sprachraum nicht bekannter ist, wird mir immer ein Rätsel bleiben.
    Hoffentlich besinnen sich auch mal ein paar Verlage dieser Perlen.
    Report
  • StefS
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Greek tragedy in Big Sky Country
    Reviewed in Italy on 6 July 2013
    Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
    When Dave Robicheaux and Clete Purcel leave sultry Louisiana for a family vacation in Montana, they don’t realize they can’t leave evil behind. Suddenly, even the natural beauty of Western Montana is tainted by horrific deeds perpetrated by cruel and ruthless individuals. In this harrowing story there’s more than one monster and there exist sordid and invisible links between several of the characters.
    To make matters worse, Dave and Clete are getting old and their instincts dulled: the “Bobbsey Twins of Homicide” clearly risk getting overmatched here.

    This is when Clete’s daughter, Gretchen, and Dave’s adopted one, Alafair, take the field and become front-row players. Besides regaling the reader with great dialog, they take and hold the limelight in this convoluted plot, which is somewhat reminiscent of Greek tragedies and their somber atmosphere.

    Burke’s prose is rich and evocative as usual, especially in his vivid descriptions of Montana’s majestic landscapes and mighty weather.
    Someone may find that Burke’s narrative set pieces are becoming repetitive, that Dave Robicheaux’s moral conundrums and Clete’s signature attitude (“Full throttle and f*** it”) are beginning to get old, but – in this reader’s opinion – they have firmly become part of American literature and are getting more layered with every following book.
  • Nathalie Auger
    5.0 out of 5 stars Dark
    Reviewed in Canada on 31 March 2014
    I'm a fan of James Lee Burke's series with Dave Robicheaux and have been since the beginning. It's been interesting seeing his daughter grow up and mature along with his real life daughter Alifair who now writes mysteries. His courtly, deep South writing style may not be everyone's cup of tea but I find his ability to set a scene and develop atmosphere truly unique. In effect, Robicheaux is the opposite of Spenser with the economy of words, but both are enjoyable.
  • Defa45
    5.0 out of 5 stars Scary
    Reviewed in Australia on 20 January 2018
    Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
    Always exquisite and fast moving, the black hats, black and the good guys evergreen! However on the chronology Dave and a Cletus have got to be 70 years old and that really does stretch credibility.

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