Burke, James Lee

ames Lee Burke (born December 5, 1936) is an American author of mysteries, best known for his Dave Robicheaux series. He has won an Edgar Award for Black Cherry Blues (1990) and Cimarron Rose (1998), and has also been presented with the Grand Master Award from the Mystery Writers of America. Burke was born in Houston, Texas, but spent most of his childhood on the Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast. He attended the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and University of Missouri, receiving a BA and MA from the latter. He has worked in a wide variety of industries over the years, including oil, journalism and social care. He taught for the creative writing program at Wichita State University during the '80s, shortly before resettling in Montana. Burke owns homes with his wife, Pearl (née Pai Chu^[, in Lolo, Montana. Their daughter Alafair Burke, who is also a prominent crime writer , and daughter Pamala Burke, who manages Jim's site www.jamesleeburke.com , and manages his event scheduling and social media. They also have four grandchildren. Burke is the cousin of short story writer Andre Dubus II.

My Opinion: One of my favorite authors. His series involving Dave Robicheaux, recovering alcoholic, is terrific. These stories always involve the great moral questions confronting all of us on any given day. Do the right thing or the easy thing. Dave's buddy Clint is an out of control drinker, womanizer and all around wildman but he too has a strong moral compass. Frequently, for both of them, they are faced with decisions based on the end justifying the means and they frequently go for the ends. Most stories involve old Louisiana families who utilize their money and position to break the rules and the law. Our heroes work to bring them down and usually do. Burke has 2 other series involving the Holland family and these too are well worth reading.

I strongly recommend you try him although you may find him tough to take in large doses. I sure don't

Dave Robicheaux Stories

• 1. The Neon Rain (1987)

  2. Heaven's Prisoners (1988)

  3. Black Cherry Blues (1989)

  4. A Morning for Flamingos (1990)

  5. A Stained White Radiance (1992)

  6. In the Electric Mist with Confederate Dead (1993)

  7. Dixie City Jam (1994)

  8. Burning Angel (1995)

  9. Cadillac Jukebox (1996)

  10. Sunset Limited (1998)

  11. Purple Cane Road (2000)

  12. Jolie Blon's Bounce (2002)

  13. Last Car to Elysian Fields (2003)

  14. Crusader's Cross (2005)

  15. Pegasus Descending (2006)

  16. The Tin Roof Blowdown (2007)

  17. Swan Peak (2008)

  18. The Glass Rainbow (2010)

  19. Creole Belle (2012)

  20. Light of the World (2013)

1. Robicheaux: You Know My Name (2018) X

2. The New Iberia Blues (2019)

   1. A Private Cathedral (2020)

Billy Bob Holland

• 1. Cimarron Rose (1997)

  2. Heartwood (1999)

  3. Bitterroot (2001)

  4. In the Moon of Red Ponies (2004)

Hackberry Holland

• 1. Lay Down My Sword and Shield (1971)

  2. Rain Gods (2009)

  3. Feast Day of Fools (2011)

1. House of the Rising Sun (2015) X

Miscellaneous

• 1. Half of Paradise (1965)

  2. To The Bright and Shining Sun (1970)

  3. Two for Texas (1982)

  4. The Lost Get-Back Boogie (1986)

  5. White Doves at Morning (2002)

1. Wayfaring Stranger (2014 X

   1. Jesus Out to Sea (2007)

8. The Jealous Kind X

[edit]For more information on Mr. Burke use the attached URL. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Lee_Burke