See Through the Glass Rainbow

I absolutely love James Lee Burke's series starring Detective Dave Robicheaux. Burkes' latest, The Glass Rainbow, delivers on every aspect of the series that I find so wonderful. This latest novel is again set in hot, humid New Iberia, Louisiana. Being a Louisiana native, I especially enjoy the descriptions of the wonderful fried shrimp poboys, gumbo and pecan pie. James Lee Burke truly knows what it is like growing up in Louisiana, with his descriptions of the Giacano families control over New Orleans, the "privilege" of the old white aristocracy and their influence over the poor African-Americans in New Iberia and the politics involved in every aspect of life in Louisiana. Dave Robicheaux is a recovering alcoholic who works for the New Iberia Parish Sheriff's Office. His good friend, and former co-worker at the New Orleans Police Department is Clete Purcel, who currently works as a Private Investigator. Clete is the "bad boy" of the series as he uses alcohol, tobacco, food and hard living to mask the pain and suffering he sees every day while working his cases. Clete is the tool of his own destruction and his slow slide to death is clearly explored in this novel. The novel begins with Robicheaux interviewing a prison guard in Mississippi as he investigates the murders of two young girls that seem to be unrelated. Trouble begins as the murder trail leads to the Abelards, an aristocratic white family in New Iberia that has many secrets. Alafair, Robicheaux's daughter in the book as well as his daughter in real life who is also an author, plays a large role in this book. The mystery is gritty, but if you want to read about a realistic slice of life in Louisiana, you'll enjoy reading this book.