scott_a_miller's review against another edition
4.0
I read the first two Robicheaux books several years ago and then got caught up in so many others that I forgot how good Burke is. He certainly has a way with words. He writes dreams in a supernatural way that is quite good. In this one it was incredible.
Robicheaux is damaged and complex. He had to fight for his life with everything he had. The crime in this one was complex and he needed help from beyond the grave. Burke gave me a little bit of King in this one and I’m wondering if it will continue. The characters too, are deeply developed. I won’t wait several years to find out this time.
Robicheaux is damaged and complex. He had to fight for his life with everything he had. The crime in this one was complex and he needed help from beyond the grave. Burke gave me a little bit of King in this one and I’m wondering if it will continue. The characters too, are deeply developed. I won’t wait several years to find out this time.
martyfried's review against another edition
4.0
This book was kind of hard for me to read in some ways. Dave Robicheaux, the protagonist, a former policeman, is hard to like due to his self-destructive behavior. He does things that he knows are not a good idea but can't seem to help himself. Also, he sometimes walks into obvious traps unprepared for the possible, or even probable, results. But overall, he's a good man, honest, and doesn't usually want to hurt people even when they deserve it. And he never takes the easy way out.
The best things about this series are the people and the descriptions of the places. He brings it all to life, these things we mere mortals will probably never experience. People from the lower walks of life, who frequent bars anytime of the day, who have usually spent time in prison but are not really bad people, just people who have either made bad choices and/or had bad luck. In this story, Dave himself is pretty close to going to prison for murder, although he is innocent. But fortunately, the really bad guys are not very smart, so he manages to outwit them despite himself.
The best things about this series are the people and the descriptions of the places. He brings it all to life, these things we mere mortals will probably never experience. People from the lower walks of life, who frequent bars anytime of the day, who have usually spent time in prison but are not really bad people, just people who have either made bad choices and/or had bad luck. In this story, Dave himself is pretty close to going to prison for murder, although he is innocent. But fortunately, the really bad guys are not very smart, so he manages to outwit them despite himself.
cfc's review against another edition
4.0
I haven't read any detective fiction in decades. Asked a friend for recommendations and he suggested Burke. Reviews suggest this is as good as any to start with, and it was an excellent choice. I have a hard time finishing novels, but gobbled this one up in two days.
The dialogue is snappy, sometimes a little wild, but without being overdone (what I want from detective fiction characters). And felt authentic for the different characters.
The plot is pretty good, but for the most part realistic. Taut.
The dialogue is snappy, sometimes a little wild, but without being overdone (what I want from detective fiction characters). And felt authentic for the different characters.
The plot is pretty good, but for the most part realistic. Taut.
gawronma's review against another edition
3.0
I am not sure how I feel about this book. On the whole I found the story uneven. The descriptions of New Orleans were beautiful but the main protagonist at times is not a very sympathetic character and makes stupid decisions. I do appreciate that he tries to make good choices. This is the second Burke book that I have read. It may be a while before I read another.
dadoodoflow's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Burke sure can write and sometimes he overwrites. It feels like he wants to be Jim Harrison but without the restraint.
He is an absolute poet of sounds, and the bucolic cacophony is beguiling. He also can write about water and the whole book feels damp.
There are a lot of these books, I’m curious if he’s kept up this level of prose through all of them.
He is an absolute poet of sounds, and the bucolic cacophony is beguiling. He also can write about water and the whole book feels damp.
There are a lot of these books, I’m curious if he’s kept up this level of prose through all of them.
cjeanne99's review against another edition
medium-paced
2.0
I never connected with this book like I have with other Robicheaux novels. Maybe my problem is because this is early in the series and Burke is still developing the characters? The travel to Montana in the middle of a school year put a weird spin on Alafair’s story that was a distraction to the plot line.
Actually - the entire Montana storyline left me shaking my head.
Actually - the entire Montana storyline left me shaking my head.
jakewritesbooks's review against another edition
3.0
I want to go through the David Robicheaux series for two reasons: 1. I love Louisiana and 2. I want to see how Burke develops this story. After enjoying Heaven's Prisoners, I found this a step back for multiple reasons...
1. Burke pads an already thin story with a lot of introspection and dream sequences featuring Robicheaux's murdered wife. I usually don't mind the introspection but I felt like he got carried away here and the sequences, while scenic and sometimes touching, didn't add much to the story.
2. Is every Italian in south Louisiana a mobster? And does every mob boss Dave whacks have to get replaced by another?
3. Yet another use of LGBTQIA+ villainy.
The story is good, I liked Dixie's character (an obvious stand-in for Jerry Lee Lewis) and I didn't mind the transfer to a Montana setting as much as I thought I would. But in terms of developing the series, this entry felt like a step back.
1. Burke pads an already thin story with a lot of introspection and dream sequences featuring Robicheaux's murdered wife. I usually don't mind the introspection but I felt like he got carried away here and the sequences, while scenic and sometimes touching, didn't add much to the story.
2. Is every Italian in south Louisiana a mobster? And does every mob boss Dave whacks have to get replaced by another?
3. Yet another use of LGBTQIA+ villainy.
The story is good, I liked Dixie's character (an obvious stand-in for Jerry Lee Lewis) and I didn't mind the transfer to a Montana setting as much as I thought I would. But in terms of developing the series, this entry felt like a step back.
jamieschecter's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
heyhawk's review against another edition
4.0
https://www.danscanon.com/2020/05/black-cherry-blues-by-james-lee-burke.html