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Black Cherry Blues Paperback – 2012

by James L. Burke (Author)
4.3 out of 5 stars 253 customer reviews
Book 3 of 20 in the Robicheaux Series
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The Daughter of Union County
The Daughter of Union County
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Product Details

  • Paperback: 400 pages
  • Publisher: HarperCollins 2012-11-27; 3200th edition (2012)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0062206745
  • ISBN-13: 978-0062206749
  • ASIN: B007SMTFAO
  • Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 4.2 x 1.1 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 8.3 ounces
  • Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (253 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #124,549 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Top Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 starsThe first is one of the best
By Doug Vaughn HALL OF FAME on May 12, 2000
Format: Mass Market Paperback
Having read James Lee Burke's entire Dave Robicheaux series, I have to say that this novel, which introduced the flawed ex-cop with the mystical bent, is still one of the best. There are several things about this book that hit me as unique and made me want to return every time Burke served up another helping; the first is that Burke's ability with description and locale are unparalled, the second is the depth of character he was able to give Robicheaux by focusing on his personal demons (drink, violence and inner torment from loss and regret), and third is the 'mystical' element that informs each book - sometimes more than others - and allows the plot to be advanced by such devices as messages in dreams and intimations of a 'higher power.' Since Burke himself is a recovering alcoholic he is able to make this side of Dave's life quite real and moving.
This book (which won the Edgar Award in 1990) differs from later ones in the series in that Dave strays far afield from the rural Louisiana coast setting readers normally associate with him. But he is also, in the beginning, a more complex and interesting character. As the series progresses he becomes stiffer and more self righteous. Here he is unsure of himself and trying to come to grips with a life that has him on the ropes.
This is some of Burke's best writing and I would highly recommend it to mystery fans who have never tasted this rich Louisiana stew. It is unique and memorable.
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4.0 out of 5 starsHard core Robicheaux!
By jeanne-scott on June 21, 2000
Format: Mass Market Paperback
James Lee Burke has written a wonderful novel in this one. The characters are tough and full of vitality. As always his locations are so well portrayed you feel,see, taste and smell the details. Robicheaux, the ex-cop is coping with the murder of his wife, his service in Vietnam, being a recovering alcoholic, he is being blamed for a murder and he fears for the life of his adopted daughter. He is on the run from New Orleans to beautiful Montana. This is a wonderful book that surprises you with Robicheaux's philosophy. "...because I believe that God is not limited by time and space as we are, I believe that perhaps he can influence the past....and I begin to dwell on the unbearable suffering that people probably experienced before their deaths,I ask God to retroactively relieve their pain, to be with them in mind and body, to numb their senses, to cool whatever flame licked at their eyes in their final moments." James Lee Burke can stun you with his craft. This is a must read!
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5.0 out of 5 starsExcellent story and characters
By A Customer on May 21, 2000
Format: Mass Market Paperback
Of all James Lee Burke's wonderful books, this was his first commercial success and remains his best single novel. It is a gritty mystery set in Louisiana which introduces us to Dave Robicheaux, a flawed but intelligent and good-hearted lead character.
Burke is a wonderful writer for two main reasons. First, his characters are well-written; they are memorable, realistic, and intriguing. Their dialogue absolutely CRACKLES.
Secondly, no reader can be unaffected by his descriptions- poetic even in the most grisly scenes. Seeing these scenes through Robicheaux's eyes, scenes as well-crafted as only Burke can do, we realize the depth and beauty of Robicheaux's mind.
Black Cherry Blues is less a Mystery Novel and more a Literary Work, an ideal way to spend an evening.
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4.0 out of 5 starsPerfect moods, imperfect hero...
By A Customer on September 17, 1999
Format: Mass Market Paperback
These are literally books you have to finish and hard to put down. JLB's descriptive powers are awsome. I am trying to catch up on his earlier works now in print. One character trait seems to run through all of them. The main characters are compelled to act in ways that are rarely in their ultimate best interests and often threaten both them and all those around them. Dave Robicheaux's inability to halt himself in the pursuit of "honor" is an interesting take on the alcoholic's egocentrism. I find myself admiring him and, at the same time, hating him for his relentless attmpts to maintain his dignity and right all wrongs, whatever the cost. I am fascinated by JLB's ability to make every scene real in my mind. There aren't many authors who can create atmosphere like Burke.
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4.0 out of 5 starsA Good Exemplar of His Work
By Stephanie De Pue VINE VOICE on August 24, 2010
Format: Mass Market Paperback
"Black Cherry Blues" (1989) was the third novel published by American author James Lee Burke in his New York Times bestselling detective Dave Robicheaux series. Like the earlier books of the series, and many of the series' works to follow, the book, a Southern noir, police procedural/mystery, is set in and around New Orleans, Louisiana, more or less home country for Burke, who was born in Houston, Texas, in 1936, and grew up on the Texas-Louisiana gulf coast. But it also takes Robicheaux on the first of his many excursions to Big Sky Country, Montana, where Burke now spends some time.

The plot is set in motion by Dixie Lee Pugh, supposedly Robicheaux's roommate freshman year at Southwestern Louisiana Institute - the school that Burke himself attended. It seems that Burke modeled Dixie Lee on Jerry Lee Lewis: he begins his career, Burke tells us, at that recording studio, unnamed by Burke, but known as Sam Phillips Sun Studio to us, where Burke tells us, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Roy Orbison began theirs'. And Dixie Lee played the Brooklyn Paramount, in those legendary shows of Alan Freed's, along with Chuck Berry and Eddie Cochran. At any rate, Dixie Lee has had a successful career in the country music business, but, like many of Burke's musicians, he has lost that career to drink and drugs. However, Dixie Lee has found himself work doing odd jobs for another of Burke's many not-so wiseguys, all similarly named, in this case, Sally Dio, and has also picked up work in the Montana oil business. Dixie Lee comes to Robicheaux with a problem, and the way Robicheaux operates, we know it will soon be Robicheaux's problem. And it will call him and his adopted daughter Alafair to Montana.Read more ›
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsA must read for the Dave Robicheaux fans

Dave Robicheaux establishing a foothold into your mind to prepare you for the Dave Robicheaux in the sequential novels. James L. Read more

Published 4 days ago by Robert D.
5.0 out of 5 starsGood read

Another entertaining story in James Lee Burke's Dave Robicheaux series. A colorful cast of characters with all their flaws and decency mixed in together with hard edge action... Read more

Published 7 days ago by David
5.0 out of 5 starsJames Lee slams it again

This is a classic James Lee Burke's Dave Robicheaux. It's #3 of the series. Nomsex, just a story of the mafia, rock & roll, Montana and Cajun lore. Read more

Published 1 month ago by Bruce Clemens
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

ONE OF THE BEST ONES YET...

Published 2 months ago by Amazon Customer
3.0 out of 5 starsJames Lee Burke's prose is outstanding but the choices and ...

James Lee Burke's prose is outstanding but the choices and tactics of his main character, Dave Robicheaux, are - at times - a head scratcher. Read more

Published 2 months ago by H Matt Smith
4.0 out of 5 starsBurke Rules!

Loved MORNING FOR FLAMINGOES, great blend of style and pacing... this one dragged a bit for me but I enjoyed the writing and characters.

Published 2 months ago by Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 starsThe Most Poetic of Mystery Writers

A complex tale, with colorful characters, and JLB's unparalleled talent for describing the natural world that envelopes his smarmy characters. Enjoy, a novel to be savored!

Published 2 months ago by TuffShopper
5.0 out of 5 starsNquire

Excellent.

Published 2 months ago by Nquire
5.0 out of 5 starsResolution

Really good and fast-paced. Robiceaux is a great father who makes sure his child knows that he wants her near him and will always put her welfare as a top priority even as he... Read more

Published 2 months ago by Readerholic
4.0 out of 5 starsFour Stars

Excellent

Published 3 months ago by Amazon Customer

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