Review: Pegasus Descending

Twenty-five years after he failed to save a buddy's life in Opa-Locka, Fla., New Iberia Sheriff's Deputy Dave Robicheaux's own life is upended still again when the buddy's daughter blows into town. Bookie Whitey Bruxal respected Dallas Klein's heroism in Vietnam, but business was business. So he sent some collectors after the debtor, and when the alcoholic fog had cleared from Dave's eyes, his friend was dead—because, he's always believed, he couldn't help him. Now Whitey is a major player in Louisiana's casinos and the daughter Dallas left behind a stunning young woman who arrives in New Iberia with a couple of marked $100 bills in her wallet and an inscrutable yearning for the company of private eye Clete Purcel, Dave's closest friend. Dave wants to know Trish Klein's motive for her interest in Clete. But first he'll have to focus on the death of Yvonne Darbonne, a virginal college-bound waitress who spent the last hours of her life overdosing on drink, drugs and sex before getting shot in the face. Both plots are only preliminaries to the main event: Dave's doomed attempt to referee a high-stakes war involving the Bruxal family; Tony Lujan, Yvonne's authorized lover and the friend of Whitey's son Slim; and everyone else in New Iberia. As usual, fans of this distinguished series will have a lot more sympathy for Dave (Crusader's Cross, 2005, etc.) than he can muster for himself.

Review: Pegasus Descending: A Dave Robicheaux Novel

Dave Robicheaux, an aging deputy with the New Iberia, Louisiana sheriff's department, is drawn into investigating the apparent suicide of a lovely young coed. The incident creates ripples that flow like widening circles approaching the murky shallows of a still pond. Mobbedup casino owners, a beautiful grifter with a grudge, stable boys and frat boys surface as his search for the truth widens. The ... Read full review

As always Burke has an enchanting knack of painting intrigate pictures in our mind. His descriptive overtones carry us away to an oppressive and yet alluring Jeff Parish and It's environs. Dave and his clan are a part of my family. Tripod is one of my favorite all time pets (almost as endearing as Alex Deleware's Spike or Baretta's Cockateel). I have only 'just' been introduced to this gem of a 'bard' and just in the nick of time because I'm just about 'read-out' of my other more favored novelists. Clete Pursel makes for a good contrast with Robicheaux. 

New Orleans are Detective Dave Robicheaux is a flawed man w/ a history of drunkedness & appears to have it conquered. Also happens to be a damn good cop with a sense of determination & loyalty. Burke allows you to smell & touch the area as tho you were sitting on a porch & a local was telling you the story. 

Review: Pegasus Descending (Dave Robicheaux #15)

Pegasus Descending is a continuation of the Dave Robicheaux novels, and there-in lies the trouble. Burke is best at descriptive flights, and the word-smithing he puts into describing Louisiana. He is ... Read full review

Review: Pegasus Descending (Dave Robicheaux #15)

My first and only James Burke novel before this one was: RAIN GODS. And, I remember it being very dark and dreary, quite like reading McCarthy. However, Burke seems to give the reader some sort of ... Read full review

Review: Pegasus Descending (Dave Robicheaux #15)

As with all Dave Robicheaux books, there are moments of lyrical beauty when describing Louisiana, some deep philosophical thoughts, a plot with multiple tragedies and murders, and incredible acts of ... Read full review

Review: Pegasus Descending (Dave Robicheaux #15)

PEGASUS DESCENDING by James Lee Burke is 487 pages in paperback. This is #15 in The Dave Robicheaux series. Brief Description: When a nice young woman named Trish Klein blows into Louisiana passing ... Read full review

Review: Pegasus Descending (Dave Robicheaux #15)

I loved the book. The author, James Lee Burke, kept me guessing throughout the story--I hate it when I figure out "who dun it" before the book (or movie) ends. I also liked his way of handling sexual ... Read full review

Review: Pegasus Descending (Dave Robicheaux #15)

The formula works well again. All the old stereotypes are still in play. The violence on both sides is still excessive. The lack of triumph of good is still missing. One of the things about Burke's ... Read full review