Hurricane Katrina in 2005 provides the setting of The Tin Roof Blowdown, Dave Robicheaux book #16. New Iberia, Louisiana where Dave lives and works for the Sheriff is largely left alone by the storm but New Iberia sends many of their staff to New Orleans to help there. Dave and his friend Clete who is now a bail skip agent come across a shooting death of a possible looter, the theft of illegal blood diamonds and a brutal rape that all tie back from New Orleans to New Iberia. The owner of the blood diamonds wants them back and sends dangerous associates to find them who may endanger Dave and his family. While this is fiction the reality of the death and destruction of the hurricane feels very real and recent. I've never been to New Orleans but James Lee Burke's novels make me want to go see it before it is too late. ( )

Dave Robincheaux called in on NO crimes during Katrina--death of NO

I've not read any of the other books in the series, merely picked this up because it was well-rated and I was looking for something new. I found the audiobook version to be just what I needed. The reader was excellent, the backdrop of Louisiana in the wake of hurricanes Katrina and Rita compelling and the crime story/mystery itself engaging. ( )

Légèrement déçu de cette opus après deux expériences très riche. trop long. ( )

August, 2007:
This was a tough one to finish. It's Burke at his brutal best, but the story line didn't grab me, and the author was too much in evidence, although I'm fairly sure Burke knew he was doing that and just didn't care. It is only incidentally a novel--it's mainly about the destruction of Burke's beloved New Orleans, and not just by the forces of nature. I do wish he'd stop putting Robicheuax's loved ones in mortal peril over and over--that gets a bit old.
I was reading it at a difficult time, too, and I probably shouldn't have done that. If you like Burke, you'll have to read it. Otherwise, pass. ( )