"unusually brutal but exciting thriller"
New Iberia, Louisiana homicide detective Dave Robicheaux
and his friend private investigator Clete Purcel rough up
former porn movie star Gunner Ardoin. Dave and Clete were
retaliating for Gunner's beating up New Orleans priest
Father Jimmie Dolan. Gunner gets back at the duo for
their assault by suing them. Meanwhile hitman Max Coll stalks Father Jimmie.
Apparently there is a nebulous connection to 1951 Angola
Penitentiary where blues singer Junior Crudup was sent
before vanishing. Then there is the link to three teens
dying in a DUI incident. Thus Dave has a lot on his
plate, jurisdiction not withstanding. However, his
typical two-fisted approach will not bring down Castille
LeJeune, who is the alleged power behind the scenes of all
these seemingly unrelated incidents. LAST CAR TO ELYSIAN FIELDS is the usual brutal but
exciting look at the underbelly of society from James Lee
Burke. If the story line sounds a bit disjointed that is
because it is. Dave remains an intriguing wild man who
does not worry about losing his job as he metes out street
justice as few characters do. Fans of Dave will
appreciate this rowdy ride while those who prefer a more
gentile or just a straightforward plot will want to pass
rather than wait to see how the subplots finally tie
together. Harriet Klausner
Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted September 11, 2003
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