“Light of the World” by James Lee Burke – The Murders that Almost Were

James Lee Burke has made a name for himself in literary circles as being a very talented author when it becomes a question of creating a multi-layered and complex story with many seemingly unrelated plotlines that brilliantly join together in a massive climax.

His Dave Robicheaux novels are where, in my opinion, we can see that most clearly, especially his latest one, Light of the World.

This time around, Robicheaux, his partner Clete Purcel, and their families are vacationing in Montana, enjoying one of the few moments in life where their concerns can be put to rest, if just for a little while.

However, as is always the case, the vacation was never really meant to be one, as a series of nearly-fatal and haunting events lead the detective and his partner to understand that someone out there really has it in for them.

Amongst the numerous events which set off the red alarm in the detectives’ heads are a nearly fatal arrow shot from nowhere, a sadist and serial killer taking up stalking, the presumed death of said serial killer, a lawyer and a novelist chasing after him, and a lot more.

As you can guess, this is one of those books where the main plotline is filled with plenty of holes, and as you go on, they get slowly filled up with new information, sometimes originating from truly unexpected directions.

It’s somewhat akin to putting a puzzle together, with the only difference being that you do not know what the final picture will look like… you can only imagine or try to anticipate it.

Needless to say, Burke truly hit the nail on the head once again in the storytelling department. He is a master of not only making the whole thing quite believable and surprising when it finally comes together, but he knows how to string the reader along by giving him/her just enough to pique their curiosity without revealing too much information.

You must truly be a big fan or veteran of the detective genre to be able to piece the picture together before reaching the last page. This book is a page-turner in every sense of the word, supplementing a brilliant story with mostly lovable and believable characters.

The ones who need to be on the dark side of things are appropriately menacing and actually make you quite glad you only have to deal with them through the pages of the book.

On the whole, if you are a fan of detective fiction and like complex stories which entertain you and give a fair chance at solving the mystery,

I can do nothing but recommend that you read Light of the World… it will be one of the most entertaining challenges you will have had to face up to date.

James Lee Burke Personal site James Lee Burke is an author hailing from America who is best known for his series of books revolving around the character named Dave Robicheaux. He has received an Edgar Award on two occasions, for Black Cherry Blues, published in 1990, and Cimarron Rose, published in 1998. He is mainly a crime writer and has dished out numerous other works, as well as two short story collections.