Clete

A Dave Robicheaux Novel

By: James Lee Burke

Narrated by: Will Patton

In the latest installment in his famous Detective Dave Robicheaux series, New York Times bestselling author James Lee Burke brings Dave’s partner and friend Clete Purcel to the forefront for the first time as Clete and Dave attempt to stop ruthless smugglers of a dangerous new drug.

Clete Purcel—private investigator, ex-member of the New Orleans Police Department, and war veteran with a hard shell and just a few soft spots—is Dave Robicheaux’s longtime friend and partner in detective work. But he has a troubled past. When Clete leaves his car at the local car wash, only to return to find it ransacked by a group of thugs tied to the drug trade from Mexican cartels to Louisiana, it feels personal—his grandniece died of a fentanyl overdose, and his fists curl when he thinks of the dealers who sold it.

Just as Clete starts to trail the culprits, Clara Bow, a woman with a dark past hires Clete as a detective to investigate her scheming, slippery ex-husband, and a string of brutal deaths all link back to a heavily tattooed man who seems to lurk around every corner. Clete is experiencing shockingly lifelike hallucinations and questioning Clara’s ulterior motives when he and Dave start to hear rumors of a dangerous substance with potentially catastrophic effects. The thugs who destroyed his car might have been pawns in a scheme far darker than they could’ve imagined.

Gripping, violent, yet interlaced with Clete’s humor and consistent drive to protect those he loves, Clete brings a fresh perspective to a truly iconic series. James Lee Burke proves yet again that he is the “heavyweight champ” and “great American novelist whose work, taken individually or as a whole, is unsurpassed” (Michael Connelly).

Critic reviews

"...Patton’s gravelly intonation suits Clete; he brings the war veteran to life, capturing his emotional core. Every sentence and conversation is deliberate and captivating. The prose is gritty and unfiltered, and Patton’s narration carefully alternates between the humorous and the brutal. Fans of the series and newcomers alike will fall under Patton’s spell as he voices a gut punch of a mystery."

"...Patton’s gravelly intonation suits Clete; he brings the war veteran to life, capturing his emotional core. Every sentence and conversation is deliberate and captivating. The prose is gritty and unfiltered, and Patton’s narration carefully alternates between the humorous and the brutal. Fans of the series and newcomers alike will fall under Patton’s spell as he voices a gut punch of a mystery."

I miss JLB of old

I miss the old James Lee Berks devotion to the area of Southwest Louisiana and the people. Lately he seems to have wrapped himself in a cloak of supernatural stories that begs to differ from the old school he had

One of the best in The Robicheaux Series

Received the download this morning and finished it this evening. Great story! And an excellent performance!

Different point of view Outstanding

I love how this was told from Ckete’s perspective for a change and we get to see Dave from another person’s view . Burke is always fascinating, always well written. Will Payton’s narration is top notch. I can’t wait for the next book.

Love this series

Hooked on Burke. Will Patton is the only narrator who could pull off all these great characters.

Great story telling!!!!

Narrator is incredible and on top of his game speaking from the mind of a different character this time around. Hard boiled, but introspective!