Purple Cane Road

By: James Lee Burke

Narrated by: Will Patton

Dave Robicheaux has spent his life confronting the age-old adage that the sins of the father pass on to the son. But what was his mother's legacy? Dead to him since his youth, Mae Guillory has been shuttered away in the deep recesses of Robicheaux's mind. He's lived with the fact that he would never really know what happened to the woman who left him to the devices of a whiskey-driven father. But deep down, Dave still feels the loss of his mother and knows that the infinite series of disappointments in her life could not have come to a good end.

While helping out an old friend, Dave is stunned when a pimp looks at him sideways and asks if he is the son of Mae Guillory, the whore a bunch of cops murdered thirty years ago. Her body was dumped in the bayou bordering Purple Cane Road, and the cops who left her there are still on the job.

Dave's search for his mother's killers leads him to the darker places in his past, and solving this case teaches him what it means to be his mother's son. Purple Cane Road has the dimensions of a classic -- passion, murder, and nearly heartbreaking poignancy -- wrapped in a wonderfully executed plot that surprises from start to finish.©2000 James Lee Burke, All Rights Reserved; (P)2000 Simon & Schuster, Inc., All Rights Reserved; AUDIOWORKS Is An Imprint of Simon & Schuster Audio Division, Simon & Schuster, Inc.

Burke & Patton

Where does Purple Cane Road rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Great read. Patton makes you feel like you are one of the characters in the story. Not the best Dave Robicheaux story, but still very interesting.

Have you listened to any of Will Patton’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I search for Will Patton reads. Patton reads from his heart & soul. I am originally from Louisiana. Will Patton reminds me of home.

Any additional comments?

Try the whole series

another great Dave robicheaux novel

first audiobook that I've ever listened to and also the greatest narrator ever Will Patton is at the top of his game one of my favorite audiobooks of all time I've probably listened to this book 25 times I highly recommend it!

too short

I enjoy Patton's rendition of Dave Robicheaux and his cohorts. This one seemed to be over before you know it.

Another home run for J.L.Burke and Will Patton

What did you like about this audiobook?

Burke and Patton combine to deliver quality every time. Burke's rhythmic writing full of descriptive adjectives and colorful Bayou characters becomes a playground for Patton's fabulous reading and voice inflection. Patton's interpretation melds with Burke's stylistic flair to be unmatched in audible entertainment, especially good for long drives.

How has the book increased your interest in the subject matter?

All the Robicheaux novels are rich in a similar but varied flavor. They are centered around the New Orleans police department and street life. If you like one sample, you will love the series.

Does the author present information in a way that is interesting and insightful, and if so, how does he achieve this?

Burke is a great author in that he hits hard with information that peaks your interest right away but his humor and humanity are ever present in his story. He is flawless at driving a plot and always keeping you guessing or smiling or both.

What did you find wrong about the narrator's performance?

Will Patton is the spot on reader for Burke's novels. I pity the fool who would try to follow Will in doing a novel in the Robicheaux series.

Do you have any additional comments?

This book was particularly well suited to the strengths of Burke and Patton. A reat tour de force in the audible world. If you want to start somewhere with this series this is a good place.

Another James Lee Burke-Will Patton Winner!

I am a James Lee Burke and Will Patton addict. I have read all of the Unabridged Burke/Patton books. I really don't like Abridged books especially from someone like Burke, but this one is an exception. The plot is great fits together nicely at the end. There are plenty of typical beautiful 'Burke' descriptions of characters and places even in the abridged version. Only one minor complaint, there are occasional musical interludes which were a bit annoying. Bottom line, if you have read the others, get this one, you won't be sorry.