The Hadacol Boogie

A Dave Robicheaux Novel

By: James Lee Burke

Narrated by: Will Patton

Dave Robicheaux, James Lee Burke’s iconic detective, returns to investigate the death of an unidentified woman—pulling him into a vortex of corruption and violence in the Louisiana bayou.

When a cloaked, disfigured man leaves a dead woman in a garbage bag on Dave Robicheaux’s property, he knows something bigger—and even darker—is at play. And his daughter Alafair knew someone with the same tattoos: a rose on each breast.

Dave’s longtime friend and former partner, the volatile but fiercely loyal Clete Purcel, searches for clues in the seedy underworld of the local saloon, but he’s being targeted by a violent man with potential Mob connections. Dave’s new partner, a homicide detective who faces sexist and racist harassment from their colleagues, hides a past that may link her to the murder. And the local handyman leaves cryptic notes and warns of the ghosts who roam the shores of the bayou.

With his brilliant prose and quintessential cast of characters, James Lee Burke weaves a portrait of a gritty, violent Louisiana at the turn of the 20th century. Visceral, atmospheric, and wholly original, The Hadacol Boogie reminds us of Dave Robicheaux’s fierce determination to confront evil both past and present.

Ending is a mess

Story is ok. JLB is getting a little repetitive. All the same old stuff from the earlier books. Heat lightning out on the salt, Big Aldous on the monkey board, Dave's animals, Clete saying the same things, Helen's muscles, take the mashed potatoes out of your mouth, pecan husks, etc. The end of the book is a choppy mess.

Digging for Civil War antiquities; family interaction.

Sometimes I get the bad characters confused. Hard to hear details of violent deaths. Violent things people do to each other. always concerned about the pets.

As good as it gets

Sorry I’m not good at writing reviews but I wanted y’all to know that I really appreciate and enjoy his writing

Dave and Clete ride again!

I have missed Dave and Clete and their escapades! And Will Patton IS Dave! James Lee Burke’s writing makes you see and feel and smell the bayou .

Burke provides Robichaeaux another crazy adventure

James Lee Burke is always so picturesque with his words. This story was somewhat strange, but that happens with his imagination. The story got complicated a few times and was hard to follow at moments, but his movement with key characters never disappoints. I leave the glowing pictures of Louisiana, especially of New Iberia, my birthplace.