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Light of the World: A Dave Robicheaux Novel    by James Lee Burke Amazon.com order for
Light of the World
by James Lee Burke
Order:  USA  Can
Simon & Schuster, 2014 (2013)
Hardcover, Softcover, CD, e-Book
* * *   Reviewed by Mary Ann Smyth

James Lee Burke is high on my list of favorite authors. Somehow I missed his Light of the World when it was first published. I was delighted to find it and immediately made myself comfy in my recliner and with a large glass of iced tea.

Dave Robicheaux leaves the Louisiana bayou for big sky country, in order to spend some down time doing as little as possible. But it doesn't really pay to make big plans, as Robicheaux discovers. A sadistic serial killer is on the loose. He had come up against this madman before, but it was believed that Asa Surrette, a highly dangerous man, had been killed in a road accident involving a prison transfer van. Dave's daughter Alafair narrowly escapes death when an arrow is shot at her. Nothing could affect Dave more than threatening one of his family.

The plot of this satisfying long book is tightly written with characters that could populate your own world. Entranced as I was by the story line that took me deep into a world with which I really have no experience, I also appreciated Burke's descriptive words about the scenery that Dave travels through. I could almost feel the breezes on my face and the hot sun on my head, and be regaled by the mountains looming in the distance.

I also felt as though the author and I were having sporadic conversations about so many different subjects. The state the world is in. The actions of those who share this world with us. The trials and tribulations that arise in everyone's life. More personally, how world affairs affect ourselves and our loved ones. Mr. Burke is a deep thinker and I appreciate that he can share his thoughts with us. I heartily recommend this book.

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