Harbor Lights

I have read at least half a dozen of James Lee Burke's books, most recently Every Cloak Rolled in Blood. As in that novel, many of the stories collected here deal with the evil and cruel nature of some humans, the supernatural, and unexpected protagonists. I think the review from Booklist sums up the contradictions. "There are so many joys in this new short-story collection from the author of the Dave Robicheaux mysteries...Though the plots diverge, they all share a darkness, a sadness, a feeling of desperation, and, also, a quiet belief in the power of everyday heroes. These stories... are as richly detailed and beautifully rendered as Burke's novels... this collection is a real treat for fans of the author." Publishers Weekly asserts that "Burke, best-known for his Edgar-winning Dave Robicheaux mystery series, proves his versatility as a storyteller in this textured collection...These impressive stories establish that Burke doesn't need a whodunit plot to catch a reader's attention." Kirkus concurs, saying "Eight stories...continue the author's career-long project of expanding the mystery genre to include bigger crimes like slavery and deeper mysteries like the nature of evil."

In summary, Library Journal offers, "Award-winning mystery writer Burke's (Dave Robicheaux series) eight-piece story collection shines, from the atmosphere found while cherry picking in a northwestern Montana orchard to the smell of summer watermelons in the South. Beneath all the vivid scenery of pewter skies and heavy rainstorms, the tales are full of depictions of the great evil and adult cruelty at work in the world, blending ancestry and history with more recent days. In the title story, set in New Iberia, LA, in 1942, a young son on a business trip with his father witnesses the impact of his father's affair. "The Wild Side of Life" explores the "blood for blood" culture at a Southern prison farm. "Strange Cargo" describes how true Southerners, whether soldiers, professors, or sheriffs, still do business, good or bad, by a handshake. These stories, while filled with dark themes, are bright with descriptive natural features, spanning from before the Civil War to more modern times, offering a look into the battlefield history of the South and how it remains alive. VERDICT For Burke's many fans and those who enjoy Southern tales."