Can't remember where I first came across word of this title. How ever I came across it, I was under the impression it was a new or recent release. Not having read Burke in a while, I ordered it from the library. Early in the book I see that Dave Robicheaux's adopted daughter Alafair is in the 2nd grade. That was my first clue. Looked at the copyright page to find 2012. Strange. But that was for a re-release of a mass-market paperback. The original copyright is 1990. Now time timing fits.
This is Dave in his cop days in New Iberia, Louisiana. He and his partner are escorting two prisoners to Angola state pen, both slated for death row. Jimmy Lee Boggs is a good for nothing career scum convicted of murder. Tee Beau Latiolais is small potatoes by comparison, but was convicted also for murder. Jimmy Lee is complaining of GI cramps until Dave pulls over at an out of the way gas station. Jimmy Lee comes out of the can with a gun severely wounding Dave, kills his partner, and runs off with Tee Beau in the stolen car.
Dave isn't recovering well and being on medical leave isn't helping. He is pretty sure that Tee Beau is being railroaded, but if closure is what he needs, Dave needs to plant Jimmy Lee in the ground. A old New Orleans cop friend now works for the DEA and offers Dave a little off the books undercover work to nail Tony Cardo, head of the local mob in New Orleans.
Dave manages to get a meeting with Tony. Turns out both are still carrying demons from their time in Vietnam. This bond gets Dave closer into Tony's world. Even ends up accepting Tony's offer of a room at his home he shares with his wheelchair-bound son and nearly out the door wife (and various security guys).
Dave works a couple of drug buys, crosses paths with his high school girlfriend, hooks up again with Cletus, his former partner, becomes close with Tony's boy, gets caught in a double cross on a huge drug buy, and learns that Jimmy Lee has the contract to kill Tony and Dave.
While Tony has dozens of his own demons and is crying out for help, Dave develops probably the most undesired trait of an undercover cop - he starts to care about the guy he is charged with bringing down. His conflicted feelings about Tony, his old flame, and Tony's son are in direct opposition to the squeeze he is getting from the DEA.
Burke presents compelling crime fiction, but this is about Dave trying to resolve dozens of conflicting emotions about Vietnam, Jimmy Lee, Tee Beau, his old girlfriend, and mostly Tony and son. The actual crimes are secondary. And perhaps that is one of the reasons why Burke has such a high regard amongst current crime writers. Much like the best sports movies are not about the sport, Burke presents stories more about the people and less about the crime. I can't believe it's been Dec. 2011 since I last read a book by Burke. I will not let that much time pass before returning.
East Coast Don
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