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A KEVIN R. TIPPLE BOOK REVIEW: Pegasus Descending by James Lee Burke Much like the work of William Faulkner, the past has always been a hallmark of James Lee Burke’s series featuring Detective Dave Robicheaux of New Iberia, LA. Whether it be in the form of Dave having visions of Confederate war dead drifting through the mist along the bayous or Dave’s contemplations of how evil is passed like a genetic legacy from one generation to the next, the past is always incredibly relevant. It comes as no surprise therefore to readers of this enjoyable series that the past is once again the springboard for modern crime, betrayal, and retribution.
Pegasus Descending: A Dave Robicheaux Novel By James Lee Burke Simon & Schuster 2006 Hardback ISBN #978-0-7432-7772-3 356
It begins with the arrival of Trish Klein who happens to be the daughter of murdered friend. Thirty years ago, Dave was too drunk to stop the murder and in the present day he seems powerless to help her or stop the ongoing train wreck known as Clete Purcell from getting romantically involved with her. Trish is in town, on a mission, and Robicheaux can’t figure out yet exactly what she is doing, but all indicators seem to point to trouble ahead.
Robicheaux has his hands full with another problem. Yvonne Darbonne is dead and apparent victim of suicide. If so, why did the high achieving student kill herself? Was it because she attended a college fraternity party where she apparently participated in some sort of orgy? Beyond that, which was from all appearances, totally and completely out of character for her, Dave can’t get a straight explanation from anyone as to what all went on that night. Nothing about the suicide adds up.
“’It’s the language in her diary. There’s no self-pity or anger in it,” I replied.
“Molly waited, then said, “Go ahead.”
“People like Yvonne Darbonne don’t kill themselves. It’s that simple. Someone else did it.”
Molly propped her elbows on the table, knitted her fingers together, and rested her chin on her fingers. She gazed wanly into my face, trying to hide her fatigue, her eyes filled with the foreboding sense that the dead were about to lay claim upon the quick.’” (Page 39)
And beyond that, why is it that the people involved 30 years ago in the murder of Trish’s father, Dallas Klein, are now here in the area and on the periphery of the Darbonne case? It also becomes clear that they may have ties into another case where someone killed a homeless man in an apparent hit and run.
Combining his usual powerful prose, colorful imagery and twisting cases, author James Lee Burke once again creates a powerful canvas for the reader. This latest in the series is hallmark James Lee Burke and powerful proof one again of his story telling ability one just hopes they never stop coming.
Kevin R. Tipple © 2006 |