Member Review

Present the past, past the present

James Lee Burke's latest addition to his enduring Dave Robicheaux series, "The Hadacol Boogie," is a gripping and atmospheric return to the Louisiana bayou, a setting as intricately menacing as the criminals it hides. The novel masterfully blends gritty crime fiction with literary depth, showcasing Burke's signature lyrical prose and profound exploration of moral and societal corruption.

The story opens with a chilling discovery: a cloaked, disfigured man leaves the body of a young woman in a garbage bag on Detective Robicheaux’s property. This crisis draws Robicheaux into a systemic evil that quickly connects to his past. His investigation links the murder to old acquaintance Jerry Carlucci, a childhood friend turned criminal who is now working with New Jersey mobsters. Their operation centers on building a casino on land rumored to hold Confederate gold. Aided by his new partner, Valerie Benoit, and his volatile long-time friend, Clete Purcel, Robicheaux relentlessly pursues the truth. However, the escalating danger becomes deeply personal when the investigation directly links the murdered woman to his adopted daughter, Alafair, putting her safety in immediate peril and escalating the violence to a crisis point.

“The Hadacol Boogie” features the return of the familiar, complex partnership between Dave Robicheaux and the fiercely loyal, yet often explosive, Clete Purcel. The novel's exploration of systemic racism and injustice is deepened by the introduction of Valerie Benoit, a young, Black detective who faces harassment from her colleagues. Also notable is the mysterious Boone Hendrix, a handyman who appears to have one foot in the spiritual world, adding a touch of the surreal and haunting atmosphere that defines the bayou setting.

Dave Robicheaux, the enduring protagonist of a twenty-five-book series, is fundamentally defined by his internal conflicts. Although he is a law enforcement officer dedicated to justice and a strong personal code, he is also deeply flawed. Robicheaux grapples constantly with alcoholism and the lasting trauma of his Vietnam service, which manifests in persistent nightmares and spectral visions of victims of slavery, racism, and war connected to the land. Despite his commitment to the law, he possesses a dangerous capacity for sudden, uncontrollable violence when confronting profound evil, leading to blackouts of which he retains no memory. Ultimately, both Robicheaux and his partner, Clete, share an unwavering willingness to do whatever is necessary to defeat evil.

A favorite writer of mine, Elmore Leonard, had his famous 10 Rules for Good Writing, which included: ”#9 Don't go into great detail describing places and things.” In contrast to this, Burke's rich descriptions are integral to establishing the mood and setting of his crime novels. These passages are frequently blended into the fast-paced narrative, creating a sudden, almost breathtaking shift that is likened to a post-impressionist Van Gogh painting.

A prime example of his evocative prose is: "The thunderheads in the south were purple and swollen with rain and lightning, then the day began to cool and renew your spirits, the links of bays wrinkling like old skin in the wind, the mullet flying through the air, and the funnel of a waterspout twisting like spun glass, the sun bloodred on the horizon."

Burke's use of language transforms the Louisiana environment—specifically the bayou and the Atchafalaya Basin—into a significant, brooding character haunted by history and specters. The narratives explore complex themes, including the legacy of historical violence, the burden of the past, and the struggle for true justice against entrenched corruption.

"The Hadacol Boogie" transcends the crime-novel genre, offering a haunting and morally urgent meditation on how the specters of history and personal trauma shape the American pursuit of justice. Maintaining the high standard that has defined the series for decades, it is a compelling choice for both long-time devotees and new readers.

Thank you to Grove Atlantic and NetGalley for providing an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

“I felt that my life was catching up with me, as though I had ignored the past and needed somehow to change it. But I didn’t feel this just about myself. I believed it of everything around me.” - Dave

*Hadacol was a “vitamin supplement” very popular in many southern dry counties, owing to its 12 percent alcohol content and recommended dosage of 4 tablespoons a day. Allegedly, some pharmacies administered this medicine in shot glasses– as a convenience to patients.