A Stained White Radiance

Poetry!

These lyrics don't need music... they sing... Or at least the late Mark Hammer sings them in a spoken voice that makes me hurt over how good it is to listen to him read Burke. Okay, there's a circle in those last words and I don't know where to cut in... anymore than I'd know how to cut a perfect diamond anywhere without losing something precious.

Please... don't read this book... Not if you haven't started with the first in the Dave Robicheaux series and earned entrance to this story. Elsewise you'll inherited too many spoilers to enjoy those early stories as Robicheaux and this ensemble cast reveal a texture richer than a dense moss hanging from a New Orleans cyprus on a hot... damp.. Dixie night.

Ooops... Burke makes me try to write like that and Hammer makes me think like that and the plotting and story arc and reflections on the human condition in these novels make me feel ... feel... Hell, they just make me feel. That's enough.

Wonderful work... enjoy!

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A great writer at work here

James Lee Burke is a gifted writer, very few writers have his talent. This book takes the storyline and characters into some dysfunctional waters, there are some twists and turns and moments when you can be immersed in the world of South Louisiana and taken by the beautiful dialog and become a part of the world and scene. The series is amazing and pulls no punches in looking at uncomfortable topics. If you crave to find a writer with talent and want to be taken with great narration that is a match to some of the best dialog I have ever listened to then this is a series to get into.
Recommended enthusiastically.

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Burke Never Disappoints

I came to Burke and Robicheaux in the middle of the series with The Tin Roof Blowdown the year it was Audible's best book. I was hooked and have never been disappointed since. I am well aware of the controversy over narrators Patton and Hammer and as most readers find Will Patton to be just about the perfect narrator for the Burke works, but I don't think anything is lost when Mark Hammer narrates. So, sit back and enjoy a little more of the story of Dave, Alifair (sic), Bootsie and of course, Clete Purcell. You won't be disappointed. Enjoy the magnificent Burke prose and the peculiar twist he utilizes to mete out justice to the New Orleans mafioso kingpin when it seems he will slip through the cracks of justice.

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Classic James Lee Burke

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

For all those who love James Lee Burke, this book will not disappoint. In this early novel we get to know the rich characters as well as the distinctive setting which becomes another character whose presence stalks the story of ravaged childhoods and their resultant effects on the lives of the now grown adults. Burke delves beneath the surface of his characters and their lives to explore the complexities of the human heart.A wonderful read!

What did you like best about this story?

I love the details of setting and the attention paid to motivations in the lives of the characters.

What about Mark Hammer’s performance did you like?

Hammer's voice captures the sense of place that is so important to Burke's writing.

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Another JLB Winner

Every Burke story & narration is great prose and spoken (whether by Hammer or Will Patton) in a truly believable dialect.

Most of my favorite authors deliver reliably solid stories but none as consistently as James Lee Burke. OK, maybe CJ Box and Baldacci are as solid too.

Buy it - Listen - Enjoy!

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Great book, great reader

I started reading James Lee Burke a couple of years ago and gradually moved through the last half dozen novels. I then went on to begin the series and have listened to the first five. I've now listened to "A Stained White Radiance" and have moved on to the next in the series. "Stained" is a pretty good book, not the best in the series but still rating a 5-star review. What makes this one stand out is the perfect narration by Mark Hammer, who brings the characters and story to life in a way I can't imagine another reader emulating.

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Sensations

What did you love best about A Stained White Radiance?

James Lee Burke has the ability to create the stage of new Iberia. I can see it, feel it,and smell it in my mind. Thank you for the experiences. I wait for each new release.

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hated it

Would you try another book from James Lee Burke and/or Mark Hammer?

absolutely !!!!I love James Lee Burke . I will never hear another book from Mark Hammer.Please bring back Will Patton. This Mark Hammer sounds 80 years old with a mouth full of marbles and I began and ended hating the book

What do you think your next listen will be?

Am downloading aTom Clancy book

How could the performance have been better?

Hire Will Patton

Any additional comments?

I am sorry Mark Hammer if I hurt your feelings but your voice ruined this book for me.

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I miss Will Patton

Would you consider the audio edition of A Stained White Radiance to be better than the print version?

Nope. Same book I read years ago, still as good read to me as it was when I read it in print.

What three words best describe Mark Hammer’s performance?

Working back to Will

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

It had slow times that I shut it off but times I couldn't shut it off.

Any additional comments?

I feel like I am beating up on Mark Hammer every time I leave a review, he is a great narrator, just wrong for this series. I'm working my way back to Will Patton.Mark doesn't detract from the story line, I just miss the spot-on south LA feeling Will brings to all the characters.

JLB does so well at drawing by using words the locals of the area and catches the flavor of the area down to the sunrise and sunset colors, the smells and the electricity that gets in the air down here. I'll keep going no matter who is narrating.

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Good story and interesting characters

I'm getting comfortable with Mark Hammer finally. Will Patton spoiled me. This is one of the better Burke works. Just the right amount of Clete Purcell also. Love that character.

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