Book Review: Jolie Blon's Bounce

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Jolie Blon's Bounce     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon UK PB Amazon UK HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
James Lee Burke
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Police Procedural
Series: Dave Robicheaux # 12
Simon & Schuster, June 2002, $25.00, 368 pp.

Tee Bobby Hulin, a black junkie who never committed a violent crime, is fingered for the murder of Amanda Boudreau. New Iberia, Louisiana detective Dave Robicheaux doesn’t believe he committed the crime even though the evidence points that way. When a local prostitute Linda Zeroski is also murdered in a violent manner, Tee Bobby, who is out on bail, becomes the number one suspect for that homicide too.

Linda’s father is a powerful New Orleans mobster who comes to New Iberia to enact vengeance on his daughter’s killer. Dave’s investigation leads him to lean on Legion Guidry, a man who is the embodiment of evil. Legion beats up and emasculates Dave who first ends up in the hospital and ultimately off the wagon. Before he can discover who the killer is, he must defeat his own demons before they destroy him.

James Lee Burke is one of the better writers of the last decade. His prose is lyrical yet atmospheric, smooth yet dangerous, silk yet graphic. His protagonist is a flawed tortured soul who immediately makes a place for himself in the hearts of the audience. Jolie Blon’s Bounce is a fascinating crime thriller with so many vile villainous suspects that readers will find it near impossible to figure out who the killer actually is.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner