Book Review: White Doves At Morning

Reviewed By: Woodstock - RAM

White Doves At Morning     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon UK HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
James Lee Burke
Class/Genre:   Mystery
2002, 320 pp.

Burke is well known for his two series of suspense fiction, one featuring Dave Robicheaux and the newer series with Billy Bob Holland. This novel is a departure from his usual mystery fiction - an historical tale set in New Iberia, LA at the time of the civil war, featuring two of Burke's own ancestors in the main group of characters.

In the early weeks of the civil war, young men on both sides of the Mason Dixon line faced difficult choices. Willie Burke and Robert Perry both join the Confederate forces, but their motivation arises from a mutual wish not to be seen as cowards, rather than a fervent allegiance to the Confederate cause. The bloody conflict at Shiloh follows, and each young man is changed forever. Most of the continuing themes in Burke's mystery fiction are present in this book - a struggle to overcome cynicism and violent tendencies which have their origin in past events, and the conflict between idealism and practicality. Also portrayed are the early history of the notorious Angola prison, the fight for literacy among newly free black residents, and the conflicting emotions of a white father and his daughter born to a black woman.

All the rich description Burke is famous for is present in this book as well. In the acknowledgements, he credits libraries in and near New Iberia as historical sources. I enjoyed the book - Burke is firmly established on my "don't miss" list of authors. My one and only negative comment, however, affected my ongoing pleasure as I read. The first two chapters contain specific historical dates to fix the events. After that, events flow along with few references to dates, or only brief passing mentions. As a result, I often wondered exactly where on a time line I was as the story unfolded.

Woodstock - RAM

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Woodstock - RAM