James Lee Burke has published three novels spotlighting other characters over the four years it’s been since we last had a mystery featuring his signature character, Dave Robicheaux. That book ...

James Lee Burke’s iconic deputy from Louisiana, Dave Robicheaux, must face the past that haunts him while pursuing a murder case that hits too close to home in “Robicheaux.” Robicheaux still hasn’t ...

James Lee Burke: By the Book The author, most recently, of the forthcoming Dave Robicheaux murder mystery “The New Iberia Blues” loves the Beat writers: “I wish Jack Kerouac had lived to be ...

In the first column I wrote for this newspaper, I covered three novels. One of those books was by James Lee Burke. I have reviewed all 20 books Burke has published during the years since then ...

X ames Lee Burke published his first novel, “Half of Paradise,” in 1965. Early in his career he accumulated rejections aplenty. Publishers actually allowed some early works to go out of print.

A horrible thought,” he said with a laugh. *** Burke had what he calls a “peculiar” career arc. His first novels were published in his 20s, even gaining a review in the New York Times.

James Burke’s Louisiana is a land of heartbreaking beauty. In novel after novel, he’s given us poetic descriptions of sparkling Gulf waters, bayou sunsets, lurking gators and birds taking flight.

James Lee Burke, pictured, wins raves for his Hurricane Katrina novel; also, the Top 10 on Small Press Distribution’s poetry best-seller list. By Dwight Garner ...

James Burke’s Louisiana is a land of heartbreaking beauty. In novel after novel, he’s given us poetic descriptions of sparkling Gulf waters, bayou sunsets, lurking gators and birds taking flight.