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IN THE ELECTRIC MIST WITH THE CONFEDERATE DEAD
by James Lee Burke
Avon, July 1994
384 pages
$7.50
ISBN: 038072121X


Buy in the UK | Buy in Canada

In the Louisiana Parish of New Iberia, a civil war movie is being filmed in Detective Dave Robicheaux jurisdiction and he is none to happy about it. Making matters worse is a serial killer who is targeting young prostitutes around the town and leaving no clues for the police to investigate. Things can only get better with a driving under the influence arrest of the picture’s lead actor, Elrod Sykes. Guess again.

Sykes wants leniency from Robicheaux and is willing to play by the rules. He says he has found a body near the movie set and is willing to show him its location. When they both find the victim, it awakens something from the Detective’s past. Over thirty years ago, he witnessed a black man being led to death by a group of people. At the time, Robicheaux was too far away and feels guilty for not having done anything. Now the bound and chained body washed up in his doorstep and he will work this cold case. Before they leave Sykes told him that the ghost of a civil war general is interested in talking to the police officer but Dave is skeptical. It will not be until much later that he will meet General John Bell Hood who will give him an insight into Louisiana’s past.

James Lee Burke fans may be disappointed with the direction this novel takes, however, with over a dozen books under his belt, the author has a loyal fan base. The purpose of this book is to show the essence of the South – the good as well as the bad – through its people and its history. It is a beautifully written novel in a different type of police procedural. If you like a good southern mystery novel and do not mind reading about supernatural elements, then give this book a try. Otherwise, try any of the other books in the Dave Robicheaux series. They are worth the time.

Reviewed by Angel L. Soto, December 2002

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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)


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