James Lee Burke Hyperion, New York 1978 Paperback $5.99 US

I've spoken previously about how I was introduced to Burke's works through an interview on KASU. I've said how much I enjoyed some of his other works.

Unfortunately, I wasn't overly impressed with this earlier work by Burke. I kept reading this slow moving monologue in the hopes that something would happen sooner or later. It didn't.

I suspect, since this was one of his earlier works, that an earlier publisher decided to take advantage of his current popularity and released this slow moving non-mystery. The book is written completely from the protagonist's viewpoint. I was asking myself why do I care about this guy (Iry Paret) and never came up with an answer that was satisfactory. I was reminded of Faulkner's As I Lay Dying but without the good writing style and without the multiple voices.

In fact, if you are a mystery fan, the only mystery in this book is why you're reading it. Watch out for the language and some of the adult situations if those kinds of things offend you.

I guess the only reasons I might suggest you might want to buy and read this book is if you are planning on being a graduate student and need to get used to reading useless drivel or if you simply want to read some of Burke's earlier works. I guess that's why I read it. Otherwise, pass on this one of Burke's books.