Montana, Murder, Music, Mystery, Malevolence - these words in a nutshell describe what the book Swan Peak by James Lee Burke is about. I have been wanting to write book reviews since a long time but this book made me do it. It is a shame I managed to miss James Lee Burke all these years. Of all the thrillers I have read in past, this story stands out for these reasons - research, layout of the plot, injection of suspense at the right places, description of the landscapes and best of all character portrayal.
The Plot
The story starts around Swan Lake in Montana where our protagonist Dave Robicheaux, his wife Molly and his friend Clete Purcel are vacationing in the summers. The friends' intention is to fish the trout found in the lakes in northern Montana. But alas, it is obvious that trouble follows the duo every where they go. When ghosts and people from the past start haunting these two ex-Army men, it is only imperative that they must confront the dangers because it is not in their nature to let go. Especially when two coeds are murdered in the hills followed by a film producer burnt alive. At this point in time, it looks the book is nothing but filmy but James Lee has made it easy for the reader to indulge and agree that these events can be of common nature. The family of the Wellstone brothers, filthy rich and having estates in Texas and Montana are wanting to keep the good men away from the mishaps. It is soon discovered that the Wellstones' story has loose ends that can easily be tied to all these murders including one of the ministers, Rev Sonny Click, who preaches on behalf of the Wellstone Ministries. To make the plot more interesting and intriguing, Jimmy Dale Greenwood enters the story - an ex-con musician who was involved with Jamie Sue Wellstone, wife of Leslie Wellstone, when they sung together in the rodeo circuit. Jimmy Dale is in hiding after escaping a contract prison and almost killing one of the prison's founding members - Troyce Nix. Now Troyce has followed Jimmy Dale to Montana and gets involved in the story. All of the characters except the Wellstones end up unearthing secrets about the murders that confuse Dave and Clete further. But when the two friends start calling in favors from friends down south, they come to know a great deal of evil that the Wellstones can be tied to. They also find out interesting details about one of the drivers of Wellstones and then start tying up the pieces together. They would later discover a startling fact that will take Clete Purcell down the memory lane only to be haunted by what happened in a plane crash in Western Montana years ago. Although the story ends in a regular 'good wins over evil' mood, the narration by Dave has been out of this world.
Recommendation
I have finished reading two additional Dave Robicheaux's novels written by James Lee Burke and would recommend all of them - The Glass Rainbow and Creole Belle in addition to Swan Peak. They are not just about murders or mysteries or Dave or Clete, but life in general and how being truthful to oneself can often be dangerous and risky. They also talk about overcoming fears that haunt you, of murky scams on one hand and crystal clear blue waters of the Key West on the other. The articulation of locations, characters and history is so vivid it is like taking a amazingly interesting lecture in Social Sciences and Human Psychology all in one book. And believe me, you will at times say 'enough!' but still want to read more. I felt sad and lonely after each of the novels came to an end only to yearn for more of James Lee Burke's works. I recommend reading through just the epilogue of the latest novel I finished reading, Creole Belle, and you will know what am talking about. It is a journey you will want to do. It is a walkabout you have always wanted to earn.
The Plot
The story starts around Swan Lake in Montana where our protagonist Dave Robicheaux, his wife Molly and his friend Clete Purcel are vacationing in the summers. The friends' intention is to fish the trout found in the lakes in northern Montana. But alas, it is obvious that trouble follows the duo every where they go. When ghosts and people from the past start haunting these two ex-Army men, it is only imperative that they must confront the dangers because it is not in their nature to let go. Especially when two coeds are murdered in the hills followed by a film producer burnt alive. At this point in time, it looks the book is nothing but filmy but James Lee has made it easy for the reader to indulge and agree that these events can be of common nature. The family of the Wellstone brothers, filthy rich and having estates in Texas and Montana are wanting to keep the good men away from the mishaps. It is soon discovered that the Wellstones' story has loose ends that can easily be tied to all these murders including one of the ministers, Rev Sonny Click, who preaches on behalf of the Wellstone Ministries. To make the plot more interesting and intriguing, Jimmy Dale Greenwood enters the story - an ex-con musician who was involved with Jamie Sue Wellstone, wife of Leslie Wellstone, when they sung together in the rodeo circuit. Jimmy Dale is in hiding after escaping a contract prison and almost killing one of the prison's founding members - Troyce Nix. Now Troyce has followed Jimmy Dale to Montana and gets involved in the story. All of the characters except the Wellstones end up unearthing secrets about the murders that confuse Dave and Clete further. But when the two friends start calling in favors from friends down south, they come to know a great deal of evil that the Wellstones can be tied to. They also find out interesting details about one of the drivers of Wellstones and then start tying up the pieces together. They would later discover a startling fact that will take Clete Purcell down the memory lane only to be haunted by what happened in a plane crash in Western Montana years ago. Although the story ends in a regular 'good wins over evil' mood, the narration by Dave has been out of this world.
Recommendation
I have finished reading two additional Dave Robicheaux's novels written by James Lee Burke and would recommend all of them - The Glass Rainbow and Creole Belle in addition to Swan Peak. They are not just about murders or mysteries or Dave or Clete, but life in general and how being truthful to oneself can often be dangerous and risky. They also talk about overcoming fears that haunt you, of murky scams on one hand and crystal clear blue waters of the Key West on the other. The articulation of locations, characters and history is so vivid it is like taking a amazingly interesting lecture in Social Sciences and Human Psychology all in one book. And believe me, you will at times say 'enough!' but still want to read more. I felt sad and lonely after each of the novels came to an end only to yearn for more of James Lee Burke's works. I recommend reading through just the epilogue of the latest novel I finished reading, Creole Belle, and you will know what am talking about. It is a journey you will want to do. It is a walkabout you have always wanted to earn.
