Not gonna lie, the title of this book had a lot to do with me giving it a try when it showed up in the 'on sale' section at Kobo.  Me and flamingos, all the way. 

I admit, this was a hard book for me to read. When Hurricane Katrina hit Lousiana, I was glued to the TV in absolute horror. A city that had fascinated me for decades was under water, and it seemed like no one in government cared enough to do anything about it ... and all I could do was throw money at the situation from afar.

Set in the days immediately before, during, and after Katrina, this book finds Detective Dave Robicheaux on loan to the NOPD to help process criminals caught rioting ... and worse. One of the subplots involves a group of teenage African-American kids looting wealthy homes in the Garden District. When one of them is murdered, Robicheaux winds up on the investigation.

This is a gritty, realistic book that is not for the faint of heart. There are murders, rapes and more ... along with the terror of a city that is drowning because the government couldn't be bothered to help. There is more than a passing examination of both racism, and Louisiana's prison system as well.

A hard read, but well worthwhile.

This book deals with New Orleans just after hurricane Katrina; the society has been destroyed, it seems an easy target for crime.

It was the first book I read by James Lee Burke, but when I encountered this novel in a book sale I wanted to read this book, so I bought it. The story was OK, and as I'd never read of his other books, I didn't know any of the characters, but it didn't feel as a problem. I could feel the author's anger reading this book, because of the way authorities dealt with Katrina. The book is raw and tough, so I don't think it's a book for everyone, but if this is what you like, I think this is quite a good book.

Note: I read a Dutch translation of this book

I've been flying through the Mercy Thompson series, but was saving the last one for something and started a long German book recently. I told myself I can't read River Marked until I've finished Saphirblau. 

I also watched the two Doctor Who specials today, 'The Day of the Doctor' and 'An Adventure in Time and Space'. Now I want to devour my the who books I brought with me even more badly.

But not until I finish the stupendous Audiobook I'm listening to, The Glass Rainbow which is the 18th Dave Robicheaux book, and my first. Amazing on it's own, I look forward to picking up the other audiobooks. 

Please tell me I'm not the only poly-bibliophile who sets preconditions before starting a new book?

So, in the case of the former it's baiting the donkey, in the latter, I can't lose.