Issue date: 9/12/06 Section: Aggielife

Burke does, however, artfully depict a history of the racial tension and prejudice in Louisiana. With a unique mix of white Louisiana aristocracy, black dope pushers and black and white poverty, every conversation and investigative interview is shrouded by issues of color, racism and class. Even the justice-oriented Robicheaux occasionally finds himself succumbing to the racist postures of his ancestors when dealing with Monarch, the dope king of Iberia Parish.

The novel falters slightly toward the end as it briefly addresses the damage of hurricanes Katrina and Rita. In light of the rest of the book, these references seem stilted, almost as if Burke wrote the entire novel and then added the details about the storms. The hurricane discussion is related only to a single earlier scene, also oddly out-of-place, in which Clete hollers to Robicheaux, asking him if he thinks they will ever have a hurricane as bad as the one in '64. Both the scene and the answer are inconsequential within the context of a generally tight plot.

Despite these few failings, the novel is a vibrant page-turner. With an intricate yet well played-out plot, as well as the swamps of New Iberia as the locale for mystery, Burke has created yet another successful mystery novel. "Pegasus Descending" holds tantalizing hints of the great book it could have been, with its interesting characters and high racial tension. However, it is fully acceptable for what it is, one of many novels turned out one-by-one by a great mystery writer to satisfy the voracious appetites of his loyal fans.

< prev Page 2 of 2

Article Tools