Clete
- Authors: James Lee Burke
- Series: Book 24 in the Dave Robicheaux series
- Genres: Mystery
- Rank:Top 50 in Best Hard-Boiled Mystery on Amazon
- Rating: 4.2 based on 5,569 reviews
- Release Date: June 11, 2024
- Print length: 336 pages (Hardcover)
About the book
In the most recent installment of the Robicheaux series, Clete Purcel, a seasoned private investigator and former police officer from New Orleans, steps into the spotlight for the first time.
Clete Purcel, with his tough exterior and a few vulnerabilities, has been Dave Robicheaux's loyal friend and partner in solving crimes. However, his past is marred with troubles.
After returning to his car at the local car wash only to find it ransacked by a group with ties to drug trafficking, including Mexican cartels and Louisiana, Clete feels a personal vendetta. The death of his grandniece due to a fentanyl overdose fuels his rage against the drug dealers.
As Clete delves deeper into the investigation, he is hired by Clara Bow to uncover information about her deceitful ex-husband. A series of brutal deaths lead back to a mysterious tattooed man who appears to be lurking in the shadows. In the midst of experiencing vivid hallucinations, Clete questions Clara's hidden agenda, especially as rumors of a deadly substance with catastrophic consequences emerge. The thugs who vandalized his car may just be small players in a much larger and darker conspiracy.
Through a blend of gripping intensity, violence, and Clete's unique brand of humor and unwavering loyalty to his loved ones, the novel introduces a fresh perspective to the iconic series.