In the Electric Mist With Confederate Dead

Detective Dave Robicheaux and his new partner discover that several crimes around a Louisiana town relate to a murder thirty years ago. Robicheaux gains insight into these crimes from visions of a confederate soldier. This abridgment has two big problems. While Burke's writing gives validity to Robicheaux's visions and knits the interplay of characters, the abridgment sacrifices the writing style, and as a result, the visions and characters become confused. A listener not familiar with Robicheaux's investigative style may miss the basic plot and subplots. Second, sound effects interspersed inconsistently detract rather than add. Will Patton, however, redeems the listen. He reads every part with brilliant distinction. Although the novel loses its punch in abridgment, the voices of the characters are delightful. D.W.K. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine