I think this will be my last story by Burke. Way too much detail to plow through. I found myself skimming pages to wade through some of it. I think the plot was weak. But I guess good old Dave pulled it together in the end after a few bodies piled up. I agree with the reviewer that commented on Dave's age. I too figured he had to be 64, but sounds like he still had an exciting sex life, in the shower even. Guess he maintains his strength and stamina with excersizing and jogging.

I did enjoy the many references of New Orleans and surrounding area as I visited there pre-Katrina and enjoyed seeing some the areas mentioned.

In this intriguing mystery, heavily steeped in the flavor of the bayou of Louisiana, Detective Dave Robicheaux delves into a mystery that has haunted him since the 1950's. When he is hired to investigate the recent string of murders of young women, he sees an opportunity to investigate the mystery of his teen years. The investigation proves to be a dangerous one, one that even threatens his life and that of his wife. Dodging prostitution and drug rings, as well as others who earn their living in the world of crime, Robicheaux fights to uncover secrets, as he fights to maintain his hard-earned sobriety.

All of this ugly depiction of human frailty occurs against the uniquely beautiful backdrop of the Louisiana countryside. As the author, through Robicheaux, savors the sunsets and wildlife on the bayou, the reader can almost see the huge trees enshrouded with Spanish moss swaying in the breeze. The admiration this author has for this part of our country becomes apparent in his gently lyrical prose.

This book is highly recommended, not only for the intriguing mysteries presented, but also for the sheer beauty of the author's loving words describing the beauty of its setting.

Book was a Wonderful Novel, But the condition of the Book was misrepresented by seller.

There are a lot of good mystery writers out there and there's even a decent number of great ones, but there's only a few that are the true elite. In times past, you could include Raymond Chandler, Ross MacDonald and James MacDonald among this group. Nowadays, you have writers like Michael Connelly, Elmore Leonard, Dennis Lehane and James Ellroy. James Lee Burke is also in this select group and Crusader's Cross is yet another reason why he merits such status.

Crusader's Cross is another in Burke's series of novels featuring Dave Robicheaux, who over the years has gone from New Orleans cop to private eye to small town deputy. Along the way, he's battled many inner demons, most notably alcoholism, and been married three times (the first would end in divorce, the second with a murder, and the third by natural causes). Now Robicheaux is in his sixties and as Crusader's Cross begins, he's retired.

A man from Dave's past, however, will bring back memories of a time over four decades ago, when Dave's half-brother Jimmie fell for prostitute Ida Durbin. When Jimmie tried to rescue her from her pimp, Ida disappeared and was assumed dead. Now, a dying acquaintance of Dave's has raised doubts, and Dave, ever the crusader, will soon take the badge back to look for her. There's also a more important reason for his being allowed back on the force: there is a serial killer on the loose, and the two cases will eventually become linked in an unexpected way.

As is often the case in a Robicheaux novel, the past has a huge influence on the present, not only with Ida Durbin, but also the wealthy Chalons family who have a few skeletons in their past. In particular, the Chalons son Val will go to war with Dave, inclined to use money to ruin his adversary. For Dave, things will get really bad for him in many ways, but fortunately he has two things in his corner: his longtime friend (and darker half) Clete Purcel and a pretty nun who will charm Dave. There is also the return of Jimmie Robicheaux after an absence of ten books or so to stir the pot.

A good mystery writer will keep you turning the pages. A great one will give you two contradictory feelings: you want to see how it all turns out, but you also want to enjoy the experience as long as possible. Burke does all this, and more: he is a truly great writer whose descriptive abilities bring his world to life and whose characters are both compelling and complex. Crusader's Cross, as much as his other novels, demonstrates just how good Burke can be.

... utterly confusing and mediocre plot.

Burke has lost it as have many of the "celebrity" authors. Commercialism stifles creativity. I have moved on to newer, lesser well known authors such as Pilate by Steven Rage, Caliphate by Tom Kratzman, War against Islam, The Ezekiel Code,....

Traditionalists and readers who don't care about plot will like Burke's book, but beware of same old, same old...

You've been warned.