A few weeks ago I was in a bookstore looking for something new to read. I have been a voracious reader since elementary school. As I scanned the aisles looking for something to buy I became increasingly frustrated at my inability to make a decision. Some of the books were by authors I had never heard of, some were genres I did not feel like reading and many others I had already read. No matter how hard I tried I could not find anything that suited me.

  I thought about my problem a lot and it made me remember a time when I stumbled upon an author that has become one of my all time favorites. I was in a bookstore facing the same dilemma. No matter how hard I tried nothing compelled me to buy. Usually there are three things that prompt me to pick up a book to read, they are so simplistic that I am somewhat embarrassed. The first is the cover, just like the packaging in the grocery store the cover will prompt me to pick up a book and examine its worthiness. The second thing is the title, and the third is the author. With this in mind the following is what I stumbled upon many years ago.

  While perusing the shelves at a bookstore a title jumped out at me. It was In the Electric Mist With Confederate Dead, by James Lee Burke. That one random decision has provided me with many hours of good reading. James Lee Burke is an excellent author. His books appeal to me on many levels, genre, style of writing and sometimes a historical context that that is compelling and relevant to events in my life. Mr. Burke was born in Texas and spent his early life on the Gulf Coast of Louisiana and Texas. His settings are similar to where I grew up as are some of the characters in his books. The influence of Louisiana and the Gulf are evident in his stories and seem to shape his characters and stories in a way I find easy to empathize with.

   Burke's main characters are usually damaged heroes in need of redemption. One of his recurrent characters is a sheriff's deputy named Dave Robicheaux. Wracked by demons from his past and the Vietnam War, the deputy fights evil at the same time he is trying to come to grips with things he has done in his past that are similar to the evil men he faces. Most of the stories take place in Louisiana and some take place in Texas and Montana. Mr. Burke maintains homes both in New Iberia Louisiana and Missoula Montana. He has twice been awarded the Edgar Award for Best Crime Novel of the year. Three of his books have been made into movies, but to me they do not measure up to the books.

   The next time you are looking for a good read I encourage you to try one of Mr. Burke's novels. Well written and to me as good as any book I have read, I am sure you will find them entertaining, compelling and worthy of the critical acclaim he has received. His most recent novel Wayfaring Stranger, is one of his best. The next time you are looking for a book to read, pick an obscure title. Choose a book that on the outside offers no clue to what is between the cover. I did it and I have been rewarded handsomely with many hours of great reading. If you read his books leave me a comment on what you think. If you have already read them leave me a comment and tell me your experience. I am still looking for something new to read and I am waiting on the next great novel as I start over, over 50.