James Lee Burke stands at the pinnacle of American noir mystery writing He is a rare winner of two Edgar Awards for Best Crime Novel of the Year James Lee Burke's dark tales of redemption have been compared to those of Faulkner He has won the Gold Dagger once and the Edgar Award twice Pegasus Descending shortlisted for the Duncan Lawrie Dagger James Lee Burke receives widespread and outstanding review coverage: 'His books are sustained by lush Southern-Gothic prose, fast-swerving plots, deep roots in history and an intensity of character that any novelist might envy' Independent 'Pegasus Descending is a major work by a major writer, and to tell you the truth I'd read a shopping list he wrote and count myself lucky' Independent on Sunday 'The 15th of James Lee Burke's David Robicheaux novels, and one of the best - and that is saying something. Burke is the most poetic and lyrical of today's American crime writers' The Times

Shortlisted for CWA Duncan Lawrie Dagger 2007.

When it comes to literate, pungently characterised American crime writing, James Lee Burke has few peers. * Daily Express * One of the finest American writers. * Guardian * His lyrical prose, his deep understanding of what makes people behave as they do, and his control of plot and pace are masterly. * Sunday Telegraph * The king of Southern noir. * Daily Mirror * There are not many crime writers about whom one might invoke the name of Zola for comparison, but Burke is very much in that territory. His stamping ground is the Gulf coast, and one of the great strengths of his work has always been the atmospheric background of New Orleans and the bayous. His big, baggy novels are always about much more than the mechanics of the detective plot; his real subject, like the French master, is the human condition, seen in every situation of society. * Independent * The gentle giant of US crime writers, Burke always ensures that his Louisiana detective Dave Robicheaux grapples with hot topics as much as with his own inner demons. * i newspaper * Richly deserves to be described now as one of the finest crime writers America has ever produced. * Daily Mail * A gorgeous prose stylist. * Stephen King * James Lee Burke is the heavyweight champ, a great American novelist whose work, taken individually or as a whole, is unsurpassed. * Michael Connelly *

James Lee Burke is the author of many acclaimed novels, including 12 featuring Dave Robicheaux. He lives with his wife, Pearl, in Montana and Louisiana.