The Hadacol Boogie

James Lee Burke’s The Hadacol Boogie marks the twenty-fifth installment of the Dave Robicheaux series, and the quality of this novel proves that Burke has not lost a step.

The novel opens with a moving recounting of the lives and deaths of Dave Robicheaux’s parents and the impact their story has had on him—and will continue to have. This brief but powerful introduction beautifully interweaves with the narrative, adding a warm, resonant texture that lingers throughout the entire tale.

The Hadacol Boogie takes place around the turn of the century in Robicheaux’s Iberia Parish. After a group of boys sets off fireworks near his home, Robicheaux confronts them. To avoid trouble, the boys quickly tell him they saw a demon-like figure leaving something in his yard. Initially dismissive of their claims, Robicheaux investigates and discovers a garbage bag containing the body of a young woman.

From there, Robicheaux is drawn into an investigation that introduces a host of memorable characters—each one seemingly more dangerous than the last, and several not at all what they appear to be. Robicheaux once again finds himself facing organized crime figures, local thugs (some of whom wear badges), and a murderous fellow Vietnam veteran who may be periodically psychotic. Then there is Boone Hendrix, a mysterious wayfaring handyman who, like many of Burke’s enigmatic characters, seems to know more than he lets on, speaking in riddles and provoking Robicheaux’s curiosity. As the novel progresses, the evolving relationship between Hendrix and Robicheaux becomes one of the book’s most fascinating threads—full of confusion, anger, sympathy, and even violence.

As always, Burke’s writing is masterfully lyrical and richly descriptive, allowing readers to vividly construct the world he creates. While some of the major plot elements across the Robicheaux series may echo each other, the true beauty of Burke’s work lies in his language and the deepening complexity of his characters with each new installment.

Another of Burke’s hallmarks is his ability to let characters communicate in subtle, often non-verbal ways, leaving moments open to interpretation. These quiet exchanges challenge the reader to decide what was meant and what was merely implied, trusting in an audience capable of grappling with nuance, ambiguity, and even the surreal.

As someone who has been reading James Lee Burke for more than thirty years, I can confidently say that The Hadacol Boogie maintains the high standard of storytelling that has defined the series from the very beginning.

The Hadacol Boogie is highly recommended and is set for publication in February 2026.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.