James Lee Burke is an American institution, and he shines the brightest when he writes about Louisiana detective Dave Robicheaux. The latest entry in the series is THE HADACOL BOOGIE, and it is a deep dive into not only the dark side of the territory but also Dave’s personal history.

This is a lengthy novel with much to consume and process. To begin with, we are reminded at the top that the events are bound to the turn of the century, which explains why some of the dates might seem odd. We get a history of the area over the previous hundred years or so with a special focus on the issues surrounding race relations during this time.

"THE HADACOL BOOGIE is another example of Louisiana noir told by an author who is firmly ensconced in the language of this land."

That provides the impetus for what happens at the beginning of the story. A group of children who Dave admonishes for popping off fireworks near his house indicate that they saw a monster carrying a garbage bag onto his property. They describe the man as having long, stringy black hair with things sticking out of it and some sort of facial deformity that produced pronounced bumps. The garbage bag contains the corpse of a Black girl, whose defining features are her light-colored eyes and rose tattoos on her breasts.

Dave immediately calls in his squad to claim the body and notifies his superiors, as well as his longtime partner, Clete Purcel, about the morbid find. He does not believe that this is any sort of coincidence and takes matters into his own hands by starting with a checklist of those individuals in the county who have an active beef with him --- and it is extensive.

Even though he is an abiding member of AA, Dave starts by entering the dive bar operated by Jerry Carlucci, who has badmouthed his family history. The conversation does not go well and ends with Carlucci spewing various insults Dave’s way and throwing pool balls at Boone Hendrix, a neighborhood man attempting to enter the bar. It goes without saying that Dave lays down quite the beating on Carlucci.

Boone is an interesting minor character, a local handyman who is currently working on Dave’s roof. He also knows and sees a lot and shares some vital details with Dave in the form of different messages.

Things take an interesting turn when Dave’s daughter, Alafair, arrives back in town. When he brings her up to speed on what is happening, she shares that she went to school with a Black girl named Clemmy Benoit, who had rose tattoos on her breasts. Dave then approaches his new partner, Detective Valerie Benoit, who has been dealing with some serious sexual and racial harassment at the precinct. Valerie initially denies any knowledge of Clemmy.

Of course, Dave will not let this go, and the connections and revelations eventually follow as the story rolls forward. When he shifts his focus back on Boone’s cryptic messages, he begins to head down a deadly trail involving bayou ghosts, a murderous button man from New Orleans, and gangsters from the north.

The story reads like one set in a fantasy land, not just because it takes place at the turn of the 20th century but because the violent, stark landscape of the Louisiana bayou is an area unlike any other on earth. Dave Robicheaux is well aware of this and does not need to be told that further pursuit of this case may place him and everyone he loves in great danger. THE HADACOL BOOGIE is another example of Louisiana noir told by an author who is firmly ensconced in the language of this land.