Crusader's Cross

In Crusader's Cross, Dave Robicheaux faces haunting memories and dark secrets from his past, exploring themes of love and loss in Louisiana.

In Crusader's Cross, acclaimed crime writer James Lee Burke revisits the haunting landscapes of Louisiana through the eyes of his beloved detective, Dave Robicheaux. Set in the summer of 1958, the story unfolds as Dave and his half-brother Jimmie, fresh out of high school, find work with an oil company. Their days are spent laying rubber cables in the swamps along the Louisiana-Texas coastline, but their lives take a turn when they encounter Ida Durbin, a captivating young woman with a troubled past. Jimmie's infatuation with Ida leads him down a path filled with danger and heartache, as her life is entangled with a brutal man named Kale.

Years later, an older Dave Robicheaux enters Baptist Hospital to visit Troy Bordelon, a man burdened by dark secrets. As Troy prepares to confess, he reveals memories of a young girl, a prostitute who suffered greatly in his uncle's home. This revelation forces Dave to confront the ghosts of his past and the pervasive darkness that looms over his life and the lives of those around him.

Crusader's Cross is a poignant exploration of love, loss, and the moral complexities that define the human experience. Burke's lyrical prose and deep character development invite readers to immerse themselves in a world where the line between right and wrong is often blurred, making it a must-read for fans of crime fiction.