I have a question about James Lee Burke's character

[russspeakeasy]

Dave Robicheaux. In what book did he lose his bait shop ?
And what happened to Batist ?
I am blaming my age for my loss of memory.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

1. I don't know, but he's had an unusually large number of wives die on him

[ChazInAz]

2. I forget the book.

He essentially gave the shop to Batiste and moved back into town after the death of one of his wives. If I were any of the ladies of his acquaintance, I'd be leery of getting into a relationship with him. Quite a track record that fella has!

[russspeakeasy]

3. Right ! I noticed in his latest book he lives on "Burke " Street ..

Thanks..

[Paladin]

4. Good Questions.

I've read all the Dave R. Mysteries that Burke has written (including the latest, "Creole Belle&quot , and I don't remember Batiste or the bait shop being dealt with. Tripod, the three-legged raccoon, is still around.

[russspeakeasy]

5. I just finished Creole Bell yesterday. NO SPOILER

I really enjoyed it. A lot of the stuff he talks about are the things that are happening today in the Gulf Coast and elsewhere. The political picture he paints is damned accurate too.
Did you like the book ?

[Paladin]

9. Yes, I Loved "Creole Belle". (nt)

[ChazInAz]

6. Racking my memory, here!

I've given away all but my latest Burke books, so I'm working on memory, here. If I recall correctly, these events happened "between novels", and not as part of the action. First, wife Bootsie died of lupus...natural causes for once. Dave's old family home burned due to a shoddy wiring job, prompting him to give the homestead to his brother Gentleman Jimmy to rebuild as he pleased. The proviso to that deal was that Batiste got the boat and bait shop business. Daughter Alafair was off in college at the time. Dave, needing a clean break, took Tripod to New Iberia, where he (Dave, not Tripod) joined the local sheriff's department, working with Helen Soileau. Shortly thereafter, he adopted Mr. Snuggs, the combative white cat.
I think that was the story line, and believe it took place around the time of "Purple Cane Road".
Hope that helps!

[cyberswede]

7. Must have been after Purple Cane Road...

which is the most recent one I've read. Bootsie had some symptoms, iirc, but was still there at the end of the book.

[ChazInAz]

8. Thanks

That narrows it down some.
As I mentioned, I gave most of my Burke books away...to a long-term alcoholism residential treatment center. Seemed appropriate.
Always risky, relying on memory when you're over 60.

[russspeakeasy]

10. Thanks. That gives me a starting place..