Order of James Lee Burke Books
James Lee Burke is an American author who specializes in mysteries. Burke is best known for his Dave Robicheaux series, two of which have been adapted to film. Burke has also written seven crime novels.
James Lee Burke has been writing ever since 1965 and continues to this day. Below is a list of James Lee Burke’s work in order of when it was published:
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Publication Order of Dave Robicheaux Books
Publication Order of Holland Family Universe Books
| Lay Down My Sword and Shield | (1971) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
| Two for Texas | (1982) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
| Cimarron Rose | (1997) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
| Heartwood | (1999) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
| Bitterroot | (2001) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
| In the Moon of Red Ponies | (2004) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
| Rain Gods | (2009) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
| Feast Day of Fools | (2011) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
| Wayfaring Stranger | (2014) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
| House of the Rising Sun | (2015) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
| The Jealous Kind | (2016) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
| Another Kind of Eden | (2021) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
| Every Cloak Rolled in Blood | (2022) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
Publication Order of Hackberry Holland Books
| Lay Down My Sword and Shield | (1971) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
| Rain Gods | (2009) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
| Feast Day of Fools | (2011) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
| House of the Rising Sun | (2015) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
| Another Kind of Eden | (2021) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
| Every Cloak Rolled in Blood | (2022) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
Publication Order of Billy Bob Holland Books
| Cimarron Rose | (1997) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
| Heartwood | (1999) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
| Bitterroot | (2001) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
| In the Moon of Red Ponies | (2004) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
Publication Order of Weldon Holland Books
| Wayfaring Stranger | (2014) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
| The Jealous Kind | (2016) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
Publication Order of Standalone Novels
| Half of Paradise | (1965) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
| To the Bright and Shining Sun | (1970) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
| Two for Texas | (1982) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
| The Lost Get-Back Boogie | (1986) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
| White Doves at Morning | (2002) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
| Flags on the Bayou | (2023) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
| Don't Forget Me, Little Bessie | (2025) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas
| Texas City, 1947 | (1992) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
Publication Order of Short Story Collections
| The Convict and the Other Stories | (1985) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
| Jesus Out to Sea | (2007) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
| Harbor Lights | (2024) | Description / Buy at Amazon.com |
Publication Order of Anthologies
If You Like James Lee Burke Books, You’ll Love…
James Lee Burke Synopsis: In the Electric Mist with Confederate Dead is the sixth novel in the Dave Robicheaux mystery series, where Dave is having a series of visions involving Confederate soldiers under General John Bell Hood. A severely mutilated body belonging to a young woman is found in a ditch of New Iberia, Louisiana and then busts a movie star for drunk driving. The movie star (Elrod Sykes) tells Robicheaux about a skeleton they found while filming a movie back in 1957 – exactly where Robicheaux had witnessed a black man being murdered by two white men. Now, a guilt-ridden Robicheaux must identify the victim while at the same time, more young women are being killed. In The Electric Mist with Confederate Dead was adapted to film (dropping the “with Confederate Dead” part of the title) in 2009. The film was a co-production between France and the United States. The film starred Tommy Lee Jones as Robicheaux and John Goodman.
James Lee Burke Reader Reviews:
Submitted by Mariana D.
After reading Purple Cane Road, I’m hooked! This is one of the most elegantly written crime novels I’ve ever read. He has introduced me to the Louisiana that is cloaked in mystique and a false enchantment that hides generations of hidden sins. I can’t put down the Dave Robicheaux books. A Big thanks to James Lee Burke for writing this truly satisfying, thoroughly engrossing page turner.
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I will be forever indebted to the librarian who made the suggestion to me that I listen to Will Patton read the works of James Lee Burke to truly get the full, immersive experience.
She was correct.
From the South originally, I moved to Maine after leaving the US Navy in the late 80s. I’ve never had an accent myself, which has been a mystery to the family.
So I wasn’t sure just how a true Cajun accent for the “Bobbsey Twins from Homicide”, or in my case, the rich and varied accents of the Holland families could enrich my experience.
But, boy, did it. Now when I need solace from the happenings of the world, I listen to Will Patton read the incredible, and beautiful words that JLB has penned about my favorite of his characters, Hackberry Holland.
If you haven’t experienced it for yourself, I’ll recommend it, just as that wonderful librarian did for me.
Happy reading, whether it is with your eyes, or with your ears.
I guess I am very blessed to have read every word that Mr. Burke has written and also his daughter Alafair. When I check about once a month to see if he has written anything new. I feel like I know all of his characters
I could only dream of writing like Mr. Burke; you can see and smell everything he describes.
I now own all of the books in this series very pleased and looking for many years of enjoying these books .thank-you
I, too, am so pleased to find this chronological list of Burkes’ books. His Robicheaux character is so humble and exciting. I can see the fireflies, smell the magnolias and taste bbq chicken and ribs. Love James Lee Burke. Keep them comin’.
It’s been a long time since I stumbled on an author whose EVERY book I intend to read. Many thanks to this site for the chronological list (and to our Public Libraries for the books that hooked me!)
I can smell they bayou every time I read a Dave Robichaud novel. A big thanks James Lee. Not so fond of those hard dirt, dusty hot Texas border towns though.
Amazing stuff. Stand alone or whole series of novels with the same lead characters. So descriptive, Can see,smell,feel and hear everything. Even background noises. Top Notch.
His writing is as good as writing gets.
Some of the best descriptive writing I have ever read!