James Lee Burke is without a doubt one of the most talented writers alive today. Best known for his long-runing series of novels with Dave Robicheaux as the troubled protagonist, Burke combines the best elements of an exciting and gritty crime novel with his own social commentary on current and past American social issues. Burke's style is a one-of-a kind blend of vivid almost lyrical imagery and fluid dialogue.

His most recent book in his Robicheaux series is title the Tin Roof Blowdown. Set in Louisiana during and after hurricane Katrina, this book brings readers back to the life of troubled, violent ex-alcholic cop, Dave Robicheaux and his ongoing struggle to bring some measure of justice to crime-ridden south Louisina. Throughout the novel, Burke uses the back drop of Katrina to make a series of social commentaries about the realities of post-Katrina Louisina. From groups of rogue cops to looting to the Superdome, Burke touches on significant factual events and blends them into his unique style of crime fiction to lend the reader a sense of the realities of living in the aftermath of Katrina. Tin Roof Blowdown is an example of James Lee Burke at the pinnacle of his ability to weave a mesmerizing and exciting story while making a serious and mature statement about current social issues.