Evil incarnate fills Light of the World. Unless you have to unusually strong stomach for reading about human monsters and to interest in learning more about them, this is not a good book for you.
To me, HOWEVER, James Lee Burke hit a higher gear with his storytelling and character development in this book than any of his previous novels. The good versus evil theme of Fighting Fire With Fire Reaches a new intensity as more characters are drawn into the conflict, with a greater variety of motives and attitudes than in any previous book in the series. I found the parts of the story Involving Gretchen Horowitz, Clete Purcel's daughter, to be effective and powerful Especially. I do not recall a book with so many strong female characters, Especially in a story addressing search horrible things as Occur here to women. Mr. Burke added so slight nuances to his familiar themes as did It was not possible to anticipate what some of the characters would do next, adding powerful suspense to the story.
You'll feel as if you are in the last days, as described in Revelation, as you read the book. Who knows? Perhaps we are.
I sat up quite late three nights in a row to finish the book. I found it to be spellbinding, a word I have not used to describe a new novel in many years.
Bravo, Mr. Burke!
