James Lee Burke is one of the most reliable authors around. I’ve read all of his Robicheaux novels, but only a couple of the Hollands.

The main character here is very similar to Robicheaux in many ways—an old-style righteousness and gallantry contending with a changing society, a tendency to lose control of barely contained violence, and visions of worlds beyond the natural. The writing is quite good and the story moves more quickly than in recent Robicheaux novels, but the novel takes a very wild turn, and I would have preferred it had stayed more reality-based.

Thanks to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for an early review copy.

James Lee Burke never disappoints with the elegance and beauty of his writing. This book continues the Holland family saga with a younger man adrift in the strange melange of the 60.s. Good and evil are found in both the hiippie and landed parts of the society, Aaron struggles to overcome the horrors he experienced in the Korean War. The book winds down with a touch of the supernatural.

Sent to me from Netgalley on Kindle for review. Continuing this author.s genre of mystery and intrigue...character driven novel...try it...

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It’s a Showdown of Good v Evil and it’s Dark, Lyrical, and Hard-Fought!

I’ve always wanted to read James Lee Burke’s novel and with “Another Kind of Eden,” I got the chance to do exactly that and I took it! A slow burner from the start, it’s the characters here that seep deep into your soul and get you and get you good.

The year is 1962, the place is Trinidad, Colorado.

Aaron Holland Broussard is a drifter, a wanderer if you will, educated, quiet and kind. A hard worker and a veteran who has plenty of demons he simply can’t outrun. When he winds up at a farm in Colorado, he finds himself immediately embroiled in trouble. Falling for a beauty, named Joanne, he knows he should stay away from, but simply can’t; enmeshed in an investigation over a few mysterious murders; conflict finds him, time and again.

Other farm hands may be involved, including the owner of the farm, and the professor who was enjoying Joanne’s company before Aaron came along.

Through it all, Aaron has an instinct, a need to survive as well as a need to fight for what he wants and what he believes is right. The past however comes back to bite and some people’s burdens are quite heavy.

A very different, heartbreakingly honest, and real portrayal of good v evil.

Expressive, emotional, and a little mystical, “Another Kind of Eden” was wholly unexpected. While it was a slow burn and took me a while to get into, the character development and the storyline here were both stellar. I think fans of James Lee Burke will love this! Though this was my first book by this author, I don’t feel like I missed out at all and therefore think this worked very well as a standalone. 3.5 Stars

Thank you to Simon & Schuster, NetGalley, and James Lee Burke for the arc.

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Another Kind of Eden is the first book I’ve read by the incomparable James Lee Burke that does not feature my favorite anti-hero, Dave Robicheaux. This book to a significant degree reminded me of my first Robicheaux novel, In The Electric Mist With Confederate Dead in 1993. Since that time I’ve read every installment of the Robicheaux chronicles. The protagonist in Another Kind of Eden, Aaron Holland Broussard, is a similar in that he experiences nightmares and struggles from wartime horrors. For Broussard, it is Korea. Despite the psychological demons, Broussard, like Robicheaux, defends those who cannot defend themselves and seeks to rid the world of evildoers that he encounters. James Lee Burke writes lyrically with a poetic beauty that belies the cruelty of his less than honorable characters, which all feel three dimensional. None of the characters in Another Kind of Eden are cardboard cutouts. The elements of mysticism feel right in the novel. It is abundantly evident that JLB, at the age of 84, continues to write at the top of his game. I remain grateful that this author has consistently fed my appetite for great fiction for 27 years. A huge thanks to Netgalley and publisher Simon & Schuster for the opportunity to read an advance copy of Another Kind of Eden in exchange for an honest review.

Unlike the Dave Robicheaux novels, those comprising the Holland family saga, like this one, can be read as standalones. Of course, connection to the earlier Holland installments would be better, but I read them so long ago, that in reading this one, which only makes glancing reference to the Hollands, memories are sparse. Here is we are in the early 1960's meeting Aaron Holland Broussard, leaping off a freight in Colorado as he waits news from his publisher about publication of his novel. There is almost immediate romance with JoAnne McDuffy, and connection with several of his coworkers on the farm of a prosperous rancher. Burke's voice in writing these novels is completely different from that of which he employs in the Robicheaux Louisiana series, which really should be read in order since the sequence is important. The only problem I had with this page turner is the question of whether Broussard has visions due to his personality disorder, or is there magical realism afoot. The literary quality of the writing is, as always, first rate.

I want to thank the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to review Another Kind of Eden.

This was the first the book by James Lee Burke I've read. I have heard great things about his previous books but I wasn't sure what to expect with Another Kind of Eden. I knew there were other books in this series so I had no idea about the backstory or characters but it didn't detract from the story. I thoroughly enjoyed this book as well as Mr. Burke's style. The writing is visceral and his attention to detail makes you feel like you're there with the characters.

Another Kind of Eden is based in the 1960s and harkens to a simpler time. But, there is nothing simple about this story. At it's heart the book is about opposing forces: good vs evil, tranquility vs violence, heartwarming vs heartbreaking, what's real vs what isn't.

At the end of the day, Mr. Burke requires you to think and come up with your own conclusions. This may have been the first book of Burke's I have read but it definitely will not be the last!

"I also learned that madness is madness, and we should not question its presence in the majority of the human race." Aaron Holland Broussard
Another Kind of Eden by James Lee Burke is set in the early 1960s when the drug culture was beginning to take innocent lives and seduce young minds into trying to live a mystical dream. This book is different than the previous James Lee Burke books and is filled with mystery, deception, and murder.
Aaron Holland Broussard has submitted a manuscript to a publisher and dares to hope for a positive result. Until his writing becomes a source of stable income, Aaron hops a freight train and travels to find work on a large farm in the American West. Aaron ends up on a farm south of Denver close to Trinidad. Soon Aaron finds trouble seems to seek him from several different people. He meets a beautiful college student who had sent a warning to him, and soon his heart has fallen for Joanne McDuffy.
Strange things begin to happen that will cause Aaron to question his sanity. It doesn't help when his nightmares seem to come to life as tangible elements. The story is complex and not anything at all like the Dave Robicheaux novels. I felt sad as I read Another Kind of Eden and it was not my favorite of all the books written by this author I have read. It seemed that Aaron was doomed for trouble no matter how he tried to live an honest life among the characters and in the scenes. He did triumph over the evil at the ending, but there was much despair among the innocent characters who got caught up in evil.
Publication Date: August 17, 2021
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This is going to be difficult to write about my feelings about Another Kind Of Eden. I have been reading James Lee Burke’s books for many, many years. He is a wonderful writer and I love his novels. This is the first one that I read that was not a Dave Robicheaux story. Rather I could picture the main character as a son of Dave’s perhaps in another lifetime. In his last book A Private Cathedral Mr. Burke definitely flirted with the super natural as I have seen him sometimes do before but this book, I would have to say, puts him all in on that theme. It is not a long book and certainly anyone who reads him will want to read it but it makes me curious as to where his life was taking him when he wrote what felt to me as a somewhat spiritual journey of sorts. I am going to be so interested see the opinions of other readers of this one by a favorite writer of mine.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Aaron meets Joanne when he arrives in Colorado. Joanne is a college student who also has ties to a cult. Aaron grows to live joanne. This book captured my attention from the beginning

This is another in the Holland family series byJames Lee Burke. While I tend to read more of the Dave Robicheaux series, Another Kind of Eden is a very arresting story. Aaron Holland Broussard is a writer and a rider in box cars who takes odd jobs throughout the west in the 1960’s. He is also a veteran of the Korean War haunted by his experience there. While working on a ranch near Trinidad, Colorado, he meets a young woman , Joanne McDuffy, and an assortment of characters both good and evil. There is a supernatural element that permeates the events and brings tragedy to some. It is definitely not the Eden of the Bible but but a much darker one. I would recommend this book although it has dark undertones and unexplained events.
Thank you #JamesLeeBurke#simonandshusrer#NetGalley for the arc. James Lee Burke is a literary artist at creating an atmospheric and character driven story.

Aaron Holland Broussard, a wanderer, a novelist, an educated young man, a veteran trying to outrun the hidden demons of PTSD finds himself hopping the rails in the 1960’s and jumping off in the American Midwest. Joanne McDuffy is a young college student waiting tables to survive, her secret ambition to be a respected artist. As soon as they meet sparks begin to fly, but Joanne is involved with a Narcissistic college instructor who leads around a tribe of drug addled misfits (think Timothy Leary-sequel) who adore him. He is perpetually broke and looking for tenure and leading Joanne on with compliments and praise for her art, while preying on her financially and emotionally.
Aaron is hoping to earn enough money to whisk Joanne away from all this so they can build a life together.
Complicating the issue further is a local father and son who seem to have the sheriff in their pockets and their first run in with Aaron is swift and violent. A series of mysterious deaths of local female bartenders and prostitutes seem to tie the father and son together but suddenly Aaron finds himself under investigation as well the blackouts he suffers from doesn’t help his case.
Before he and Joanne can get away there is a climactic ritual involving the cult of the professor’s followers, Aaron’s boss and his wife and a mysterious stranger that seems to be following Aaron.
Will Aaron and Joanne be able to survive the onslaught of humanity that all seems focused on not only keeping them apart but destroying Their spirit and souls as well?

I was not aware this was an installment in a series of books about the Holland Family by the author. This did not detract in any way from reading the book. Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my unsolicited comments.

I'll read anything James Lee Burke writes.

Another Kind of Eden is set in the 1960s when drug cults weren't all that unusual in some places. Aaron Holland Broussard is an aspiring novelist who finds work on a farm, meets and falls in love with painter/waitress/student Joanne, and meets some really nasty characters.

I'm always more partial to Burke's stories set in Louisiana, but Another Kind of Eden is equally full of Burke's trademark atmospheric prose, complex characters, and tangled plot. Aaron Broussard could almost be Dave Robicheaux without the badge. Almost, but not quite. You always have to dig a little deeper with Burke's novels; they are seldom all that they seem on the surface. He forces us to examine all aspects of human nature, however uncomfortable it may sometimes be.

This novel is classic James Lee Burke who remains at the top of his game. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Even by the excellent standards James Lee Burke has set forth in his previous novels, his most recent, #AnotherKindOfEden is superlative. Set in Colorado during the volatile 60’s, #Another Kind Of Eden treads on literary ground that is very familiar - an allegory of good versus evil. In this telling the battle is fought as a mystical mystery where Korean War vet Aaron Holland Broussard is confronted with a wide array of saints and sinners in his quest to discover reality from illusion. Every page of Burke’s tale is told with honesty and grace, be it beautiful or brutal. If you’re a James Lee Burke fan, # Another Kind Of Eden will not disappoint you; if you’re a new reader this wonderful book should inspire you to explore earlier Burke works - he’s definitely a master !

Another Kind of Eden by James Lee Burke
Rating: Stared Review

Summary: Arron Holland Broussard is a troubled drifter and farm hand. He suffers from untreated war trauma after leaving his friend behind in a horrific battle. Arron finds farm work and a talented painter girl friend and wants to live a simple life. When a town bully interferes in his business things begin to tumble side ways for him. He is asked to help the town detective to assist him finding the person committing a series of murders. Aaron does everything he can to survive but save his ideals.

Comments: Absolutely the best Burke novel I have read. It’s stunningly blunt and propulsive page turner. Vivek characters leap for attention and the tale of wanting to do good with forces of evil surrounding you. A stunning achievement for a master story teller.

Ive read all of Burke’s books and I loved this one. Economical/spare/ well written/violent /exciting and thoughtful -Burke has never been better. This book is set in the early sixties in the west and it explores the coming drug culture and the seismic shift that was about to happen in American culture. It’s a really good story. Highly recommended

James Lee Burke is an American gem. Time and time again he crafts some of the darkest, most poetic, most heartrending fiction on the shelves. Notice I didn’t say crime fiction? That’s because he “transcends the genre.” Oh, how I hate that phrase, but what can one say about Burke’s fictive masterpieces? Are they pageturners? Certainly. Suspenseful? Without question. Teeming with violence? Yup. Literature? I can lift my chin and nose like some elitist snob and unequivocally pronounce this lit’ratour of the highest level. I adore the man. The plot doesn’t even matter. Join this wild ride, told through the jaundiced eyes of one Aaron Broussard Holland, an aspiring novelist with blackout holes in his memory, fists he’s always willing to wield, and love for a woman that might kill him as he fights to defend it.

I’d read several of Mr. Burke’s “Dave Robicheaux” novels and enjoyed them very much. However, I’d not read anything from his “Holland Family” series and so was eager to give this a try. Although I found it very different, the writing and story-telling are every bit as strong. In short, I was not disappointed and think it deserves a 5-star rating.

Aaron Holland Broussard is a Korean war veteran and an aspiring novelist “riding the rails” on freight trains and doing migrant work to earn his keep sometime during the 1960’s. Hopping off a boxcar in Denver, he finds work on a ranch/farm run by a family that thinks the world of him, a beautiful girl to fall in love with, and a boatload of trouble. And he has a fatal flaw that will make it difficult to negotiate the challenges he meets, if not completely do him in. Has Aaron found his “American Dream” – i.e., a life of happiness and fulfillment – on the outskirts of Denver; or is it all just an illusion hiding a deep and rotten kind of evil that may just destroy him? That’s what keeps us in suspense and turning the pages.

I found Mr. Burke’s characters well-drawn and compelling. I really wanted the “good guys” to succeed and the villains to fail. Even the minor characters come alive. The plot is interesting and filled with tension and conflict. When I began the novel, I was reminded a little of Lee Child’s “Jack Reacher” novels; and fans of that series may well enjoy this. But there’s a lot more complexity in Mr. Burke’s work. And his writing—the words, sentences, and paragraphs he spins onto a page—is simply first-rate. It’s very lyrical in places and, at times, reminded me of Tennessee Williams. Plus, the novel is leavened with a whole lot of mystery and mysticism. So much so, that by it’s end, I wasn’t quite sure what had actually happened. But I wasn’t disappointed by that; which is a testament to Mr. Burke’s artistry. Indeed, the next morning I found myself thinking about what I’d read and coming to my own conclusions about what must have happened. In other words, this is a novel that may well stay with you.

My thanks to NetGalley, Simon and Shuster, and James Lee Burke for providing me with an Advance Readers Copy, in exchange for which no promises were made regarding this review.

In "Another Kind of Eden," Burke offers us a tale of the sun-drenched west that offers few answers to the question of what the distance is between Heaven and Hell, and between madness and sanity. Wrapped in poetic imagery, we get a tale about a drifter riding the rails to Trinidad, Colorado, in 1962, trying to loose a past that just keeps creeping up on him through holes in his memory. Like Biblical thunder, good and evil are mixed together in this small ranching town where a bully seems to rule with an iron fist.

No matter where Broussard travels though, he bears his heavy burdens with him. For him, there's no peace nowhere, not in his head, not in his hands, not in his thoughts. Not even the love of a good woman, JoAnne, can lighten his load. The war in Korea is just as real and now as it ever was. A parallel exists in the schoolbus with the hippies, stoned and crazy, but halfway between Ken Kesey's Merry Pranksters and Manson's tribe. No one here can shake off their pasts. No one walks free and easy and we all have to bear our burdens ultimately alone. For JoAnne, it's perhaps her father whisked awY in a tornado and never seen again. For others, it's their deeds or what their family members did that they can't wash their hands of.

Burke' work is honestly quite amazing and this one grips you and doesn't let go, although reality and madness sometimes mix here in quite strange ways. A stranger coming into a small town and turning it upside down is not a new idea, but this story takes it to quite a different level, indeed.

Aaron is fighting demons: physical, personal, historical, and even spiritual in this latest installment of Mr. Burke’s series. History is told in a way only the author can imagine.