Tin Roof Blowdown

[jamesleeburke]

Thanks, sidesweep. The Diggers are the best. Keep the faith, noble mon.

Best,

Jim

[KimiJWolf]

I finished reading TRB a couple weeks ago. It was incredible. Then the thought occurred to me that perhaps you had a website, because I wanted to tell you how grateful I am to have you as a part of my life. That might sound strange, but it is true. Your books mean so much to me, and I feel so blessed to have been introduced to your work in the late 1990's by a coworker. When I read your novels, several things happen: I learn many important lessons in gratitude, acceptance, and humility. (This was particularly true with TRB.) The mystery lover in me is appeased. Also, my imagination is enriched (I have never been to Louisiana although I feel as if I may have passed through thanks to you). I can think of no other author whose books do all of that for me. You are so gifted.

[jamesleeburke]

What a great letter. I'd like to get it on the side of the Goodyear Blimp.

Thanks very much for all your kind words.

Best,

Jim

[tlallan]

I was introduced to New Orleans many years ago through your books, and fell in love with the area. Thanks to the company that I work for, I had the opportunity to visit the city many times and get to know some of the locals. Needless to say, when volunteers were requested to go down there for emergency restoration as Katrina was hitting, I volunteered. I spent the majority of September, 2005, working in New Orleans. Reading TRB brought back those memories - the sights, sounds, smells, and emotions. The smells were horrific in many areas, and the sights of so much of this city under water were terrible. But those were nothing compared to working with the locals, many of whom lost everything. I saw the best and worst of people while there. I saw the quiet strength of people as they went through their destroyed houses, and volunteers coming from around the nation to help. I remember talking with a Deputy Sheriff up in Hammond a few days afterward - he broke down as he
told us about his wife (a nurse) trapped at one of the hospitals downtown whom he had not spoken with for 2 days. But, I also had teams of workers threatened and shot at in the early days. I am thankful that I was able to have this experience, and hopefully was of some help to the recovery. And now I am grateful that you wrote a book that vividly describes the agony and devastation that this great city and people went through. Thank You!

[jamesleeburke]

Thanks, Tom. It sounds like you're on the mend. We're buried in snow in Lolo, Montana right now. Stay on that oldtime rock and roll out in San Fran, noble mon.

Best,

Jim

[mojito]

I'm extremely grateful that this forum exists. A big Tip o' the Hatlo Hat to Pamala!

[Lon]

...A big Tip o' the Hatlo Hat to Pamala!

Mojito,

Is your age showing (and mine, too, since I recognized the "Hatlo Hat" reference), or is the Hatlo cartoon still running in your part of the country? I haven't seen it since I was a kid (back in the Eocene)...

BTW: I finished The Tin Roof Blowdown this morning before work -- which means I finished all the Dave Robicheaux novels. I'll read some selections from Jesus Out To Sea today, then start on the Billy Bob Holland series.

A further digression: Back in the early '80s, I read a book by William Least Heat Moon called Blue Highways -- Moon was a teacher who had just lost his job and his wife and decided to take a trip around the U.S. on the "blue" highways of the map, staying off the freeways. The only part of the book I remember well is when he was in Louisiana. I have long since wanted to visit there, but, having read JLB's series, I feel that I have been.

Thanks, Jim, for being such an inspirational writer!

Lon

[jamesleeburke]

Thanks, Lon.

Best,

Jim

[jamesleeburke]

Thanks, Lon.

Best,

Jim

[mojito]

Lon, I came across some comics that had Hatlo's creation "Little Iodine" in them. The "tip of the Hatlo hat" seemed reverent...about the best compliment the author-artist could give, so I found it to be an appropriate homage to Pamala's hard work and dedication.