Let's make this birthday one to remember.

88 years old (Born on December 05, 1936)

Happy Birthday, James Lee Burke! May your day be filled with more twists and turns than a Dave Robicheaux mystery. You've given us countless sleepless nights, gripping pages tightly as we follow your unforgettable characters through the swamps of Louisiana or across dusty Texas trails. Your knack for suspense is matched only by your talent for making readers crave gumbo at midnight.

From the gritty streets of New Iberia to the rugged landscapes explored by Billy Bob and Hackberry Holland, you've kept us guessing—and laughing—through every thrilling chapter. Here's hoping this birthday brings you fewer mysteries (like where you left those reading glasses) and plenty more reasons to celebrate another year of literary brilliance!