Today’s favorite author is the incomparable James Lee Burke.

JLB is the author of the outstanding crime fiction series featuring 25 Dave Robicheaux books, Hadacol Boogie being released this month. Another dozen or so feature the Holland family. 
The Robicheaux series is set in south Louisiana, with much of the action taking place in New Orleans. Robicheaux is smart, tough, extremely loyal, and somewhat flawed by impulsiveness. His best friend Clete is one of the greatest characters I’ve ever read. His work is often filled with the supernatural — think Confederate ghost armies marching along the bayou.
JLB paints incredible scenes that make you think you were standing right there, or wish you were. Many of his books are also set in the mountains of Montana, which lends beautifully to his literary style.

Highly recommend any of his works, but the Robicheaux series is the best in my opinion.