• The Neon Rain

  • A Dave Robicheaux Novel
  • By: James Lee Burke
  • Narrated by: Will Patton
  • Length: 8 hrs and 22 mins
  • 4.0 out of 5 stars (6,582 ratings)

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The Neon Rain  By  cover art

The Neon Rain

By: James Lee Burke
Narrated by: Will Patton
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Publisher's summary

New York Times best-selling author James Lee Burke's Dave Robicheaux novels began with this first hard-hitting entry in the series.

In The Neon Rain, Detective Robicheaux fishes a prostitute's corpse from a New Orleans bayou and finds that no one, not even the law, cares about a dead hooker.

More mayhem? Listen to more of James Lee Burke's Dave Robicheaux thrillers.
©1987 James Lee Burke (P)2009 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

"With its fine local color and driving action, this novel is both chilling and first-rate entertainment." ( Publishers Weekly)
"One of Burke's best." ( New York Times Book Review)

Editorial Review

James Lee Burke just gets better with age—or so I’ve heard. Don’t @ me, but I somehow haven’t yet listened to his Robicheaux books! With accolades pouring in for The New Iberia Blues, 2019 is the year for me to make amends. Where else to start but at the beginning? The premise of The Neon Rain—in which Detective Robicheaux finds the body of a sex worker in a New Orleans bayou and struggles to get anyone to care—feels especially relevant now, when we’re giving needed attention to cases involving high-risk victims and marginalized communities. The fact that it’s narrated by Will Patton just sweetens the deal, because he’s often considered the definitive voice of the series. That's more hearsay—for now! —Kat J., Audible Editor

What listeners say about The Neon Rain

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4 out of 5 stars
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Beautifully written

Love the analogies. Delivery is perfect. Second time listening to it - won't be the last.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Great Nove, Perfect Performance

The Neon Rain, the first in the Robicheaux series, perfectly captures the texture of the Deep South. Its rich and subdued prose couples perfectly with the understated and richly complex characters. The story is original but familiar enough to allow noir fans to settle right in for a dark, intelligent tale. What really makes this an audiobook worth having is the pairing of the language with the Narration (read performance) of Will Patton, whose spot-on Southern tempo and gentle accent turn this audiobook from a prose reading to a poetry performance. Buy this audiobook. Buy it today.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Poetic southern-themed story.

James Lee Burke is on of my go to writers for manly introspection. Dave Robicheau is a favorite character of mine with a poetic and romantic heart who struggles with man's villanous way and his own desire to claim goodness in the world. Burke clearly loves the natural backdrop of Louisiana as a reflection of the beauty of this world and the potential darkness that evil poses within it. His main character knows what evil is and works to protect what he cherishes from it. Dave Robicheau is flawed, humble and knowing, which makes him such an engaging lead role.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

GR8! Entertainment

Have you listened to any of Will Patton’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have not and WILL be listening to MORE in the near future by Will Patton. His performance was excellent.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great story!

Would you consider the audio edition of The Neon Rain to be better than the print version?

I love the audible version more because it puts you there right where the story is.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

yes

Have you listened to any of Will Patton’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes, only 2 but he is so good it makes it hard to listen to someone else read for the same characters.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Both

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Ultimately macho

This is the most overly Macho book I have ever read. I found this very unoriginal and uninspiring.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Frankly, a bit dreary

While the prose can be beautifully lyrical at times, there are quite a few 'cut and paste' moments where you feel that you've heard this just a few chapters before. Granted there is quite a bit of violence, but this isn't as disconcerting as the missing pieces of plot. Often, the reader feels as though they've missed something. The narrator does a good job with the Southern accents and is very consistent with the character voices. I've heard excellent things about the rest of the series and if not absolutely necessary, I likely wouldn't read this novel before starting the rest.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent story

a very good book, i enjoyef listening to it. looking forward to the next book in the series

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Best book and best narration

Coming from Baton Rouge I always enjoyed the earthen fragrance every visit
Will Patton had me reliving so many moments of this beautiful state of Louisiana.
The book was good too

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Novel one in masterful series

About as literary as one can find in the crime thriller genre. James Lee Burke is a master. Will Patton narrates. He's about the best there is.

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