The Neon Rain

A Dave Robicheaux Novel

By: James Lee Burke

Narrated by: Will Patton

Length: 8 hrs and 22 mins

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)

James Lee Burke at his best

This is classic James Lee Burke. It is an older book which is fresh and raw. Good story, great performance.

Highlights New Orleans

I first became curious about Burke’s books after reading his daughter’s mystery novel, If You Were Here, last May. Though I don’t usually listen to mysteries, I decided to give this one a try - and I am glad that I did! The narrator does a wonderful job of bringing Dave Robicheaux to life (and I was even more surprised to recognize the performer’s voice while flipping through channels - he played a DA in a made-for-TV movie!). The narrator brings the other characters - and their regional accents - to life quite well. And if the remainder of the series (nineteen more books!) were available in unabridged versions by this same narrator, I wouldn’t hesitate to purchase the rest in this format! That is how wonderful the performance is!

As for the storyline itself, the plot holds some big surprises, but the real strength of the novel lies in the way it captures New Orleans and its surrounds. The ending makes me curious to explore how this has spawned such a long-lived series as it feels quite complete. And though initially published in 1987, there is still something very modern about the book (though, naturally, there are hints to its time period in the lack of cell phones, some crime scene tech, etc). I am looking forward to following this series!

The Neon Rain

I have listened to or read just about ALL of James Lee Burke's books. They are just WONDERFUL as are the movies.

Incredible as always !

Great story, Will Patton is brilliant - The Burke/Patton team is always worth the listen - moving, lyrical, engrossing. I can't get enough of Dave and Burke/Patton ! Highly recommend.

Totally Good Read

Loved the story, the protagonist, the reader... Had I read the book myself, I could never have gotten the protagonist's voice right in my head, the way the reader did. A wonderful audible read. Only possible flaw was one or two fantastical vignettes within an otherwise hard knock detective story. Yet, if seen as pure entertainment, then there really aren't any problems.

Real

Will Patton seemed a character in this book; born to read James Lee Burke. the story is both an aural and a visual journey around and inside it's characters.

The First in a Masterful Series

If you could sum up The Neon Rain in three words, what would they be?
Deep, engaging, literature.

What about Will Patton’s performance did you like?
Good narrator. Became the "voice" of Dave Robicheaux after the death of Mark Hammer, who narrated the series for Recorded Books.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
yes

Any additional comments?
James Lee Burke is without parallel in the mystery genre. A former professor of writing, Burke makes the series "live." This book begins a little slow, as it became the debut of 20 additional books. If this is your first foray into Robicheaux, it only gets better. This is a good beginning. However, the characters only get richer and richer as the series continues. I love Lawrence Block's Matt Scudder, however, it is both men's weaknesses, primarily with alcoholism, that makes them so interesting. Three words, "Read the book!"

liked it

Great performance, will read more of the series. New Orleans makes a good setting and charaters.

A really good period piece. Louisiana in the 80's

This book is well written and Will Patton is perfect for this genre. That said it is a little long in the tooth getting to the conclusion. I was enjoying the ride but happy when dad pulled the old Chrysler in the driveway and said the trip was over.

A great introduction

This was a great introduction to Dave Robicheaux. Both reader and author were great. I've never heard so many disruptions and similes. Patton's reading made them almost musical.