• 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 (6,585 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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    3 out of 5 stars

Solid Robicheaux

Not his best. But still a good tough grit read. Lee Burke has a way with words. And it just flows.

Patton is always perfect for Lee Burke and Stephen King.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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What a novel!

Read all of the Robicheau books. Starting over with listening. loved hearing stories as a kid and still do as an adult. Gray plot. Will Pat on has the perfect voices for these books.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Brutal. Elegant. Astonishing.

I cannot categorize this author. A voice wholly his own, an uncanny talent for le mot juste, Metaphors drawn from classical literature, American classics, and raunchy crime columns. Who can do this?
A novel moving and rich, yet simultaneously repulsive in its explicit descriptions of the underbelly of New Orleans. You’ll long for a bowl of etoufee, and squint at the sound of crunching cheekbones. Have fun. Start reading.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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An Enjoyable Ride

I thought the narration was about as good as you can have for an audible book. Will Patton was made for a journey like this. The story was almost as good with the main character being a man’s man with an old soul and the heart of a poet. Full of anger, sadness and the shadiness of just versus unjust. I think James Lee Burke will be on my reading list going forward. I highly recommend taking the journey.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Masterpiece

The narrator was amazing...made the recording come alive. Love to listen. Made me feel like I was there.

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Wonderful

Neon Rain stands out in crowded genre with its poetic descriptions and deeply moving characters

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Amazing

Absolutely explosive. Wonderful and compelling prose.. stellar storytelling!!
Burke develops complex plot and characters to take readers on a carpet ride- thrilling and contemplative

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fantastic

narrator's voice was perfect the area the story takes place. great story and characters too.

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Fabulous read

The author had an incredible way with the English language. You can close your eyes and see New Orleans. There is some violence but really worth reading

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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

Will Patton is fabulous!!

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

Nice easy listen.

What did you like best about this story?

The partnership between narrator and character

Which character – as performed by Will Patton – was your favorite?

He did a terrific job with all. Some characters didn't even sound like him. Amazing!

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

Yes.

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