The Neon Rain

The Neon Rain cover
Good Books rating 4.5
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Technical
  • ID: 6539
  • Added: 2025-11-21
  • Updated: 2025-11-29
  • ISBN: 9781451618457
  • Publisher: Simon and Schuster
  • Published: 2010-07-13
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

From New York Times bestselling author James Lee Burke comes his definitive, must-read first title in his famous Detective David Robicheaux series. New Orleans Detective Dave Robicheaux has fought too many battles: in Vietnam, with police brass, with killers and hustlers, and the bottle. Lost without his wife's love, Robicheaux haunts the intense and heady French Quarter—the place he calls home, and the place that nearly destroys him when he becomes involved in the case of a young prostitute whose body is found in a bayou./n/n Thrust into the seedy world of drug lords and arms smugglers, Robicheaux must face down the criminal underworld and come to terms with his own bruised heart and demons to survive. This novel is a powerful blend of crime, drama, and personal redemption, set against the vibrant and dangerous backdrop of New Orleans.

Reviews
rosepointpublishing.com · 2025-04-10
sensual 4.25

The audiobook's narration is sensual and engaging, capturing the essence of New Orleans. The story is grim but compelling.

The reviewer loved how the description of the area rolled off the tongue of the narrator, making it almost sensual and capturing the essence of New Orleans. They quickly got a feeling for the setting and found the story to be grim yet compelling. The reviewer appreciates the vivid descriptions and the engaging narrative that keeps the listener hooked. They also highlight the emotional depth and the atmospheric setting that bring the story to life, making it a standout in the genre.


Quick quotes

    I loved how the description of the area rolled off the tongue of the narrator, making it almost sensual.

    I got a feeling pretty quickly about the setting and the story.

    The story is grim, and kind of creepy, but a great detective story.

bookaroundthecorner.com · 2018-02-15
masterpiece 4.75

The book is a masterpiece of literary crime fiction with a deeply developed protagonist. The narrative flow and rhythm are exceptional.

The reviewer considers this book a masterpiece of literary crime fiction, praising the depth of the protagonist and the exceptional narrative flow and rhythm. They appreciate the vivid imagery and the grim yet engaging detective story. The reviewer finds the character development to be particularly strong, with the protagonist having enough baggage to be interesting but not so much that it becomes overwhelming. The book's atmospheric setting and compelling storytelling make it a standout in the genre.


Quick quotes

    Everything concurs to make of The Neon Rain a masterpiece of literary crime fiction.

    A character who has depth, baggage but not too much to make him interesting.

    The flow and rhythm is amazing, and I really like the imagery.

clsiewert.wordpress.com · 2013-05-30
evocative 4.50

The writing is evocative and captures the essence of New Orleans perfectly. The detective-centered mystery is compelling and well-crafted.

The reviewer praises the book for its evocative writing, which beautifully captures the cultural gumbo of New Orleans. They find the detective-centered mystery compelling and well-crafted, making it a standout in the genre. The reviewer appreciates the strong sense of place and the engaging narrative that keeps the reader hooked. They also highlight the emotional depth and the vivid descriptions that bring the story to life.


Quick quotes

    Burke's writing is extremely evocative, in the very best way for the detective-centered mystery.

    A strong sense of place, of the cultural gumbo of New Orleans.

    The detective-centered mystery is compelling and well-crafted.