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The Neon Rain

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The Neon Rain

By: James Lee Burke
Narrated by: Will Patton
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About this listen

Dave Robicheaux has been warned that he's on somebody's hit list, and now the homicide detective is trying to discover just who that is before he ends up dead.

Meanwhile he has taken on the murder investigation of a young black girl found dead in the Bayou swamp. Robicheaux uncovers a web of corruption that leads him to a terrifying confrontation with the one horror he fears most of all.

©1987 James Lee Burke (P)2009 Recorded Books LLC Crime Crime Fiction Detective Modern Detectives Mystery Suspense Thriller & Suspense Traditional Detectives Fiction Exciting Emotionally Gripping Scary

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Critic reviews

"Fine writing that is far above the crime-fiction norm and manages to stand comparison with the very best contemporary novels" ( Sunday Express)
"A fine American writer who deserves to be far better known on this side of the Atlantic…poetic and passionate" ( Sunday Telegraph)
All stars
Most relevant  
Will Patton. Maybe you’ll read this. Your performance of one of my favourite novels brings me back so authentically to the experience of reading it originally. Your voice is the voice of the novel perfectly. Thank you so much.

Monumental revisit

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You can tell that a great deal of effort has gone into this production. The writing and characterisation are excellent. Perfect Retro-American Deep-South Cop Novel with flushed out characters and plot. The whole story and tone reminds me a great deal of the original true detective series.

Evocative wonderful professional production

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A Dave Robichaux novel was namechecked in an MW Craven book I was reading. The opening passage, so terrible yet beautiful, had me hooked. There are some salty bits of language that hits a few -isms hard, but come for the gritty action and stay for Burke's artistic dreamy description.

Gritty and beautifully written

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I liked the characters. Found I was getting a little confused at times following the storyline. Not sure it would have all been swept under the carpet so easily but I may listen to book two and see where he goes.

Good characters a little confusing at times

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Good story line. Characters well formed. The love story on the side felt out of place. Overall enjoyed it a lot.

Enjoyed this book.

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I was slightly disappointed in this early (1987) work after thoroughly enjoying Burke's "Wandering Stranger" (2014). All the same themes are there, personal honour, Southern manners, police corruption, human frailty and deep seated evil - but it was done so much better in his later work. It's not that Neon Rain is a bad book but I have no desire to read the rest of this 24 book series.

One other positive is the brilliant narration by Will Patton.

Not His Best

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A thoroughly enjoyable story. Will Patton presents it superbly. I suspect a few people spend more time in their car than is really required due to this audio book.

Transports you there, lock, stock and both barrels

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Brilliant books brilliantly narrated hurry up with the others in the series please. I have been an avid reader of these books since they were released so I'm overjoyed that they are now being released in audible as I prefer to listen to books rather than music when working. These books are so well written and Will Patton does such a wonderful job of the narration, you can actually visualise the scenes, it's like you are there. I thoroughly enjoyed this and am really looking forward to the next one and all the other Dave Robicheax books despite reading them many times over the years. Please hurry up with them.

High time Dave Robicheaux books were on Audible

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Excellent first novel in the series with the best narrator. Great introduction to a series that spans over 30 years. You won’t regret this and it’ll make you want to go immediately to Louisiana.

Welcome to Dave Robicheaux

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I have read or listened to all of the Robicheaux stories and think this is the best. Also, Will Patton is, by far, the best narrator in the audio series because of his ability to create an infinite number of voices and personalities. He makes the story run like a movie in your head. I was slightly disappointed that Clete receded in the second half of the plot but, overall, it was hard to switch off.

Best of Robicheaux

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