The Neon Rain (Dave Robicheaux, #1) in Around the World in 80 Books

May 16, 2013 Jim rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: mystery, fiction

This is a hard one to call. It was the first James lee Burke offering I had read, and I certainly have mixed feelings about it. There's no doubt that Burke can write very well; he develops interesting characters and creates some brilliant dialogue for them. It could have been a really good book but had some flaws that spoiled it for me, just a little. I say flaws for want of a better word; perhaps shortcomings would be a better term. I am perfectly aware that other people might not be bothered b ...more

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Oct 25, 2013 Nanosynergy rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: mysteries-thrillers-espionage, series, 2014read, fiction-1980s, fiction, reviewed, the-south

Dave Robicheaux's world is a dark one. Full of self-destructive behaviors and violence. The Neon Rain is the first book in James Lee Burke's Dave Robicheaux series. If I didn't have friends from New Orleans who tell me real-life stories about this city, I would have given this book one less star for some of the over-the-top, first-author's-book sort of stuff. For example, two people with white steaks in their dark hair (not dyed) [amazingly this is the second book I've seen this used in that is ...more

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Dec 13, 2012 Suzanne rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: mysteries, southern-lit

I didn't like this as much as I thought I would. I've inadvertently read a couple of books later in the series and liked them much better. So, I'm going to continue the series. James Lee Burke is an excellent writer who certainly has a way with prose and sets an authentic scene. I do really like Dave Robicheaux; he seems to be a complex character who will grow with the series. ...more

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