The Neon Rain is a crime novel by James Lee Burke, the first in a series featuring the fictional detective Dave Robicheaux.

While fishing on a back country bayou, New Orleans Police Department officer Dave Robicheaux finds a body.

The story starts with a vivid description of Dave visiting a convict who is about to be executed at Angola penitentiary.

A lifelong friend of Dave's, Cletus Purcell, appears early on in the story, who from the beginning presents as a greatly troubled man with alcohol, drugs, gambling and relationship issues.

Fortunately, he meets a wonderful young woman named Annie Ballard who he falls in love with.