Though his style is dramatically different, James Lee Burke is clearly the rightful heir to Raymond Chandler. His hard hitting prose goes hand in hand with the rough and seedy world of a New Orleans cop who often has to compromise his morals -- and his abhorrence for violence -- to get his job done in the scum-filled backstreets of the Crescent City.

Neon Rain is the first in a long series featuring detective protagonist Dave Robichaux swimming hard against a rising tide of evil and scumbaggery against the backdrop of crime-ridden New Orleans. Highest possible recommendation.