The Recurring Cast
Character · New Iberia · 25 books

Clete Purcel

Former cop turned private investigator, Dave’s best friend · James Lee Burke

Clete Purcel is a former New Orleans police detective turned private investigator, a big, wild, hard-drinking man and Dave’s loyal best friend.

Spoiler-free profile written for The Recurring Cast.

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Character facts

First appearance
The Neon Rain (1987)
Latest appearance
The Hadacol Boogie (2026)
Books
25 (1 as lead, 24 major)
Series
Dave Robicheaux
Author
James Lee Burke
Circle
New Iberia

Where to meet Clete Purcel

Clete Purcel first appears in The Neon Rain (1987), in a major role, book 1 of the Dave Robicheaux series.

Buy The Neon Rain

Every book with Clete Purcel

In publication order, with the size of their role in each.

  1. 1987MThe Neon Rainmajor role · Dave RobicheauxBuy
  2. 1988MHeaven’s Prisonersmajor role · Dave RobicheauxBuy
  3. 1989MBlack Cherry Bluesmajor role · Dave RobicheauxBuy
  4. 1990MA Morning for Flamingosmajor role · Dave RobicheauxBuy
  5. 1992MA Stained White Radiancemajor role · Dave RobicheauxBuy
  6. 1993MIn the Electric Mist with Confederate Deadmajor role · Dave RobicheauxBuy
  7. 1994MDixie City Jammajor role · Dave RobicheauxBuy
  8. 1995MBurning Angelmajor role · Dave RobicheauxBuy
  9. 1996MCadillac Jukeboxmajor role · Dave RobicheauxBuy
  10. 1998MSunset Limitedmajor role · Dave RobicheauxBuy
  11. 2000MPurple Cane Roadmajor role · Dave RobicheauxBuy
  12. 2002MJolie Blon’s Bouncemajor role · Dave RobicheauxBuy
  13. 2003MLast Car to Elysian Fieldsmajor role · Dave RobicheauxBuy
  14. 2005MCrusader’s Crossmajor role · Dave RobicheauxBuy
  15. 2006MPegasus Descendingmajor role · Dave RobicheauxBuy
  16. 2007MThe Tin Roof Blowdownmajor role · Dave RobicheauxBuy
  17. 2008MSwan Peakmajor role · Dave RobicheauxBuy
  18. 2010MThe Glass Rainbowmajor role · Dave RobicheauxBuy
  19. 2012MCreole Bellemajor role · Dave RobicheauxBuy
  20. 2013MLight of the Worldmajor role · Dave RobicheauxBuy
  21. 2018MRobicheauxmajor role · Dave RobicheauxBuy
  22. 2019MThe New Iberia Bluesmajor role · Dave RobicheauxBuy
  23. 2020MA Private Cathedralmajor role · Dave RobicheauxBuy
  24. 2024LCletelead · Dave RobicheauxTells his own storyBuy
  25. 2026MThe Hadacol Boogiemajor role · Dave RobicheauxBuy

Appears most often with

CharacterBooks together
Dave RobicheauxSheriff’s detective in New Iberia, Louisiana25
Alafair RobicheauxDave’s adopted daughter, later a writer24
Helen SoileauDetective, later sheriff19
Bootsie RobicheauxDave’s wife12
Molly RobicheauxFormer nun and Dave’s later wife6