The Recurring Cast
Character · New Iberia · 25 books

Dave Robicheaux

Sheriff’s detective in New Iberia, Louisiana · James Lee Burke

Dave Robicheaux is a Vietnam veteran and recovering alcoholic, a sheriff’s detective in New Iberia, Louisiana, haunted by violence and devoted to justice for people without power.

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 (24 as lead, 1 major)
Series
Dave Robicheaux
Author
James Lee Burke
Circle
New Iberia

Where to meet Dave Robicheaux

Dave Robicheaux first appears in The Neon Rain (1987), as the lead, book 1 of the Dave Robicheaux series.

Buy The Neon Rain

Every book with Dave Robicheaux

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

  1. 1987LThe Neon Rainlead · Dave RobicheauxA New Orleans police lieutenantBuy
  2. 1988LHeaven’s Prisonerslead · Dave RobicheauxBuy
  3. 1989LBlack Cherry Blueslead · Dave RobicheauxBuy
  4. 1990LA Morning for Flamingoslead · Dave RobicheauxBuy
  5. 1992LA Stained White Radiancelead · Dave RobicheauxBuy
  6. 1993LIn the Electric Mist with Confederate Deadlead · Dave RobicheauxBuy
  7. 1994LDixie City Jamlead · Dave RobicheauxBuy
  8. 1995LBurning Angellead · Dave RobicheauxBuy
  9. 1996LCadillac Jukeboxlead · Dave RobicheauxBuy
  10. 1998LSunset Limitedlead · Dave RobicheauxBuy
  11. 2000LPurple Cane Roadlead · Dave RobicheauxBuy
  12. 2002LJolie Blon’s Bouncelead · Dave RobicheauxBuy
  13. 2003LLast Car to Elysian Fieldslead · Dave RobicheauxBuy
  14. 2005LCrusader’s Crosslead · Dave RobicheauxBuy
  15. 2006LPegasus Descendinglead · Dave RobicheauxBuy
  16. 2007LThe Tin Roof Blowdownlead · Dave RobicheauxBuy
  17. 2008LSwan Peaklead · Dave RobicheauxBuy
  18. 2010LThe Glass Rainbowlead · Dave RobicheauxBuy
  19. 2012LCreole Bellelead · Dave RobicheauxBuy
  20. 2013LLight of the Worldlead · Dave RobicheauxBuy
  21. 2018LRobicheauxlead · Dave RobicheauxBuy
  22. 2019LThe New Iberia Blueslead · Dave RobicheauxBuy
  23. 2020LA Private Cathedrallead · Dave RobicheauxBuy
  24. 2024MCletemajor role · Dave RobicheauxBuy
  25. 2026LThe Hadacol Boogielead · Dave RobicheauxBuy

Appears most often with

CharacterBooks together
Clete PurcelFormer cop turned private investigator, Dave’s best friend25
Alafair RobicheauxDave’s adopted daughter, later a writer24
Helen SoileauDetective, later sheriff19
Bootsie RobicheauxDave’s wife12
Molly RobicheauxFormer nun and Dave’s later wife6