The Recurring Cast
Character · New Iberia · 19 books

Helen Soileau

Detective, later sheriff · James Lee Burke

Helen Soileau is a tough, capable detective in the Iberia Parish sheriff’s office who later becomes sheriff.

Spoiler-free profile written for The Recurring Cast.

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Character facts

First appearance
Dixie City Jam (1994)
Latest appearance
The Hadacol Boogie (2026)
Books
19 (19 major)
Series
Dave Robicheaux
Author
James Lee Burke
Circle
New Iberia

Where to meet Helen Soileau

Helen Soileau first appears in Dixie City Jam (1994), in a major role, book 7 of the Dave Robicheaux series.

Buy Dixie City Jam

Every book with Helen Soileau

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

  1. 1994MDixie City Jammajor role · Dave RobicheauxBuy
  2. 1995MBurning Angelmajor role · Dave RobicheauxBuy
  3. 1996MCadillac Jukeboxmajor role · Dave RobicheauxBuy
  4. 1998MSunset Limitedmajor role · Dave RobicheauxBuy
  5. 2000MPurple Cane Roadmajor role · Dave RobicheauxBuy
  6. 2002MJolie Blon’s Bouncemajor role · Dave RobicheauxBuy
  7. 2003MLast Car to Elysian Fieldsmajor role · Dave RobicheauxBuy
  8. 2005MCrusader’s Crossmajor role · Dave RobicheauxBuy
  9. 2006MPegasus Descendingmajor role · Dave RobicheauxBuy
  10. 2007MThe Tin Roof Blowdownmajor role · Dave RobicheauxBuy
  11. 2008MSwan Peakmajor role · Dave RobicheauxBuy
  12. 2010MThe Glass Rainbowmajor role · Dave RobicheauxBuy
  13. 2012MCreole Bellemajor role · Dave RobicheauxBuy
  14. 2013MLight of the Worldmajor role · Dave RobicheauxBuy
  15. 2018MRobicheauxmajor role · Dave RobicheauxBuy
  16. 2019MThe New Iberia Bluesmajor role · Dave RobicheauxBuy
  17. 2020MA Private Cathedralmajor role · Dave RobicheauxBuy
  18. 2024MCletemajor role · Dave RobicheauxBuy
  19. 2026MThe Hadacol Boogiemajor role · Dave RobicheauxBuy

Appears most often with

CharacterBooks together
Alafair RobicheauxDave’s adopted daughter, later a writer19
Clete PurcelFormer cop turned private investigator, Dave’s best friend19
Dave RobicheauxSheriff’s detective in New Iberia, Louisiana19
Bootsie RobicheauxDave’s wife8
Molly RobicheauxFormer nun and Dave’s later wife6