Rating: 
Summary: Crais just keeps getting better
Review: L. A. Requiem is a case of art imitating life. This time Crais' takes us beyond the appealing surface glamour of and explores the dark undersides of Elvis and Joe - men who are yin and yang for each other. Just like the city they live in, there are surprises and areas we would rather not know about. This is a transitional book and it is going to be hard to wait for the next one to find out what happens next to an intriguing cast of characters.
Rating:
Summary: The best yet! Keep 'em coming!
Review: I found Elvis Cole/Robert Crais very early in his career, and have enjoyed each and every book. This was the most riveting novel in the series yet. L.A. Requiem was much darker than the previous novels, and I have to admit I miss the irreverent humor that was less liberally used to season the work. However, this book is a must read. It would be advisable to read the earlier novels first to get a better feel for the characters, but this does stand alone quite well. My question to Mr. Crais: Where to next?
Rating:
Summary: Great book, mediocre ending...
Review: Having read all previous Elvis Cole mysteries, I found this to be the most provocative. Loved delving into the background and mind of Joe Pike, but I felt like I was, to some degree, reading about two different characters. Crais could have tied the two different aspects of Pike together for a more coherent and empathetic look at my favorite character of the series. As for Elvis...he's OK...although he seems to get a little bit more bland in each book. I think that's probably because of his continued involvement with Lucy. Please, Mr. Crais...get rid of her somehow! This is what has made the "Spenser" series so tough to take lately. These are both great series, being ruined by the continued and increasing involvement of a "love interest" that is not needed!Overall, an engrossing read...however not up to Indigo Slam's standards.
Rating: 
Summary: compelling action and characters
Review: L.A. Requiem is one of the best of a fine series. Crais has created interesting, solid, quirky, complex characters that pull the reader in. Tension builds steadily as different story lines advance. A fine action tale..I hope there are many more Elvis Cole novels ahead. It will be easy to recommend this to others.
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Summary: Robert Crais, please read this!
Review: Great read, but please bone up on basic california crimimal procedure! Defendants are not "bound over" from the municipal arraignment to superior court arraignment. Evidence is rarely presented at the municipal court arraignment. After muni arraignment comes the preliminary hearing where the judge decides if there is sufficient evidence to bind over to superior court. [p. 212, 222] Also, an out-of custody defendant will not be booked, arraigned on a felony, cut a deal, and be sentenced on the same day. [p.359] Too much paperwork, too many players to accomplish everything at once.
Rating: 
Summary: Heavy and dark; not light and friendly Elvis
Review: You could tell this is an "important" book for Crais, but it's not necessarily the best one. Elvis is generally much lighter than this heavy, dark installment. Plus, E. has girl troubles that you see coming, then you just know how they're going to end. I love the Crais/Elvis Cole books, but jeez, lighten up!
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Summary: Elvis & Joe Hit The Streets of LA Again!
Review: LOVED THIS BOOK. I have now read all of Crais's book, but I do have one suggestion for Robert. He needs to keep track of the characters. On Pg. 6 it speaks of Officer Abel Wozniak and Leonard DeVille's death. On Pg. 240 Joe, his attorney, and Elvis are discussing Leonard DeVille and how he died in prison. So, which way did he die Robert? Inquiring minds want to know. Did he die from a gunshot to the face "The blond man was dead, too, his face a mask of crimson." or was it "DeVille died in prison. An Eighteenth Street gang-banger cut him two years into his term." I am looking forward to the next incredible adventures of Elvis, Joe, and "The Cat". One more thing, I find the character of Lucy abit irritating. I am not surprised "the cat" didn't care for her, but "the cat" did like Samantha and so do I. I think Elvis needs somebody to give him a run for his money.
Rating:
Summary: Mixed : the journey is better than the arrival
Review: This latest Elvis Cole mystery sees Crais bend genre rules - we get several different points-of-view alongside Cole's genre-typical wisecracking-cynic-with-a-huge-heart narration. The plot is quite intricate and Crais does a very good job in sowing doubt about the identity of the villain - but then he a) reveals his hand too soon and b) offers a pretty half-assed and far-fetched solution to the mystery which isn't based so much on great detecting as on a bit of good luck and an incredible coincidence. I was enthralled by the ride but decidedly disappointed by the finish. Nice to see a superman like Pike being taken to dark places, but oh how much more interesting this could have been if the writer had had the courage to really take him where he'd never been before (and we the readers wouldn't have expected to find him).
Rating:
Summary: the best one yet
Review: Crais takes your emotions all over the board in this one! Finally, we get a glimpse of where Joe Pike is coming from. Can't wait for the next book in the series!!!
Rating:
Summary: excellent
Review: I couldn't put this book down. It was riveting and seemed so real. I felt as if I knew Elvis Cole and his partner, Joe Pike. A must read.
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