Rating: 
Summary: Not much more to add...
Review: This is the first Crais/Cole/Pike novel I ever read. I picked it up at a grocery store, intrigued by the word 'requiem', the idea of a detective named 'Elvis', and the fact that I'm a sucker for stories of the possibly wrongly accused. I was utterly floored by the writing, the dialogue, the pacing and the details. After reading L.A. Requiem, I went looking for all the Cole books I could get my hands on, each as good as the first I read. If you're looking for something grittier than a cozy but less lurid than true crime, try Crais.
Rating:
Summary: As Good As It Gets
Review: I have now read two Robert Crais novels in the Elvis Cole series. The first one, Monkey in a Raincoat and this one, the most recent. For my money, there is little to compare them. I found his first effort to be pretty thin porridge, but enjoyable. This one is a real story. A true whodunit for much of the book with many interesting subplots and characters. A book you hated to put down and looked forward to being able to get back to it. There are characters you can learn to hate and characters you root for. While the first Elvis novel was heavy on trying to be funny, this one is high grade raw meat and as serious as a heart attack. Others have detailed the book's storyline. My message is that if you are looking for one of the best books written in this genre in a long time, give it the "One Click" and get ready for some interesting reading!
Rating:
Summary: The pinacle of an amazing series
Review: When I opened this book up, I had high expectations. But I could have never been prepared for what I got. This book really locked me in from start to finish. Robert Crais is an amazing author, and I feel this book really showcases his talents to the absolute fullest extent.It is the gripping story of Elvis Cole, detective, and his partner Joe Pike. Elvis' girlfriend, Lucy, and her son Ben have just moved to LA to be with Elvis. Joe, abused as a child, needed to get strong. But when his former girlfriend and daughter of a famous tortilla maker Karen Garcia is murdered by the lake,
everything changes. Elvis is put on the case with Samantha Dolan on the request of Mr. Garcia, a powerful man, and together they open up a web of serial murders that leads to Joe Pike being convicted of murder. Elvis still believes in him, but will his friendship alone be enough to get him out of this. The cops hate him around, and think he is a bother, further hindering his ability to investigate this set up of Joe. Joe Pike, former cop was suspected in the murder of his partner, Abel Wozniak, and since has been hated by the entire police force, specifically "Pants" Krantz, an enemy of Joe since the investigation of Abel's death began. He was suspected of lying about his partners involvement in a drug ring with the "Chihuahua Brothers", and made Krantz wet himself and soil himself, making him the subject of Krantz's hatred for many years, and now that he has Joe in his reach, he is unwilling to let. Will Joe be able to escape his vengence and make him see the turth, or is Joe really a killer?!?!?! (...) Samantha and Elvis are initially enemies, but after Samantha becomes attracted to Elvis, they work together frantically to find the killer. (spoiler) This book is amazing, and it truly moved me.
Rating:
Summary: Oh My God!!!! What a Book!!!!
Review: This book was gripping and it seemed to never let go. The first book of this author I read was Hostage and it was excellent, but this book... was just edge of the seat suspense ALL the way through this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Suspenseful, with action and mystery
Review: A murder occurred against a young college student, and a father wishes for her former fiancé, Joe Pike, to help solve this murder. The only problem is that the fiancé is a mysterious person with a secret past, who was labeled as a cop killer. The mystery of this murder grows, while the life of Joe Pike unfolds. This book is a great novel. A light, fun read with the action and plot of a movie. From crime scene investigations, to thrilling prisoner escapes, this book has it all. A real, true page turner.
Nothing heavy or fancy, and nothing intellectually challenging, but I recommend this nonetheless.
Rating:
Summary: Driving a S"pike" Through a Friendship?
Review: Just when you thought that Robert Crais couldn't get any better, he does. In the eighth book of the Elvis Cole mystery series, anything is possible. When a former girlfriend of Elvis' partner, Joe Pike, is found murdered in the hills above Los Angeles, the sparks fly at an unbelievably rapid pace. The girl's father, a high roller with the city, considers Pike as part of the family, and wants him and Elvis to assist the police in finding her killer. With Pike's past, Elvis is pretty much left alone to deal with the police, until the murder suspect pool narrows in on, you guessed it, Pike. In a storyline that just won't quit in suspense, you are taken on a rapid journey through a "rush to judgement" police investigation. With a myriad of colorful characters, and a plethora of twists and turns, you can't help but flip through the pages faster than a Japanese bullet train. L.A. REQUIEM delves into Pike's past, as well as his personal life, giving the reader a much better overall view of the mysterious Joe Pike. With Crais' usual witty dialogue, and sophisticated violence and revenge, this is one riveting and entertaining read. This book is a must read.
Rating:
Summary: The Best!
Review: How good is this PI Novel? Put it right up there with your favorite Hammett, Chandler or MacDonald (Ross or John D). So good that halfway through listening to the audiotape , I went out an bought the book so I could savor the language and story. This story reels through your mind like a whirlwind. Point of view changes keep you constantly up to date with the killer, with PI Elvis Cole and bring you up to speed with a journey into the past of mystery man Joe Pike.Shock follows upon shock as all of the series main characters go through severe life changes in the aftermath of the initial murder. Crais shakes up the genre and throws monkey wrenches into the works left and right. Both Crais and fellow PI writer Dennis Lehaye are poised to become the "Next Big Thing" in the mystery genre. A word to the wise-start reading them now if you haven't, so you can say you were on board before they hit the bigtime!
Rating:
Summary: Oh that Joe Pike!
Review: This is my 3rd Robert Crais; it wont be the last. This one is Joe Pike's time to really shine. I get such a kick out of this guy! He and Elvis Cole are partners in a detective agency and more than that. Their emotional bond runs very deep. When Pike is arrested for murder, Elvis goes into action without questioning - he knows Pike. Lucy, Elvis'girlfriend whom he loves very much, cannot understand this 'guy'thing where Elvis is concerned. She will learn! [....] The book is tense, exciting and you cannot put it down for long. I carried this book everywhere, even read at stop signs. [....]
Rating:
Summary: Best of the best.
Review: Robert Crais took off the gloves for this one. The bar is already high in the private detective novel field, set by such masters as Chandler, Hammett, MacDonald... and Robert Crais. The Elvis Cole series is one of the most infectious, immensely readable series in modern mystery fiction. With "L.A. Requiem," that bar is raised again. Crais' first Elvis novel, "The Monkey's Raincoat," won me over, and he's only improved since. I would highly recommend any of them as good reading. I recommend "Requiem" as much more than that, a huge story peopled by true developed and developing characters, compelling plot, emotional investment- I stayed up half the night to finish it in one day, no exaggeration. I recommend this as more than a mystery novel. This is literature. As someone who tries to write fiction, I can appreciate Crais' masterful use of structure here in an unwieldly-large plot; but as a reader, as a fan of mystery stories, I stand open-mouthed in awe of "L.A. Requiem." Read it, just read it.
Rating:
Summary: The best book I've ever read
Review: What a pleasant surprise. I found this book looking for books bye the author of Stalking the angel. I'd enjoyed that book alot and much to my suprise it topped my expectations. It's a rare treat to find a book so well done so suspenseful you really do hate to stop reading. This was one and I read late into the early morning hours unable to sleep till I finished another chapter. The story is told in flashbacks and was so well done the pictures formed in my mind. Even better the action and suspense never let up. Perhaps the best part was getting some insights on Elvis cole's partner Joe Pike. You get the information told in a series of flashbacks and they are wonderfully told. Joe the man of few words and even fewer smiles has many reason's to be that way. Even better is the story flows so nicely the parts not told in flashbacks is gripping. I've told many friends how much I enjoyed this book and they too have agreed very well done and among the best books read. One last note for those that have notice Joe likes cats, you get insight on how much he does.
|
