Voodoo River

Rating:
Summary: Elvis Does Dixie!!!
Review: This is the fifth Crais book I have read and loved it just as I have his other Cole adventures. The only problem with is once you have been introduced to Elvis, Pike, and "the cat", it is hard to pick up anything else and enjoy it. Hope Crais continues the saga of Elvis and friends!!!

Rating:
Summary: An Average Read--maybe a little worse
Review: This is the first Robert Crais novel that I have read, and after reading all of the wonderful comments about him on Amazon, I have to say that I am a little disappointed. "Voodoo River" is slow and not very entertaining. Though Crais has an admirable style of writing (some of the dialogue was humerous), the content is another deal. He lacked in describing the sex and violence that I come to anticipate when I read a fiction novel. When I don't receive the portions I'm hungry for, I feel cheated. Crais could have whipped some magic into this book had he only taken that advice. I don't shun a novel for leaving these elements out, but when there is nothing else going on, the best, and easiest way to fix the story is to throw in some sex and violence. Just ask Harold Robbins--he'll tell you. Anyway, I'm going to try and read another in the Elvis Cole series, because everyone deserves a second chance...but if you're picking up this writer for the first time, put it back on the shelf and buy something else. (This book is rated PG)

Rating:
Summary: Voodoo River
Review: To know Elvis Cole is to enjoy him. Once again, Craig brings his excellent dialogue, intriguing plot lines and sense of humor to life. Crais writes as well as anyone in this genre. Additionally, each time he takes on different topics in which to set his mysteries. In Voodoo River Elvis takes his "world's greatest detective" agency to Louisiana and enters the worlds of adopted children growing to middle age and immigration. Despite the change in locale away from LA, Mr. Crais does not a miss a beat. If you are an Elvis fan this is everything you have come to expect. If you have not yet met him, you will enjoy him and look forward to finding another Elvis book. Crais' writing style enhances the telling of terrific story lines.

Rating:
Summary: Another Solid Elvis
Review: To know Elvis Cole is to enjoy him. Once again, Craig brings his excellent dialogue, intriguing plot lines and sense of humor to life. Crais writes as well as anyone in this genre. Additionally, each time he takes on different topics in which to set his mysteries. In Voodoo River Elvis takes his "world's greatest detective" agency to Louisiana and enters the worlds of adopted children growing to middle age and immigration. Despite the change in locale away from LA, Mr. Crais does not a miss a beat. If you are an Elvis fan this is everything you have come to expect. If you have not yet met him, you will enjoy him and look forward to finding another Elvis book. Crais' writing style enhances the telling of terrific story lines.

Rating:
Summary: Another winner in this classy private-eye series
Review: Too bad the Booklist review gave everything away! There should be a law against the tell-everything review, whether book or film. Part of the enjoyment in reading Robert Crais's mysteries is how he builds his story. It's called suspense. Since the plot has been served up, the only other things to discuss are setting and characterization. As always, the characters are unique and colorful (and the bad guys couldn't be worse villains!) -- and Voodoo River stars an ancient and deadly snapping turtle who figures importantly in the climax (but I won't tell you any more!) This is the installment in which Elvis Cole mets the woman who may become the love of his life, Lucy Chenier. A fast-paced and exciting read.

Rating:
Summary: TWO, Two, Two plots in one.
Review: Who names these things anyway? Yes there's a river, but where's the "voodoo?" Maybe it's in Louisiana itself, but certainly not in this novel's plots. Pretty much standard detective fiction stuff. Elvis Cole - world's greatest private detective- reappears in Cajun country hunting an unknown birth mother for a T.V. star. Little rough play, chases, silent down-home folks, and a touch of blackmail and murder. Elvis meets local lawyer and etufee. Case solved. But what dark deeds have led to local crawfish magnate's probable motive for murder. Plot two crawls out of the swamp: alien smuggling and big city hoods. Worry not. Gators and snappers will not triumph. Not Crais' best, but worth carrying onto the plane for the long ride from a cold climate to a destination in the Pelican State. Just that I am a bit upset by the false flag.