L.A. Requiem (Elvis Cole Novels)
by Robert Crais
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Book Reviews of L.A. Requiem (Elvis Cole Novels)
Book Review: Comparable to the best of Michael Connelly - this is an excellent crime novel
Summary: 4 Stars
This is only the second Robert Crais novel I've read but I knew it was one of the first Crais novels I should read. It is widely regarded as the best of the Elvis Cole series and, while I haven't read many, I'm inclined to believe that's true. LA Requiem is a great crime novel that rivals the best of Michael Connelly.
I understand that this novel marked a real shift in tone over previous Cole novels that were regarded as well-written, but lightweight and formulaic detective novels featuring a wise-cracking PI. I can't comment on the early Cole novels but I can say that LA Requiem is more complex and considerably darker than most novels in this genre.
Crais' writing is high caliber with great observations about people, life, and the City of Angels. The characters are well developed. Pike played only a minor role in the other Crais novel I've read (Chasing Darkness) but in this novel he is a fully realized character. Cole isn't just a smart Alec PI in this novel. Crais makes him conflicted and vulnerable and has him deal with a wide range of emotions including grief and fear and loss.
The only slight weakness of the novel is the mystery itself which isn't very mysterious. I knew who the killer was going to be the moment the character is introduced in the novel (nothing I could prove in court, but I've read enough crime novels to know when someone is going to end up being the killer). The killer himself is not especially interesting and his motivation seemed a little thin to me. Personally I would have preferred it if Crais had dispensed with the whole 'mystery' regarding the killer's identity and provided more back-story and insight into the mind of the killer.
The bottom line: LA Requiem is a top drawer crime novel. It is far richer and much more rewarding than the vast majority of novels in the genre. Highly recommended. 4 ½ stars.
Book Review: The pinacle of an amazing series
Summary: 5 Stars
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.
Book Review: Very strong and compelling mystery
Summary: 5 Stars
Private Detective Elvis Cole thinks his life is finally taking a turn for the better. His girlfriend has moved to Los Angeles to be with him and now her son is off to tennis camp for a couple of weeks, letting the two of them have some romantic time together. But when Cole's partner, Joe Pike, calls, Elvis is on the case. Someone has killed a young woman Pike used to date. When the woman's father calls on Pike, the two detectives drop everything to find who could be behind what seems like a senseless death.
Although the death initially seems like just another senseless murder, the L.A. police turn the case over to their top squad--who promptly do everything they can to keep Cole out of it despite the political clout the victim's father brings to bear. Ultimately, it seems that a serial killer is at work.
The police follow what clues they can find, but the evidence seems to lead to Pike himself. And the cops are a lot more willing to believe that a renegade ex-cop who killed his own partner is behind the killings than some complicated frame...especially as nobody can find a motive for framing Pike.
Author Robert Crais writes a compelling mystery. Pike, with his background of abuse and self-control, makes a fascinating and memorable character. Cole, torn between his girlfriend, his friend, and his increasing appreciation of a pretty female detective, is both sympathetic and engaging in a way that the too-perfect Pike can't be. L.A. REQUIEM is simultaneously thought-provoking and exciting, with a tinge of CHINATOWN, good writing, and all of the twists and turns that make up a great mystery. I haven't been a huge fan of Crais in the past, but I'll definitely be watching to see if his other works are up to this standard.
Book Review: His best work
Summary: 5 Stars
Without a doubt, L.A. Requiem is the finest thing Robert Crais has written, and I consider that high praise, as he is one of my favorite authors.If you have been reading his books, Requiem will be a great payoff for you, since it brings to a head much of what has been building in the previous six Elvis Cole novels. If this is your first Crais book, rest assured you will like this book enough to want to go back and read the rest.
Despite Joe Pike being the character the plot is about, Elvis still remains central. Nearly every page is viewed through his eyes. Tha pages that deviate, when we see and learn about Joe's past, are among the most interesting in the book. Also, without giving too much away, the scenes with the killer are most revealing and in some ways creepy. Elvis remains aloof, but genuine, a much better protaganist than the typical Superman fantasy. Elvis can't beat up fifteen ninjas, pull a gun out of an extremity, shoot a sniper from 300 feet, and then anounce he has, in his head, completed the DNA test and found the real killer.
The one problem I would say I have with this book is it gives up too much. Too many things happen and when it is all said and done, in many ways, Crais has ruined the series. The follow-up, The Last Detective, felt lacking after the carnage of this entry, naked without much of the mystery and buildup. Thankfully, it still tackled a major piece of character development, but left the series with absolutely no steam for the next book. It is possible you could simply read the series and consider "Detective" the final chapter.
Also worth checking out is Crais's Hostage, soon to be made into a movie by Bruce Willis. It is a great stand-alone novel.
Book Review: An Exceptional Book
Summary: 5 Stars
As with most of the reviewers, I've followed Robert Crais from the beginning and this is his best book yet.It starts with Joe Pike's ex-girlfriend, Karen Garcia, being gunned down by the Hollywood Reservoir as she's out jogging. Karen's father, an Hispanic with huge political clout, doesn't trust the police to work the case so he asks Joe to act as an overseer to the case, and Joe involves Elvis Cole. As more evidence surfaces it looks like a serial killer may be at work and when the prime suspect is himself murdered, Joe Pike is arrested for the killing.
First, the plot is very well done. It has the requisite twists and turns and I don't think many people will figure this one out before the author wants you to.
Secondly, the writing is superb. Crais has always been a good writer in a mild breezy way, but with this book he shows us he can handle deeper emotions. This is a darker, more serious, book than his others and he handles it with aplomb. I, at first considered this series as a Spenser wannabee, but his writing has now pushed him beyond that. He is a very good writer.
Third, his characterization is rich. Joe Pike, who up until now has been Elvis Cole's spear carrier, emerges as the complex human being we've always felt he might be. Far from being the emotionless killer, we find that Joe's emotions are there but well hidden. The book does a wonderful job of explaining what made Joe the way he is. Some others have remarked that Joe is a little too unbelievable, but I don't think so. There really are men like this in the world.
I can't recommend this book highly enough. I gave it five stars and I don't give out that rating lightly. You won't be disappointed.