L.A. Requiem (Elvis Cole Novels)
by Robert Crais
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Book Reviews of L.A. Requiem (Elvis Cole Novels)
Book Review: The Best Elvis Cole Novel I've Read
Summary: 5 Stars
Many readers consider LA REQUIEM to be the best in Robert Crais's "Elvis Cole" series about a private detective working in LA. Having read this book, and the seven Cole novels that preceded it, I'm inclined to agree.
Crais is an unusally good writer of prose, but he is rather formulaic in his storylines. If you read his first seven Cole novels, they are all novels that follow a distinct pattern, and Crais rarely strays outside those lines. The result is usually an entertaining read, but a somewhat predictable one, with Elvis Cole serving as an invulnerable, wisecracking superhero.
With LA REQUIEM, Crais adopts a riskier approach, and jettisons much of the sophomoric humor that dominated the earlier Cole novels. The tone of this novel is darker and far more serious. Instead of Cole narrating the entire book, the reader is exposed to multiple perspectives. The supporting characterization is less cartoonish and more complex. Cole is also far more emotionally vulnerable in this novel, and his sidekick Pike becomes much more three dimensional as his backstory is fully revealed. The result is a crime novel that is richer and more satisfying than anything Crais has done before.
LA REQUIEM is an excellent read, although I wouldn't rank it along with the very best, like Thomas Harris's RED DRAGON, Dennis Lehane's MYSTIC RIVER, or Michael Connely's THE POET. Whatever his strengths, Crais just can't match the emotional depth of those great writers. Still, this is an excellent thriller, and it proves the point that Crais is one of the strongest writers in the genre.
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?!?!?!
(...)
Book Review: A dud
Summary: 2 Stars
Finally, I was seduced by the hype and picked up L.A. Requiem. I was sorely disappointed. I found the characters cliched and flat, the leads most of all. Elvis Cole is a bargain basment Clete Purcel and does Joe Pike have a point, or even a personality? Does detective fiction need another wormy, bad seed detective like Krantz or another strong-willed, independent single mother like Lucy Cheneir? I understand its formula, but how about some off-speed stuff to liven things up? Crais has written how many novels to how much acclaim and his idea of comic relief is a foul-mouthed old lady? Talk about done to death! The only halfway compelling character in the book is killed off and that characters death is telegraphed loud and clear. As is the villain. Everything happens at sunset. Apparently most things in L.A. resemble dinosaurs and every person to handle a gun has to fondle it with sweaty hands. If one more person "spread there hands" I was going to scream. The plot had more holes than the roads here in New Orleans. LAPD couldn't catch a cold without Elvis Cole. They are aware of this, I guess, since no one has a problem with a PI running amok in their investigations. The greatest mystery here is the disappearance of the FBI, who are revealed to have a large stake in the case yet vanish into thin air by the middle of the book. The first seven pages really got my hopes up and the rest of the book was one long let down. L.A. Requiem was my first Crais, and my last. Dennis Lehane, if you're out there, bring us back to Boston soon.Book Review: The Best
Summary: 5 Stars
You might have to read a lot of mysteries/thrillers to find thisquality of writing. Author Crais provides depth to this story
that brings it truly into the realm of great literature.
If the seasoned mystery reader has ever wondered who would take
up where the truly greats have left, look no further. Here, the
story combines the hard-flint noir qualities of Sam Spade with the L.A. depth and sensitivity of Lew Archer; he does it with
two heros, but they work as one operative in the field, and together they have all the qualities of the best possible private detective.
Here, in this story, they start out looking for a missing woman, as a favor to an old man, but very shortly, she turns
up dead; when the police move too slowly to suit the woman's father, he goads these P.I.s to action, and their work surpasses the police, and their interest not only moves toward
finding a killer, but also annoys the police.
So there is plenty of action, with twists and counter-moves, to keep the story moving at a fast, complex pace, and the reader
will truly have difficulty putting the story down before its
conclusion.
We learn a lot about the characters, and, for a change, these
personal revelations add to the story, rather than, as usual
in books, merely adding to its length.
There are multiple conclusions, because the story is so complex,
but they are all good.
One of the best stories in print. A "can't miss" for anyone
interested in this field of writing.
Book Review: Elvis in the real world...
Summary: 5 Stars
I agree with many here who feel that L.A. Requiem is the best of the Elvis Cole series, but I not sure yet how I feel about that. I've read them sequentially and I must say that Elvis Cole could be the most likeable character in any book that I've read. This is a guy I'd like to drink a beer with! Part of the joy of reading the Robert Crais series is the sort of Superman nature of Elvis Cole...here's a guy who has represented a large L.A. Real Estate developer, the 3rd biggest Director in Hollywood, a very famous female TV star and now an enormously wealthy producer of Tortillas and yet still appears no better off financially than he did in the first book, the Monkey's Raincoat. In addition, after Sunset Express there wouldn't be a cop in all of Southern California who didn't know and love Elvis. In the real world Elvis would have a national office with hundreds of detectives working for him because no power on Earth could stop the flow of referrals that he would get! The phone would never stop ringing. The truth, however, is that after 7 books reality needed to make an appearance and in L.A. Requiem it has. Many elements of this story relating to the central characters are simply natural consequences and ultimately the story is alot darker than it's predecessors. I loved this book but alot of me yearns for the Superman of the past books who could get away with so much with such joy. I actually feel sorry for a fictional character!