L.A. Requiem (Elvis Cole Novels)
by Robert Crais
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Book Reviews of L.A. Requiem (Elvis Cole Novels)
Book Review: We Finally Get To Know Pike
Summary: 5 Stars
If you read a lot of Elvis Cole novels you realize that they are heavily centered on Cole. Finally Robert Crais has given us a novel that takes a peek into the life of Cole's partner Joe Pike. We know from previous novels that he was a former police officer and military man. However Crais never bothered in telling his story, making him out to be a mystery man. It was cool for a while but after nine novels it was time too expand the Joe Pike character.The start of this novel is different from most. It does not take place in Cole's office, but on the streets of Los Angeles when Pike was a cop trailing a known child molester with his partner. Then it jumps to the present with a missing persons case involving one of Pike's ex-loves. The father hires Pike and Cole to keep an eye on the police investigation, headed by a officer who hates Pike. The search leads to death, corruption, redemption and new loves and lost loves ....
This is by far one of the better Cole novels. Even thought you can't go wrong with any of them. The look into Pikes past was great and well done by Crais. I wonder if when Crais started this series that he planned on leaving Pike's past hidden until much later. Either way it was a wonderful read. If you are new to the Cole series I do suggest not jumping in with "LA Requiem", but go back and read a few of the older novels and come back to this one.
Book Review: As Close to Perfect as Possible!
Summary: 5 Stars
Judging by the other reviews of LA Requiem, I won't be able to add much more but another glowing review of one of the best detective novels that I've ever read.I read this book a year or two ago and was simply blown away by it. I recently picked it up again and devoured it a second time in a few days. While I love Crais' earlier books, LA Requiem blows them all away. We still get the great lead character--Crais' Jim Rockford-like Elvis Cole--but we see a much deeper portrait of the man in this book. There is still some of the wise-cracking, but it is more subdued as Cole looks inward to a much greater extent.
As has been mentioned in other reviews, the book also offers much greater insights into Joe Pike. While we're not given an in-depth bio of Pike, we are shown enough to flesh out the character further, to care about him more. He's always been Cole's foil in the past, but he's been so enigmatic that you weren't sure who he was. Now he's flesh and blood and emotions. Crais has developed him beautifully into a multi-dimensional character.
This book is just wonderfully rich, from the straight mystery aspects of it to the complex relationships that Crais builds throughout. Along with Sara Paretsky, Robert Crais is one of my two favorite mystery authors. There is a real care given to their characters and it comes through in the writing.
Book Review: Great addition to series
Summary: 5 Stars
This is the 8th installment of the Elvis Cole/Joe Pike series. Elvis is a wise cracking but hard working gumshoe in LA. Joe is a man of few words but incredible action and redefines the term "silent partner". In previous books Elvis has been the narrator/main protagonist with Joe slipping in and out when needed and the author has done a very good job of not bringing Joe into the fray to save the day a la Mr. Wizard. Because of this, those of us who have read the series know Elvis fairly well - Joe, not so much. That all changes in this book. The "case" in this volume begins when one of Joe's friend's, (!), daughter disappears and quickly spirals into the pursuit of a serial killer - all with Joe Pike as the fulcrum. I try to read series such as this in order, both for simple chronology reasons and also to enjoy an author's development. This book is a case in point of the latter. As stated in earlier reviews, the reader gets a whole new perspective on Joe Pike and he says more in this book than in all the previous combined. We learn of his past and even get inside his head. The story slides back and forth in time as well as in narrative perspective - not just Elvis this time - without missing a beat. Even with a couple of fairly predictable plot "twists" this is an extremely entertaining book. Highly recommended.Book Review: Crais delivers the goods again
Summary: 5 Stars
I first discovered Crais not all that long ago, and since then I have been hooked. Elvis Cole is a fantastic character. He is tough, but sensitive and funny, smart, but realistic and he has his flaws as well, which are examined much more closely this time. Joe Pike is also a great character, and this time we get to see what makes him the way he is, how he uses his quiet, tough demeanor to shield against his troubled past. And of course, the cat is pretty cool too. In L.A. Requiem, the supporting cast is stereotypical in many respects, but for the most part they are depicted pretty well. Samantha Dolan as a cop who is after Elvis romantically is a nice addition to the story.The plot this time out is much more ambitious than previous novels. Rather than the typical missing person case, it is a serial killer on the loose this time. There is a much darker, more serious tone to this book than previously encountered. There is still the requisite humor and wisecracks from Elvis, but they are toned down somewhat. Also absent is the usual happy ending. This time around Elvis is left with his world turned upside down and needing to re-evaluate his life. Definitely recomended. If you are an Elvis fan you already know about it, if not than read it and become one.
Book Review: Crime Fiction at its Best
Summary: 5 Stars
"The devils take their toll, even in this angel town." So muses Elvis Cole, the hardboiled private detective protagonist near the end of this gritty and suspenceful crime drama. Unlike others in the Elvis Cole series, where partner Joe Pike is essentially a mysterious and menacing shadow, Crais skillfully weaves flashbacks into the plot, exposing Pike's dark and troubled past bit by disturbing bit. As in his previous works, Crais' characters are vividly developed and, if not completely believable, they are compelling and certainly entertaining. Nobody does LA better than Robert Crais, and I'm beginning to believe no contemporary writer does noir crime as well, either.The plot is simple enough: Cole and Pike are called on by the wealthy and well-connected father of a murdured Latino girl to assist LAPD in finding the killer. Predictably, tensions arise as the cops don't welcome the outside interference. This tension is only heightened by a troubled history Pike shares with the force, which slowly unfolds as the plot progresses. This is an ambitious book with strong moral undertones, complex emotions, and raw physical violence. It is not an easy book to put down, nor will it be quickly forgotten. Don't let this one get away.