Stalking the Angel (Elvis Cole, Book 2)
by Robert Crais
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Book Reviews of Stalking the Angel (Elvis Cole, Book 2)
Book Review: Good Writing, Derivative Storyline
Summary: 3 Stars
STALKING THE ANGEL is the second novel in Robert Crais' "Elvis Cole" series, about a private detective in Los Angeles. I though it was a pretty enjoyable read, although a bit too derviative of Robert Parker's Spenser novels.
Elvis Cole is like Spenser in a variety of ways: he's a non-stop comedian, he's a war vet with a code of honor, he has an ultra-tough sidekick (named "Pike" instead of "Hawk"), he has a love-hate relationship with the cops, and his clients are typically rich, privileged, oversexed, and insufferably arrogant.
The plot of STALKING THE ANGEL, which involves a missing Japanese manuscript, reminds me of the first Spenser novel, which also involves a missing manuscript. Elvis Cole also tries to "save" a young girl from her dysfunctional family, which reminds me of Spenser novels like EARLY AUTUMN and CEREMONY. In other words, there is very little here that struck me as fresh and original.
Still, Crais is a highly skilled writer, and STALKING THE ANGEL is a funny and entertaining diversion. If you like Robert Parker's work, this book is definitely worth a try. My understanding is that the Elvis Cole series gets better with time, so I will definitely try some of the later installments in the near future.
Book Review: Good Quick Read
Summary: 4 Stars
Elvis Cole, a quirky LA detective is recruited by a wealthy business man, Bradley Warren, to retrieve an important Japanese manuscript, called the "Hagakure" which was stolen from Warren's safe. While Elvis is reluctant to take the case he soon discovers that there is more to the story, so decides to uncover the truth. Warren's wife Sheila is a sex starved alcoholic and his daugter Mimi is a deeply unhappy and ignored teenager.The second installment of Robert Crais' Elvis Cole series Stalking The Angel is a good quick read. It is hard boiled mystery, which takes the reader on a journey through seedy sections of Little Tokyo to the wealthy mansions of southern California. Crais' Elvis Cole is a quirky detective who has a fondness for Mickey memorabilia. Cole is both skeptical observer and kind-hearted helper. He partners with Joe Pike, who is in charge of the security part of there business.
Uncovering a mystery is always an interesting challenge and Crais provides enough twists and turns to challenge even the most astute mystery reader. In fact, the end leaves the reader to decide the answer for one untied thread.
A rainy afternoon, a day for relaxation or any excuse for a quick light read pick up Stalking the Angel and enjoy.
Book Review: Stalking the Second Elvis Cole Novel
Summary: 4 Stars
Stalking the Angel, by Robert Crais, is the second entry in the Elvis Cole Los Angeles Private Investigator series. I guess this should be more appropriately referred to as the Elvis Cole/Joe Pike series. I read an interview by the author in which he stated that he didn't suggest reading the books in order, as the recent books are much more indicative of his style and the characters. In spite of that, I have elected to read the books in order, and I am glad that I have. This novel dwelves even further into the odd relationship between Pike and Cole. Pike is at ease killing bad guys, or making Cole breakfast.
The mystery here, or case, involves the Japanese mafia, and one very dysfunctional family that hires Cole to locate a missing Japanese treasure. The story was enjoyable and the characters are outstanding. The wise-cracking Cole had me laughing at several times as I read. While Pike in all his stoic glory is a delight. This book really focues on the true ambiguity that sometimes exists between right and wrong and the good guys and the bad guys.
I highly recommend this book and would encourage any potential Crais readers to jump right in. A strong 4 stars.
Book Review: Modern day Mickey Spillane
Summary: 4 Stars
Elvis Cole is a modern day PI who lives and works in Los Angeles and has the same kind of cheeky, rather smart arsed dialogue as the Mickey Spillane hero of a generation ago. Elvis is engaged by a wealthy businessman to recover a valuable, old Japanese book which was stolen from his house. Elvis and his muscular side kick, Joe Pike, both Vietnam vets, become embroiled in a series of violent events which are centered in Little Tokyo, the Japanese section of LA.When the businessman's daughter is kidnapped, Elvis is summarily fired but continues to look for the girl as he had promised to look after her and feels a sense of guilt about this lonely, strange girl. He locates her in a commune for homeless teenagers, led by a formerly famous martial arts hero who wants the world to live by the standards of the Japanese code of honour, Bushido. Things go from bad to worse for Elvis and Joe, resulting in a shootout and a very violent martial arts fight to the death. I liked the story, especially the sassy way Elvis deals with danger, but was saddened by the plight of the children of the rich and famous who seem to be lost souls, for all their affluence.Book Review: So real and charming
Summary: 3 Stars
Another Elvis Cole story. I read this book simply because I like the Elvis Cole character very much. In this story, he was righteous as usual, but what made him humane and loveable was that, like every human being, he was not perfect. He could get emotionally carried away, he was also prone to making wrong deductions and judgment. Beneath his tough ways, he had a vulnerable side too. We were shown these side of his character amidst a plot that appeared complex enough to make me stay interested in the book from beginning till the end. In this story, Cole was tasked to find a valuable Japanese manuscript. Soon after, the threats made to his client and his family, the disappearance of his client's daughter, the involvement of a Japanese cult and the Japanese mafia made the assignment appeared more dangerous and complex than it really was. I found myself on an exciting ride as Cole and his partner, Pike, took it upon themselves to rescue the missing daughter, and at the same time, unravel the riddles that were puzzling them (as well as me). A thoroughly enjoyable, hard to put down book.