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: Needless detail and annoying sarcasm
Summary: 2 Stars
In this second, and probably the weakest Elvis Cole novel, Crais seemed to spew a book out without any thought. Instead of a well thought out novel, Crais spends needless time on pointless details and intermingles random sarcastic thoughts that only seem to slow down the book to a crawl.The book starts off well with Elvis in charge of finding a priceless Japanese book. Then the book just moves to the absurd, with a flashy nightclub, family incest, and a strange cult spliced together to form some sore of plot. The worst part is the detail that takes away from the weak plot. A prime example is a four-page interlude where Crais describes a man drinking coffee and how a room is arranged. Worst of all, the coffee and the room mean absolutely nothing to the book. Approximately ten percent of the book is devoted to what the detectives eat.
Crais tries to save this book with sarcasm. Of course when every other page contains a supposedly witty remark, the lines get tired and old after a while.
Unless you plan to read all the Elvis Cole novels, it'd be best to skip this one.
Book Review: Stalking the Angel.....A Winner
Summary: 5 Stars
Hard-boiled and always wisecracking private detective, Elvis Cole and his ever silent partner, Joe Pike are back and better than ever in Stalking the Angel. This time out, he's hired by hotel magnate, Bradley Warren, to find the Hagakure, a priceless Japanese manuscript, that's been stolen from Warren's personal safe in his Holmby Hills mansion. As he and Pike begin their investigation, Warren's daughter is first threatened and then kidnapped from right under their noses and Elvis and Joe are now on a mission to find both the manuscript and the girl, unharmed..... Robert Crais has done it again! Stalking the Angel is a fast paced mystery/thriller, you'll have to finish in one sitting. This is a story that has it all...writing that's smart and spare, with never a wasted word; crisp, irreverent dialogue and suspenseful, riveting scenes. And, as Pike and Cole circle closer and closer to the truth, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat, turning pages to the story's shocking and satisfying conclusion. Stalking the Angel is a book mystery fans shouldn't miss.Book Review: Elvis and Joe Meet the Japanese Mafia
Summary: 5 Stars
Elvis Cole is a wisecracking laidback dude who seems intent on annoying everyone who crosses his path with his whimsical humour. The only person who seems to laugh at his jokes is me.This time, Elvis is hunting down a priceless book called the Hagakure for a very wealthy businessman. As usual, the man Elvis is working for annoys Elvis and so he goads him mercilessly with witty repartee and cornball humour (impressing his client no end). Once the investigation begins the trail leads to the Japanese mafia, also known as the Yakuza. Joe Pike makes his appearance from this point on (what Elvis Cole mystery would be complete without him?) and together they try to track down the missing book.
As far as detective novels go, the Elvis Cole series continues to entertain. The humour of Elvis' narration mixed with the action and drama ensures that the story breezes along and never fails to entertain. There are some twists and turns toward the end of the book that help add some spice to the mystery and gave it an ending that I wasn't really expecting.
Book Review: Beginning to like this guy
Summary: 4 Stars
I read "The Monkey's Raincoat" over a year ago and was so underwhelmed that I only just now read "Stalking the Angel." There's been so much acclaim for this series I figured it deserved a second chance. I'm glad I gave it that chance.I won't rehash the plot - there are other good reviews of it. It's an ok story though I felt the second half of the book was a rather weak resolution to a promising premise.
It's Elvis that makes this book sing. He's growing into an intriguing, complicated personality without the dark side (i.e. alcoholism, smoking, anger) seen so often in PI fiction. His quirks are fun (all the cartoon references). More than that, this man knows and loves his food. Even better, he shares more than a few terrific meals with us. I was salivating for all the wonderful Asian food more than once.
Bottom-line: I'll be reading the next book in this series soon. For new readers, this is the second book in the series. It's probably not critical to read the first book to enjoy this book.
Book Review: Not Quite As Good As "Monkeys Raincoat", But Still Enjoyable
Summary: 4 Stars
Wisecracking private investigator Elvis Cole and his enigmatic partner Joe Pike are back in "Stalking The Angel", the second novel in the Elvis Cole series. This time Elvis and Joe get involved with the Japanese yakuza when hired by a local businessman to find a priceless Japanese historical artifact. When Elvis gets too close to the truth, the businessman's teenage daughter is kidnapped for leverage.
While the idea of the plot is novel, I found it to be somewhat less interesting than his previous novel. Don't get me wrong - it's still a good read, but at times a bit disjointed, and a couple of little things bugged me. For instance, I found the idea that a Japanese thug would have the Chinese name "Tang" to be somewhat doubtful. While still a smartass, the one-liners Cole drops are a little less funny than in the previous installment. On the plus side Robert Crais keeps on developing the two main characters, allowing little glimpses inside their psyche that made me want to come back for more.