Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing
Review: I LOVE Robert Crais and Elvis and especially Joe, but this one was so much like some of the others, I kept thinking "have I already read this book?" Same old, same old. Crais needs to get away from bad guys stalking Elvis' girlfriend and her son in so many books, and get back to what he used to do so well...detective stories with strange characters that highlight Elvis' intelligence and Joe Pike coming to the rescue.
Rating: 
Summary: Elvis Cole is back again!
Review: The return of Elvis Cole is well worth the wait. Robert Crais moves Elvis right into action during the first chapter. He is caring for his girlfriend's son and in just one moment the boy disappears. The ensuing search for the boy centers upon's Elvis's Vietnam memories, and a box hidden in his closet that contains medals and pictures. This is not a mystery solved easily- lots of turns and tangles. Old nemesis and the return of Carol Stanger from a previous novel keep this storyline fresh and right on the edge of your seat. Action and deep thought are all a part of the story. Elvis digs deep to keep his relationship with the boy's mom on an even keel, but this may be
the last chance that won't work out. The return of Det. Stanger
gives us renewed hope that she will be part of Elvis Cole's next
case and maybe a new romance...
Rating:
Summary: Great if you like really predictable mystery/thrillers
Review: The latest installment in author Robert Crais' series featuring private detective Elvis Cole has it all: likeable good guys coping with current crises and echoes of the past, really mean bad guys, fast-moving narration, snappy dialogue, and real detective work. Unfortunately, it was obvious very early on "whodunit" with only the most token efforts at misdirection - too bad, because I really wanted to like this book.
Rating:
Summary: Thriller
Review: Although there are thousands of books called "Thrillers," very
few really are. But this one is one of those rare ones where
the label is deserved. The author weaves a complex story with
many characters and multiple story lines, and this is a story
that is genuinely difficult to put down in the middle.
Hero Elvis Cole is about to settle down with his love interest
and her young son, and he has probably never been happier, when
suddenly the boy disappears. Cole tries not to panic, but can't
quite succeed, and he calls his partner and buddy, Joe Pike, to
help. Pike is a major character alone, and his contribution
to this story is almost a novel in itself.
And the bad guys.....They are depraved almost beyond reality,
but we realize, with fear, that some people do exist who think
and act like these, and we share Cole's feeling that time is
running out on the young boy we are searching for.
Plus, the bad guys, who are bad enough, seem to be getting some
inside information that makes the job Cole and Pike have to do
become almost impossible. The cops are suspicious of all the
details the criminals have access to, and they are too quick to
blame Cole and Pike, and, as usual, they try to keep these two
PIs out of the action and investigation.
But only Cole has the information and the ability to analyze
what is going on and to be able to reach for the boy, while
combatting experienced killers.
His girl friend's ex- is quickly on the scene, causing all
sorts of trouble with his wild accusations, coupled with money
and influence, and he misdirects the investigation because of
his own feelings, and the story gets more complex as it goes on.
But this is a story that is quite engaging, and it is difficult
to lay aside in the middle.
Very interesting as a thriller and as a novel delving into the
psychology of people and their incredibly complex internal motivations.
Quite recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Elvis is back!
Review: Picking back up with the long running and very enjoyable character of Elvis Cole, author Robert Crais is back with the latest installment of the series entitled The Last Detective. However, with several books featuring other characters and writing styles having been published from this author in the meantime, this latest Elvis Cole is written in a far different style than usual.As the book opens, Elvis is babysitting his girlfriend's ten-year-old son, Ben. Lucy, his mother and Ben moved from Louisiana to be with Elvis and since they came there has been a series of problems. (Many of these are detailed full in the preceding novel of this series L. A. Requiem and as such will not be detailed here for space reasons as well as to not ruin things for readers new to the series). Lucy is still very unsettled over those events and when Ben suddenly vanishes without a trace, it brings those past events as well as current problems to the surface. Along with the terror of losing a child, Lucy becomes filled with self recriminations as well as wondering if Elvis' less than stellar past is coming back to haunt them again. As a private investigator, as well as a few other things, Elvis moves in the shadows and has made quite a few enemies along the way. Ben's kidnapper works on that fear by claiming that he is doing this as revenge for something Elvis did in Vietnam. As Lucy cracks under the strain, Elvis is left feeling responsible and alone with everyone convinced that he did the unthinkable. With his old friend Joe Pike, who himself is dealing with the trauma of the recent and distant past, Elvis decides despite all objections to work the case himself. He begins to unravel a dark conspiracy that has him at the center in an elaborate plan to make him the fall guy. Ben is a pawn and as events spin out of control, the stakes climb and Elvis becomes Ben's only chance at survival. While enjoyable, this novel is written far differently than the other novels in the series. Not only is the overall plot and storyline less complicated than earlier novels, Elvis himself is different. While it is hard to pin down and some no doubt will criticize me for being unacceptably vague, the character of Elvis just does not read like right. I really do not know how to explain it, but there is a style and tone in the Elvis sections that does not read the way Elvis always did. That might be worsened by the constant point of view shifts used in this novel. Traditionally, the Elvis Cole novels have been written from the viewpoint of the Elvis character and have rarely strayed from that viewpoint. However, in this novel, various kidnappers' points of view are presented, along with Joe Pike's, Lucy, Richard (her ex husband), Ben's, and many others. This multi point of view becomes rather distracting with the constant shifts, especially as the climatic scene takes place at the end of the book and the violent confrontation is depicted from every conceivable angle. However, while there are some negatives with this book, overall it is another enjoyable installment of the series. Some of the back-story which was alluded to in previous novels concerning Elvis is fully discussed as Elvis is forced to confront his dark past. It will be interesting to see with several loose ends resolved where the author chooses to take this complicated character. At the same time, this could be the end to this character and while one hopes not, it very well could be the finish.
Rating: 
Summary: Top of the world, Ma
Review: Robert Crais is there. This is his best Elvis Cole novel to date and it's just about perfect. I like a little more retribution when it's called for and I would have added another dab or two of the old ultra-violence, but that's a small cavil. The plotting is exquisite, the characterization touching, and the themes resonant and pulsating. I don't want to spoil anything, but the rearrangement of part of Elvis' life with a look ahead to future plots is wonderfully clever. I am one who thought (as he himself feared) that Crais revealed too much about Joe in the previous novel but the revelations about Elvis here are apt. They work very well, as do further revelations about Joe. Reader warning: this is not the joking, wisecracking Elvis of yore. Things are far more serious this time and the unrelenting plot and dark, driving tone are sustained throughout. Powerful stuff. Bravo, Mr. C.
Rating:
Summary: We Get To Know Elvis
Review: In this Elvis Cole mystery we are greeted with a much more serious Elvis than in previous books. Gone is the playful, eyebrow wiggling, wisecracking detective and in his place is a more introspective desperate man. Of course, the case he is working on has a lot to do with this after his girlfriend's son, 10 year old Ben, is kidnapped. During the desperate search for clues as to who has taken Ben we are treated to a detailed look into Elvis' past. The emphasis is definitely on a sober accounting of his past as his actions of many years ago are called into question. Meanwhile, back to the present day, Elvis not only has to deal with the kidnappers, he is hampered from all sides by just about everyone, from the Hollywood detectives, to his girlfriend's ex-husband. He finds an ally in one of the detectives, Carol Starkey, the protagonist in an earlier Crais book, Demolition Angel. I thought this was an excellent and much needed get to know you story for all long time Elvis Cole fans. It probably won't mean as much to those who've never tried an Elvis Cole book before, but it still contains a fine thriller that should satisfy most readers.
Rating:
Summary: Definite attention keeping read
Review: Having never read a novel by Crais, my comments don't relate to prior Elvis Cole books. But this book stands on its own as an interesting and attention demanding distraction. The overall plot turns out to be one that relies on the unlikely events that happen in an action film, rather than the character depth of a superior novel. That's ok by me because the pace is great and the asides on the backgrounds of Fallon, Cole, and Pike are really well done.
Rating:
Summary: I'm Down on my Knees.....
Review: ...with my hands waving up and down in the air in humble admiration of the KING of detectives, Elvis Cole and his hunka burning love side-kick, Joe Pike. You guys are da bomb. This is the best detective novel I've read in years and years, bar none. The plot moved at a lightning pace and never once slowed down. Learning about Elvis's and Joe's childhoods was an added plus to this excellent story. I cried like a baby reading about the young Elvis and the last page blew me away. I read it five times and then cried again. Thanks, Mr. Crais, for a super book. And I laughed out loud for 10 minutes after reading your remark about Katie Couric. You're a master of the genre and I love you!!!! Keep 'em coming!!!
Rating: 
Summary: Not his best effort
Review: Mr. Crais is a very good writer, unfortunately this in not his best effort. I believe the publish date was pushed back --- should have been pushed back further. Read all his other books and save this one for last. Not one of those to recommend or read again.
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