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Summary: The First of a Great Series!
Review: The Monkey's Raincoat, grabs you from the first chapter, puts you on the edge of your seat and keeps you there to the climactic end of the book. Meet Elvis Cole, Viet Nam vet, ex-security guard turned private investigator. He's a hard boiled, wise-cracking detective who gives Mike Hammer and Sam Spade a run for their money. The case begins as Ellen Lang hires Elvis to find her missing husband, Hollywood agent, Mort, who's taken their son and disappeared. Unfortunately, the case is a bit more complicated than just a simple missing person. Mort is soon found shot dead in his car, there's no sign of the son and Ellen is missing too. Elvis Cole is now on a mission to find mother and son and it involves missing drugs and some pretty frightening bad guys. Robert Crais has created a great mystery with a tight plot, full of terrific, interesting characters. His writing is crisp and sharp with witty and irreverent dialogue and action packed scenes. This is a fast paced, page turner that won't let you down. Mr. Crais deserved all the nominations and awards this book won.
Rating: 
Summary: Hard to put down
Review: Elvis Cole, the protagonist in the story, was a private investigator. He was tasked to find his client's husband and son. Originally dismissed by Cole as a simple case of husband taking off with his mistress, bringing the son along, he soon found that he was eating his words as murders, drugs and the mafia became entangled into the case. In addition to the explosive plot, what made the book enjoyable was the Elvis Cole character himself. He faced life, including dangerous situations with bravado and humour. Beneath the bravado and tough exterior, his sense of justice and loyalty to his clients made him extremely humane and appealing. I found the book to be thoroughly enjoyable and hard to put down. The fast-paced and tight plot kept me flipping the pages, eager to find out the ending.
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Summary: Elvis & Pike RULE!!!!!!
Review: I have read this book twice and loved it both times. Granted I am not big on detective fiction, but I know enough to say that I thought this was a truly awesome read. The characters were belivable and funny, and I love the combination of Elvis and Pike, damn they're great together. Mr Crais is a true master at the novel, its not literature as the academics would point out, but screw them, what the hell do they know, it was well worth the time that I put into the book. You'll probably finish it in a day or two. Swashbuckling (always wanted to say that).
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Summary: Elvis Has Entered The Building!
Review: Robert Crais' P.I. Elvis Cole is an excellent addition to the world of detective fiction. Crais shows that he is strongly influenced by Spenser creator Robert B. Parker, as evidenced by Cole's love of a good sandwich and a cold beer, as well as his snappy rapport. The Monkey's Raincoat is a great starting point I look forward to more Elvis Cole books.
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Summary: A traditional beginning to an ever-maturing P.I. series...
Review: Robert Crais dresses up his first entry in the Elvis Cole series with all of the traditional P.I. trimmings: 1)The lost, lonely, yet attractive, perpetual victim; 2)The strong-willed, brash, yet attractive, best friend of perpetual victim; 3)The solid-as-a-rock, faithful sidekick; 4)The sometimes volatile relationship with local law enforcement. It's the humor and upbeat attitude that separates this novel from the cookie-cutter PI novels. Crais takes the traditional down-trodden detective and infuses him with a contagious optimism. I enjoyed every moment. As for his "relations" with the two female leads, I say this: It's a detective novel. He's supposed to get all the chicks.
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Summary: Robert Crais is one of my favoirte authors of all time
Review: Elvis Cole is a charming, sharp witted, wise-cracking private investigator who is teamed up with a Clint Eastwood type partner, Joe Pike. His novels are fast paced and entertaining enough to make me laugh out loud. My favorite Elvis Cole novel is L. A. Requiem. It focuses on Joe Pike. Crais' writing is on a completely different level in this one. I highly recommend his books. I have read all but his newest: Demolition Angel. I can't wait to read it!
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Summary: Fun & Fast.
Review: Great combination of the loud, wise-cracking detective and strong, strange , silent side kick. A great beach read.
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Summary: Robert Crais knows how to write compelling mysteries.
Review: I can understand why all the awards and nominations on this first novel. Elvis Cole and Joe Pike are wonderful LA characters. Mr. Crais paints vivid word pictures of LA and gets the reader involved with the players. Lots of action and loathsome bad guys. Having read three others in the Elvis Cole series I was familiar with the backgrounds of Cole and Pike...and I feel that kept me better prepared for some of the twists. Michael Connelly remains the premier mystery novelist to me, but Robert Crais is certainly adding quality to the genre. Looking forward to more of this most enjoyable series.
Rating:
Summary: What a fun read!
Review: Having read everything by my favorite authors, I decided to try a new one. Nice surprise! I was first upset by the slimness of the novel, but got so caught up in the book and enjoyed it so thoroughly, I can say: Size doesn't matter! Can't wait to order more by Mr. Crais.
Rating: 
Summary: Pales Next to Spenser!
Review: As an avid fan of the genre, I began this book with high hopes that ended in disappointment. Never before have I seen such a derivative work like this. So derivative, it borders on outright plagiarism! Mr. Crais is obviously intimately familiar with the works of the venerable Robert B. Parker; however, in this case, imitation is NOT flattering at all.
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