Rating: 
Summary: A Great Start!
Review: I was intrigued by the reviews of "LA Requiem" and, since I live in SoCal, thought I might be interested in Robert Crais' work. I selected "The Monkey's Raincoat" because it was his first novel, and the reviews were mixed. I was pleasantly suprised by his effort. What this book has done, besides entertain me for a few evenings, is to whet my appetite for the rest of the Elvis Cole series. As a matter of fact, I just finished ordering all of Mr. Crais' books.
Rating: 
Summary: Spenser Redux
Review: Let's say that you were a reasonably talented writer and you were trying to create a niche for yourself in the marketplace for mysteries and thrillers. You're not exactly an innovator, but you're well read and have an appreciation for the history of the genre. One approach might be to emmulate the work of an established master, to use a proven formula after reworking the characters slightly. Well, in such a case, Robert B. Parker wouldn't be a bad choice to emmulate. There are few characters in the genre who are quite as durable as Spenser and Hawk.Well, I don't have any special insight, but the above is a plausible guess at how Elvis Cole and his partner, Pike, came into being. Like most knock-offs, they fall slightly short of being satisfying on their own and generally just make the reader want to go back and check out the original one more time. There's nothing wrong with this book. But my suggestion is to put it on the shelf until you've worked your way through all of Parker's Spenser books. This is fairly well done second-tier stuff, but there isn't a single Spenser book that I wouldn't recommend before it.
Rating:
Summary: An entertaining page turner
Review: This was a fun book to read. It was humorous and suspenseful; Elvis is an original and memorable character. I thought the end was too over the top with the violence. But overall it was enjoyable and I recommend it.
Rating: 
Summary: WOW!
Review: I read this novel a few months ago but I just wanted to add my review. This is the first novel in the Elvis Cole series. It is a fantastic novel, Elvis is a great character.I loved the wisecracks! The characters are vivid and well written, the story moves along nicely. My only gripe is there should be alot more about Pike. Yes I know the new Crais novel centers on him but why wait so long? Very interesting character.Pick this one up!
Rating:
Summary: Read _L.A. Requiem_ instead
Review: This turned out to be a decent story, but I would not have discovered that if I had not read _L.A. Requiem_, _Stalking the Angel_, and _Voodoo River_ first. Because I liked those books so much, I stuck with it and finished this one. Thank heaven this author has improved. Had I not known that Elvis Cole becomes more sensitive and honorable where women are concerned as he ages, I would not have finished this book. Not only does Elvis have sex with his client in this story (Elvis Cole, Unethical Detective), he also has sex with her best friend. Elvis also behaves inconsistently in this book. While he is disgusted to find a child porn magazine, shreds and burns it (yea!), he has no compunction about ogling a 16-year-old girl and fantasizing about what she'd look like naked (boo! hiss!). I can't imagine how this book won two awards - any two awards. Describing Pike as a man of few words is ludicrous, as he talks up a storm in this story. But I am glad that the author kept writing, because I enjoy his later works.
Rating:
Summary: Well-written and fun-filled mystery series!
Review: What sets Elvis Cole apart from other mystery novel characters? Humor and false modesty! This self-effacing character will make you laugh out loud and intrigue you at the same time. From the Pinochio clock to the cat named "Cat", this book is filled with fun and enjoyment. The author does a wonderful job of keeping our interest in a serious story, while Elvis treats all with a certain irreverance. Elvis Cole is a private detective who doesn't want anyone to take him seriously, yet, he gets deeply involved in the life of his client, because he cares. A lady is seeking her husband, and Elvis gives all of his time and effort to the cause. In the meantime there are interesting characters, lovely ladies, mobsters, and the silent Mr. Pike. The story has many twists and ends with a bang! Elvis is the J.P. Beaumont of L.A., but much funnier!
Rating:
Summary: An exciting page turner.
Review: It is hard to put down. Suspenseful and funny, it has all you can ask for in a mystery novel. Elvis is a riot. My only fault with the book is that the violence, especially at the end, is a bit overdone. It is a half a notch below Parker or Block.
Rating:
Summary: I love Elvis
Review: The first in the series and it rocks! Elvis is the best thing to hit the mystery ever! Read the book! Read the book!
Rating:
Summary: Is this Travis McGee or am I dreaming?????
Review: Christmas has come early!! After years of waiting for Travis' replacement I stumbled upon Elvis Cole by accident. Robert Crais has provided page-turning action combined with realism and humor. I bought the first Elvis book by accident then immediately got on the internet and purchased the remaining titles. For those who thought Travis would never live again, think twice....Elvis is "the man!"
Rating:
Summary: Crais is undoubtedly the Stephen King of P.I. Mysteries
Review: Elvis Cole, a wise-cracking, tough-guy, Private Eye, along with his silent, Clint Eastwood-like, partner Joe Pike are the new characters in Crais' debut title The Monkey's Raincoat. This book is filled with action, suspense, and humor. If you're just getting into P.I. mysteries or you've read them all your life, The Monkey's Raincoat won't disappoint.
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