Rating: 
Summary: A thriller beyond the mystery novel!
Review: Robert Crais has proven again and again that he can keep us on the edge of our seats, and yet at the same time laughing our butts off, to be polite. "Free Fall" is a perfect example of that. It is an installment in the "Elvis Cole Series", but you do not have to have read any of the previous novels to read this one: I didn't. I've read other Cole novels, but they've been written after this one.
Anyway, this novel takes place in Los Angeles. It finds Elvis Cole sitting in his office, just another normal day. In walks an innocent looking young woman named Jenifer Sheridan. She tells Cole that she has a problem: She thinks her fiancee, Mark Thurman, is involved in something illegal. Willingly, unwillingly? It is Cole's task to find out the answer, and just what exactly Thurman is up to. Could it be another woman? Or is it something much worse, something much deadlier?
Cole and his partner, Joe Pike, find themselves up against rogue cops, South-side gangsters, and a haunting mystery. Oh, yeah: They're also wanted by the cops for murder.
Only Crais could weave a novel this complicated and powerful. You'll be loving every minute of "Free Fall", I promise you. I would know: I've been there.
Rating:
Summary: Free Falling For The Hound Dog
Review: Robert Crais has put forth another masterful novel. The wise-cracking private detective is back again in the fourth book of this excellent series.In FREE FALL, a beautiful young woman hires Elvis Cole to find out what her L.A.P.D. boyfriend is hiding from her. He claims that it is an affair, but she thinks that there is more to it. Upon his investigation, Cole stumbles upon a group of crooked cops, a wrongful death in South Central, and a druglord that seems to be unstoppable. To make matters worse, Cole and his aviator-sunglasses-wearing partner Joe Pike are arrested for murder. Regulars Cole, Pike, and Lou Poitras are back in this thriller, and Crais does an fine job of adding in other interesting, well-developed characters. The snappy dialogue and intricate, cohesive storyline make for truly entertaining reading. His short, fast-paced chapters make this a page-turning, suspense-filled thriller that culminates with an amazing ending. This book is a can't miss.
Rating: 
Summary: ok, not spectacular
Review: Robert Crais is doing his best to imitate Robert B. Parker in the Elvis series. Elvis = Spenser, Pike = Hawk, LA = Boston, you get the formula. The story was OK, and even got a little exciting in the end as Elvis and friends turn into ghetto versions of Rambo. I found it too hard to believe that Elvis managed to get out of trouble with the cops so easily.
Rating:
Summary: ok, not spectacular
Review: Robert Crais is doing his best to imitate Robert B. Parker in the Elvis series. Elvis = Spenser, Pike = Hawk, LA = Boston, you get the formula. The story was OK, and even got a little exciting in the end as Elvis and friends turn into ghetto versions of Rambo. I found it too hard to believe that Elvis managed to get out of trouble with the cops so easily.
Rating:
Summary: As exciting as free fall
Review: Stalking the Angel was such a mess that I didn't want to read anything else by Robert Crais. My friend Roger insisted that I give Free Fall a try. I'm glad I did. This is one of the most exciting detective novels I have read. Not flawless. Elvis's kicking hasn't improved much; his opponents are still on their feet after a volley of kicks. Crais still seems to think that eating heavily spiced food is a real macho deal. Joe Pike is just not real. But gripes aside, this book is a load of fun to read. Dig in!!
Rating: 
Summary: An original mystery detective
Review: The fourth book of the Elvis Cole series is one of the better ones. A crime, mystery, detective, and police adventure all rolled into one. Elvis meets a pretty young girl (as always), and seems to have easily solved a case. The young girl isn't convinced of such an easy solution, and from that follows is a great mystery and action sequence. Corrupt cops, inner city violence, gang warfare, the sarcastic Elvis Cole, and the mysterious Joe Pike all combine to make this a great who done it. The violence, action and intrigue grow as each page turns. This novel is one of the best mysteries I've read; it's quick, with great plot and description. I would recommend this book, along with L.A Requiem, as the two Elvis Cole that are must reads for detective and mystery or police fans
Rating: 
Summary: Free... way
Review: The story of the book is simply good. You will twitch your lips sometimes, but you can be sure that you will know every freeway and every street in LA and surroundings and that is a loss of time while reading. If you keep out all driving directions you will have a book of 200 pages, definitely not the best book written by RC.
Rating:
Summary: Elvis Cole Solid As Always
Review: There is one aspect you can rely on in a Robert Crais novel. That is it is going to be a quick read, with a lot of action and solid story line that stay consistent throughout the book. Main character Elvis Cole is one of the more likable characters in any series today and most readers today will find him very likable. Crais almost detective noir style also passes into present day without getting watered down or too quirky The story starts as usual with Cole sitting in his office waiting for the next case. In walks Jennifer Sheridan who is the fiancée of Mark Thurman, a special force Los Angeles Policemen. Sheridan believes that her fiancée is involved in something illegal regarding the LAPD and wants Cole to find out what it is. Cole takes the case and discovers that Thurman may be cheating on his future wife. A little more digging and Cole finds that it runs a lot deeper, too a wrongful death lawsuit and the strange practices by Thurman and the rest of his team. Cole finds that the task force is working with a South Central gang and the case gets more dangerous and complicated with each new clue. Crais shows what made him such a successful televison writer. He makes everything concise and to the point. The chapters in South Central give you the true feeling of what it maybe like to live there. The ending is a bit overdone and a little unbelievable, but this is still one of Crais' best work and recommended to all Elvis Cole fans and any reader of suspense/mystery.
Rating:
Summary: Not up to par . . .
Review: This installment in the Elvis Cole series is not up to the usual standards of Robert Crais. The story line is good but some of the action is just too hard to swallow. And Elvis is losing a little bit of his snap.
Rating:
Summary: Not Believeable but Entertaining
Review: This is not the strongest of Crais' work (try LA Requiem for that), but it is solid entertainment, and a good, fast read. While there is plenty of action, as is expected from Crais, he seems to be trying just a bit too hard in "Free Fall". Cole's wise-cracking is a little overdone, stretching credibility, as do some of the scenes, particularly the escape from jail. Also, unless I was not paying attention well enough, there seem to be some loose ends that are never resolved (like the red 36C?). The bad guys - inluding both the cops and the south-central LA gang-bangers - feel somewhat rushed in development and have little depth; more stereotyped than I've come to expect from Crais. But the bodies keep piling up and the pages keep turning. On balance, if you're not expecting a classic, and don't want to do much thinking, "Free Fall" won't disappoint. A definite choice for a coast-to-coast flight or an afternoon on the beach.
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