Rating: 
Summary: Lullaby Town
Review: Foregoing his familiar LA turf, Robert Crais ventures to New York City and the sleepy Connecticut suburb of Chelam in this offbeat and entertaining mystery. Private investigator Elvis Cole is in his best wisecracking form, while Joe Pike's stoic form is always there exactly when needed. The change in venue was a refreshing change of pace, and the east coast-west coast banter was humorous and effective, as Crais succeeds in poking fun at both the shallowness of Hollywood and the brutishness of the east coast crime families. Despite a typically dark and threatening plot, Crais keeps the pace light and the one-liners flowing, building up steam towards an exciting - if not particularly surprising - climax. All in all, a more than satisfying read, and well worth the time invested.
Rating:
Summary: Elvis Does New York
Review: Foregoing his familiar LA turf, Robert Crais ventures to New York City and the sleepy Connecticut suburb of Chelam in this offbeat and entertaining mystery. Private investigator Elvis Cole is in his best wisecracking form, while Joe Pike's stoic form is always there exactly when needed. The change in venue was a refreshing change of pace, and the east coast-west coast banter was humorous and effective, as Crais succeeds in poking fun at both the shallowness of Hollywood and the brutishness of the east coast crime families. Despite a typically dark and threatening plot, Crais keeps the pace light and the one-liners flowing, building up steam towards an exciting - if not particularly surprising - climax. All in all, a more than satisfying read, and well worth the time invested.
Rating: 
Summary: The Pinocchio Clock Sees All
Review: How can you not love a private investigator that has Disney figurines in his office? This is just another well-written book by Robert Crais, the third in the Elvis Cole mystery series.Private investigator Elvis Cole is hired by overactive director Peter Alan Nelson to find his divorced wife and young son. His search takes him to a small town in Connecticut, where the ex-wife has taken on a new identity as a bank manager. Simple enough? Not for Elvis! It turns out that she has been laundering money for one of the largest organized crime families in New York, and she wishes to get out, but fears for the lives of herself and her son, Toby. The story becomes even more complicated, as the money laundering appears to be isolated to one mob family member, as he seems to be back-stabbing the rest. To make matters worse, the deep-pocketed Nelson turns up as he wants to re-enter their lives, a step that they are just not willing to make yet. Cole's partner, Joe Pike, is back along for the adventure, adding that ever-so-serious, vigilante-type background. Pike's character is the perfect compliment to Cole, making for a much more complete storyline. As always, Cole's witty dialogue and his well-detailed actions lead to a very entertaining thriller. Robert Crais does a masterful job of covering all aspects of the mystery, and keeps the reader guessing as to how Elvis and Joe can rescue this family from the mafia. The book is one excellent page-turning novel that culminates in an amazing, explosive ending. This is definately one Elvis Cole adventure that you will not want to miss.
Rating: 
Summary: Not Quite as Good
Review: I didn't like this book quite as much as the other Elvis Cole books I have read, Monkey's Raincoat, Freefall, and LA Requiem. It's a good book, it just seemed slower, with less action. This is an absorbing series, and shouldn't be missed. I have to force myself not to buy them all at once or else I'll have them read in a week.
Rating:
Summary: Lullaby Town
Review: I heard Robert Crais speak at the Pikes Peak Writers Conference 2001. I was impressed. I've purchased his books, starting with Monkey's Raincoat, and I'm equally as impressed with his writing talent as I was with his speaking talent. I'd recommend his books to anyone that likes a fast-paced story with a charming hero. Elvis Cole is great.
Rating:
Summary: I've bought this baook and hope it is a winner!
Review: I just bought this book and hopes it's a winner.From all the other reviws I think I'll love it. Thanks for the advice!
Rating:
Summary: Really good
Review: I must admit that this is the worst book in the series that I have read. But, because all of the Elvis Cole books rule the school, this one does too. It just isn't as entertaining as the others, but is still great. It still deserves ***** out of *****. Yea.
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Summary: Action, funny, sensitive, human, very hard to put down!
Review: I read Mr. Crais's 1999 book first & have gone back to pick up each one written before that. As this is the last I have read it is my current favorite. Elvis Cole is a great character & along with his partner Joe, makes for excellent mystery reading. This is one of those you can't put down, should be asleep as morning is coming, but must finish the book so you are able to sleep. We only need two hours of sleep, right? My only complaint is that Mr. Crais does not have another book on the shelves for me to lose sleep over!
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Summary: Elvis Spenser?
Review: I see from other reviews that I am not the first to notice the similarities between Cole and Spenser. Lullaby Town is the third in the Cole series and the third one I've read, I'm a stickler that way, and it bears the strongest resemblence yet to Parker's Boston PI. Not to say this is a bad thing. While I am a longtime Spenser fan I'm sorry to say that the series is beginning to lose it's zip. Enter Crais. Although there is strong evidence that he is Parker influenced, he gives Cole and Pike the gusto that Spenser and Hawk used to have. I highly recommend the Cole series, at least the one's I have read, they make a great addition to any mystery/PI lovers library. I look forward to reading the next one. Note to Parker fans: Try the Jesse Stone series. Very fresh and very original.
Rating:
Summary: Elvis Spenser?
Review: I see from other reviews that I am not the first to notice the similarities between Cole and Spenser. Lullaby Town is the third in the Cole series and the third one I've read, I'm a stickler that way, and it bears the strongest resemblence yet to Parker's Boston PI. Not to say this is a bad thing. While I am a longtime Spenser fan I'm sorry to say that the series is beginning to lose it's zip. Enter Crais. Although there is strong evidence that he is Parker influenced, he gives Cole and Pike the gusto that Spenser and Hawk used to have. I highly recommend the Cole series, at least the one's I have read, they make a great addition to any mystery/PI lovers library. I look forward to reading the next one. Note to Parker fans: Try the Jesse Stone series. Very fresh and very original.
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