The Last Detective: An Elvis Cole and Joe Pike Novel

As a long-time Crais fan, this return to the Elvis Cole series is a welcome addition. The added bonus is the return of Carol Starkey (heroine of Demolition Angel--a stand-alone, non Cole title I enjoyed enormously) in a supporting role. The plotting is tight as a tick, the narrative races along with a few nice twists. Cole is more lugubrious this time out (as is long-time sidekick Joe Pike). However, given the seriousness of the plot, Cole's somberness is more than acceptable. This is a book that reads at the speed of light and is highly entertaining, and exceedingly violent. It works, though, because of Crais' great gift of characterization. What doesn't work, and is even mildly embarrassing, is the use of italicized front- and end-pieces that are, essentially, about finding one's "inner child." It's a bit too new-agey, a bit too sentimental (even maudlin) for everything Crais has structured in this book. That aside, though, it doesn't seriously detract from a well-wrought book. It's not Crais at his best but it's a long, long way from his worst (that would be Hostage).Recommended.

Would I buy this book? Yes. Why? I came in with and admit I struggled through Voodoo River. This one is just a lot better. Crais had a tough time setting up the Elvis Cole/ Lucy Chernier relationship the former novel, subsequent work seems to have made the writer comfortable with the device, and he works it into the plot structure (I don't think it gives anything away to reveal that by the end of the novel we learn that Lucy's ex is a good/bad guy. Could he reprise?) Joe Pike and Elvis Cole also develop as characters via flashbacks to childhood, wartime and other experiences entangled with plot events . In all of this Crais' prose is clear and driving toward the conclusion. There is little wasted space in this novel. No philosophizing a la Tom Clancy over nature of BAD/bad guys nor confrontation by forces of good with suchlike. ( I thought that ground was covered in "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence") Cole and Pike smite the wicked. Curiously, however, as Cole becomes more human he loses some charm. The wisecracking,rogue "world's greatest detective" is now more the world's toughest detective. This may be as far as this can go without Crais losing the character, but for the time being, ENJOY.

What can I say about Robert Crais and his Elvis Cole/Joe Pike series that I haven't said before? In my opinion, he is simply the greatest author out there and I knew I didn't have to wonder about whether I would enjoy THE LAST DETECTIVE. It was simply excellent!Elvis is watching his girlfriend Lucy's 10 year old son Ben while she is out of town, and in a matter of minutes he vanishes. After searching for him and having no luck he gets a phone call from someone telling him that the boy has been kidnapped as "payback for what he did." Poor Elvis has no idea who this person is and contacts the police, but you can bet he is determined to find Ben himself with Joe Pike's help and of course there is never a dull moment. I read it in less than a day because I could not bring myself to put it down.Robert Crais reveals a part of Elvis that we've never known, and around that writes an excellent story that gives the reader an example of how important having family and friends in our everyday lives is. Although it is filled with the usual suspence of a Crais novel, it is at the same time a touching story.Add this novel to your MUST READ list now. If you are a Robert Crais fan, or have never read his novels before, you will not be disappointed.

"The Last Detective" is a bit of a departure from Robert Crais' standard Elvis Cole fare. The usually wisecracking Cole is subdued; the unflappable Joe Pike at times uncertain and and even shaken. The plot, centered around the kidnapping of Cole-girlfriend Lucy Chenier's young son, explains the somber tone, as few scenarios are more disturbing than one in which a child's life is in jeopardy. The author's treatment of the characters is more developed than in previous installments, dispassionately exposing the brutal and troubled pasts of both Cole and Pike. Considering the deteriorating relationship between Cole and Chenier, LAPD inter-office politics, the arrogant and scheming father of the boy, and a trio of truly bad... criminals, this is one dark and foreboding tale. There is ample mystery and some intersting twists, complemented by some very convincing crime scene forensics and detective work. Crais pulls this all off with his usual efficient grace and style, spinning a tight drama that once underway builds to a riveting and non-formulaic conclusion.If there is a criticism - and this is minor - it is a unsettling sense that with the number of important issues uncovered, there were simply not enough pages allowed to adequately address them all. I couldn't help feeling that an over zealous editor stripped away much of the author's intended content which, while not confusing the story, leaves a vaguely unfinished feeling to some of the most important messages Crais apparently wants to convey.But don't let this put you off. "The Last Detective" is a solid and fast read, unique in the series, and well worth the investment of time and money. As always, I'll be anxiously awaiting his next effort.

Crais is a favorite of mine because he takes chances and seems to grow with his characters. For four years, fans have been waiting for a new Elvis Cole book -- and this tense, fast paced story will not disappoint many!Be prepared for the darker tone we saw in L.A. Requiem; there is little for Elvis to wisecrack about; no one has brought him a case to strategically solve, instead he's vilified as the party responsible for the kidnap of Ben Chenier. Crais gives us strong dialogue and emotion, change ups in the story's point of view, some blind alleys and some down right insightful detective work.Layers of Elvis' past evolve, and, for the first time, we see Joe Pike as vulnerable and unsure. Crais adds Carol Starkey, tough cop from "Demolition Angel" as the Juvenile cop assigned to the case. Starkey and Elvis are a potent mix.True responsibility for the kidnapping is somewhat easy to guess, but Crais makes up for it by insuring that the story ends in a way that much of life does...everybody loses, but some lose more than most.If there is a better writer in this genre today than Crais, please let me know who he/she is! Crais' work is outstanding...Highly recommended, but more so if you've read previous novels in the Cole series. You can't invest as much in Elvis and Joe as characterized here, unless you've glimpsed the past.