The Monkey's Raincoat: An Elvis Cole and Joe Pike Novel

I may have missed something crucial, and I'll feel really dumb if I did, but I'm not sure why this novel is called 'The Monkey's Raincoat.' That mystery aside, its time to focus on the one at hand....Ellen Lang is a housewife that has lived a sheltered life. Then one day, her aspiring Hollywood producer husband goes missing. Their son goes missing with him. On the advice and insistence of her pushy friend, Mrs. Lang goes to see Elvis Cole, the detective that never wants to grow up.Cole is a wise-cracking detective with a thing for Disney characters. His experiences in Viet Nam, to sound redundant, lead to his decision to never grow up. Nevertheless, Cole engages in Yoga, in psychotic fashion, enjoys a good beer, and hangs out with an unnamed cat, and occassionally, his partner Joe Pike, who is a bit on the extreme side of things.Cole takes the case and sets out to find Mort Lang. It doesn't take long for Lang to turn up dead. Not long after that, Mrs. Lang goes missing. Cole, and the reader, smells a rat. Deciding not to give up on his client, Cole doggedly pursues this case.This is definitely crime/noir fiction. It is also very, very dark. Despite, and sometimes because of, Cole's wisecracks, there is a fair amount of violence. When Pike finally gets around to making an appearance in the novel to help Cole out, the violence only escalates. This isn't a complaint, but more of a warning of what to expect.Crais writing reminds me of Dennis Lehane. Both authors seem to favor a protagonist with a quick wit thrown into a dark setting. I'd highly recommend both. I plan on picking up the next novel in the Elvis Cole series. We'll see if it is as dark, or darker than the first.

Elvis Cole is the comic-book version of Phillip Marlowe. He is wise-cracking, cynical and insightful; yet, he manages to chuckle where Marlowe would frown, and get the girl when Marlowe would be stonewalled. The introductory installation of the Elvis Cole series is an extremely entertaining read, with the thoughts and ruminations of the title character, instead of the plot, as the driving force behind the book. What makes Crais compelling, and sets him apart from mystery contemporaries, is his concentration on character. Crais charismatically draws the super-sized Elvis Cole. Cole is never want for a witty remark, never loses his composure in the most unnerving of circumstances, and always gets the girl. In every moment that Phillip Marlowe would be subject to humane failure; Elvis Cole is gifted with heroic reserve. Cole's counter-part is Joe Pike, a sinewy misanthrope with a moral code that would rival a Kurasowa samurai. Pike is literally Cole's silent partner, whose character is developed though his actions, rather than his comments. Even Cole's adversary, a Mexican drug lord, is an almost likeable former matador. The plot itself is somewhat pedestrian compared to the characters that it consumes. Ellen Lang hires Cole to find her missing husband, Mort, and her son, Perry. Lang is dominated by her overly assertive best friend, Janet Simonson, and relies on Cole as much for his psychological advice, as she does to find her loved ones. As many contemporary mysteries, the plot revolves around missing narcotics and the missing husband's young lover on the side. Cole is able to resolve all issues. Ultimately The Monkey's Raincoat succeeds as a result of crisp commentary and quick-paced writing. The plot itself does not have the grainy realism of other true noir authors. Approach this book with an appetite for faced-paced clever writing and an acceptance of over-the-top Die Hard type action, and you won't be disappointed.

This was one of his older books but one I had missed.It really does show the early beginnings of this pair of characters.This is a really good start to his series.Can't wait to read another one.

I’m not a fan of retro crime drama unless it’s by Robert Crais. The world he conjures up is quaint, humorous, and fascinating; his P.I. protagonist, Elvis, along with his partner Pike, are terrific characters; and the plot lines are original and well-paced. This book, the first in the series, sets the tone for books to come, serving up humor and some nice character development along with danger, suspense, and a few heartbreaking moments. My only complaint is the incessant over-describing of food and drink consumed and articles of clothing worn by the characters. A few of these types of descriptions can help flesh out a character, and further define the period of time in which the story takes place, but Crais gets a bit carried away with these types of details. Were it not for the too frequent and too lengthy forays into food and fashion land I’d give the book five stars.

Recommended by a friend and not supported. This is a series. I’m definitely going to read until done.My suggestion is you do the same