L. A. Requiem (Elvis Cole)

I have all of Crais's books except the newest one, The Forgotten Man. And this is the best of a very good lot. The Elvis Cole books are better than the non-Cole books (Demolition Angel and Hostage--now a major crummy motion picture). And one reason is Joe Pike. Pike is a mythic creation: sort of like the Eastwoodian Strong Silent Type on steroids. This book tells how Pike got that way. It also has a very nice turn with Who Dun It. Read all the Elvis Cole books, but if you can only read one, read this.

As with most of the reviewers, I've followed Robert Crais from the beginning and this is his best book yet.It starts with Joe Pike's ex-girlfriend, Karen Garcia, being gunned down by the Hollywood Reservoir as she's out jogging. Karen's father, an Hispanic with huge political clout, doesn't trust the police to work the case so he asks Joe to act as an overseer to the case, and Joe involves Elvis Cole. As more evidence surfaces it looks like a serial killer may be at work and when the prime suspect is himself murdered, Joe Pike is arrested for the killing. First, the plot is very well done. It has the requisite twists and turns and I don't think many people will figure this one out before the author wants you to.Secondly, the writing is superb. Crais has always been a good writer in a mild breezy way, but with this book he shows us he can handle deeper emotions. This is a darker, more serious, book than his others and he handles it with aplomb. I, at first considered this series as a Spenser wannabee, but his writing has now pushed him beyond that. He is a very good writer.Third, his characterization is rich. Joe Pike, who up until now has been Elvis Cole's spear carrier, emerges as the complex human being we've always felt he might be. Far from being the emotionless killer, we find that Joe's emotions are there but well hidden. The book does a wonderful job of explaining what made Joe the way he is. Some others have remarked that Joe is a little too unbelievable, but I don't think so. There really are men like this in the world.I can't recommend this book highly enough. I gave it five stars and I don't give out that rating lightly. You won't be disappointed.

If you've read any of the Elvis Cole books, that header will have you clicking the "buy" button right away.If not, well, listen up. Over the course of the Elvis Cole series, there have been a number of constants. One: Quality. All of the books are excellent. Two: likeable protagonist. You'll love Elvis Cole. Three: the strong, silent, enigmatic Joe Pike. Not just a sidekick. Pike has been Cole's guardian angel throughout the series. And now in L.A. REQUIEM we get to find out how Joe Pike became Joe Pike!On top of that, you've got a locomotive of a suspense novel roaring down the tracks. The book is inventive in form and style, but always accessible. It's a crime novel, a mystery novel, a literary novel. It's about childhood and the love between man and woman and between friends. It's about everything that's important in life and if you only read one book this year, it should be this one.L.A. REQUIEM transcends genres and achieves greatness. Don't miss it.

I've been a fan since Lullaby Town, when a fellow Spenser-o-phile recommended Crais to me. At first I thought (naturally) that it was a Spenser ripoff. That changed after 50 pages. Now comes LA Requiem, and if any other book didn't convince readers that this is no Spenser rip, this should clear all doubts. I have been waiting since day 1 for a peek inside Joe Pike's skull, and now I almost wish I hadn't looked. This was an absolutely fantastic novel. Crais just gets better and better with each Cole episode, and this one goes right over the top. I can't wait for the next one. Hopefully Elvis & Lucy will patch things up (sorry, Lucy haters, but she's a lot better than Spenser's Susan...)

Fans of Robert Crais have seen his writing style progress with each of his Elvis Cole novels. All are entertaining, but L.A. Requiem suddenly vaults way ahead of anyone else this year and propels Crais to the top of the heap of detective writers. In fact, list Crais as one of the best writers of any fiction.This, by far, is the best book I've read this year. And I read a lot--I own a used bookstore.L.A. Requiem has its funny stuff, but it's darker than the rest. The book deals more with Joe Pike and his background. At times I felt like I was eavesdropping on Pike, knowing things about him he probably doesn't want us to know. Crais' portrayal of L.A. is a character of itself. The fires in the hills act as a metaphor for the conflict/tension building. The plot is great; they're searching for a killer. But Crais' use of language, thought, description really supercedes the plot.I've always been a big fan of Crais and grab as much of him as I can. I recommend him all the time at our store. L.A. Requiem is outstanding and more readers will take notice. I can't wait for his next book.