The Last Detective

all i can say is, this book was damn worth the wait and the delay. A compelling, very fast-paced book, this is an immensely welcome return to his brilliant duo (probably the best detective team in all fiction) Elvis Cole and Joe Pike. An approximation of the plot is quite simple: Ben Chenier, son of Elvis's longterm girlfriend Lucy, goes missing, and then they recieve a sinister phonecall rom the kidnappers, clearly signalling that the disapperance is an act of terribly vengeance for something that Elvis did when he was a young solider in Vietnam...Of course, things are slightly more complicated than that. Richard, Lucy's ex-husband and Ben's father, has never liked her relationship with Elvis, convinced that it can only put his son into danger, and he blazes into town from Louisianna, and desperately tries to close Elvis out from the case. Cue much squabbling, arguing, and going it alone. We also see the return of Carol Starkey (of Demolition Angel fame), whose now working on the uvenile services unit. Coarse and hared edged as ever, she goes above and beyond the call of duty trying to keep Elvis and Joe in the loop as they desperately seek clues concerning Ben's disappearance.This is a long-awaited novel, and it delivers everything that is expected of it. While L.A. Requiem was really Joe Pike's book, The Last Detective is really about Elvis, and there are some incredibly moving insights into his past re Vietnam and his boyhood. One or two scenes may even lead long-term readers of the series who have grown to care immeaureably for Elvis, the PI who dont like to grow up, yet who is older than his years, to shed a few tears. It's very fast-paced, exciting, and very well written. If anything, im slightly disappointed that i let myself read it so quickly, because now i know i have quite a long an torturous while to wait for a new Elvis and Joe adventure!If you've not read anything in the series before, what are you waiting for??? Go to "The Monkey's Raincoat" and devour your way through. If you're an existing fan, what are you waiting for??? This is another Elvis and Joe book, for heavens sake!

Private investigator Elvis Cole and his longtime girlfriend Lucy Chenier are having a tough time making their relationship work. Lucy left her life in Louisiana to be with Elvis in Los Angeles even though she knew the transition would be a hard one, especially for her ten year-old son Ben, but she never dreamed the violence of the city would touch her.While Lucy is away on business, Elvis is left in charge of Ben, and after a week of quality bonding time, Ben disappears without a trace. Confused as to what has happened, Elvis believes the boy ran away, until a mysterious phone call explains a much more sinister scenario...The caller states that he has the boy and it's payback for what Elvis has done.Now with the help of his partner Joe Pike and LAPD Detective Carol Starkey, Elvis must race the clock to save Ben and the key to doing this is a long buried secret from his past.The highly anticipated `The Last Detective' is easily the best novel yet from Robert Crais, and that's saying a lot! From page one I was held captive by the gripping plot, well drawn characters and shocking twists. Readers of the previous Cole novels will see this as his best outing, and fans of `Demolition Angel' will welcome the appearance of Carol Starkey.Robert Crais is one of our finest writers of suspense fiction, and with each new novel he gets better and better. With a writing style that is sharp and smooth, pacing that is pitch perfect and plots so tight and suspenseful, Crais creates novels that are intense reading experiences. Expect to see `The Last Detective' on all the bestseller lists. This truly is a MUST read page-turner, one that I finished in one sitting.Nick Gonnella

It was worth the four-year wait for Elvis Cole to return in "The Last Detective" by Robert Crais. I read it in less than 24 hours.The plot catapults at a relentless pace. Down-to-earth, practical detective work is what solves the crime in this ticking clock child kidnapping. Since the child is the son of Elvis Cole's girl friend, the hunt is both personal and professional...and therefore all the more chilling,The point of view switches between the characters (Elvis is in the first person) is smooth as silk and most engaging.The reader learns the clues as they unfold for Elvis, going thru the stages of frustration to hope to possibility to solution with Elvis and his archangel Joe Pike.The supporting cast, especially Carol Starkey (from "Demolition Angel") is outstanding.We learn a lot of Elvis' past via flashbacks that propel the plot. The scene from his Vietnam days is as intense as any I have read.It is a compelling novel that truly showcases depth of Robert Crais as a writer.Highly recommended.

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.