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Taken (Elvis Cole 13)
 
 

Taken (Elvis Cole 13) [Kindle Edition]

Robert Crais
4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (46 customer reviews)

Print List Price: £7.99
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Product Description

Review

"The ensuing chase and bloodbath will leave you in shock and awe but Chapter 33, in which Pike simply cleans a gun under the watchful eyes of Cole's furious cat, demonstrates more succinctly what a brilliant writer Crais has become." (Mark Sanderson EVENING STANDARD 20120628)

Wowee, what a thrill ride. It's a blast, with more action and suspense than all three Bourne films rolled into one. (PETERBROUGH EVENING TELEGRAPH 20120428)

'Taken' is the best Crais book I have read for some time and I had to read it in one sitting ...a fast pace book filled with great characters, that is very well written and comes highly recommended. (CRIMESQUAD 20120521)

A gripping storyline, engaging and enthusiastic characters, a tight plot and action to die for, this is one hell of an entertaining read; perhaps more importantly this is a fun read. Jam packed with tension and enough cliff-hangers to keep you turning the page, Crais has earned himself another fan with this book and as Elvis once said - Thank you Very Much! (MILO RAMBLES 20120521)

Taken is a corker of a fast moving, action packed read, with smart dialogue and lots of meaty characters and juicy scenes to sink your teeth into. (Paul D Brazil MEAN STREETS Blog )

Review

Wowee, what a thrill ride. It's a blast, with more action and suspense than all three Bourne films rolled into one. (PETERBROUGH EVENING TELEGRAPH )

'Taken' is the best Crais book I have read for some time and I had to read it in one sitting ...a fast pace book filled with great characters, that is very well written and comes highly recommended. (CRIMESQUAD )

A gripping storyline, engaging and enthusiastic characters, a tight plot and action to die for, this is one hell of an entertaining read; perhaps more importantly this is a fun read. Jam packed with tension and enough cliff-hangers to keep you turning the page, Crais has earned himself another fan with this book and as Elvis once said - Thank you Very Much! (MILO RAMBLES )

Taken is a corker of a fast moving, action packed read, with smart dialogue and lots of meaty characters and juicy scenes to sink your teeth into. (Paul D Brazil MEAN STREETS Blog )

Product details

  • Format: Kindle Edition
  • File Size: 419 KB
  • Print Length: 352 pages
  • Publisher: Orion (26 April 2012)
  • Sold by: Amazon Media EU S.à r.l.
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1409116034
  • ISBN-13: 978-1409116035
  • ASIN: B00723JYIC
  • Text-to-Speech: Enabled
  • X-Ray: Enabled
  • Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (46 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #2,687 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
17 of 18 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars When Joe Pike has your back.............. 30 Jan 2012
By N. Brett TOP 500 REVIEWER VINE™ VOICE
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
The latest from Robert Crais features his usual pairing of Elvis Cole and Joe Pike. Cole gets involved in a case to recover a couple who are caught up in a border kidnapping where a group of illegal immigrants are taken and held to ransom. During his investigation Cole is taken too, which is very bad news for the bad guys, because now Joe Pike is on their trail...

This is the usual page turning wit and action with the engaging camaraderie between Cole and Pike and is firmly situated in the dark underbelly of illegal immigration. It is told in an interesting way, three different timelines that eventually converge and a number of different viewpoints. Crais has the art of making you believe in his characters and to make you grin with anticipation as you have bad guys meeting Pike for the first (and sometimes the last) time. And Pike's lethal approach is balanced, as always, by Cole's wit and dogged spirit.

Another winner from Robert Crais.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
2.0 out of 5 stars Geat Disappointment 15 Jun 2012
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
I have read all of Mr Crais's novels, and regret that this must be the worst of the series. Indeed, I have developed the sense that this could have been "ghost" written, at least in part for him. I am sure the scenario he describes exists, but I found the plot confusing, and the character development almost non- existent. AS someone who has visited LA quite a few times, together with the Palm Springs area, I did not feel a real sense of the desolation when one leaves the built up area of PS was created.
Certainly the book lacked the subtlety of the previous books, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I'm not saying the story is bad, it's just that the narrative doesn't seem quite right compared to every other book by Robert Crais that I've read and enjoyed. If this piece of work was a painting, I would suspect it had come from the artist's studio rather than from the hand of the master himself.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Far from perfect but still Robert Crais 28 May 2012
By Strv 74
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
I have read all of Robert Crais books. I prefer the ones with Elvis Cole as the main character instead of Joe Pike but all of them are good. Why do I prefer Elvis instead of Joe? Elvis has humor. Joe is an enigma.

This one was not his top effort. The Story was jumping back and forth and there were to many actors involved in what was basically a very straight forward story. You just did not get to know the others apart from Elvis and Joe. The idea of smuggling Koreans to the US is a little silly since they can take a plane and go themselves. They do not need visa. Bit still Elvis was as usual a great guy and Joe, apart from his lack of humor, not bad. So the Story worked and it was great read even if the ending was a little abrupt.

One thing bothered me somewhat. Why this new guy Jon Stone? We already have Joe Pike who is stretching the limit for what is believable. Jon Stone makes the Marvel heroes look like boy scouts. There are no people like Jon Stone in the world. I do not buy that you speak all those languages and have all the other abilities that Mr Crais have given to Mr Stone. Usually when you add someone like Jon Stone to a story it is a sign of a desperate author or a bad one. Robert Crais is neither so why introduce him? Why not just add "Joe Pike Light"? Please send him back to Africa before the next book.

Anyhow, recommended as all of his books.
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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
2.0 out of 5 stars Unlucky 13 11 July 2012
Format:Kindle Edition
This is the thirteenth Cole/Pike book and the previous twelve have been excellent.
Crais has developed the characters with great care and detail and with some sensitivity.
Pike has also played a more important role of late and has become more compelling as a consequence.
The idea behind this book was interesting but it was extremely ponderous with less than interesting characters.
I had the Hardback copy and, as at least one reviewer commented, although theoritically 341 pages long by the time you cut all the blank pages etc it was a much slimmer body of work.
This is essence sums this book up as it lacked the usual Crais substance.
Maybe he's on Cole/Pike autopilot or maybe he's having to fufil his contractual obligations and deliver more work in a shorter space of time (you felt that Michael Connolly had this same problem a year or two back).
It just wasn't very good which I never thought I'd say about a Cole/Pike book.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Taken 13 May 2013
By tamtam
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
One of the best Elvis Cole books I have ever read.I literally couldnt put this down.Pike and Cole continue to be one of my favourite literary double acts.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Good book, with a slightly weak ending 13 April 2013
By mjh93sa
Format:Kindle Edition
Another good book in the Elvis Cole / Joe Pike series.

Tension builds steadily throughout the book, but the final pages are then over very quickly, leaving you satisfied with the story, but a little disappointed that more was not made of it. Whilst it doesn't detract from the story, five minutes after putting the book down you suddenly think, "Hang on a minute. Was that all?" So only 4 stars, not 5.

Throughout the chapter titles give a suggestion of what is yet to happen, building the suspense as the focus flicks from character to character. There's always enough continuity to maintain your hold on the developing plot and this works well, rather than solely focusing on one character like earlier books.

All in all, I liked it a lot. But would have liked more detail in the conclusion.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars Annie b
As always an enjoyable read. Not quite as good as some previous books of his but a good read anyway.
Published 4 days ago by ANNIE B
5.0 out of 5 stars Can't wait for the next adventure !!!!
Have read all the Elvis Cole & Joe Pike novels now & have absolutely loved them. Robert Crais has given us two brilliant characters and I hope he keeps them going for a long time... Read more
Published 5 days ago by tony littlewood
4.0 out of 5 stars Good Story
Robert Crais is a brilliant writer. His Cole and Pike series of books are excellent. Gritty, violent, dangerous and littered with black humour. Read more
Published 5 days ago by ThrillerMan
5.0 out of 5 stars Another good read by Crais
Easy reading, it's always good when the good guys win. Perfect holiday books, just make sure you have read them all.
Published 11 days ago by J. D. Douglas
5.0 out of 5 stars Crais is great
I have read all his books and reread somne of them if they are of the right calibre.(Forgive the PUN Joe) I like both Elvis and Joe immensely and the new addition looks promising. Read more
Published 13 days ago by alantrudgett
5.0 out of 5 stars Couldn't put it down
Robert crais at his best. Great read. I loved the story line and characters were interesting. I would highly recommend this book.
Published 14 days ago by keeley slack
5.0 out of 5 stars Same .
Same wonderful writing about great characters who I have got to know and love reading about. Sheer escapism for someone who likes a bit of action with an interesting storyline ,and... Read more
Published 22 days ago by Phil Crum
5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome
This is another fabulous book by Mr crais! I think this may be his best yet! Cole and Pike have to be two of the most kick-ass main characters ever! Read more
Published 24 days ago by B. Horsell
5.0 out of 5 stars Bril as ever
A less comedic and more serious tone here. But good plot and great characters and even the 'cats' character is developed nicely. Read more
Published 29 days ago by Malcolm Roy Ash
4.0 out of 5 stars TAKEN
Unlike other reviewers, I found the changes in timeline and narrator saved the book from "and then and then" monotony Well done Robert Crais, I read it in a sitting, but I think... Read more
Published 3 months ago by DavidCunnold
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