The First Rule
and over one million other books are available for Amazon Kindle .
Learn more
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Frequently Bought Together
Product details
|
More About the Author
Product Description
Review
'Crais once mroe proves himself to be one of the finest exponents of the genre in a gripping and complex story.' (HUDDERSFIELD DAILY EXAMINER )
Review
'Crais once mroe proves himself to be one of the finest exponents of the genre in a gripping and complex story.' HUDDERSFIELD DAILY EXAMINER
Inside This Book
(Learn More)
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
66 of 69 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
"The avenger of blood himself shall put the murderer to death; when he meets him, he shall put him to death." -- Numbers 35:19
Let's face it, when a character's appeal is as a strong, silent type, it can be hard to build an appealing story around him. Since the witty dialogue opportunities are limited with Joe Pike as the detective, Robert Crais wisely chooses to let Pike's actions develop the story and his character. This decision opens up two rather interesting possibilities that are well developed: lots of action where Pike is on his own and detailed development of interactions with even very minor characters. Through those nuances of Pike's actions and reactions, we see him muddily through the reflected mirror of what others do and say . . . and the impact of Pike's decisions on them (especially children).
If Joe Pike isn't one of your favorite characters in detective fiction, I suggest you skip this book. Its appeal is mostly to the Pike aficionado rather than to the main-line fan of action detection. The plot, dialogue, and character development are there to illuminate Joe Pike rather than to provide a great detective story.
Before Joe Pike was Elvis Cole's partner, he was a highly regarded mercenary in the world's most troubled hot spots who looked after his men much in the way that Marines have always looked after their own. One of those men had been Frank Meyer. Pike had dropped out of Meyer's life after Meyer's pregnant girl friend (and later wife) issued an ultimatum to leave the mercenary life and his mercenary comrades behind.
As the book opens, Meyer's home is invaded by career criminals looking for a large score . . . the same group that has been ripping off other criminals at home in prior weeks. Meyer resists and a bloodbath ensues. The police immediately link Meyer to Pike, who vows to find out why Meyer's home was attacked and to exact revenge. Pike becomes a one-man tracking and wrecking force aided on occasion by old friends and former colleagues.
It quickly becomes apparent that something very strange must be going on, and Pike determines to find out. In the process, he doesn't much care who gets in his way . . . unless it is an innocent (and yes, there are a few).
The plot is built around how you would track career criminals who normally remain well hidden. There's an Eastern European mob connection to add color to the story. The search unfolds in pretty predictable ways so don't expect to feel much suspense.
The book is a quick and easy read, taking about a third less time than most detective novels. When you come to minor characters, slow down to notice the extra care that Robert Crais places on giving you a sense of their attitudes, values, and habits. It's one of the slickest jobs I've ever seen done with the most minor characters in a book of detection.
Put in your shooter's earplugs and get ready to race to the end.
Let's face it, when a character's appeal is as a strong, silent type, it can be hard to build an appealing story around him. Since the witty dialogue opportunities are limited with Joe Pike as the detective, Robert Crais wisely chooses to let Pike's actions develop the story and his character. This decision opens up two rather interesting possibilities that are well developed: lots of action where Pike is on his own and detailed development of interactions with even very minor characters. Through those nuances of Pike's actions and reactions, we see him muddily through the reflected mirror of what others do and say . . . and the impact of Pike's decisions on them (especially children).
If Joe Pike isn't one of your favorite characters in detective fiction, I suggest you skip this book. Its appeal is mostly to the Pike aficionado rather than to the main-line fan of action detection. The plot, dialogue, and character development are there to illuminate Joe Pike rather than to provide a great detective story.
Before Joe Pike was Elvis Cole's partner, he was a highly regarded mercenary in the world's most troubled hot spots who looked after his men much in the way that Marines have always looked after their own. One of those men had been Frank Meyer. Pike had dropped out of Meyer's life after Meyer's pregnant girl friend (and later wife) issued an ultimatum to leave the mercenary life and his mercenary comrades behind.
As the book opens, Meyer's home is invaded by career criminals looking for a large score . . . the same group that has been ripping off other criminals at home in prior weeks. Meyer resists and a bloodbath ensues. The police immediately link Meyer to Pike, who vows to find out why Meyer's home was attacked and to exact revenge. Pike becomes a one-man tracking and wrecking force aided on occasion by old friends and former colleagues.
It quickly becomes apparent that something very strange must be going on, and Pike determines to find out. In the process, he doesn't much care who gets in his way . . . unless it is an innocent (and yes, there are a few).
The plot is built around how you would track career criminals who normally remain well hidden. There's an Eastern European mob connection to add color to the story. The search unfolds in pretty predictable ways so don't expect to feel much suspense.
The book is a quick and easy read, taking about a third less time than most detective novels. When you come to minor characters, slow down to notice the extra care that Robert Crais places on giving you a sense of their attitudes, values, and habits. It's one of the slickest jobs I've ever seen done with the most minor characters in a book of detection.
Put in your shooter's earplugs and get ready to race to the end.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I read everything that Robert Crais writes and, even though this one features his usual number two man the impalacable and unstoppable Joe Pike, it is still up to his usual brutally fast moving standards. R.C. delivers a known product, but a good one - very good - almost addictively good - but there is a little niggle of concern at the back of my mind. I tried to write a review of The First Rule but everything I wrote could have been applied equally to any of his books, the same review covered them all! Imagine trying to write a review of a single episode of the TV series Friends. Is there such a thing as an overproduced book, after all this one lists almost 50 people to be thanked. Am I just some stupid woman who can't write reviews or are all his books essentially the same? It is not even the lack of significant female roles that bothers me, you usually just accept that with this sort of book.
But there are other thrillers that reach deeper, and I'm not even counting P.D. James because hers aren't genre thrillers they're fully satisfying novels. Take a look at the link I've put in below to a book by someone called Ian Okell, he seems to fill the gap between P.D. James and Robert Crais.
Loose Cannon
But I'm still going to buy the next Crais just as soon as it comes out.
But there are other thrillers that reach deeper, and I'm not even counting P.D. James because hers aren't genre thrillers they're fully satisfying novels. Take a look at the link I've put in below to a book by someone called Ian Okell, he seems to fill the gap between P.D. James and Robert Crais.
Loose Cannon
But I'm still going to buy the next Crais just as soon as it comes out.
11 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Joe Pike's second outing as key protagonist is competent but uninspiring. Whereas the Elvis Cole novels had a sprinkling of humour to distinguish them in a crowded genre, having Pike centre stage takes that away, and it's an element I miss.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
So so
Joe Pike avenges a friend's death by killing lots of people.
It's not a bad novel, its just not overly exciting, nor engaging. Read more
It's not a bad novel, its just not overly exciting, nor engaging. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Brian Allan
Exciting a must read
I found this to be a very fast moving plot which I read in two days. I have now passed this to my son who has found it very hard to put down. definitely recommended reading.
Published 7 months ago by Bazza 1st
Totally awesome
Today is a sad day. Five months ago I was introduced to the Cole/Pike series, and today, with the completion of The First Rule, I have finished the series. Read more
Published 10 months ago by D. Thomson
a "tick box" thriller
Just drifted along really. I had read one Crais book before a long time ago, "Indigo Slam" and thought it was ok. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Aberter
Pike - A real Predator
Robert Crais at his best. You would always want Joe Pike on your side, he is not a guy to be messing with
Good, straight forward story telling, no messing about, just get the... Read more
Good, straight forward story telling, no messing about, just get the... Read more
Published 12 months ago by goldenwolfie
Neat and tidy does the job
I like Robert Crais' books and characters and this, for me, is five star material. Joe Pike was going to get the job done and he can certainly rely upon Elvis Cole to help doing... Read more
Published 13 months ago by Brian Butterly
Revenge is a meal best served cold and delivered by Pike
This is the old style revenge thriller with Joe Pike as the main protagonist.
One of Joe Pike's old ex-army colleagues, who became a mercenary and worked under Pike, is a guy... Read more
One of Joe Pike's old ex-army colleagues, who became a mercenary and worked under Pike, is a guy... Read more
Published 14 months ago by Jonathan Clark
A fast & cracking read
It's my first foray into the world of Robert Crais and I wasn't disappointed.
Upon reading the back cover synopsis there was no mystery upon its contents - it was a simple... Read more
Upon reading the back cover synopsis there was no mystery upon its contents - it was a simple... Read more
Published 14 months ago by A SAVVA
Another winner
Robert Crais can do no wrong for me. I thought Pike and Cole as a duo were the tops - but I really enjoyed this one (focusing more on Pike) too. Absorbing and engrossing.
Published 14 months ago by Ireland
slightly below par
This is `okay' and perfectly acceptable as a fast paced thriller, but it falls below the author's usual high standards. Read more
Published 14 months ago by N. Brett
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
![[Start the discussion]](http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/02/x-locale/communities/discussion_boards/start-new-discussion-sec._V192198663_.gif){kind=small}
Listmania!
|
|
Look for similar items by category
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
|
