The Last Detective
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
For The Last Detective Robert Crais fields something of a crime busting dream team; his regular duo, private detective Elvis Cole and enigmatic partner Joe Pike, hook up with Carol Starkey, the feisty, chain-smoking heroine of Demolition Angel in a tautly plotted kidnapping caper.
Crais has always spiced his elaborate LA procedurals with the gamier elements from action thrillers and this book, which pits his gumshoes against a gang of vicious mercenaries as well as the intractable red tape of policing law, is no exception. The drama kicks off when Ben Chenier, Cole's girlfriend Lucy's ten-year-old son, is abducted with military precision from outside Elvis' own home. Stunned by the kidnappers' audacity, Cole receives an even bigger shock when the gang phone. There is no ransom demand; instead the caller reminds him of a horrific incident from his past. As a Ranger in Vietnam, Cole's unit, number Five-Two, had come under heavy attack. Only he had survived the assault. Now more than 20 years later, the kidnappers accuse Cole of murdering his colleagues and maintain that Ben has been taken in retribution. Could the snatcher be a bitter relative with a grudge or perhaps, a disgruntled old army buddy out for vengeance?
Elvis and Pike, along with renegade LAPD cop Carole Starkey, start to hunt for Ben. Meticulously tracking leads and drawing on their military know how they start to build up a profile of their prey. While they make headway Cole is still left feeling "as if each piece of the picture was from a different puzzle and no matter how hard" he tries "to arrange them it made no sense". Their efforts are further hampered by Ben's father, Richard. Richard has always despised Cole and accompanied by Myers, his personal investigator, he begins stirring up trouble for Elvis with Lucy and with the authorities. But when Cole's researches start paying off, things in this page-turner become far, far murkier. --Travis Elborough --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
'The most intense tale of suspense yet.' (AUDIO BOOKSTAND )
'Thriller with a heart' (OBSERVER )
'Craig reads his own work and, with a few special effects such as authentic-sounding phone calls, this is a satisfying neatly handled entertainment.' (DAILY TELEGRAPH ) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
'Thriller with a heart' (OBSERVER )
'Craig reads his own work and, with a few special effects such as authentic-sounding phone calls, this is a satisfying neatly handled entertainment.' (DAILY TELEGRAPH ) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I agree with the previous reviewer that this was a long anticipated book.
After the ending of L.A. Requiem there was a fear that Crais was retiring Elvis and Joe. However his fans are rewarded with another superbly crafted work.
The character development continues and you learn more about Cole and discover that Pike may no longer be the superman he seemed to be. Crais has also woven in his heroine, Starkey, from Demolition Angel to add to the pot.
For those fans of Michael Connelly we also get a homage to his Heironymous Bosch character. Thankfully this is far better done than the high tech thrillers where they just say "it was just like something from a Brown/Clancy/Bond book". Unless you know the character you'll miss the link.
The story zips along and you won't want to stop reading. The story alternates between the viewpoint of Cole, Pike and Ben. The plot is believeable and never relents. You hate the breakdown of his relationship with the boy's mother and hope that it will survive.
Like Connelly he breathes life into an L.A. that every knows, even if they've never been there. However just one word of warning. There are 7 previous Cole/Pike stories and not 4. I recommend that you read them all before starting this.
For those who read Crais for the first time you don't know what you've missed. You WILL want to read more.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
As much as I love the Elvis Cole books, they've always felt a little 'pulpy' - crime, crime-solving, go home. Then came 'L.A. Requiem', turning the relationship between Cole and his partner Joe Pike into something more than just a buddy-buddy situation - a very real friendship. We also got a look in at the before- unknown past of Pike. Now arrives 'The Last Detective' and we finally get to see into Cole's life. How he grew to become the man he is. This really helps to turn Cole into the three-dimensional character he had always destined to be. This book is not only the best in the Cole series, but also the most mature. Cole still has his witty comback lines and Pike is still, well Pike, but they feel more human, adding to the dangerous situations they find themselves in by making them finally seem fallible. A masterpiece and a must read for any Elvis Cole fan.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Having only read one Robert Crais book before this and found this lurking at the back of my bookcase, I decided to give it ago. What have I been missing out on?
The book does not let up on the pace.
The last detective being Elvis Cole along with his trusty not very talkative sidekick Joe Pike become involved in a race against time battle with three mercenaries to rescue Elvis's girlfriends son Ben who has been kidnapped by them.
What follows is the fight to find the men and rescue Ben.
The book does not let up on the pace.
The last detective being Elvis Cole along with his trusty not very talkative sidekick Joe Pike become involved in a race against time battle with three mercenaries to rescue Elvis's girlfriends son Ben who has been kidnapped by them.
What follows is the fight to find the men and rescue Ben.
Expect some twists and to be kept on the edge of seat reading.
If you enjoy it as much as me you'll finish it in a day or two and become an avid fan of Robert Crais!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Quality thrills and twists
More quality output from Mr Crais and I am surprised that some reviewers have not enjoyed this.
When girlfriend Lucy's son is kidnapped it looks like Cole's military... Read more
When girlfriend Lucy's son is kidnapped it looks like Cole's military... Read more
Published 13 months ago by N. Brett
Token Getting Rid of Love Interest Novel
Most long running Detective series follow a similar pattern; loner hero embarks on PI career, but finally finds one woman to be with by around book 5. Read more
Published on 7 July 2009 by Sam
Complex plot set in non-stop action
The Last Detective
Non-stop action in this latest pairing of Elvis Cole and Pike as the Teflon coated private investigators with special services backgrounds and a welcome... Read more
Non-stop action in this latest pairing of Elvis Cole and Pike as the Teflon coated private investigators with special services backgrounds and a welcome... Read more
Published on 8 Mar 2009 by pointone
What a find Robert Crais is!
Lee Child, step away from the keyboard. Wow - what a brilliant find Robert Crais is. Just as I was getting all antsy about a) there being so long to wait for the next Jack Reacher... Read more
Published on 3 Sep 2008 by Lynne Barrett-lee
why all the critisism
no, not as good as LA Requiem but action-packed, fast paced and exciting. The only bad crais is the Forgotten man, not crais. A thrilling read.
Published on 9 Aug 2006 by Pejunch
Great if you have read the prevous Elvis Cole Novels
First of all the facts. Its the 9th Elvis Cole Novel. That means it will mean more to you the reader if you have read some or all of the previous books. Read more
Published on 29 July 2006 by Scully Bloke
Not one of Crais’ best, but still intense
The plot is too predictable; but the gunfight, at the end, is totally worth it! Elvis’ girlfriend’s son, Ben, gets kidnapped from the back of Elvis’ house. Read more
Published on 27 Feb 2006 by Clarence T. Henry
Another fantastic Elvis Cole novel
This book was very good. A lot darker then then the others, with possible exception to the excellent L.A. Requiem. Read more
Published on 28 Feb 2005 by S. Weston
Not sure I understand the criticism
Having come across Robert Crais quite late, I've had a fast track through all of the Elvis Cole novels, and yes, he does abandon some of the tried and trusted formula - but surely... Read more
Published on 20 July 2004 by John PaulCobb
Suspenseful
Elvis Cole is once again coming to terms with his life as a private eye in the streets of Los Angeles. Read more
Published on 4 Jun 2004 by HORAK
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