- Paperback: 432 pages
- Publisher: Orion; New Ed edition (18 Jan 2007)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 075287957X
- ISBN-13: 978-0752879574
- Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 2.6 x 17.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 121,077 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
The Two Minute Rule
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Product Description
WOOD & VALE
'Crais is rated one of the best crime thriller writers around and fans of the genre won't be disappointed by this one'
Review
'Crais is rated one of the best crime thriller writers around and fans of the genre won't be disappointed by this one' WOOD & VALE '[A] perfectly plotted gripper that belongs on the bedside pile of every thriller fan' THE DAILY RECORD
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
48 of 51 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
One of the most appealing characters in adult fiction is the sinner who has decided to toe the line. Mr. Crais has created a unique and interesting version of that classic role in The Two Minute Rule. Building from that strong foundation, Mr. Crais has succeeded in creating a memorable and appealing story of redemption.
Max Holman is just finishing up a long sentence for bank robbery when the book opens. Max has a job lined up, a place to live and a strong desire to make peace with his estranged girl friend and their son, both of whom have written Max off. That plan is quickly derailed when Max's son, Richie, is killed along with three other police officers in an unexpected place and in a very suspicious way.
Max can simply go on with his life, or he can try to make peace with the loss of his son. With few resources, Max has to find a way into the inside of law enforcement. But who will listen?
As the story develops, Max creates an unlikely and intriguing connection to former special agent Katherine Pollard of the FBI. The two explore Richie's death and find hidden depths that will draw you into the story in ways you don't expect.
Unlike many detective stories, this one uses the book's title as an intriguing theme. It seems that modern technology is such that anytime a branch bank hold-up lasts longer than two minutes, the police will probably be outside the front door waiting for the robbers. Smart thieves learn to clear the money out of the vault, leave the dye packets behind and skip the bravado in the process . . . all in the interests of time. When more time is spent, the consequences can be unexpected . . . and revealing.
If you like Elvis Cole, you probably also like Spenser. If you know Spenser, you probably also know Jesse Stone. Holman will remind you a lot of Stone with his flaws, except Holman comes from the wrong side of the law. There's an element of the vigilante seeking to do the right thing here that will fascinate all those who love old westerns.
The plot develops nicely, interestingly and not too predictably. Like the best fiction, the plot and dialogue add a lot to the character development.
If I liked the book so much, why did I grade it as four stars rather than five? The plot stretches implausibly thin in places, employing unlikely action that wasn't essential to telling a good story. As a result, the book reads more like a fable than action detection in several places. While that's fun, it takes away from the amount that you can imagine yourself as Holman or Pollard. That flaw costs the book a lot of its potential power and immediacy.
19 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is another exceptionally well crafted book by a master writer. Robert Crais does just get better and better.
This is a one off story, of an ex bank robber Max who's son becomes a policeman while he is doing time in Jail. On his release he finds his son has been killed, and Max wants to know why and by whom. So he turns to the FBI agent who put him in Jail for help.
It has all the makings of a great Crais book with great characterisation, plot, suspense and build up to a tense finally.
Heartily recommended.
This is a one off story, of an ex bank robber Max who's son becomes a policeman while he is doing time in Jail. On his release he finds his son has been killed, and Max wants to know why and by whom. So he turns to the FBI agent who put him in Jail for help.
It has all the makings of a great Crais book with great characterisation, plot, suspense and build up to a tense finally.
Heartily recommended.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I found this book hard to get into In fact after the first few pages I gave up and read something else. I finally returned to it when I had run out of all my other books, and I'm glad I did.
After a destinctly slow start, things improve quite dramatically. Holman is not the most easy character to identify with. He is an ex-con who comes across initially, as a bit of a wimp. Gradually, however you begin to empathise with him, throw in a little love interest and a feisty Detective, and things look up! I agree that this would not be classed as one of my favourites by Robert Crais, however it is still an excellent read.
After a destinctly slow start, things improve quite dramatically. Holman is not the most easy character to identify with. He is an ex-con who comes across initially, as a bit of a wimp. Gradually, however you begin to empathise with him, throw in a little love interest and a feisty Detective, and things look up! I agree that this would not be classed as one of my favourites by Robert Crais, however it is still an excellent read.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
The best book of this genre for many years
I have been reading various thrillers, crime stories and police novels for over 40 years and this is possibly the best book of the genre I have ever read! It IS that good. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Brian Butterly
Disappointment
This has been a huge disappointment. Having ordered and paid for this book many weeks ago, and when it did not arrive having been promised a second despatch, this item has STILL... Read more
Published 17 months ago by P. Williamson
Feelgood
Whilst I found this a very enjoyable read, and as with most Crais novels I found it hard to put down, it was none the less a bit predictable, hence only three stars. Read more
Published 20 months ago by SC
not a two minute read
This book is slow particularily if you are used to the early elvis Cole novels. But stick with it this story is a slow burner. Read more
Published on 27 April 2010 by A. Browne
I was sorry to finish this book
Max Holman was a violent criminal. Ten years later he is determined to take the chance of a new life and to rebuild links with his wife and son on his release for jail. Read more
Published on 8 Feb 2009 by S. Wilson
Get a life and get any book by Harlan Coben
Dan brown describes this as a "hard to put down" book with "suspense". This is why I am glad I refused to buy into the Da vinci Code. Honestly, I was bored. Read more
Published on 11 Mar 2008 by A. Medhi
a truly superb novel
Robert Crais has exceeded his own high standards. Needless to say, fans of his Elvis Cole series will NOT be disappointed. Read more
Published on 25 Sep 2007 by Ty Williams
It ain't Elvis Cole that's for sure
Fans of Crais' Elvis Cole and Joe Pike series will be sorely disapointed with this book.
Crais' moves uncharacteristically slowly and the mood is sombre . Read more
Crais' moves uncharacteristically slowly and the mood is sombre . Read more
Published on 29 May 2007 by Omri Levin
Very Readable
This is a story of a man fresh out of jail, after serving a long stint for robbery, who enlists the help of the former FBI agent who nailed him (! Read more
Published on 29 Mar 2007 by johnverp
Heartily Recommended
This is another exceptionally well crafted book by a master writer. Robert Crais does just get better and better. Read more
Published on 2 Feb 2007 by Scully Bloke
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