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The Watchman [Abridged, Audiobook, CD, Unabridged] [Audio CD]

Robert Crais (Author), Ian Rankin (Author), James Daniels (Reader)
3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)

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Book Description

Publication Date: 21 Mar 2007

After his acclaimed stand-alone bestseller, THE TWO MINUTE RULE, Robert Crais returns with the eagerly awaited new Elvis Cole and Joe Pike novel. For Elvis and Joe, two of the most beloved characters in crime fiction, the action is getting a little close to home. The dangerous and enigmatic Joe Pike has always defied close examination, but in this breathtaking new thriller, that's all about to change...

Joe Pike owes a bad man a big favour. And the favor is to protect the life of Larkin Conner Barkley, a spoiled rich girl who happens to be a federal witness in a case against the mob. When Pike and the girl come under intense fire, he hatches a plan: disappear into the anonymous underbelly of Los Angeles, turn the table, and hunt down the hunters.

Enlisting the help of Elvis Cole, Pike uncovers a web of lies and betrayals; even the cops aren't who they seem. But as the body count rises, it becomes clear that Pike's biggest threat may be the girl herself - a vapid soul determined to destroy herself, unless Joe can fill the void in her bruised heart.

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Product details

  • Audio CD
  • Publisher: Orion; Abridged edition edition (21 Mar 2007)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0752885375
  • ISBN-13: 978-0752885377
  • Product Dimensions: 2.2 x 12.3 x 14 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,354,743 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Robert Crais
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Product Description

Amazon Review

In Robert Crais’ The Watchman, we have the author firing on all cylinders – and Crais aficionados will know that’s an experience to savour. It’s one of the tough long-term Crais protagonists, Joe Pike, who sets the edgy narrative in motion here, and the narrative barely pauses for breath once one of Crais most high adrenaline novels is in motion. Joe has been asked to look after a young female witness in a case involving a very dangerous gangster. The witness, Larkin Conner Barkely, couldn’t be more different from the close-mouthed Joe: she's rich, wilful and very much used to getting her own way. The uneasy alliance between the two is not much helped when some very violent men start breathing down their necks. Joe realises that he has to drag a reluctant Larkin from her privileged background and hide her from view in the more downmarket areas of L.A., while at the same time bloodily taking the battle to the enemy.

All of this is handled with the aplomb that we expect from the ever-reliable Crais, and admirers of the author will be pleased to hear that Joe Pike calls upon his partner Elvis Cole to help them stay alive and track down those wanting to eliminate Joe’s wealthy charge. Crais calls upon some classic elements of the L.A. detective story here (corrupt cops are a feature of such novels all the way back to Philip Marlowe), but there's no sense of clichés being warmed over. Rather, this is a satisfying juggling of comfortable elements, with the mix shaken up by some new and surprising ones -- such as the fact that the girl Pike and Cole are trying to protect seems to have a pronounced death wish -- a death wish that looks set to take down her protectors along with her. Crais fans can safely start reaching for their credit cards. --Barry Forshaw --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

This is a cracking action adventure, beginning with a ruthless ambush, with an unflagging narrative that plays out almost in real time. Think 24 without the torture and the politics, and twice the excitement. (Paul Dumont www.waterstone.com (Staff review) )

3 stars. Excellent (FAST FORWARD )

Fast-paced, action packed, mentally untaxing and grittily read. In short, everything a good thriller should be. (Sue Arnold THE GUARDIAN )
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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
24 of 25 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Strong , Silent and Deadly Pike 28 April 2007
By Scully Bloke VINE™ VOICE
Format:Hardcover
First let me say I have read all Robert Crais books and he is probably my favourite author. This is another very enjoyable book both for Crais fans and for newcomers to Crais work.

Strong and silent Pike takes the lead in this novel as a watchman for a pretty rich girl who is being tracked by people trying to kill her.

As the story unfolds Pike gets help from his partner Elvis Cole as the pace hots up to a very exciting finale.

But this is the first Crais book I have given only 4 stars too, as it loses points for its too complex plot, in terms of why the girl is being hunted and in the lack of humour normally associated with Crais novels.

Its a below average Crais novel, but still much better than most authors and well worth the read.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Joe Pike takes center stage. . . 28 Feb 2007
By Jason Webster
Format:Hardcover
My copy of "The Watchman" arrived yesterday and I just turned the last page, sad to see it end-- I rarely finish a book that fast! Joe Pike takes center stage in this hard-boiled crime thriller. The enigmatic Pike has been a background character in the popular Crais, Elvis Cole series. Joe is somewhat forced into being a protector for a wealthy hot young heiress, who is also a big party girl (think Paris Hilton if she had a bit more brains and style). The Heiress, Larkin Barkely, is in mortal danger through a strange set of circumstances that are really no fault of her own. I don't won't spoil anything, but the villain here is as intense as any I have encountered in recent modern fiction, and he will stop at nothing to get his desired results. Pike, of course, will have something to say about the outcome. As always Crais's pacing and stylings are top notch and the author deserves his perch at the top of the thriller genre!
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars Easy reading but a let down 4 Jun 2007
By Gerry Murphy
Format:Hardcover
This is a very easy book to read. The story moves very quickly and holds the attention. It is good to see a bit more of Pike but perhaps the best thing about Pike was that we didn't know too much about him. We always knew there was a good man behind the macho exterior but I think it was better left implied as attempts to illustrate it in the book are a bit cringey.

The main problem with the book though is the massive plot hole involving Elvis. I won't say it here but it should be obvious to most readers.

Not his best by a long shot.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars It Just Gets Better As It Rolls Along.
[I listened to this as an audio-book, but couldn't find the appropriate version for review, so I'm adding it to the novel - hope that's OK. Read more
Published 19 days ago by nigel p bird
5.0 out of 5 stars I wish I had a mate like Pike
Pike at his best, saving the world with his own brand of violence. Don't miss it. or you will be sorry.
Published 5 months ago by Mona Lotte
3.0 out of 5 stars my favourite author - not my fave book
Like most reviewers I am a Crais fan and I love his books and characters, Elvis COle and Joe Pike. However this one did not do it for me. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Ramses
5.0 out of 5 stars Joe Pike is amazing.
I am not trying to read the Elvis Cole/Joe Pike novels in any particular order. Therefore I have, understandably, read more novels which feature Elvis Cole simply because there are... Read more
Published on 23 April 2011 by J. Lesley
5.0 out of 5 stars Pike is Fascinating
I like the books of Robert Crais very much and am a fan of the character, Elvis Cole. However, having read this excellent yarn, I would be happy for Joe Pike to be the lead... Read more
Published on 3 Mar 2011 by B. Welch
4.0 out of 5 stars Pike takes centre stage in a terrific book
Some of thew work of Robert Crais is inconsistent.
LA Requiem was superb whereas (IMO) The Hostage was quite poor. Read more
Published on 26 Feb 2011 by Jonathan Clark
3.0 out of 5 stars Fast paced thriller
Here we have the author's take on the action/conspiracy thriller. Rich girl sees something she shouldn't and after two failed murder attempts, a favour is called in and Joe Pike... Read more
Published on 12 Mar 2010 by N. Brett
4.0 out of 5 stars Every Step You Take
Robert Crais has established a great dynamic in his Elvis Cole novels between the witty PI and his silent partner, the menacing Joe Pike. Read more
Published on 21 July 2009 by Sam
2.0 out of 5 stars A warning for Joe Pike fans.
I've read all the Elvis Cole books and I loved them all (as well as the authors another novels) but I really didn't like this one. Read more
Published on 30 April 2008 by Mrs. F. L. Marney
5.0 out of 5 stars One of his very best
This is one of Robert Crais' best novels to date, and I think I read almost all of them. A captivating and intricate story with lots of action. Read more
Published on 7 April 2008 by Louis Hersom
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