Review: The Last Detective

A perfect day for a Crais/Elvis Cole fan. That about sums up my review of the LAST DETECTIVE. For those interested in the rest read on.

What a road we’ve traveled with Elvis Cole, Joe Pike and Author Robert Crais. Earthquakes, riots, harrowing LA. bayou scenes...they flitter through my reader’s brain and send happiness to my heart. The characters... what characters, wonderful characters.

There’s Elvis; wise-cracking, Hawaiian-shirt wearing, totally endearing and resourceful L.A. Detective.

There’s Joe Pike; the man of tattoos and shades, with a murky past, no use for most things human and the ability to cover our man Elvis’ ass. We’re as glad he’s there as Elvis himself because we know in the end the two of them together can make anything okay.

Since MONKEYS RAINCOAT many have known and with each book more readers have followed the man called Crais on his fictional adventures because they offer a consistency of content that all writers in the field of fiction would be proud to obtain.... just that once.... Every book offers its own riches.

With the last book in the Cole series Crais managed the unmanageable. L.A. Requiem was an astonishing opus, which looked at the L.A.P.D. in a way few of the current authors of mysteries dare. Problems within the force were discussed honestly but with a nod to those who have made time honored careers in a department not always on the up and up. It was the story of Joe Pike and a read that made both Chandler and Cain proud, I’m sure. I was a happy girl too, I knew Crais had a book like this in him. I was glad that fiction readers who “don’t read mystery” were exposed to Crais and enjoying him. Truth told though I worried a bit... where do you go from there in the series? He delivered, he hit one over the left field bleachers, he sank the putt, righted the leaning tower, sealed the letter with a kiss, made that lemonade.... Oh who am I kidding .... so with a bullet...... THE LAST DETECTIVE.

The book opens with Pike recovering in Alaska... or is he? A wonderful scene.... Cut to Elvis bonding with Ben Chenier, son of gal-pal Lucy. And then it comes true, that fear all caregivers have. The boy is gone. Please let Elvis bring him home. Police are called in; Lucy’s ex arrives from Louisiana entourage of security experts in tow. The story moves on.... have Visine on hand.

Told in the first person through Elvis with third person narrative by Ben and the Elvis of decades past it is a book that is an homage to this series of reads. It is a nod to his newer readers, a joy for those who’ve been there from the beginning and a wink to the stand-alone buyers. Everyone is here. From Joe Chen to the cat and somebody I think everyone will recognize. There are heart-rending passages and moments of pure joy over a footprint, a caterer’s truck. There’s wisecrackin’ at it’s finest and so much bonding 3M stock may go down this year. There’s sorrow and sacrifice and moments of human fear. There’s a boy missing and I really hope that they find him in time. He’s not in good company.... please get there in time....

Should our paths ever cross again Mr. Crais the Sapphire’s on me. Thank-you for a perfect day

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Ruth Jordan - RAM

Book Review: The Last Detective