The First Rule

An Elvis Cole and Joe Pike Novel, Book 13

By: Robert Crais

Narrated by: Robert Crais

Length: 8 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's summary

Joe Pike and his partner Elvis Cole must solve the murder of an old friend and his entire family in this gripping thriller from #1 New York Times bestselling author Robert Crais.

When Frank Meyer and his family are executed during a home invasion, the police begin investigating the secret life they're sure Meyer had. Joe Pike's on a hunt of his own: to clear his friend's name, and to punish the people who murdered him. What starts out as a simple trail gets twisted fast by old grudges, double crosses, blood vengeance, and a crime so terrible even Pike and his partner Elvis Cole have no way to measure it.

Investigate another case with Elvis Cole and Joe Pike.

©2010 Robert Crais (P)2010 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

I love Joe!

This was the second book starring Joe Pike as lead. I love seeing Joes humanity in this story and learning about how he came to be who he is now. If you love Elvis and Joe, you will love this book. I sure did!

Joe Pike with a little Elvis Cole.

Joe Pike always reminds me of Jack Reacher, bad assed and mysterious. The books featuring Pike are a little edgier and dark — and my favorite in this duo series.

Uninspired

The series (Cole/Pike) has kinda gone downhill since The Forgotten Man. If you're a series fan, you'll enjoy the book well enough, but I think listening to this story was like watching a run-of-the-mill episode in a cop show. With Crais narrating, it felt kinda "low budget", too. There was no real tonal variation between characters, and for a story that called for linguistic variations, the lack was prominent.

Narration leaves lot to be desired

This novel was disappointing and certainly not up to the usual Crais novels. It may be the author reading or the content was disjointed. Still worth reading though.

Fast paced

Great story on audio! Well conceived plot without divergences. Worth the moolah.

I'm hooked on Elvis and Joe!

I am new to this series and not experiencing the books in order, you really don't need to. Elvis and his silent ( VERY silent ) partner Joe Pike are so different, but are just perfect together. Subject includes gruesome crime, but the author helps me get through it with his almost clinical descriptions - and then we get on with the solving/serving justice. I also really enjoy the switching back and forth with narrative perspective, Craig is masterful with this.
I thought "the Watchman" would be my favorite , but this one is every bit as good.
If you like this series I highly recommend the new ones with Scott James and his K-9 partner, Maggie. Thank you Mr Crais for writing such an engaging set of stories.

Action packed with a story

I love the Pike/Cole novels , they always have a story and this one is no exception . It was good to see the softer side of Joe pike- even if that softer side was like concrete !

Steady action very entertaining

Steady action keeps you engrossed, and entertained passes time very well. One of my favorite book series is Cole and Pike can’t go wrong with one of their books 

Excellent Story & Listen....

Would you listen to The First Rule again? Why?

Yes and already have. Making my way thru Crais's books a second time. There are a few I can not handle the narrator but this is not one of them. I think Crais as the narrator gives the reader a better look into Elvis/Joe. Since he wrote the book he knows how to convey to the reader/listener what his intentions were.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Maybe not on the edge but close.

What about Robert Crais’s performance did you like?

Elvis and Joe and him. He conveys a part of himself thru his reading.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Joe with the baby.

A Robert Crais performed by Robert Crais: perfect!

I didn’t know what to expect when I saw that Crais the author was also the performer for the audio version of this book.

Wow, very impressive. Crais is an excellent audio actor, and he brings the right amount of emotion into his characters. He is a top-flight audio book performer, making the book come alive.

The story?
An excellent action mystery, just as we expect from Crais. Joe Pike is the main character this time, and as we marvel at his strong, silent actions, we learn more about the man.

Highly recommended!