The Monkey's Raincoat

An Elvis Cole and Joe Pike Novel, Book 1

By: Robert Crais

Narrated by: Patrick Lawlor

Length: 8 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's summary

"Elvis Cole provides more fun for the reader than any L.A. private eye to come along in years."--Joseph Wambaugh

WINNER OF THE ANTHONY AND MACAVITY AWARDS FOR BEST NOVEL • NOMINATED FOR THE EDGAR AND SHAMUS AWARDS FOR BEST NOVEL

Meet Elvis Cole, L.A. private eye....

He quotes Jiminy Cricket and carries a .38. He's a literate, wisecracking Vietnam vet who is determined never to grow up.

Praise for The Monkey's Raincoat

"Outstanding characters, tight plot, and scintillating prose style.... This fast-paced story speeds Elvis Cole to a chilling, heart-stopping ending."--Mystery Scene

"Is Bob Crais good? Put it this way: if they're taking you out to put you against the firing squad wall, and you want to enjoy your last moments on earth, pass on the last cigarette and ask for an Elvis Cole novel."--Harlan Ellison

"Far and away the most satisfying private eye novel in years. Grab this one - it's a winner!"--Lawrence Block

"The best private eye novel of the year...lots of action; bright, crisp dialogue; and sharply drawn characters."--The Denver Post

"Robert B. Parker has some competition on his hands.... Elvis Cole is an appealing character and Crais's style is fresh and funny.--Sue Grafton

"In Crais, a new star has appeared on the private eye scene - a dazzling first novel.--Tony Hillerman

©2008 Robert Crais (P)2008 Brilliance Audio

Critic reviews

"Robert B. Parker has some competition on his hands.... Elvis Cole is an appealing character and Crais' style is fresh and funny."--Sue Grafton

"Is Bob Crais good? Put it this way: if they're taking you out to put you against the firing squad wall, and you want to enjoy your last moments on earth, pass on the last cigarette and ask for an Elvis Cole novel."--Harlan Ellison

Very workable PI story spoiled by the narrator

The protagonist in this book is an intriguing and convincing character, involved in an interesting and compelling plot. Unfortunately the narrator simply murders the book. The written style is full of witty dialogue and irony, requiring an understated reading for its full affect. This narrator simply over acts (hams up) the dialogue, making quite enjoyable witty dialogue just plain irritating. Patrick Lawlor is now on my (very short) narrator blacklist.

Great book Terrible Narration

Book 5 Stars Narration 1 star. I suggest you read this one

Just ok

This wasn't a bad story I just got tired of Elvis Cole. Every woman wants him and he is tougher and smarter than everyone else and that was distracting for me.

Outdated and poorly recorded

I'm a fan of the series, but the first book is disappointing. It's terribly "out of date" regarding gender portrayals and treatment of women, technology, and character development. The recording quality of the recording is so poor, you can hardly understand what the narrator is saying. Finally, I don't think the narrator fit the characters well at all. Skip this book and go to one later in the series. They are much better than this one!

Murder, with a grin

Any additional comments?

I purchased this book on one of Audibles' recommended lists... and we listened during a long car trip. This style is very remeniscent to the Robert B Parker Spencer series, interspersing humor and wisecracking with the more serious content. Not overly graphic... but a good plot to keep one wanting to hear more.
The narration was very good and it made the listening quite smooth and easy to follow the characters.

not so much

What made the experience of listening to The Monkey's Raincoat the most enjoyable?

I do love Crais' work

Any additional comments?

I did not enjoy this narrator. I don't think I will purchase anything by this one again

A GREAT ACTION PACKED ELVIS COLE NOVEL

Would you consider the audio edition of The Monkey's Raincoat to be better than the print version?

Probably, it certainly was entertaining.

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

Yes. It was fast moving with nothing side-tracking the story.

What does Patrick G. Lawlor bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He has a great voice that works well with action/military stories.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No extreme reaction, but a great story well told.

not Elvis ' best work, I like more Pike.

just an okay story, disappointing read for me.
I wish I had spent my $ on something better.

My first Robert Crais book

What did you like about this audiobook?

Great plot and interesting characters.

How has the book increased your interest in the subject matter?

I love private detective stories.

Does the author present information in a way that is interesting and insightful, and if so, how does he achieve this?

Elvis Cole

What did you find wrong about the narrator's performance?

Nothing. Excellent work.

Do you have any additional comments?

Great read. I am reading Taken now.

First book...series gets a lot better

In 2020 this book and it's technology are quite dated, so any born after 1975 won't get it. The series gets much better as Crais develops Cole's LA world. The most recent books featuring Joe Pike are really good and so are the several spinoffs about characters introduced in the Cole series (one or two are top notch).

Admittedly it's Spencer and Hawk outwest, even using a few of the plot points in the first Spencer book. The first five or so of the Spencer novels are hard to beat, as Parker was a master until he and his successors started churning them out for the money, so Crais not being as good as Parker is setting a pretty high bar.

Elvis isn't as funny as Spencer, but like the books, he gets better. The cat stays about the same. Listen to the series in order and you'll be pleased with with the improvement and the time spent.