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

Worst performance I have ever heard

The narrator gives, without a doubt, the worst performance I have ever heard. Half of it sounds like he is sleeping and the other half is mispronounced and reminds me of a 4th grader reading aloud. Painful to hear such a great story butchered like this.

Review

Good story, but too much unnecessary swearing. It would have been more enjoyable without it.

I loved it

Loved the prose.
Loved the story.
Loved the narrator.
Loved the flow.
Loved the dialogue.
Loved the BOOK!!!

Would you use Allah's name in vein?

Using Jesus' name in vein was a complete turn off. Absolutely unnecessary and offensive. You can do better than that.

Disappointed

Trying to be too cute thru most of the story. I believe there was a lot of extraneous writing here. Disappointed.

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.

First in Series, Great Start

I've listened to other Elvis Cole books, so was glad to finally listen to the first one in the series. I like Robert Crais, always good for action and satisfying resolution . . . I don't care for the cursing, especially using the Lord's name in vain . . . the old style mysteries, though, right up my alley . . .

Read Lescroart, Sanford or Connelly instead.

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Not so much

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Not especially realistic

Was The Monkey's Raincoat worth the listening time?

Its a toss up....no

Any additional comments?

Social worker becomes private eye. Partner is a sociopathic killer. Enough said.

First Book

Patrick Lawlor voice captured Elvis Cole perfectly.
it's a shame he only got to do the first two books.
I wish they would have let him read all of them.

Just not for me

I have read and enjoyed other books by Crais, but I just didn't love this one. I did finish the book, but mainly because I was out of credits and waiting on new ones.