• 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
  • 3.8 out of 5 stars (1,852 ratings)

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The Monkey's Raincoat  By  cover art

The Monkey's Raincoat

By: Robert Crais
Narrated by: Patrick Lawlor
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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

What listeners say about The Monkey's Raincoat

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4 out of 5 stars
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  • 3 Stars
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  • 2 Stars
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Story
  • 4 out of 5 stars
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  • 4 Stars
    383
  • 3 Stars
    262
  • 2 Stars
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  • 1 Stars
    67

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

not awful

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

Joe Pikes voice was like Christian Bales batman voice, i.e. awful, other characters were just surfer dudes

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great book

Book was recommended as a really good crime. Was great. The main character is funny as hell. Totally enjoyed it.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Outstanding in the Genre

First person detective narrative of the highest order. Similar to Robert Parker's style but beautifully done in it's own unique way. I'm so happy I've found yhis "new to me" series.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

struggled to finish

struggled to finish. skipped ahead several chapters to check the ending because it seemed interminable in the middle. I really liked another one ofCrais books, but this was a let down. other reviewers blamed the narration, maybe that was part of the problem but I got bored, the story seemed stuck in one place through the middle.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Hard to listen to

The high pitch of the narrator and his nasally tone, coupled with subpar recording, makes this extremely hard to listen to. Often times muffled. This may have been a good story, but I just could not take the narrator anymore.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great characters. Great story.

I've read and listened to all of Robert Crais's books a dozen times. He is my favorite author. This is the first story in the incredible Elivis Cole series, and after almost 40 years, it's still awesome. Elvis is a little rougher in this one and Joe Pike a little less invincible than they will be in other books, buts that one of the reasons I love coming back to Monkey's Raincoat--to see how they've grown.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Evis Cole!

I just love Evis Cole and Joe Pike
this is the first one and like all Cole/Pike books it was excellent

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

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.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Ed
  • 11-29-17

Review

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

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

I loved it

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

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