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

Couldn't make it past the naration

Simply horrible, wrong voice for this type of book and character! Need someone with a deeper voice!!!

Wonderful again

It’s been some years since I first began this series. It’s as good if not better as I begin it again. It’s nice that there are some things upon which one can rely for action, humor, guys doing right, and just entertainment.

Very entertaining experience

Craig’s sarcastic humor by Elvis Cole makes this story more enjoyable than similar types of novels. The narrator is excellent.

Love it

Love the story and the way the narrator told the story. He is one of my favorite narrators. I like his voice inflections and humor!

Perfect!

Great, interesting characters. Love the reader. I've listened to this book about three times so far. It never gets old. It's like a good friend.I love the humor and the dialog of the characters I own all the Elvis- Pike books now.

Meet Elvis Cole

The first installments in Robert Crais' Elvis Cole and Joe Pike Private Investigator series, and also the first that I've read, was in my opinion a very good book. I really liked the character of Elvis Cole. From his quick one liners to his collection of Disney paraphernalia and his overprotective "father" instincts toward his clients, Elvis Cole is a very likeable guy. Bring in his partner Joe Pike, the strong silent type, and you have the perfect match. The story was very good, if somewhat far fetched at the end, but I read it for entertainment and not the psychology of criminal behavior. I will definitely read more in this series!

Entertaining Story but Narrator Hard to Listen To

I read the book many years ago after it was recommended to me by a co-worker - I immediately became a Robert Crais fan. I recommend this book/audiobook to anyone looking for a thriller with great characters. Unfortunately, the narrator made this audiobook difficult to listen to - I found myself cringing when he poorly "acted" and "voiced" characters. I almost stopped the audiobook on several occasions because of it.

Private Eye Great Story

Elvis Cole, private detective, with his partner Joe Pike are perfect examples of the genre! If you like an old school private detective, with a quirky but deadly sidekick(partner Joe Pike), with elements of a police procedural..this is your book. Great story, with Elvis and Joe not shy to “bring the heat” when necessary! I really enjoyed this book, and I’ll be reading #2 in the series next!

Well done PI boiler

A c1987 updated version of the P.I. Novel a la Raymond Chandler. Enjoyable diversion. This is not my usual genre, but was happy to catch this on sale- worth it! I'm familiar with Lawlor's narration from his work on Brockmann's Seal Team/ Troubleshooters series. It's not an overtly masculine sounding voice, but it works for Elvis Cole.

Lawlor has a constant mocking note

that might be better suited to comedy. Hard to finish the book. James Daniels is the master of the Pike and Cole books.