• Voodoo River

  • An Elvis Cole and Joe Pike Novel, Book 5
  • By: Robert Crais
  • Narrated by: Mel Foster
  • Length: 9 hrs and 44 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (1,019 ratings)

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Voodoo River  By  cover art

Voodoo River

By: Robert Crais
Narrated by: Mel Foster
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Publisher's summary

L.A. private eye Elvis Cole is hired by popular television star Jodie Taylor to delve into her past and identify the biological parents who gave her up for adoption thirty-six years before. Cole's assignment is to find out their biological history and report back.

It seems all too clear cut. But when he gets to Louisiana and begins his search, he finds that there's something much darker going on. Other people are also looking for Taylor's parents, and some are ending up dead.

And when Cole realizes that his employer knew more than she was telling, Voodoo River becomes a twisting tale of identity, secrets, and murder.

Investigate another case with Elvis Cole and Joe Pike.
©2008 Robert Crais (P)2008 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Cole, in his fifth appearance, is in fine form. He's as tough, witty, and clever as ever, and his partner Pike exudes danger like no one in suspense fiction this side of Spenser's Hawk. The series has been nominated for Edgars and has won Anthonys. This installment is every bit as good as its predecessors."--Booklist

What listeners say about Voodoo River

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • 3 Stars
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Wonderful story...great narrator

If you like Elvis, he's in fine form in this Crais offering.

Outstanding mystery with just a note of sadness. Compelling characters, delightful plotting that clips along. This is Crais at his best.

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6 people found this helpful

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

Who worte this book

It doesn't appear to have been Robert Crais. Elvis and Pike are here, Pike a lot more to character than Elvis. The story drags, Elvis acts in was not like Elvis. The one main flaw... Mel Foster has to go. He doesn't get the characters. I believe I tried to listen to this story a while back, Luther the snapping turtle jolted my memory. I think I got bored and never finished it. Well this time I did finish, and I'm disappointed.

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4 people found this helpful

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

Narrator's Voice Did Not Fit the Narrative

Narrator's voice was too deep. Did not match my mental image of Elvis Cole. The narrator did not do other voices well at all, especially female voices.

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3 people found this helpful

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

You can skip this one

Story - average for all, below average Cole/Pike. Narrator - bad, sounds a lot like Dick Hill, his Cajun is strained and just wrong at times, his Joe Pike is way off. Not sure if authors are part of the process to choose narrators, but Cole's quirky personality which comes through with all other narrators in the series is completely lost here. Sounds as dry as a procedural. Don't waste your credits.

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3 people found this helpful

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

One of the Best

This book was well written with great character development (this is my first Elvis Cole read), great story line, lovely finish and THE BEST voice I've had to pleasure to listen to since Michael Kramer of Brandon Sanderson's book.

Too bad they only have 5 stars.

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1 person found this helpful

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

Excellent Narration

There are two narrated versions of this book on Audible. Mel Foster is the best narrator for this hard-boiled detective story set in Louisiana. He understands the characters and setting and speaks in a slow cadence while emphasizing the correct words and hesitating at the crucial time in order to bring out the humor in the story. Do yourself a favor and avoid the Patrick Lawlor version. He is not a good narrator for this particular book.

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1 person found this helpful

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

Elvis & Pike rock again!

Great story.
Southern Louisiana setting shakes things up nicely.

Mel is the best reader/interpreter of these wonderful books!
Can't wait to start the next!!

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

Forget Lucy

All of a sudden lawyer ‘Lucy’ takes Elvis’ heart during a case. Not a problem except she comes out of nowhere, is boring, and has no backstory. Story is good if you can get past Elvis’ immediate attraction and obsession with Lucy.

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

Exceptional!

This story holds up well!! It is a fun look into a number of things meant to remain silent and never to be revealed.

In good conscience. I can't talk much about the characters without giving a huge spoiler alert or two. With that in mind, let me just assure the possible reader, you will love this!!

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

Great Book

Could have lived with the SJW crap but there was not much of it. Have fun.

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