Taken: An Elvis Cole - Joe Pike Novel, Book 15

Can't miss with Joe and Elvis, good narrator but you'd think an author would pick one reader and stick with them. One of the best of the series.

I have been reading the Cole/Pike series for years and greatly enjoy it. This one was right up there with the others. I found it interesting how it was told in a timeline of before and after Cole was taken by the "bad guys". Cole is a lot of fun, love his irreverant sense of humor. Pike is an interesting character who I would love to see more about.

The story was interesting and kept my attention while listening. You know that ultimately Pike will rescue Cole but you don't know what will happen to the characters who were taken.

It also makes you think about the struggles faced by people who try to come to the US illegally.

Good enjoyable story.

I am a big Robert Crais fan and was really looking forward to this one. I thought it was going to be another Joe Pike novel, but it was split between Joe and Elvis Cole. I found that, because it was told from both points of view, it lacked a little depth. The story was still good, but I missed the more personal reflections of Elvis or of Joe. Also, it was a bit more violent than usual. The first Elvis novels were really funny. I think Crais needs to go back to that style and lighten up a bit.

I've listened to the audio version of all of Robert Crais's books. I like the narrators and think they add to the enjoyment. I prefer these particular books in audio.

Elvis is my favorite character. I like his personality and compassion. He's smart, funny and just a nice guy.

I have listened to him narrate The Sentry and several others. This one wasn't my favorite but I did enjoy it.

I definitely tried to do this all in one sitting. I get caught up in the story and don't want to stop until I'm done.

I enjoy listening to audio books and prefer listening to reading for certain authors. That usually is due to the great narrators chosen to perform them. I think the right narrator will either make or break whether I listen or read a book. I've started listening to a series and switched to reading when the narrator changes and doesn't have the same

I have read or listened to all of the Cole/Pike books by Robert Crais and am a big fan. Taken was one of his best. Human trafficking is one of the most despicable offenses that man commits against his fellow man and Crais exposes it in all its ugliness. But with Cole's quirky personality, the book is not so dark as to be depressing. Like all of Crais' books, they keep moving, never becoming bogged down in sub-plots or details that take away from a book. Luke Daniels' narration was excellent,

I recommend this listen and recommend all books by Robert Crais.

No, it's pretty much a one shot book.

Well Elvis he's my favorite in all of them.

No

Not really some parts can drag, but over all it's a great story.

Another great installment in the series, not the best one but still very well done.

Twenty years ago, Robert Crais introduced two very entertaining characters: the wise-cracking, self-deprecating Elvis Cole ("the world's greatest detective") and his pal Joe Pike. Pike has always been cartoonish, an ex-Marine who has two red arrows tattooed on his deltoid muscles, pointing forward. Pike grunts few words, is mostly invisible, but always helps Cole solve the case. This sounds a little like Robert B. Parker's Spenser and Hawk. Initially the humor was fresh and Crais seemed to be a modern day Raymond Chandler. The material managed to stay fresh for a long time. For several years Crais introduced Lucy Chenier, a woman from New Orleans with a son, who established an interesting love life for Cole. However, it seems to me that Crais is now running out of material. "Hostage" was clearly made for the movies, and "Taken" is a complex jumble of Syrians, Korean and Mexican gangs, and a new character who is even more of a caricature than Pike, John Stone. This guy is so macho, speaks nine languages or something, works as a mercenary, and can apparently jump over buildings in a single bound (not really, but even so...). Two guys like this is one too many. In the past I could not imagine putting down a Crais novel in the middle, but with this one, I did. Crais is hyping up the violence and simultaneously running out of humor, sadly. Maybe he is in a rut and should create a new character. In any case, not good. Cole is no longer the world's greatest detective.

not one sitting but maybe 2

I'm sorry that I have caught up with the entire series and will have to wait awhile for the next book.

Good story.

Joe Pike - no nonsense tough partner.

He brings out the characters traits really well.

It was hard to put down. You were kept on the edge of your seat hoping the kids would be rescued safely.

If you like

I've always enjoyed Robert Crais' Cole and Pike series...this one didn't let me down. I can't wait for the next one!