Free Fall: An Elvis Cole - Joe Pike Novel, Book 4

Yes, there is always a detail missed that you find later.

Poitros and Grimes, they never allow their personal feelings towards Pike to keep them from helping to see justice is done.

Voice and inflection gives realism to varied characters of gender and ethnicity.

Elvis Cole, reserve chute for those of poor judgement.

As much as I would like to see any of the Pike and Cole series go to film, I feel the style, story, and characters would not be done justice much like the works of Stephen King.

Noir Elvis Style

The wise-cracking P.I. Elvis Cole and his deadly side kick Joe Pike

This is my first listen to Mel - He pegged Elvis Cole and the tone of the book.

You could break this one up or listen all the way through and come away satisfied.

Crais is always a good, reliable listen. This reader almost ruins it, but not quite. I dislike buying abridged books, but in this case I wish I'd bought the abridged version with a better reader.

I have listened to all of R.C. books with various narrators and loved them all (included the newest one, The First Rule). I gave lesser stars for this work because the narrator was so awful that I abandoned the audio version for the print version.

This was my first Elvis Cole and Joe Pike novel and it will probably be my last. Here is this ultra competent guy, Joe Pike that towards the end of the story apparently messes up so badly several people get killed. I say apparently because there is no explanation as to how it happened. It's as if the author wrote the ending first, couldn't figure out how to have Joe Pike screw up so badly, so he just left that part out.

If, unlike me, you can overlook this one major flaw the book is worth the credit and well paced with good character development.

I am a great fan of Robert Crais/Elvis Cole and this is my second audio disappointment. The first book I listened to (The First Rule) was read by the author. Bad choice. This book is narrated by Mel Foster, who is NOT the right voice for the wise-cracking "World's Greatest Detective". I guess I'll stick to print versions of Robert Crais novels from now on.

I enjoyed this book from beginning to end. It was very suspenseful. It keep you listening. I did not particularly care for the ending.

The tight bond between Elvis Cole and Joe Pike. I also liked the thrill of the story.

I loved his voice. He is very entertaining.

What Elvis Cole did to help his friend Joe Pike.

Different narrator. Mel Foster would be good for other books, but reduces Joe Pike from everybody's personal hero to just some sidekick with a few guns. And a better-suited narrator would have helped overcome the frustrations brought on by the lead female character.

Rewrite the female lead character to be way less annoying. Being somewhat annoying is part of her charm; her draw. I get that. But when you wish you could reach through the speakers and strangle this lead character that Elvis Cole somehow has any patience for, the whole listening experience is way too frustrating. This aspect made it difficult to develop any connection with some very important characters.

Luke Daniels or Robert Crais. Both do Pike as he was meant to be heard.

None. I don't think there are scenes that detract from the story or slow the pace too much. Along these lines, I never choose an abridged version over an unabridged. I might feel differently about cutting scenes in terms of a 'reading' experience, but not for a 'listening' experience.

Pike rules.

The interaction between Cole and Pike is always authentic.

The narrator sounded like he was falling asleep.

Not an enjoyable listen had to take several breaks.

Crais was noted as a top writer of crime mysteries, but really he is not in my opinion. This is kind of like a beginners mystery. It's boring and just goes on and on. Now I did get this because I listened to the preview of his new novel on Audible and it sounded really good.