• The First Rule

  • An Elvis Cole and Joe Pike Novel, Book 13
  • By: Robert Crais
  • Narrated by: Robert Crais
  • Length: 8 hrs and 15 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (1,555 ratings)

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The First Rule  By  cover art

The First Rule

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

Joe Pike and his partner Elvis Cole must solve the murder of an old friend and his entire family in this gripping thriller from #1 New York Times bestselling author Robert Crais.

When Frank Meyer and his family are executed during a home invasion, the police begin investigating the secret life they're sure Meyer had. Joe Pike's on a hunt of his own: to clear his friend's name, and to punish the people who murdered him. What starts out as a simple trail gets twisted fast by old grudges, double crosses, blood vengeance, and a crime so terrible even Pike and his partner Elvis Cole have no way to measure it.

Investigate another case with Elvis Cole and Joe Pike.
©2010 Robert Crais (P)2010 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

What listeners say about The First Rule

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

Writers make lousy narrators

I usually enjoy Robert Crais' books, but I just couldn't finish this one. Writers should leave the narration to professionals.

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10 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

Non stop action!

If you want action, this is the story for you! Never a dull moment.............it'll keep you interested all the way!
I've read him before, and enjoyed his work.this is no exception!

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2 people found this helpful

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

Very good book

I enjoyed the book and felt it had some good twists in the storyline. Like the original narrator better but was really good. Would recommend to my friends.

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

Pike...Always Good

Robert Crais' Cole/Pike series is one of the best ever. Without giving away too much about the story line....Joe Pike's is rarely wrong about a persons character. From the moment he heard of the murder of his former friend and his family, and the circumstances the police thought was behind the murder, Joe believed and was determined to prove the police wrong. Joe Pike lives by a set of rules...discipline, unwavering dedication and defending the innocent are at the top of the list... Turst me nobody defends the innocent like Joe Pike.

I really appreciated Robert's narration. It's refreshing to not have to wade through a lot of awful accents (this book has a lot of Serbian characters). He just told the story, and he did a wonderful job.

I've read all of 15 of the Cole/Pike nivels and they keep getting better and better.

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

Crais did a great job writing and narrating.

Crais did a great job writing and narrating this book. keep up the great work.

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

Liike a good scotch, you can count on Crais

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Already have, because Lee Child is not prolific.

What did you like best about this story?

It's all good. Characters, the story, the delivery, the development - just all-around good.

What does Robert Crais bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Snarky voices.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

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

Author narrates

Fun to hear Crais narrate his own work. He does a really good job but James Daniels is better

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

Crais- Great Author- Unskilled Narrator

Love Crais mysteries and have especially enjoyed Elvis Cole and Joe Pike story lines.... but Crais should have selected a professional actor/narrator to read the Pike character. His reading skills are unpolished and amateur and were distracting as I tried to listen to this audio book. I have since purchased a hard copy of the book. I'll read it instead of listening.

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11 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Must Read

Good Listen from the plot to the Authors narration techniques. It is apparent that the author researched his subject well. The plot moves quickly, yet delivers twists and turns to the very end. The most interesting thing about this book is that it is believable. Highly recommend.

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8 people found this helpful

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

Really enjoy this series!

I have purchased most of the Elvis Cole/Joe Pike series on audible. This is one of the better stories. The two main characters are wonderful in terms of their personalities and actions. I think I now prefer Luke Daniels as their voices. There have been other narrators who are good, but just don't help tell the story without making you aware of them. Listening to books can be for many reasons: a long drive to and from work each day; the ability to do the ironing while listening; or in my case to save my eyes as I am seventy-five and a diabetic.
The action is exciting in these stories. The main characters are very likeable. Yes, there is violence, but most of the time it suits the situations in the story. There is not much swearing to listen to, nor any gratuitous sex. All in all very enjoyable, entertaining and well thought out mysteries. Thank you, Robert Crais for helping me to pass some very pleasant hours of listening.

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