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

Abysmal recording quality

The enhanced recording frankly sounds like a poor attempt to resurrect an old, stretched cassette tape pulled out of the mud and run through the dishwasher a couple of times. The narrator is of commensurate (lack of) quality. Disappointing enough to prompt this "review."

Narrator

Great book, terrible narration! I wish Audible would re-record the first two books of the series.

Later books were much better!

Read this books many years ago, but first listen. Voice was not the Elvis of later audibles which were much better. Overall looking back Crais did a much better job with the later books in this series. Lots of filler in this book, could of easily left out a third of the dialog and not done any harm.

The Curse of the Teenage Narrator

This was the worst narrator I’ve heard on an Audiobook. Is anyone screening offerings? This should not have made it to the list.

Narrator is not suitable for character

Unfortunately because I listened to L.A. Requiem, before purchasing this book my expectations were that the narrator would portray the kind of "tough guy" persona that we expect from a "private eye". This narrator is too gentle with a sing,sing voice that has become so irritating that after only a few chapters into the book, I cannot contimue on with listening to it. I don't understand why they change narrators with series books. Don't they understand that the narrator becomes the character. Audible should have a refund policy for these types of circumstances.

Good story

This was a good start to the Elvis Cole/ Joe Pike series. I've read the books. I was rather disappointed in the narration. The book is still worth listening to though.

Waiting for the next Dresden Files and found this

I was desperate for another good series. Would have never picked this one because of the Title and I prefer Urban Fantasy, but a friend recommended it and I took a chance. By the way the title is explained. Great book. Great Series. If you like talented writing, smart characters, believable plot, and a protagonist that can get hurt but mostly kicks A**. This is the book. No doubt.

Good story

entertaining who done it. wtitten with a lot of fun humor. great characters. looking forward to more.

The Young Elvis

Where does The Monkey's Raincoat rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This book ranks among the better books I've read in this genre. I inhale these crime/legal/spy thrillers -- Connelly, Lehane, Rankin, Silva, Turow, LeCarre etc. And I include Crais in that group. I especially enjoy Crais because he writes about my city, Los Angeles. I thought I'd circle back and listen to the first book in the Elvis Cole/Joe Pike series. It's good, not spectacular. What I liked was getting the unvarnished Elvis (*Spoiler Alert* he actually has sex with two women) and more of the Pike backstory. More killing by our heroes than in the later books too. It reads fresh.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Parts of the ending are a little hard to believe.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Patrick G. Lawlor?

Almost anyone. Actually, the biggest downside of this audio book was the narrator and the poor sound quality. The narrator does a poor man's Joe Mantegna and I kept thinking maybe I was in the middle of a Robert Parker Spenser novel.

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

No, although I did do the last 90 minutes in one sitting.

Surprised

Other reviewers did not like the narrator and was reluctant to spend my credit I was very glad I did and I have found a new author.