The Last Detective

An Elvis Cole and Joe Pike Novel, Book 9

By: Robert Crais

Narrated by: James Daniels

Length: 8 hrs

Publisher's Summary

Elvis Cole is back...

With his acclaimed bestsellers, Hostage (a New York Times Notable Book) and Demolition Angel, Robert Crais drew raves for his unstoppable pacing, edgy characterizations, and cinematic prose. Now, in The Last Detective, Crais returns to his signature character, Los Angeles private investigator Elvis Cole, in a masterful page-turner that probes the meaning of family and the burdens of the past.

Elvis Cole's relationship with attorney Lucy Chenier is strained. When she moved from Louisiana to join Elvis in Los Angeles, she never dreamed that violence would so easily touch her life - but then the unthinkable happens. While Lucy is away on business and her ten-year-old son, Ben, is staying with Elvis, Ben disappears without a trace. Desperate to believe that the boy has run away, evidence soon mounts to suggest a much darker scenario.

Joining forces with his enigmatic partner, Joe Pike, Elvis frantically searches for Ben with the help of LAPD Detective Carol Starkey, as Lucy's wealthy, oil-industry ex-husband attempts to wrest control of the investigation. Amid the maelstrom of personal conflicts, Elvis and Joe are forced to consider a more troubling lead - one indicating that Ben's disappearance is connected to a terrible, long-held secret from Elvis Cole's past.

Venturing deep inside a complex psyche, Crais explores Elvis's need for family - the military that embraced him during a troubled adolescence, his rock-solid partnership with Pike, and his floundering relationship with Lucy - as they race the clock in their search for Ben. The Last Detective is Robert Crais' richest, most intense tale of suspense yet.

Investigate another case with Elvis Cole and Joe Pike.

©2004 Robert Crais (P)2004 Brilliance Audio

One book and I was hooked

Any additional comments?

I came to crime fiction quite by accident and surprised myself about 2 years ago when i was looking for a new book and found THE FIFTH WITNESS by Michael Connelly. now I don't much want to read anything else.I found the Elvis and Joe series via Crais' SUSPECT, which I loved. I immediately bought the first three Cole/Pike-s. I have now been through most of them I was reluctant read the Pike-centric books because I am so wild about Elvis, but I now love the Still Zen quality of Joe. I hate guns. I am not so into this much violence, but I still really like the books. the Last Detective and LA Requiem are my favorites, but I like the whole series very much. not as much as Michael Connelly, but I like Crais enough to be wondering what will come next. To me, finding new authors is one of the great pleasures of reading.

A Scheme that Backfires!!

This is a good tale of suspense highlighting how an under-handed scheme can backfire. The Audible description of this story is good. The real thick of this story revolves around the question: At what lengths will a person go to in order to get what they want? Be careful of the scheme you concoct for it can become your worst nightmare! This is an enjoyable story. I found no fault with the narrator.

Great listen! Great narrator!

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

If you like Jack Reacher then you should love the Elvis Cole and Joe Pike duo. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a good story line, fast paced but with emotions you can identify with.

What other book might you compare The Last Detective to and why?

I would compare to Lee Child's Reacher series.

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

James Daniels brings humor and down to earth emotion to his characters. They have flaws but they continue to struggle onward.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

As soon as I finished this book, I looked for the next one in the series with the same author!

Any additional comments?

I really enjoy the way Joe's character plays off Elvis's.

Can't get enough

Since I read the first book in this series I cannot get enough of Elvis and Joe. The books are gripping from start to finish. Crais needs to start turning them out because I'm almost at the end of the series. I give these 5 stars.

Outstanding!

The story and narration were exceptional. After I read this book I downloaded all of Robert Crais' books. Highly recommended.

Discovered Robert Crais by searching out books narrated by James Daniels

I really enjoy James Daniels' narration. After listening to the Nora Roberts Chesapeake Bay books, I did a search and discovered these awesome books by Robert Crais. Yes, a little on the bloody side but I kinda like that when mixed with detective/romance situations and the quirky personality of Elvis Cole. This particular book was on the edge of your seat listening. Well worth the listen!

Page Turner................

Where does The Last Detective rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of my favorites.

What did you like best about this story?

Elvis Cole's past and present collide.

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

James Daniels fits Elvis Cole and he is good at the female and kids voice.

Any additional comments?

Wondering why Elvis did not call Pike right away.

Casual use of racial slurs

Casual use of the n-word for no reason. Disappointing for such unnecessary racism to appear in a novel like literally no reason.

Dynamic Duo

I can’t get enough of Pike and Cole. These characters are spellbinding and Craig brings them to vivid life. I just discovered this series and want to listen to every single one. James Daniels does an excellent job.

Riveting

Love the story, the narration and intricate storyline. Even though I was able to figure out who the true villain was, I still found it an extremely exciting story. Was a little bit surprised at the dream sequence at the end because it really didn’t make much clarify anything for me