The Wanted

An Elvis Cole and Joe Pike Novel, Book 17

By: Robert Crais

Narrated by: Luke Daniels

Length: 7 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's Summary

THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

Investigator Elvis Cole and his partner Joe Pike take on the deadliest case of their lives in the new masterpiece of suspense from #1 New York Times-bestselling author Robert Crais.

It seemed like a simple case - before the bodies started piling up...

When single-mother Devon Connor hires Elvis Cole, it’s because her troubled teenage son Tyson is flashing cash and she’s afraid he’s dealing drugs. But the truth is devastatingly different. With two others, he’s been responsible for a string of high-end burglaries, a crime spree that takes a deadly turn when one of them is murdered and Tyson and his girlfriend disappear.

They stole the wrong thing from the wrong man, and, determined to get it back, he has hired two men who are smart and brutal and the best at what they do.

To even the odds, Cole brings in his friend Joe Pike, but even the two of them together may be overmatched. The police don’t want them anywhere near the investigation, the teenagers refuse to be found, and the hired killers are leaving a trail of bodies in their wake. Pretty soon, they’ll find out everything they need to know to track the kids down - and then nothing that Elvis or Joe can do may make any difference. It might even get them killed.

©2005 Robert Crais (P)2017 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Not what I expected after waiting for so long

After having listened to every Robert Crais novel from the very first encounter with the Elvis Cole/Joe Pike series, I couldn't wait to get my ears on the latest edition. If you follow the series, you begin to sense a real connection to the characters. You can visualize the cat and the A-frame sitting in Laurel Canyon and the yellow corvette and the arrows on Joe Pike's arms. His writing style makes listening easy and fun. The problem with an audio book is you usually get an instant sense of comfort or unease when the narrator utters the first sentence. Such was the case here. Crais has had some very good narrators in the past, and has used the same few many times. It's always best when the narrator just blends into the background and you concentrate on the story rather than the teller. Not so here. I was uncomfortable (annoyed may be a bit strong) at hearing the narrator begin. The writing is just as crisp and the self-deprecation the character displays is always evident, and the little asides he mutters (usually to himself) are just as interesting and fun as before, but the narration doesn't allow you to sit back and enjoy it as in past editions. Luke Daniels did not capture the mood of the series or of the characters. His voice was always what I concentrated on rather than listening to the story. The book is vintage Robert Crais, don't get me wrong, but I'd prefer it if he had used one of his previous narrators who have the style and the characters down in such a way that you immediately were back in that comfort zone where you found yourself sitting on Elvis' deck with your legs dangling over the edge as you watched a red-tailed hawk circle the canyon while Joe stood rock still against the wall and Elvis fed beer to the cat.

Hardly worth the wait

About 3/4 of the way through the book I felt like strangling the teenagers myself. They did not gain my sympathy at all, especially the airhead/ Valley Girl- sounding Amber. She had zero redeeming qualities. I have almost all Mr. Craise’s books and usually enjoy them, but this one didn’t measure up, I like Joe Pike as a character, but in this one I don’t see why he was included. Better luck next time.

Not his best work.

A Crais novel is like pizza, there's no such thing as bad pizza, but this wasn't his best. Am I glad I listened to it? Yes. Will I listen to it again and again like some books in this series? No.

Not bad; not especiallygood

The best thing about The Wanted is the superb narration by Luke Daniels. Long time fans of Elvis Cole and Joe Pike will likely find the plot to be weak compared to other Robert Crais novels.

What did you do with Robert

Forever his books have been WOWssssssssssss.
Do not know what happened here.
Hope future writings will be worth reading.
Luke Daniels has always been one of my favorite narrators.
Must have had bad direction who's one.
Not pleasant to listen to.

disappointing from this series

Better than Lee Child's most recent, but still disappointing- standard plot, not enough Pike, disappointing.

Engrossing

It has been a number of years since I read an Elvis Cole book by Robert Crais. I have always enjoyed Elvis’s wisecracking narration. In this book Elvis and Joe are after a trio of teenagers who are on a burglary spree. Unfortunately, they stole something from the wrong person and are now being hunted by some bad guys.

The book is well written; the plot twists and turns and the dialog is witty. It is a fun book to read. Elvis has a black cat he calls Cat. The cat primarily ignores him. The book is hard to put down but requires little thinking. The book makes a good get-away-from-it all story.

The book is seven hours and thirty-eight minutes. Luke Daniels does a great job narrating the book. Daniels is an actor and well-known audiobook narrator. Daniels has won thirteen Earphone Awards and has Three Audie Nomination.

Excellent story line here.

I’ve been reading Robert Crais’ Elvis Cole books since the early 1990’s. Joe Pike has been a main draw. The story here was really excellent: interesting all the way through; believable; and likable, or at least understandable, characters.

I don’t know if Robert Crais reads these reviews, but I have 2 comments for him from many years of following his work. (1) He did not in the past write woman very well. Lucy, with her make-up kits and inexplicable tantrums, was a bad read. He almost lost me there. (2) Elvis’s wisecracks are not all that funny. I could see someone putting down a good book because some are so not-funny that you might think it’s going to get worse. We need an editor for true clever humor.

I really liked this book, and obviously, from my 5 stars, I highly recommend it.

STRICTLY FOR YOUNG ADULTS

Robert Crais seems to be catering lately to Young Adult readers. The story involves 3 teenage characters carrying out 18 home invasion burglaries without the police discovering their true identities, even though none of the teenagers appeared capable of keeping their shoes tied, let alone skilled in planning and carrying out complex burglaries. Luke Daniels narrated the story well, as usual, but this book is not for Adults. Not worth a credit.

great book

I like the point of view from the different characters.

Missed Jon Stone, Scott, and Maggie.

Slight spoiler. Glad he still has a relationship with Ben. Just cause adults go their separate ways does not mean the children should lose a mentor

Another cracking story from Robert Crais

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

Yes without hesitation. Although I also read all of Robert Crais' novels in print format, I find the audiobooks make them even better. There's so much humour & banter from Elvis & Joe that to hear it "performed" is always a pleasure.

Who was your favorite character and why?

There is no possible way I could ever choose between Elvis & Joe (that would be like choosing your favourite child!!). I will say that the new characters of Harvey & Stemms were a great addition, like a "dark side" version of Elvis & Joe.

Which character – as performed by Luke Daniels – was your favourite?

He really brought Harvey & Stemms to life, giving them both distinctive voices and mannerisms and the conversations between the two were a definite highlight of the book. I'd like to add that I was VERY wary of listening to Luke Daniels as I have listened to the amazing William Roberts reading Robert Crais for many years and he *is* Elvis & Joe to me. Although not *quite* as good he certainly wasn't far off and I would be more than happy to listen to him narrate future books in the series.

Kept me hooked!

Different type of story when comparing to other Robert Crais books, really enjoyed it though. The narrator was great too, I think he really captures Elvis Cole's personality. Definitely worth a listen.

Missing the narrator William Roberts

Would you listen to The Wanted again? Why?

Probably. I feel I missed a couple of salient points of plot development.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Always Elvis Cole and Joe Pike. They are one of the best crime novel partnerships

Who might you have cast as narrator instead of Luke Daniels?

WILLIAM ROBERTS who brings such wry humour to Robert Crais' writing.

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

no

Another great Elvis Cole novel

Being English I always read these Elvis Cole books with an English accent. So, it was quite a shock to hear an American one. The narration really did take you along at a great pace and I got the tension where it was needed. It’s a shame there’s only one narrator. I’d love to hear the female characters speak with a female voice. Did Elvis ever agree how much Devon should be paying him?

Another enjoyable Elvis Cole book

What made the experience of listening to The Wanted the most enjoyable?

Crais is easy to read, has rye humor and a lightness of touch. A good story underpinned by likable characters with LA providing a colorful and varied background.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Wanted?

The early investigation I like Elvis the detective more than Elvis the problem solver.

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

Smile

Standard Issue Crais

If you’ve read/listened to the Elvia Cole series before, you know what you’re getting. But it’s still an interesting and fun story, it’s good to spend time with Cole & Pike, hope the next book comes quicker

Shame about the narrator

A fairly typical Elvis Cole story - entertaining without requiring too much effort on the part of the reader/listener. Spoiled by the narrator, who seems to be under the impression that he's auditioning for all of the voices in the Scooby-Doo series.