Voodoo River

An Elvis Cole and Joe Pike Novel, Book 5

By: Robert Crais

Narrated by: Patrick Lawlor

Length: 5 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

L.A. private eye Elvis Cole is hired by popular television star Jodie Taylor to delve into her past and identify the biological parents who gave her up for adoption thirty-six years before. Cole's assignment is to find out their biological history and report back.

It seems all too clear cut. But when he gets to Louisiana and begins his search, he finds that there's something much darker going on. Other people are also looking for Taylor's parents, and some are ending up dead.

And when Cole realizes that his employer knew more than she was telling, Voodoo River becomes a twisting tale of identity, secrets, and murder.

©2006 Brilliance Audio; 2006 Robert Crais

Critic reviews

"Cole [is] as tough, witty, and clever as ever, and his partner Pike exudes danger like no one in suspense fiction this side of Spenser's Hawk. The series has been nominated for Edgars and has won Anthonys. This installment is every bit as good as its predecessors."--Booklist

Bad Narration

There are two narrated versions of this book on Audible. Mel Foster is the best narrator for this hard-boiled detective story set in Louisiana. He understands the characters and setting and speaks in a slow cadence while emphasizing the correct words and hesitating at the crucial time in order to bring out the humor in the story. Do yourself a favor and avoid the Patrick Lawlor version. He is not a good narrator for this particular book.

Voodoo River

I have only listen to a few Robert Crais books. Have enjoyed the flip style he give to Elvis. Joe is a great contrast to Elvis and makes the story more fun to listen to. The culture of Louisiana comes through in the story and enjoyed the descriptions of the countryside. The past is fast with lots of action.

good listening

I enjoyed the charachter, Elvis Cole, so much i downloaded The Forgotten Man and The Last Detective. This book envelopes mystery, romance and suspence. At times, I hated to pause listening.

a hit and a miss

THIS IS NOT MY FAVORITE ELVIS COLE NOVEL; BUT EVEN NOT SO GOOD ELVIS IS BETTER THAN NO ELVIS AT ALL. I THINK IT WAS THE INTRODUCTION OF A LOVE INTEREST FOR ELVIS THAT SCREWED THE POOCH FOR ME. THE CHARACTER OF LUCY CHENNIER AND HER RELATIONSHIP WITH CRAIS'S WONDERFUL DETECTIVE WAS FLAT AS A TWELVE YEAR OLD GIRLS BRASSIER, AND HAD THE DEPTH OF A HIGH SCHOOL CRUSH. I DON'T KNOW IF CRAIS WAS GOING FOR A SOUNDING BOARD FOR ELVIS'S PHILOSOPHIES ON LIFE, ALA ROBERT PARKER'S SPENSER AND SUSAN SILVERMAN, BUT HE MISSED THE MARK; AND THE SCENES BETWEEN ELVIS AND LUCY ONLY SERVE TO DRAG THE STORY DOWN LIKE AN ANCHOR SCRAPING THROUGH THE MUD OF A LOUISIANNA BAYOU. THE STORY ITSELF IS SERVICEABLE, AND WHEN JOE PIKE SHOWS UP ON THE SCENE THINGS GET INTERESTING AND VIOLENT, AND THE PLOT FINALLY GETS OFF THE GROUND. THIS ONE WAS STILL A HIT; BUT THAT RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ELVIS AND LUCY WAS DEFINETLY A MISS.