Elvis Cole is just a detective who can't say no, especially to a girl in a terrible fix. And Jennifer Sheridan qualifies: Her fiance, Mark Thurman, is a decorated LA cop with an elite plainclothes unit, but Jennifer's sure he's in trouble—the kind of serious trouble that only Elvis Cole can help him out of.
Five minutes after his new client leaves his office, Elvis and his partner, the enigmatic Joe Pike, are hip-deep in a deadly situation as they plummet into a world of South Central gangs, corrupt cops, and conspiracies of silence. And before the case is through, every cop in the LAPD will be gunning for a pair of escaped armed-and-dangerous killers—Elvis Cole and Joe Pike.
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"This was my first Elvis Cole book.I really enjoyed it especially the second half where the pace picked up. My only small complaint is that I really didn't get to know the main characters in the course of the book and therefore didn't become invested in them as I normally would. Perhaps I need to go back and read some earlier books in the series."
— Lauren (4 out of 5 stars)
“Crais’ old-fashioned detective tale centers on investigators Elvis Cole and Joe Pike as they attempt to uncover a plot against a decorated LA police officer. Mel Foster’s hard-boiled narration creates a strong sense of noir throughout, making it at once a classic mystery and a modern day cop drama. Foster’s voice is deep, dark, and dry, which brings a likeable, tough persona to Cole and immediately draws listeners into the story. There is a subtle sense of nostalgia in this story as well, sure to please fans of the genre as Foster manages to capture certain trademark characteristics of stock detectives without sounding clichéd.”
— Publishers Weekly" Just another mentally instable who joined the SAS well thankfully he off himself eventually "
— Johnny Fortune, 1/19/2021" some writing quirks when describing emotions (e.g. He gave me sullen.) but enjoyable and well thought out. the main character gets saved a lot by his friends which I enjoyed-- a protagonist who knows he can't do it all on his own. "
— Michãel, 2/19/2014" Enjoyable Elvis Cole tale . . . Crais rocks! this is number 4 in the Elvis series. "
— Cindy, 2/8/2014" Interesting 4th Cole / Pike novel, this time sees the duo come up against corrupt cops, following taking on a case to investigate a clients fiance.. This series is a real grower for me having not really liked the 1st in series. I look forward to seeing how the characters develop.. "
— Joe, 2/1/2014" This is the first Robert Crais book I've read but will undoubtedly seek out more--I just love these guys. Fun exciting page-turner, with hero smart-mouthing his way through dirty cops and street gangs--not a smart thing to do, but it works well for a good read. "
— Lola4, 1/31/2014" #4 in the Elvis Cole series... I love the characters and dialogue. Another fun mystery by Robert Crais. It always amazes me how much Cole & Pike get away with as detectives. Lots of action, especially as the plot thickens. "
— Jennifer, 1/29/2014" Getting to like these characters. Plot was a little better than most. I think Elvis and Joe will keep me reading. What new will we learn about them? "
— Kate, 1/28/2014" Crais continues to rock it. The first third slipped a little into some old habits, but after that, it's all awesome. He's able to take some over the top moments and make you believe. You really want the bad guys to get what's coming their way - so you know he did a good job. "
— Tom, 1/22/2014" Elvis Cole and Joe Pike are quite a formidable team. A very good page turner. "
— Mark, 1/14/2014" Sisterhood Series #7 "
— Kathy, 12/16/2013" Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear, I just couldn't continue after the 25th time this author used "...I gave her embaraassed...", "...she gave him surprised...", "...I gave confused...", "she gave happy...". Oh my. I know, it MUST have been an earlier novel, but really. "
— Marsha, 12/11/2013" Another Elvis Cole novel. Another quick read with fun characters and slick writing. Again, a novel title that has nothing to do with anything. "
— Mo, 12/8/2013" The more I read the Elvis Cole books, the more I like them--and I liked the first one pretty well! "
— Lois, 11/28/2013" This was my first Robert Crais book...I prefer more realistic books, but it was light and entertaining, so I will read more of his books. "
— Joanne, 11/18/2013" Well done for the most part. 8 of 10 stars "
— Tim, 10/9/2013" Another good one from Robert Crais---i'll keep on working my way through his Elvis Cole/ Joe Pike series. "
— Mike, 3/29/2013" Private detective Elvis Cole takes Jennifer Sheridan's case, which involves her decorated Los Angeles-cop boyfriend in some mysterious trouble, and Cole and his partner Pike are soon plunged in police corruption, gangs, and the depiction of themselves as armed killers. "
— Eddy, 11/25/2012" The fourth Elvis Cole adventure involving some renegade police and gang bangers - different kind of a story, but a good one. "
— Rhod, 11/17/2012" I enjoy the Elvis Cole series. Maybe because it reminds me of Harlan Coben's Myron Bolitar and Win series. Detective with a sense of humor and a soft spot for people who can't afford his rates. Too much bad language is the only downfall. "
— woody, 8/15/2012" This was a typical Elvis Cole novel although not one of the best. It was a fun quick read and I would recommend it for light reading. "
— Jay, 10/19/2011" Re-read the Elvis Cole 3rd book, first published in 1993.<br/>Elvis and Joe Pike come up against a team of bad cops when Elvis is hired by the girlfriend of their newest member. "
— Steve, 5/15/2011" Crais continues to rock it. The first third slipped a little into some old habits, but after that, it's all awesome. He's able to take some over the top moments and make you believe. You really want the bad guys to get what's coming their way - so you know he did a good job. "
— Tom, 4/10/2011" Very good, yet quite violent. Why do they always kill the characters you like? "
— Beth, 3/24/2011" Good thriller. Main character Elvis Cole. Titolo italiano: La squadra. Una giovane ragazza si rivolge a Cole perché il fidanzato, membro di una super-selezionata squadra di polizia, si comporta in modo strano. Emergono legami fra la squadra e una gang criminale. "
— Elena, 8/29/2010" I really enjoy Robert Crais books and this one didn't disappointment. A real page turner with enough twists to keep you guessing to the end. Recommended for a quick easy and entertaining read. "
— Jillian, 7/2/2010" The Elvis Cole books are easy and fun to read. They can be really serious, but Robert Crais kind of mixes the serious with funny cracks here and there. I like his sidekick Joe Pike, he's like a ghost. "
— Rosey, 6/19/2010" The fourth Elvis Cole adventure involving some renegade police and gang bangers - different kind of a story, but a good one. "
— Rhod, 6/4/2010" Interesting 4th Cole / Pike novel, this time sees the duo come up against corrupt cops, following taking on a case to investigate a clients fiance.. This series is a real grower for me having not really liked the 1st in series. I look forward to seeing how the characters develop.. "
— Joe, 6/1/2010" I enjoy the Elvis Cole series. Maybe because it reminds me of Harlan Coben's Myron Bolitar and Win series. Detective with a sense of humor and a soft spot for people who can't afford his rates. Too much bad language is the only downfall. "
— woody, 5/27/2010" Elvis Cole is definitely starting to grow on me! "
— KarenLee, 5/23/2010" Good Elvis Cole novel where he starts off on a simple "find out what's wrong with my boyfriend that he won't tell me" case, and ends up accused of murder and dealing with dirty cops. "
— Jed, 4/21/2010" The more I read the Elvis Cole books, the more I like them--and I liked the first one pretty well! "
— Lois, 4/17/2010Robert Crais is an American author of numerous New York Times bestsellers, including Taken, which debuted at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list. He received the Ross Macdonald Literary Award in 2006, The Eye—Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010, and the Mystery Writers of America’s Grand Master Award in 2014. He has written for such acclaimed television shows as L.A. Law, Cagney and Lacey, Miami Vice, and Hill Street Blues. A film adaptation of his novel Hostage was released in 2005, starring Bruce Willis as ex-LAPD SWAT negotiator Jeff Talley.
Tanya Eby is a novelist and an audiobook narrator who has earned several AudioFile Earphones Awards and been nominated for the Audie Award. She has a BA degree in English language and literature and an MFA in creative writing from the University of Southern Maine.