In The Watchman and The First Rule, Robert Crais put Joe Pike front and center for the first time, to remarkable effect: “A beautifully crafted piece of story-telling” (The Seattle Times); “A high-octane thriller.… Pike’s unshakable belief in right and wrong provides a moral center” (South Florida Sun-Sentinel); “Joe Pike is a joy to watch, an urban Zen warrior priest righting wrongs. More Pike, please” (Chicago Sun-Times).
But when Joe Pike does return, it is to a case that will rock him to his core.
Five years ago, Dru Rayne and her uncle fled from Louisiana to Los Angeles after Hurricane Katrina hit, but now they face a different kind of danger. A neighborhood protection gang savagely beats Dru’s uncle, but Pike witnesses it and offers his own brand of protection. Oddly enough, neither of them seems to want it—and neither do the federal agents mysteriously watching their storefront, men who appear quite willing to let the gang have its way.
None of that deters Pike—there’s something about Dru that touches him and he won’t back away, whether she wants his help or not — but as the level of violence escalates, and Pike himself becomes a target, he and Elvis Cole begin to discover some things. Dru and her uncle are not who they seem, and everything Pike thought he knew about them, their relationship to the gang, and the reasons they fled New Orleans—it’s all been lies. A vengeful and murderous force is catching up to them… and it’s perfectly happy to sweep Pike and Cole up in its wake.
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"I've read many of this author's books and liked them all in varying degrees, mostly with Elvis Cole, who is in a funk at the beginning of this story and doesn't come in until way later. I think this is the 1st one I read with with Joe Pike as the primary. Joe Pike reminds me of the popular Jack Reacher, played by Tom cruise. Anyhow, Pike gets mixed up in intrigue just trying to be a good citizen. Things don't quite look right and he looks into them and begins to follow a trail. I thought the good citizen thing was just a prelude to introduce the character of Pike to readers but not so. The people he helps are definitely not who they appear to be and as his investigation widens he discovers a cruel world of contract killers, false IDs, dirty cops, Ecudorian drug dealers, Mex. mafia, kidnappings, so you are kept wondering what is going on. Good stuff."
— E.R. (4 out of 5 stars)
" Good escapism - read it a day in bed with the flu! Lots of interwoven stuff - but then some people killed in a sentence (clue - the FBI man!) "
— Andrew, 2/15/2014" Carol K. says, Robert Crais just keeps getting better and as much as I miss Elvis Cole, these Joe Pike stories are wonderful. Although Pike's past is clouded with some nefarious acts, his humanity and morality are displayed in The Sentry as he becomes involved with two people who he thinks need his help and protection. Add the FBI, the LAPD and a demented and vicious killer and you have a rip-roaring story that you can't put down "
— Anderson's, 2/11/2014" Start from the beginning and introduce yourself the Elvis Cole and his best friend Joe Pike. If you enjoy the outlaw detective, with humor and wit, you will not stop reading until you are waiting for the next one. I am!! "
— Kathy, 2/1/2014" What would you do if you happened to witness an assault? If you are Joe Pike you disable the attackers and save the victim. Seems simple enough until Joe falls for the victim's niece. As the bodies pile up it turns into a race to see if Joe can figure out who the victim really is and why people are trying to kill him. "
— Strongsville, 1/31/2014" My first "Joe Pike" book...always really enjoyed the ones about Elvis Cole from this author. I think Joe must be more difficult to write about since he's so reserved, but this one was good. "
— Terri, 1/31/2014" This was pretty good. I love the books with Pike and Cole both in them. They make a fearless duo. Very enjoyable read. "
— Temple, 1/26/2014" The Sentry is another hit from author Robert Crais. His two favorite protaganists, Joe Pike and Elvis Cole come to the rescue of two hurricane Katrina refugees. But, are they worth saving? Its an intricate case involving durg cartels, Federal agents, Los Angeles gang members and the police. Its hard to know who the good guys are in this book. Pike and Cole have their hands full trying to figure out who's lying. Finding the killers will take all the training that Cole and Pike can muster. But, it may not be enough. A great book. "
— Ron, 1/23/2014" I like this series and it's interesting to have more insight into Joe Pike. "
— Emily, 1/20/2014" #3 Joe Pike (also see Elvis Cole series) "
— Ladiibbug, 1/17/2014" Pike is back. I loved it. Elvis Cole and Pike are the dynamic duo. "
— Roy, 12/30/2013" What starts out as a good samaratin move, quickly turns into a battle with gangs, feds and the drug cartel in Crais's third Joe Pike novel which also features Elvis Cole. Good read. Nothing spectacular or new for Crais, but well written. "
— Jon, 12/7/2013" Good, quick read. You want Joe pike on your side. "
— Holly, 7/28/2013" I enjoy this series of Elvis Cole and Joe Pike. In this book, Joe Pike is the main focus. A little darker than the others, as Pike is much more dore and focused than Cole. Still a good reed. "
— Joanne, 7/3/2013" This is the very first Jack Reacher book I've read that I didn't enjoy immensely. It's almost as if Robert Crais tossed it off in between other projects just to get Reacher fans off his back. Very surprised at how lackluster it seemed. "
— Loripdx, 11/10/2012" Good. Others have been better. "
— Al, 10/29/2012" 3.5 stars. Not sure why Joe was so into the girl. But very exciting. "
— Cyndie, 9/24/2012" best thriller for a while,knocks spots off lee child "
— Keith, 8/3/2012" This was most certainly my least favorite Joe Pike/Elvis Cole novel. I don't think the story developed very well, but I liked the emotional connection between the characters at the end. "
— Debbi, 6/15/2012" Thought this was the comic book series somehow, got into it before I realized I was wrong. "
— Jenny, 6/5/2012" I loved it but I still like the Elvis Cole books - even though he's a character in this book (and hopefully in the one before which I now have to read) I want more Elvis! "
— Anne, 7/23/2011" Several chapters in, this book has captured my interest. "
— Becky, 6/17/2011Robert 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.
Luke Daniels, winner of sixteen AudioFile Earphones Awards and a finalist for the Audie Award for best narration, is a narrator whose many audiobook credits range from action and suspense to young-adult fiction. His background is in classical theater and film, and he has performed at repertory theaters around the country.