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The Watchman Audiobook
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(4.00) - 9,945 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Larkin Conner Barkley lives like the City of Angels is hers for the taking. Young and staggeringly rich, she speeds through the city during its loneliest hours, blowing through red after red in her Aston Martin as if running for her life. Until out of nowhere a car appears, and with it the metal-on-metal explosion of a terrible accident. Dazed, Larkin attempts to help the other victims. And finds herself the sole witness in a secret federal investigation.
For maybe the first time in her life, Larkin wants to do the right thing. But by agreeing to cooperate with the authorities, she becomes the target for a relentless team of killers. And when the U.S. Marshals and the finest security money can buy can’t protect her, Larkin’s wealthy family turns to the one man money can’t buy—Joe Pike.
Pike lives a world away from the palaces of Beverly Hills. He’s an ex-cop, ex-Marine, ex-mercenary who owes a bad man a favor, and that favor is to keep Larkin alive. The one upside of the job is reuniting with Bud Flynn, Pike’s LAPD training officer, and a man Pike reveres as a father. The downside is Larkin Barkley, who is the uncontrollable cover girl for self-destruction—and as deeply alone as Pike.
Pike commits himself to protecting the girl, but when they immediately come under fire, he realizes someone is selling them out. In defiance of Bud and the authorities, Pike drops off the grid with the girl and follows his own rules of survival: strike fast, hit hard, hunt down the hunters. With the help of private investigator Elvis Cole, Pike uncovers a web of lies and betrayals, and the stunning revelation that even the cops are not who they seem. As the body count rises, Pike’s biggest threat might come from the girl herself, a lost soul in the City of Angels, determined to destroy herself unless Joe Pike can teach her the value of life…and love.
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"As a fan of the Elvis Cole series I was already familar with Joe Pike...or about as familiar as you can become to a character with fewer words than Charlie Chaplin. The story itself was typical of Crais' other work, which is no bad thing. The novel makes Pike seem more human while still providing plenty of opportunties for his dry, brooding personality and tough guy stuff. If you're a fan of the Elvis Cole series then this won't disappoint."
— Chris (4 out of 5 stars)
Awards
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A New York Times bestseller
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A 2008 International Thriller Writers Award Finalist for Best Novel
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A USA Today bestseller
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Winner of the 2008 Barry Award for Best Thriller
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A 2008 Anthony Award Finalist for Best Novel
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Winner of the 2008 Gumshoe Award for Best Thriller
The Watchman Listener Reviews
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" Good Cole/Pike story, more on Pike and protecting a young girl. Little bit of Jon Stone, too. "
— Mike, 2/15/2014 -
" I really like this book. I am a Robert Crais fan but I especially like Joe Pike. He's Jack Reacher-like in a quieter (if that's possible) more vicious kind of way. "
— S.L., 2/13/2014 -
" Great characters -- love Joe Pike. "
— Vicki, 2/12/2014 -
" Really enjoyed this book, fast paced, interesting characters and a good story. Will make it a point to read the rest of the series and the other series written by Crais. "
— Ken, 2/10/2014 -
" Fun quick read. Pike is a super bad ass "
— Bob, 2/7/2014 -
" Okay but not great. Typical detective type book with romance and killing bad guys. "
— Dorine, 1/27/2014 -
" This was fast paced and thoroughly enjoyable. This is only the second of his books that I've read and will keep reading what he writes. Very good book. "
— Cathy, 1/19/2014 -
" A superlative effort by Crais about Joe Pike. Every book he writes is worth ready reading. "
— Burt, 1/17/2014 -
" Two tough guys and a fast-paced action thriller make this book an enjoyable read. "
— Scott, 1/13/2014 -
" This is a fast-paced drama about trying to protect a young women who becomes involved in a minor car wreck and sees someone who has been trying to hide from the police. This is in the Elvis Cole Detective Agency series, but features an employee of the agency who usually remains in the background. "
— james, 1/1/2014 -
" I couldn't stop reading this book. I had to finish it. I am now a serious Joe Pike fan. Can't wait to read The Sentry. "
— Phillis, 12/14/2013 -
" I picked this one up at the used bookstore, and really enjoyed it. It's a lot like the Lee Child/Jack Reacher books, for those of you who know that series. Great for a plane ride! "
— Katy, 11/18/2013 -
" hmm, murder and mayhem in LA. this might not bode well. "
— Rob, 10/11/2013 -
" Audio version read by James Daniels "
— Linda, 5/2/2013 -
" First of Crais novels featuring Joe Pike as the lead character. I love the Pike character and thought this books was great. I am a big fan of Crais whether it is Elvis Cole or Joe Pike as the lead. I love their relationship and the humor added by Elvis Cole. "
— Tamra, 4/10/2013 -
" I've read some of the Elvis Cole books and while Elvis is cool, Joe Pike is so much cooler. Super fast paced even when it's not. It took me about 4 hours of reading to get through it the first time. "
— Ben, 12/27/2012 -
" Probably the most interesting duo in L.A. keep them coming please. "
— Gary, 11/20/2012 -
" Joe Pike is awesome..... "
— Dun, 7/13/2012 -
" A fun easy read that wasn't as horribly violent as others in the genre. "
— Melinda, 4/21/2012 -
" I love Crais' Elvis Cole series. This is his latest and it is great. Joe Pike is hardcore but he's so lovable. The body count is very high, but that's Pike's way. It is fast moving and highly recommended. "
— holls, 10/30/2011 -
" Did anybody like Joe Pike ever exist? Does he double as Ranger in Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum books, disguising himself with a smile? "
— Suzanne, 9/30/2011 -
" great book for what it was. kept my attention. Kept me busy. I really liked Joe Pike. "
— McNeil, 9/19/2011 -
" Really nice book. Couldn't stop reading it :) "
— Chaddeka, 9/11/2011 -
" Audio -- the book may have gotten a 2.5 from me until I got to the scene with the dogs. "
— Irene, 5/23/2011 -
" I love those strong, silent types with .9mm automatics. "
— Barbara, 5/21/2011 -
" I enjoy the main character and wouldn't hesitate to read another of his books.<br/> "
— Jan, 5/6/2011 -
" Robert Crais does a great with the Cole and Pike series. This is an excellent read nominally plausible but well constructed with engaging characters. Great Beach read or any read. "
— Michael, 4/28/2011 -
" I enjoyed it, but I hope Pike isn't going to turn into Reacher. "
— Steve, 4/27/2011 -
" A rather complicated story about Eastern European mafia, rather bloody details of gory torture, not too sure if I would read another book by him "
— Neil, 4/21/2011 -
" This was the first Joe Pike novel I have read. I don't usually read about organized gangs but once I got past the first few pages I was hooked. I couldn't put it down. "
— Marcie, 4/15/2011 -
" <br/>I didn't care for this Elvis Cole novel, but will keep an open mind while I <br/> read others. "
— April, 4/1/2011 -
" Meh. It is typical by the number comic book thriller. The bad guys are all swarthy fat guys. The good guys always win the fight - a bit too easily. The gov't people are mostly fools and in the way. I dont read a lot of this. "
— Joseph, 3/31/2011 -
" Read the condensed version. "
— Sonia, 3/31/2011 -
" Fast paced, gory and somewhat sad all around. Another one where Pike avenges things. Pike doesn't have much depth and what little bit of empathy he has is shown in just a small window in this book. However, Pike's not about empathy but settling scores and he does so in fine style again. "
— Shannon, 3/31/2011 -
" Crais needs to realize that Joe Pike is no Elvis Cole. Elvis has all the personality of his name sake, and so does Pike. "
— Mike, 3/30/2011 -
" I almost gave this four stars just because there is not a single rogue CIA agent in it. "
— Craig, 3/30/2011 -
" It was okay. Glad I was finished with it. "
— Anna, 3/29/2011
About Robert Crais
Robert 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.
About James Daniels
James Daniels is a voice talent who has narrated more than forty audiobooks and won two AudioFile Earphones Awards for his readings.