The Monkey's Raincoat: An Elvis Cole and Joe Pike Novel

By Robert Crais

Book Overview

"Elvis Cole provides more fun for the reader than any L.A. private eye to come along in years."--Joseph Wambaugh

WINNER OF THE ANTHONY AND MACAVITY AWARDS FOR BEST NOVEL - NOMINATED FOR THE EDGAR AND SHAMUS AWARDS FOR BEST NOVEL

Meet Elvis Cole, L.A. Private Eye. . . . He quotes Jiminy Cricket and carries a .38. He's a literate, wisecracking Vietnam vet who is determined to never grow up.

When quiet Ellen Lang enters Elvis Cole's Disney-Deco office, she's lost something very valuable--her husband and her young son. The case seems simple enough, but Elvis isn't thrilled. Neither is his enigmatic partner and firepower, Joe Pike. Their search down the seamy side of Hollywood's studio lots and sculptured lawns soon leads them deep into a nasty netherworld of drugs, sex--and murder. Now the case is getting interesting, but it's also turned ugly. Because everybody, from cops to starlets to crooks, has declared war on Ellen and Elvis. For Ellen, it isn't Funtown anymore. For Elvis, it's just a living . . . He hopes.

Praise for The Monkey's Raincoat

"Outstanding characters, tight plot, and scintillating prose style. . . . This fast-paced story speeds Elvis Cole to a chilling, heart-stopping ending."--Mystery Scene

"Is Bob Crais good? Put it this way: if they're taking you out to put you against the firing squad wall, and you want to enjoy your last moments on earth, pass on the last cigarette and ask for an Elvis Cole novel."--Harlan Ellison

"Far and away the most satisfying private eye novel in years. Grab this one--it's a winner "--Lawrence Block

"The best private eye novel of the year . . . lots of action; bright, crisp dialogue; and sharply drawn characters."--The Denver Post

"Robert B. Parker has some competition on his hands. . . . Elvis Cole is an appealing character and Crais's style is fresh and funny."--Sue Grafton

"In Crais, a new star has appeared on the private eye scene--a dazzling first novel."--Tony Hillerman

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0593157982
• ISBN13: 9780593157985
• Release Date: October 2019
• Publisher: Ballantine Books
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 0.56 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 4.2" x 7.5"

Customer Reviews

old fashioned detective work

A mystery written in the 80's introducing Elvis Cole & Joe Pike. Private investigators in California taking on a case that starts out as a missing husband and child and then gets to the seedier side of Hollywood studios and players. Add in a bullfighter and the mob and there's a fast paced mystery. I enjoyed a lot about this book, namely that there were no cell phones back then and legwork to gather information was a mainstay. I thought there was a little missing surrounding the partnership with Pike and his background. I'm assuming you have to continue to read the next book in the series

Great first book in the series!

After reading the Monkey's Raincoat for the first time, I immediately went out and read two more of Robert Crais' Elvis Cole series. I was hooked! Crais' main PI character is unlike the typical hard-nosed, no-nonsense detective you'll find in other series. Elvis Cole is eccentric, yet lovable (the guy has an office full of Disney figurines!). Doesn't sound hardcore enough for you? Well if you like a tough guy in your mysteries, Joe Pike, Elvis' Cole's friend, is the antithesis of everything Cole is--mysterious, serious, and a no-nonsense tough guy. You'll love this book for its mix of intrigue and humor. I have heard only great things about "L.A. Requiem", the book by Crais where Joe Pike is the main character. Unfortunately, I haven't had a time to read it yet. But based on what I've seen in The Monkey's Raincoat, you can bet its going to be the next book I read.

Brilliant with a capital E!

Elvis Cole is my kind of detective! I don't think that there is any other writer quite like Crais and his excellent characters Elvis Cole & Joe Pike. If you like great thrillers that are humorous but keep you entertained and guessing throughout the whole story, then you will love The Monkeys Raincoat. Somehow, Crais is able to depict his characters so lifelike that you can actually imagine all the scenes, especially those with the high body counts!This is the 2nd Crais novel (with Elvis) that I have read & I couldn't put it down! They are truly excellent books that will keep you laughing & guessing all the way to the bookstore when you get another one!

The First of a Great Series!

The Monkey's Raincoat, grabs you from the first chapter, puts you on the edge of your seat and keeps you there to the climactic end of the book. Meet Elvis Cole, Viet Nam vet, ex-security guard turned private investigator. He's a hard boiled, wise-cracking detective who gives Mike Hammer and Sam Spade a run for their money. The case begins as Ellen Lang hires Elvis to find her missing husband, Hollywood agent, Mort, who's taken their son and disappeared. Unfortunately, the case is a bit more complicated than just a simple missing person. Mort is soon found shot dead in his car, there's no sign of the son and Ellen is missing too. Elvis Cole is now on a mission to find mother and son and it involves missing drugs and some pretty frightening bad guys. Robert Crais has created a great mystery with a tight plot, full of terrific, interesting characters. His writing is crisp and sharp with witty and irreverent dialogue and action packed scenes. This is a fast paced, page turner that won't let you down. Mr. Crais deserved all the nominations and awards this book won.

Elvis Is King

This is the first entry in Robert Crais' Elvis Cole series and is a great read. Crais is a former TV writer who wrote for Emmy Award winning series such as L.A. Law and Hill Street Blues. In Elvis Cole, he creates a charcter who, on the surface, seems to be just another wise cracking private eye, but is actually so much more. Along with his perpetually sunglassed partner Joe Pike, Elvis owns a P.I. Agency in Los Angeles. Pike is quite interesting as well. He says little and lives life according to a strict code of discipline. He reminds me a little bit of Clint Eastwood from his spaghetti western days. The book opens with Elvis meeting with Ellen Lang & her friend Janet. It appears that Ellen's husband Mort has kidnapped their son. Elvis reluctantly takes the case and what appears to be a routine case of a missing person turns into something much bigger. Through many twists and turns involving small time Hollywood agents and actresses, he eventually comes face to face with a Mexican crime lord, who is a former bullfighter. He thinks Elvis has his missing cocaine and the story ends with Elvis searching for the cocaine and a showdown in the crime lord's compound. Crais weaves many interesting characters into a fast paced, humorous tale. The book contains the right amount of twists and turns to keep you on your toes, but not too many as to seem implausible. He reveals just enough about Elvis & Pike for us to get know them, but leaves somethings about them uncovered, so they can be explored in future books. This book is as entertaining as any I ever read and if you enjoy mystery novels, you love this one.