The Monkey's Raincoat

An Elvis Cole and Joe Pike Novel, Book 1

By: Robert Crais

Narrated by: Patrick Lawlor

Length: 8 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's summary

"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 never to grow up.

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

©2008 Robert Crais (P)2008 Brilliance Audio

Critic reviews

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

"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

Lawlor has a constant mocking note

that might be better suited to comedy. Hard to finish the book. James Daniels is the master of the Pike and Cole books.

not awful

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

Joe Pikes voice was like Christian Bales batman voice, i.e. awful, other characters were just surfer dudes

Great book

Book was recommended as a really good crime. Was great. The main character is funny as hell. Totally enjoyed it.

Outstanding in the Genre

First person detective narrative of the highest order. Similar to Robert Parker's style but beautifully done in it's own unique way. I'm so happy I've found yhis "new to me" series.

struggled to finish

struggled to finish. skipped ahead several chapters to check the ending because it seemed interminable in the middle. I really liked another one ofCrais books, but this was a let down. other reviewers blamed the narration, maybe that was part of the problem but I got bored, the story seemed stuck in one place through the middle.

Great characters. Great story.

I've read and listened to all of Robert Crais's books a dozen times. He is my favorite author. This is the first story in the incredible Elivis Cole series, and after almost 40 years, it's still awesome. Elvis is a little rougher in this one and Joe Pike a little less invincible than they will be in other books, buts that one of the reasons I love coming back to Monkey's Raincoat--to see how they've grown.

Hard to listen to

The high pitch of the narrator and his nasally tone, coupled with subpar recording, makes this extremely hard to listen to. Often times muffled. This may have been a good story, but I just could not take the narrator anymore.

Good book for the first in the series.

I really like this style of detective novels. The PI has a smart mouth and guts and know how to back it up.

The plot had some unexpected turns which gave me the impression that the author was trying to stretch the books length more than actually following an outline.

In the end everything was tied up in a nice neat bow.

I will definately be getting the other books in this series.

And the title means......?

Okay, I get haiku
Winter downpour; Even the monkey needs a raincoat.
—Matsuo Bashō, The Monkey's Raincoat
but I do not get what it has to do with this story.

I get that this is a well-received, award-winning book, but I didn't really like it. I like cops, detectives, soldiers, action and suspense, but I was not impressed.

I will read the second just so that I can see if I have misjudged this series. I loved his book Suspect, cried in the PROLOGUE, and wish he had written more about this guy than Elvis Cole.

Book OK, reader awful

What did you like best about The Monkey's Raincoat? What did you like least?

Almost didn't finish listening to this book because the reader was so bad. Suffered through listening because I wanted to see how the story ended. I like Elvis and he is better developed in later books, but I wanted to see how it started. This narrator was just so whiny and sarcastic sounding even when he wasn't supposed to be.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Elvis is an interesting and complex character.

How could the performance have been better?

By using a different reader.

Any additional comments?

I like the idea of Elvis and Joe and I like Robert Crais as a writer. I'll stay with the series a bit longer but I won't listen to anymore books read by Patrick Lawlor. Guess I'll just have to check them out of the library!