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Elvis Cole and Joe Pike #6
Sunset Express
Prominent restaurateur Teddy Martin is facing charges in his wife’s brutal murder. But he’s not going down without spending a bundle of cash on his defense. So his hotshot attorney hires P.I. Elvis Cole to find proof that Detective Angela Rossi tampered with the evidence. Rossi needs a way back to the fast track after falling hard during an internal investigation five years ago. But Cole needs to know if she’s desperate enough to falsify the case against Martin in order to secure her own position. As Cole and his partner Joe Pike work their way through a tangle of witnesses and an even greater tangle of media, they begin to suspect that it’s not the police who are behind the setup.
352 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 1, 1996
722 people are currently reading
2915 people want to read
About the author
Robert Crais
179 books4,552 followers Robert Crais is the author of the best-selling Elvis Cole novels. A native of Louisiana, he grew up on the banks of the Mississippi River in a blue collar family of oil refinery workers and police officers. He purchased a secondhand paperback of Raymond Chandler’s The Little Sister when he was fifteen, which inspired his lifelong love of writing, Los Angeles, and the literature of crime fiction. Other literary influences include Dashiell Hammett, Ernest Hemingway, Robert B. Parker, and John Steinbeck.
After years of amateur film-making and writing short fiction, he journeyed to Hollywood in 1976 where he quickly found work writing scripts for such major television series as Hill Street Blues, Cagney & Lacey, and Miami Vice, as well as numerous series pilots and Movies-of-the-Week for the major networks. He received an Emmy nomination for his work on Hill Street Blues, but is most proud of his 4-hour NBC miniseries, Cross of Fire, which the New York Times declared: "A searing and powerful documentation of the Ku Klux Klan’s rise to national prominence in the 20s."
In the mid-eighties, feeling constrained by the collaborative working requirements of Hollywood, Crais resigned from a lucrative position as a contract writer and television producer in order to pursue his lifelong dream of becoming a novelist. His first efforts proved unsuccessful, but upon the death of his father in 1985, Crais was inspired to create Elvis Cole, using elements of his own life as the basis of the story. The resulting novel, The Monkey’s Raincoat, won the Anthony and Macavity Awards and was nominated for the Edgar Award. It has since been selected as one of the 100 Favorite Mysteries of the Century by the Independent Mystery Booksellers Association.
Crais conceived of the novel as a stand-alone, but realized that—in Elvis Cole—he had created an ideal and powerful character through which to comment upon his life and times. (See the WORKS section for additional titles.) Elvis Cole’s readership and fan base grew with each new book, then skyrocketed in 1999 upon the publication of L. A. Requiem, which was a New York Times and Los Angeles Times bestseller and forever changed the way Crais conceived of and structured his novels. In this new way of telling his stories, Crais combined the classic ‘first person’ narrative of the American detective novel with flashbacks, multiple story lines, multiple points-of-view, and literary elements to better illuminate his themes. Larger and deeper in scope, Publishers Weekly wrote of L. A. Requiem, "Crais has stretched himself the way another Southern California writer—Ross Macdonald—always tried to do, to write a mystery novel with a solid literary base." Booklist added, "This is an extraordinary crime novel that should not be pigeonholed by genre. The best books always land outside preset boundaries. A wonderful experience."
Crais followed with his first non-series novel, Demolition Angel, which was published in 2000 and featured former Los Angeles Police Department Bomb Technician Carol Starkey. Starkey has since become a leading character in the Elvis Cole series. In 2001, Crais published his second non-series novel, Hostage, which was named a Notable Book of the Year by the New York Times and was a world-wide bestseller. Additionally, the editors of Amazon.com selected Hostage as the #1 thriller of the year. A film adaptation of Hostage was released in 2005, starring Bruce Willis as ex-LAPD SWAT negotiator Jeff Talley.
Elvis Cole returned in 2003 with the publication of The Last Detective, followed by the tenth Elvis Cole novel, The Forgotten Man, in 2005. Both novels explore with increasing depth the natures and characters of Elvis Cole and Joe Pike. RC’s third stand-alone novel, The Two Minute Rule, was published in 2006. The eleventh entry in the Elvis Cole series, The Watchman, will be published sometime in 2007.
After years of amateur film-making and writing short fiction, he journeyed to Hollywood in 1976 where he quickly found work writing scripts for such major television series as Hill Street Blues, Cagney & Lacey, and Miami Vice, as well as numerous series pilots and Movies-of-the-Week for the major networks. He received an Emmy nomination for his work on Hill Street Blues, but is most proud of his 4-hour NBC miniseries, Cross of Fire, which the New York Times declared: "A searing and powerful documentation of the Ku Klux Klan’s rise to national prominence in the 20s."
In the mid-eighties, feeling constrained by the collaborative working requirements of Hollywood, Crais resigned from a lucrative position as a contract writer and television producer in order to pursue his lifelong dream of becoming a novelist. His first efforts proved unsuccessful, but upon the death of his father in 1985, Crais was inspired to create Elvis Cole, using elements of his own life as the basis of the story. The resulting novel, The Monkey’s Raincoat, won the Anthony and Macavity Awards and was nominated for the Edgar Award. It has since been selected as one of the 100 Favorite Mysteries of the Century by the Independent Mystery Booksellers Association.
Crais conceived of the novel as a stand-alone, but realized that—in Elvis Cole—he had created an ideal and powerful character through which to comment upon his life and times. (See the WORKS section for additional titles.) Elvis Cole’s readership and fan base grew with each new book, then skyrocketed in 1999 upon the publication of L. A. Requiem, which was a New York Times and Los Angeles Times bestseller and forever changed the way Crais conceived of and structured his novels. In this new way of telling his stories, Crais combined the classic ‘first person’ narrative of the American detective novel with flashbacks, multiple story lines, multiple points-of-view, and literary elements to better illuminate his themes. Larger and deeper in scope, Publishers Weekly wrote of L. A. Requiem, "Crais has stretched himself the way another Southern California writer—Ross Macdonald—always tried to do, to write a mystery novel with a solid literary base." Booklist added, "This is an extraordinary crime novel that should not be pigeonholed by genre. The best books always land outside preset boundaries. A wonderful experience."
Crais followed with his first non-series novel, Demolition Angel, which was published in 2000 and featured former Los Angeles Police Department Bomb Technician Carol Starkey. Starkey has since become a leading character in the Elvis Cole series. In 2001, Crais published his second non-series novel, Hostage, which was named a Notable Book of the Year by the New York Times and was a world-wide bestseller. Additionally, the editors of Amazon.com selected Hostage as the #1 thriller of the year. A film adaptation of Hostage was released in 2005, starring Bruce Willis as ex-LAPD SWAT negotiator Jeff Talley.
Elvis Cole returned in 2003 with the publication of The Last Detective, followed by the tenth Elvis Cole novel, The Forgotten Man, in 2005. Both novels explore with increasing depth the natures and characters of Elvis Cole and Joe Pike. RC’s third stand-alone novel, The Two Minute Rule, was published in 2006. The eleventh entry in the Elvis Cole series, The Watchman, will be published sometime in 2007.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 528 reviews
October 27, 2024
I should probably be embarrassed, but I didn't realize until reading other reviews that the plot of Sunset Express, sixth in the Elvis Cole series, was a take on the O.J. Simpson case. Probably means 1) kudos to Crais for not being too obvious, and 2) I don't pay attention to celebrity drama. I remember the part about the white bronco, and about the obviousnessness of OJ's guilt, but Crais puts enough twist on the details that it wasn't initially recognizable. The role of media is explored.
This was easily one of the stronger stories of the series, with solid plotting, characterization that felt both real and appropriate, and an ending that dared step outside the mystery format box. Once again, the L.A. landscape and cultural enclaves come to life. For those who might be tempted to read out of order (as I did), there is a sub-arc through the series about a woman Cole meets in book 5 that continues to develop here. It brings a human touch and gives Cole moments of emotional depth beyond the smartass World's Greatest Detective. I ended up doing one of those 'just one more chapter' and staying up too late on a work night.
Update 2024: interestingly good and surprisingly gooey from a male point of view. This is quite different from the action-thriller vibe the series will eventually take.
This was easily one of the stronger stories of the series, with solid plotting, characterization that felt both real and appropriate, and an ending that dared step outside the mystery format box. Once again, the L.A. landscape and cultural enclaves come to life. For those who might be tempted to read out of order (as I did), there is a sub-arc through the series about a woman Cole meets in book 5 that continues to develop here. It brings a human touch and gives Cole moments of emotional depth beyond the smartass World's Greatest Detective. I ended up doing one of those 'just one more chapter' and staying up too late on a work night.
Update 2024: interestingly good and surprisingly gooey from a male point of view. This is quite different from the action-thriller vibe the series will eventually take.
August 6, 2012
Millionaire restauranteur Teddy Martin is charged with his wife's murder and hires celebrity attorney Jonathan Green, who hires Elvis Cole to prove an LAPD detective planted evidence. Will Elvis uncover more than he bargained for?
Robert Crais's Elvis Cole series is slowly climbing the ranks of my favorite detective series. This one, a take off on the O.J. Simpson case, explores the legal system and how it is inherently full of shit.
The supporting cast is an interesting bunch, from the slimey lawyers like Green and Truly, to Kerris, to lowlifes like James Lester, to cops like Angela Rossi and Dan Tomsic. Anglea in particular is bad ass and I hope Crais uses her again later in the series. I like Elvis's relationship with Lucy and Ben quite a bit, even though he fell for her a little too quickly. I'm hoping their relationship actually goes somewhere and she doesn't Susan Silverman the rest of the series for me.
Elvis and Joe Pike do what they do best: wander around, pissing people off, until the shooting starts. It's a little formulaic but I like how Crais saves most of the action for the end.
Any complaints? Not really. Crais is a good mystery writer and this is another worthwhile entry in the Elvis Cole series.
Robert Crais's Elvis Cole series is slowly climbing the ranks of my favorite detective series. This one, a take off on the O.J. Simpson case, explores the legal system and how it is inherently full of shit.
The supporting cast is an interesting bunch, from the slimey lawyers like Green and Truly, to Kerris, to lowlifes like James Lester, to cops like Angela Rossi and Dan Tomsic. Anglea in particular is bad ass and I hope Crais uses her again later in the series. I like Elvis's relationship with Lucy and Ben quite a bit, even though he fell for her a little too quickly. I'm hoping their relationship actually goes somewhere and she doesn't Susan Silverman the rest of the series for me.
Elvis and Joe Pike do what they do best: wander around, pissing people off, until the shooting starts. It's a little formulaic but I like how Crais saves most of the action for the end.
Any complaints? Not really. Crais is a good mystery writer and this is another worthwhile entry in the Elvis Cole series.
September 17, 2019
This novel is too long and doesn't get going meaningfully until its end. 4 of 10 stars!
March 5, 2012
This book has such an outlandish plot to it. Honestly, could anyone believe that a rich and famous person could possibly get away with murder by having a high priced legal team that obscures the facts by putting the police department on trial and manipulating the media to…. What’s that you say? O.J.? Robert Blake? Michael Jackson’s molestation trial? That NBA player who shotgunned his limo driver in front of multiple witnesses, and they couldn’t even get a jury to convict him of manslaughter?
Hey, at least Phil Spector went to prison even if it took two trials and appeals that reached the Supreme Court level.
The wife of a wealthy and famous L.A restaurateur is found dead, and the bloody murder weapon is found on his property by an ambitious LAPD detective named Angela Rossi. Elvis Cole is hired by the high profile defense attorney to investigate Rossi to see if charges about her previously planting evidence have any merit. Elvis finds himself performing as a reluctant clown in a media circus as he tries to get at the truth.
Published in 1996, it’s pretty obvious that Crais was thinking of the O.J. trial when he came up with this, but he changes it up enough so that it doesn’t feel like a ripped-from-the-headlines type story. There’s also a nice wrinkle in that Elvis’s generally good relationship with the LAPD become understandably strained by his investigation, and even his partner (and ex-cop) Joe Pike acts like he wishes Elvis would have taken a pass on this one.
I was going to bitch that Elvis seemed a bit naïve about the media for a L.A. based private detective who deals with the entertainment industry quite a bit, but then I remembered that this written just as the 24 hour news cycle was discovering that missing blondes and murdered children make for good ratings so it’s realistic that Elvis is a bit flabbergasted at the media firestorm.
My only complaint is that there’s a subplot with Elvis’s lady friend from Louisiana paying a visit, and as in the previous book, I’m just not buying his sudden and deep love for Lucy. I don’t really know why because she doesn’t annoy me, and I like that Crais is trying to build up a personal life for Elvis. But it’s just not clicking with me for some reason.
Hey, at least Phil Spector went to prison even if it took two trials and appeals that reached the Supreme Court level.
The wife of a wealthy and famous L.A restaurateur is found dead, and the bloody murder weapon is found on his property by an ambitious LAPD detective named Angela Rossi. Elvis Cole is hired by the high profile defense attorney to investigate Rossi to see if charges about her previously planting evidence have any merit. Elvis finds himself performing as a reluctant clown in a media circus as he tries to get at the truth.
Published in 1996, it’s pretty obvious that Crais was thinking of the O.J. trial when he came up with this, but he changes it up enough so that it doesn’t feel like a ripped-from-the-headlines type story. There’s also a nice wrinkle in that Elvis’s generally good relationship with the LAPD become understandably strained by his investigation, and even his partner (and ex-cop) Joe Pike acts like he wishes Elvis would have taken a pass on this one.
I was going to bitch that Elvis seemed a bit naïve about the media for a L.A. based private detective who deals with the entertainment industry quite a bit, but then I remembered that this written just as the 24 hour news cycle was discovering that missing blondes and murdered children make for good ratings so it’s realistic that Elvis is a bit flabbergasted at the media firestorm.
My only complaint is that there’s a subplot with Elvis’s lady friend from Louisiana paying a visit, and as in the previous book, I’m just not buying his sudden and deep love for Lucy. I don’t really know why because she doesn’t annoy me, and I like that Crais is trying to build up a personal life for Elvis. But it’s just not clicking with me for some reason.
June 3, 2025
2nd read - There's layer upon stinky onion layer of media and Southern California money in this story. Throw in a gazillion lawyers, Cole's love interest and her son in for a visit, and a cop who's under suspicion for planting evidence, and it's a fun ride.
A hotshot restaurant king's wife has been kidnapped and now killed, and his high powered legal team wants Elvis to check out leads to get their client off the hook. Most of the action is condensed towards the end of the novel, but the fun is in getting there.
1st reading - Elvis, World's Greatest Private Investigator, is back in L.A. after his Southern expedition. He's approached by reps of the lawyer's lawyer to the stars, Mr Green, to join the team as it prepares for a defense of it's rich client, accused of murdering his wife. Throw in the new found Louisiana love interest, and her son, and things are getting warmer.
Included in the mix are a police investigator under the spotlight from dubious dealings; Elvis' silent partner, the enigmatic Joe Pike; and Hollywood TV and print piranhas; who do you trust, and what is the truth?
A hotshot restaurant king's wife has been kidnapped and now killed, and his high powered legal team wants Elvis to check out leads to get their client off the hook. Most of the action is condensed towards the end of the novel, but the fun is in getting there.
1st reading - Elvis, World's Greatest Private Investigator, is back in L.A. after his Southern expedition. He's approached by reps of the lawyer's lawyer to the stars, Mr Green, to join the team as it prepares for a defense of it's rich client, accused of murdering his wife. Throw in the new found Louisiana love interest, and her son, and things are getting warmer.
Included in the mix are a police investigator under the spotlight from dubious dealings; Elvis' silent partner, the enigmatic Joe Pike; and Hollywood TV and print piranhas; who do you trust, and what is the truth?
September 11, 2023
Excellent story! One of the best that I’ve read up to this point. Probably 4.5 ⭐️, rounded up. As a former lawyer, I thought the ending (Chapter 39) was clever.
July 6, 2020
Seriously. What just happened? A 5 star book almost ended up with 2 because of that stupid ending chapter. What a disappointment.
Most everything was excellent. The characters, the mystery. Sure it felt a little like a certain former Hertz salesman’s story in the ‘90’s but even that was okay. Cole and Pike were as good as always. Lucy and Ben looked like great additions. Then that last chapter. If you read the book, don’t read chapter 39.
Most everything was excellent. The characters, the mystery. Sure it felt a little like a certain former Hertz salesman’s story in the ‘90’s but even that was okay. Cole and Pike were as good as always. Lucy and Ben looked like great additions. Then that last chapter. If you read the book, don’t read chapter 39.
January 26, 2012
Excellent. This is the earliest in the Elvis Cole series which I have read. I loved it and it shows the basic foundation of the Elvis style and the Crais plotting which captured me in the later books with which I started. Now I need to continue backwards, because this is really a well-written, and plot gripping, tension - inducing read. This is a fine example of why I read this genre and why I am constantly looking for the best of the best in Crime/thriller fiction. Robert Crais is one of the best of the best, easily above many others in this genre. I like a lot of these contemporary crime fiction writers and am always looking for recommendations.
January 26, 2025
I’m filling in the episodes I’ve missed as I’ve bounced my way around this series. I read Voodoo River last, a story in which Elvis Cole met a lady that I know features in a number of his future adventures. This time around he’s trying to work out whether the relationship will have any substantive future. It shows a softer side to Elvis, the wise cracking, punch throwing Los Angeles P.I.
The main plotline here focuses on a case Elvis takes on, employed by a high profile lawyer. His task is to ascertain whether a man charged with brutally murdering his wife has been stitched up by a female detective desperate to progress her own career – desperate enough, in fact, to falsify evidence. One review I’ve read suggests that it’s a play on the O.J. Simpson case. Well, I didn’t spot that, but it might just be true. Either way, it a great mix of mystery, humour and pathos. Just what you want from an escapist novel such as this.
As with all of the tales in this series, I really enjoyed it. I’ve a bit more infilling to do and I’ve also got the latest novel (just released) to work through. In truth, I’ll be really sad when I’ve completed my journey through this excellent series.
The main plotline here focuses on a case Elvis takes on, employed by a high profile lawyer. His task is to ascertain whether a man charged with brutally murdering his wife has been stitched up by a female detective desperate to progress her own career – desperate enough, in fact, to falsify evidence. One review I’ve read suggests that it’s a play on the O.J. Simpson case. Well, I didn’t spot that, but it might just be true. Either way, it a great mix of mystery, humour and pathos. Just what you want from an escapist novel such as this.
As with all of the tales in this series, I really enjoyed it. I’ve a bit more infilling to do and I’ve also got the latest novel (just released) to work through. In truth, I’ll be really sad when I’ve completed my journey through this excellent series.
September 15, 2020
3 Stars (could have been 4)
As usual with my reviews, please first read the publisher’s blurb/summary of the book. Thank you.
Long setup, first 10%, not too bad.
Some detection, then lots of "celebrity detective" blather for far too many pages.
Then the middle half of the book is pretty good, but the last 10% is ponderous.
Too many times in the book it feels like Crais is padding things. Ugh.
Only one cute quote
'Is this Eddie Ditko, the world's finest reporter?'
He made a hacking sound like a cat gakking up a hairball.
'Yeah, sure, it says that right here on my Pulitzer. Hold on a minute while I wipe my ass with it.'
That Eddie. Always with just the right thing to say.
Robert Crais
Full size image here
There are at least two of Robert's works that he wrote from the heart, with visible love and wonder and care, my very favourites:
1. The Man Who Knew Dick Bong
My review of the collection of short stories by authors honouring Marlowe: Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe
2. Suspect about the detective, Scott, and his dog, Maggie. Robert took the 2 month dog handling course at LAPD before writing this book, and he told me personally how much he loved it. I could see how special this experience was to him.
My review of Suspect
.
As usual with my reviews, please first read the publisher’s blurb/summary of the book. Thank you.
Long setup, first 10%, not too bad.
Some detection, then lots of "celebrity detective" blather for far too many pages.
Then the middle half of the book is pretty good, but the last 10% is ponderous.
Too many times in the book it feels like Crais is padding things. Ugh.
Only one cute quote
'Is this Eddie Ditko, the world's finest reporter?'
He made a hacking sound like a cat gakking up a hairball.
'Yeah, sure, it says that right here on my Pulitzer. Hold on a minute while I wipe my ass with it.'
That Eddie. Always with just the right thing to say.
Robert Crais
Full size image here
There are at least two of Robert's works that he wrote from the heart, with visible love and wonder and care, my very favourites:
1. The Man Who Knew Dick Bong
My review of the collection of short stories by authors honouring Marlowe: Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe
2. Suspect about the detective, Scott, and his dog, Maggie. Robert took the 2 month dog handling course at LAPD before writing this book, and he told me personally how much he loved it. I could see how special this experience was to him.
My review of Suspect
.
August 27, 2021
Not bad but not great, either. I didn’t find the mystery all that engrossing, and by the end, it just sort of petered out. There’s also a lot of time spent on the relationship between Elvis and Lucy. To me, it made the book drag a bit. I’m sure the series will get right back into the swing of things by the next book.
June 13, 2019
This hardcover is signed by Robert Crais.
August 30, 2012
Couldn't sleep last night, tossing and turning. To make matters worse, I picked up Sunset Express giving my night hyperactivity something to focus on. Hours later. Done. Now I can't get back to sleep. Damn Crais!
December 21, 2016
I really enjoyed this 6th book in the Elvis Cole series.
August 9, 2021
This is far and away the best Cole book that I have read. Elvis is hired on as an investigator when a wealthy restaurant owner is accused of killing his wife. As usual things don't go to plan and Joe and Elvis aim to put things right.
There are some really touching moments in this novel between Elvis and his girlfriend, and between Elvis and Joe.
The ending is not one we are use to but Elvis handled it exactly the way I would have liked to if I'd been in his shoes.
A must read.
There are some really touching moments in this novel between Elvis and his girlfriend, and between Elvis and Joe.
The ending is not one we are use to but Elvis handled it exactly the way I would have liked to if I'd been in his shoes.
A must read.
July 17, 2022
Enjoying this series. Love his sense of humor.
December 17, 2012
"Sunset Express" is the sixth book in Robert Crais's series featuring his L.A. private eye Elvis Cole, but it's the first book that I've read. It won't be my last. Crais is a writer for those who love a good fast-paced mystery with a likable and charming hero in the vein of Robert Parker's Spenser or Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe. Wise-cracking, compassionate, tough-but-lovable, and an all-around good guy---the kind you'd definitely want in your corner---Elvis Cole, in this novel, is at a turning point in his life. Faced with giving up his private eye practice to be something that, deep down, he may have always wanted to be---a husband and father---Cole takes on a case that may make his decision a lot easier. Famous restauranteur Teddy Martin is accused of murdering his wife. World-famous defense attorney Jonathon Green is his lawyer. New evidence arises that suggests detective Angela Rossi, the arresting officer, may have planted incriminating evidence on Martin. If so, the case against Martin is flimsy at best, and Rossi's career is over. Green hires Cole to investigate the allegations against Rossi, which he does. His investigation turns up nothing to suggest Rossi's guilt. On the contrary, Rossi is one of the good ones: an exemplary, dedicated by-the-book police officer. When he tells Green the results of his investigation, Cole thinks the matter is done. Then, Green mysteriously uncovers several new witnesses that would confirm Rossi's wrongdoing. Conveniently, two of these witnesses end up dead, and a third goes missing. Cole knows when he has been used, and he's pissed off, which may be the dumbest thing Jonathon Green has ever done.
April 15, 2014
As usual, Robert Crais delivers sheer pleasure. Everything seems just right with this book. Tight, tight, tight story-telling. Perfect dialogue. Great Joe Pike and Elvis Cole action. It's possible to read this in one day. That way you can read it every day. It would be quite a few before getting tired of it.
January 11, 2008
The best Elvis Cole novel (to date). Definitely read Voodoo River prior to this one.
Reading the end of the book was as close to pumping my fist in the air and screaming like a beer soaked frat boy as I ever need to get.
A great detective novel. No. A fucking great detective novel.
Reading the end of the book was as close to pumping my fist in the air and screaming like a beer soaked frat boy as I ever need to get.
A great detective novel. No. A fucking great detective novel.
February 2, 2014
I'm getting down to the last few Coles I haven't read, and it'll be a bit of a bummer to be all caught up because I've enjoyed them so much. This one works nicely with its less-than-neat ending, and stands as one of the highlights of a great series.
May 20, 2017
Elvis Cole agrees to join the investigative team of lawyer Jonathan Green in defending Hollywood restaurateur Teddy White against charges of killing his wife. The angle they are going for is that the vital evidence against Teddy was planted there by ambitious detective Angela Rossi, who is trying to bounce back from a career setback.
Of course, Cole winds up way in over his head! While new girlfriend Lucy Chenier comes to visit, he uncovers evidence that could undeniably prove Teddy White's guilt. But things don't quite add up, and the inevitable conspiracy starts!
A more exciting thriller was hiding somewhere inside these pages, but kind of got lost between the relationship build-up and drama of Elvis and Lucy, and too much description. Instead of telling us every little last detail about what Elvis observes (most of it unnecessary), or every single bloody road he drives down to go somewhere (something that personally drives me nuts), Crais could have given us more information about why
Elvis and Lucy exchange far too many goofy grins and too much time is spent on their dates, romantic pursuits and Lucy's selfish silent treatment when ex-husband issues bug her. I know Lucy becomes an important character in later books (particularly The Last Detective), but she's a large reason that this is never as exciting as it could have been. The chapters with her really slow things down.
Elvis Cole and Joe Pike are two of my favourite fictional characters. I was hooked in by L.A. Requiem and have largely read the serious out of order, but they all stand on their own. The stuff before Requiem isn't as good as what came after, but they're decent reads. If it weren't for all the relationship filler here, it could have been one of the better ones. As it is, by the end,
Summary: Engaging. Elvis and Joe are great as usual, but one star off for too much padding with Elvis and Lucy's relationship, and another star off for all that endless description about roads and travel routes.
Of course, Cole winds up way in over his head! While new girlfriend Lucy Chenier comes to visit, he uncovers evidence that could undeniably prove Teddy White's guilt. But things don't quite add up, and the inevitable conspiracy starts!
A more exciting thriller was hiding somewhere inside these pages, but kind of got lost between the relationship build-up and drama of Elvis and Lucy, and too much description. Instead of telling us every little last detail about what Elvis observes (most of it unnecessary), or every single bloody road he drives down to go somewhere (something that personally drives me nuts), Crais could have given us more information about why
Elvis and Lucy exchange far too many goofy grins and too much time is spent on their dates, romantic pursuits and Lucy's selfish silent treatment when ex-husband issues bug her. I know Lucy becomes an important character in later books (particularly The Last Detective), but she's a large reason that this is never as exciting as it could have been. The chapters with her really slow things down.
Elvis Cole and Joe Pike are two of my favourite fictional characters. I was hooked in by L.A. Requiem and have largely read the serious out of order, but they all stand on their own. The stuff before Requiem isn't as good as what came after, but they're decent reads. If it weren't for all the relationship filler here, it could have been one of the better ones. As it is, by the end,
Summary: Engaging. Elvis and Joe are great as usual, but one star off for too much padding with Elvis and Lucy's relationship, and another star off for all that endless description about roads and travel routes.
January 25, 2025
Robert Crais has a new book out, so before reading it, I decided to read a couple of old books that I missed. The Elvis Cole and Joe Pike Detective Agency is pretty much the same, although the partners are much younger, and Los Angeles is a bit dated—no cellphone cameras and no security lines at the airport. However, Crais’s wit and humor are the same.
The murder case is trailer made for Elvis, and the quirky characters that he must deal with are so “California.” The book is great fun with a bit of animosity between LA detectives and private investigators. There also is a high-power lawyer who is totally interested in press conferences and television interviews; and “handling” Elvis Cole. He will also do anything to win a case…anything.
So much corruption; it is difficult to do the right thing. Nice throwback book.
The murder case is trailer made for Elvis, and the quirky characters that he must deal with are so “California.” The book is great fun with a bit of animosity between LA detectives and private investigators. There also is a high-power lawyer who is totally interested in press conferences and television interviews; and “handling” Elvis Cole. He will also do anything to win a case…anything.
So much corruption; it is difficult to do the right thing. Nice throwback book.
January 30, 2021
This is a great book! I think it’s the best of the series to this point! Elvis Cole is hired by a hot shot defense attorney to help investigate and clear a wealthy restauranteur accused of killing his wife. Lots of twists and turns along the way! Excellent book!
November 18, 2011
Elvis Cole is one crackerjack P.I. who easily says, he's 'the greatest detective in the world.' Yeh, he's a little cocky but he is very good at what he does and he's got Joe Pike as his backup. Pike would make any one just a little cocky.
So many things to love about Elvis...besides his name if you're an Elvis P. fan.
His black cat for one, the cat who hates everyone except Elvis and Joe. Black cat (no name) reminds me of my cat. Has that attitude going but Elvis still pampers him and loves him by giving him Bumble Bee White Tuna, which is his most favorite thing. "That and field mice," says Elvis. One of those funny moments in the life of Elvis Cole between his finding the bad guys.
Reading the series and this is #6 I believe. Elvis becomes famous in this book with lots of newspaper coverage for his great detective work.
I'm partial, I just like Crais' writing and Elvis but most people would probably give it three stars. That's ok, too. I'm a little partial to Elvis, that's all, and I admit it.
So many things to love about Elvis...besides his name if you're an Elvis P. fan.
His black cat for one, the cat who hates everyone except Elvis and Joe. Black cat (no name) reminds me of my cat. Has that attitude going but Elvis still pampers him and loves him by giving him Bumble Bee White Tuna, which is his most favorite thing. "That and field mice," says Elvis. One of those funny moments in the life of Elvis Cole between his finding the bad guys.
Reading the series and this is #6 I believe. Elvis becomes famous in this book with lots of newspaper coverage for his great detective work.
I'm partial, I just like Crais' writing and Elvis but most people would probably give it three stars. That's ok, too. I'm a little partial to Elvis, that's all, and I admit it.
October 28, 2016
Elvis Cole and Joe Pike are hired by the Big Green Defense Machine to help find evidence that Jonathan Green’s latest client is indeed innocent of killing his wife. However, Cole soon begins to suspect that not everything is as it appears in this case. Can he find the truth? Or has he been played?
This is definitely one of the stronger entries in the series with an intriguing mystery that twists and turns until we reach a non- dues ex machina ending. We get some appearances by characters introduced in earlier books, which is quite fun. Things do slow down at one point, and there is one mostly pointless scene designed to increase the foul language content in the book (not that it was ever an issue). Still, this is the strongest in the series yet.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
This is definitely one of the stronger entries in the series with an intriguing mystery that twists and turns until we reach a non- dues ex machina ending. We get some appearances by characters introduced in earlier books, which is quite fun. Things do slow down at one point, and there is one mostly pointless scene designed to increase the foul language content in the book (not that it was ever an issue). Still, this is the strongest in the series yet.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
April 21, 2014
This series is getting to be similar to brain candy for me--extremely satisfying but not a lot of sustenance. I really like Elvis Cole and Joe Pike. This book started out sounding like the plot was pretty straight forward, but it soon became quite complex and exciting. Yes, I do plan to read the next in the series and may start out with the Joe Pike series which has some stories not found in the Elvis Cole books.
June 17, 2012
Robert Crais won a Shamus for this one. An excellant read.
December 22, 2017
Another really good, entertaining read. They've ALL been good. I do have the next 2-3 in the series at hand, so I should get a good start on completing all the books by the end of 2018.
June 14, 2014
marvellous chicanery and double-dealing - the best Elvis Cole yet
February 26, 2020
Sunset Express is a fun read. Elvis Cole gets a job working for a high-powered celebrity lawyer whose wealthy client has been charged with murder. This leads to Elvis, against his will, becoming a minor celebrity himself before the whole situation begins to go pear-shaped.
This novel offers a few twists and turns, and while you can see some of these twists coming from miles away, it's still fun watching the story play out. Elvis and Pike are the kinds of people I like to have solving my murder mysteries, and I enjoyed watching them again here. Although you'll probably figure out whodunnit (and who tried to help them get away with it) about 300 pages before the end of the book, the ending still manages to be a bit of a surprise because Crais does not wrap everything up in the neat little package that the readers of detective stories expect. This is a mixed blessing because, if I'm being honest, I like the neat little package.
My main problem with the Elvis Cole novels is that Elvis is way too into collecting Disney merch. Adult men who really really love Mickey Mouse seem . . . I don't want to sound harsh . . . but they seem creepy, or at least kind of weird in the way that isn't good.
Looking back I can see that this review sounds pretty negative, but in reality I was entertained by Sunset Express and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone who likes a good private detective story.
This novel offers a few twists and turns, and while you can see some of these twists coming from miles away, it's still fun watching the story play out. Elvis and Pike are the kinds of people I like to have solving my murder mysteries, and I enjoyed watching them again here. Although you'll probably figure out whodunnit (and who tried to help them get away with it) about 300 pages before the end of the book, the ending still manages to be a bit of a surprise because Crais does not wrap everything up in the neat little package that the readers of detective stories expect. This is a mixed blessing because, if I'm being honest, I like the neat little package.
My main problem with the Elvis Cole novels is that Elvis is way too into collecting Disney merch. Adult men who really really love Mickey Mouse seem . . . I don't want to sound harsh . . . but they seem creepy, or at least kind of weird in the way that isn't good.
Looking back I can see that this review sounds pretty negative, but in reality I was entertained by Sunset Express and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone who likes a good private detective story.
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