What do you think?
Rate this book
Elvis Cole and Joe Pike: A Mysterious Profile
The #1 New York Times–bestselling author invites you into a conversation with his two most popular characters—one well-liked and the other, not so much.
In this short piece, Robert Crais brings us into the world of quirky and likable Los Angeles PI Elvis Cole and his friend Joe Pike, a survivor and an enigmatic man of few words. The discussion revolves around the choices they’ve made, the obstacles they’ve overcome, the things that drive them to be who they are, and the hope that keeps them persevering through the darkness. It’s a fresh look at this “superb series” (Kirkus Reviews), and a fascinating visit with its “whip-smart” author (Booklist), who has also written for such television classics as Cagney and Lacey and Hill Street Blues.
“Cole and Pike make a terrific pair.” —Seattle Times
In this short piece, Robert Crais brings us into the world of quirky and likable Los Angeles PI Elvis Cole and his friend Joe Pike, a survivor and an enigmatic man of few words. The discussion revolves around the choices they’ve made, the obstacles they’ve overcome, the things that drive them to be who they are, and the hope that keeps them persevering through the darkness. It’s a fresh look at this “superb series” (Kirkus Reviews), and a fascinating visit with its “whip-smart” author (Booklist), who has also written for such television classics as Cagney and Lacey and Hill Street Blues.
“Cole and Pike make a terrific pair.” —Seattle Times
36 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 26, 2022
493 people are currently reading
114 people want to read
About the author
Robert Crais
181 books4,600 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
October 4, 2022
I can’t wait for the next in this series! This one is just an introduction to characters.
November 16, 2022
Written in 2007. Very good for what it does. Gives some insight into how Crais views Cole and Pike. I was hoping for a more recent writing, and an explanation why new books have dried up.
January 4, 2025
It's very short, but an interesting insight into the mind of Robert Crais and how he views his major characters. Presented as a conversation between Crais and Cole, where both are aware of their relationship as creator and creation. If you're a fan of the Elvis Cole series, it's highly recommended reading.
April 27, 2022
This is a very short book, about a 20-to-30 minute read -- but for me, worth every penny of its $2.99. In it, Robert Crais reveals the souls and origins of his two most iconic heroes, Elvis Cole and Joe Pike. In doing so, he also reveals the essence of his own character, motives, and mission -- which are equally and intentionally heroic in aspiration.
You see, I'm a late-life thriller-series author myself, lucky enough that at least one of my books became a bestseller in the crime/thriller genre. But if my work is any good, it's because I stand on the shoulders of writers like Robert Crais, Stephen Hunter, and Robert B. Parker. My Dylan Hunter hero is rooted in the same timeless ronin template as are their own immortal protagonists. And I have drawn inspiration not only from their stories and characters, but from autobiographical essays like this one.
Robert Crais probably had no intention or expectation of inspiring other writers like me by his example, let alone by his private sense of mission. Yet he has. So, this is a public thank-you to him for sharing with me his heroes, Elvis and Joe -- as well as his deeply personal motives. I was profoundly touched by this little book, and simply had to take this opportunity to express my gratitude.
Mr. Crais, you do more good in the world than you can possibly know.
You see, I'm a late-life thriller-series author myself, lucky enough that at least one of my books became a bestseller in the crime/thriller genre. But if my work is any good, it's because I stand on the shoulders of writers like Robert Crais, Stephen Hunter, and Robert B. Parker. My Dylan Hunter hero is rooted in the same timeless ronin template as are their own immortal protagonists. And I have drawn inspiration not only from their stories and characters, but from autobiographical essays like this one.
Robert Crais probably had no intention or expectation of inspiring other writers like me by his example, let alone by his private sense of mission. Yet he has. So, this is a public thank-you to him for sharing with me his heroes, Elvis and Joe -- as well as his deeply personal motives. I was profoundly touched by this little book, and simply had to take this opportunity to express my gratitude.
Mr. Crais, you do more good in the world than you can possibly know.
November 3, 2022
In his own words
Robert Craig gives insight into the creation of his novels and his main characters, Elvis Cole and Joe Pike.
Due to the essay's short length, critiquing it becomes difficult. Suffice it to say that it is well written and gives a unique perspective into the author's work.
Robert Craig gives insight into the creation of his novels and his main characters, Elvis Cole and Joe Pike.
Due to the essay's short length, critiquing it becomes difficult. Suffice it to say that it is well written and gives a unique perspective into the author's work.
September 26, 2023
Interesting insight
This is an interesting insight by Robert Crais, about his characters, Elvis Cole and Joe Pike. He does not go into detail about how he created them, which is something I would’ve liked to have read. He goes into. He wants his characters to embody and the traits that he’s trying to portray.
This is an interesting insight by Robert Crais, about his characters, Elvis Cole and Joe Pike. He does not go into detail about how he created them, which is something I would’ve liked to have read. He goes into. He wants his characters to embody and the traits that he’s trying to portray.
July 22, 2024
Huzzah! Lovely piece, almost time for another retrospective
A synopsis of the ephemeral, nearly incomprehensible essences of two iconic personalities given life by the most excellent Robert Crais - Elves Cole and Joe Pike.
I can imagine the hike - and the aloofness of Pike, being present, yet apart.
A synopsis of the ephemeral, nearly incomprehensible essences of two iconic personalities given life by the most excellent Robert Crais - Elves Cole and Joe Pike.
I can imagine the hike - and the aloofness of Pike, being present, yet apart.
February 15, 2023
Short. Took me less than 20 minutes to read. It is just a short little musing by Robert Crais on his two famous characters. There was not much revealed. I think I was hoping for more. I always look for an opportunity to spend more time with them, though. So it was a nice distraction.
June 6, 2024
I’d rather read another Pike and Cole book
Interesting but I’m a keen Crais fan and get impatient at my age for the next book to arrive. Always entertaining and as a former police officer in the UK I am amused at how alike USA police bosses emulate k onex
Interesting but I’m a keen Crais fan and get impatient at my age for the next book to arrive. Always entertaining and as a former police officer in the UK I am amused at how alike USA police bosses emulate k onex
May 9, 2022
Good Back Story Elvis+ Cole
This was more of back story than a novel.
I liked the book. Most of the book is kind
of things we already know about them.
This was more of back story than a novel.
I liked the book. Most of the book is kind
of things we already know about them.
May 22, 2022
Very odd profile - different from the rest. The rest are short story mysteries- this was an essay about the writer and his interaction with his characters. Not worth the price.
May 29, 2022
A good overview of the creation of Elvis Cole and Joe Pike. I personally like Joe Pike more, and I don't think he's a sociopath. :)
June 17, 2022
Crais, plus Cole and Pike. Who could want more!!!
June 27, 2022
Short and sweet and funny. Craig has a conversation with his 20-year companion. Entertaining.
3 1/2☆.
3 1/2☆.
May 28, 2023
Heroes
Very interesting background on two of my favorite characters. I can relate to finding similarities in myself and friends that I have and have known.
Very interesting background on two of my favorite characters. I can relate to finding similarities in myself and friends that I have and have known.
August 24, 2023
Rip off
I would never recommend this to anyone. I think it is possible that Robert Craig has lost either his mind and/or his money. So disappointed.
I would never recommend this to anyone. I think it is possible that Robert Craig has lost either his mind and/or his money. So disappointed.
December 26, 2023
The conversation with Elvis Cole was fascinating. The analysis of Joe Pike was interesting, but not as entertaining as the Elvis conversation.
February 20, 2024
This was fun to have Robert talking to Elvis.
April 2, 2024
Downloaded from my public library, this was an interesting introduction and has made me interested in checking out the series. So off i go!
May 5, 2024
I can’t believe I paid money for this! It is nothing but a description about the characters by the author! Big rip off!!
April 6, 2025
Not worth the time spent. It is unlike all Crais’s other books.
January 25, 2026
Interesting story how Pike and Cole’s characters came to be.
July 14, 2022
This is just a brief read to tide me over until his new book comes out. Crais tells you about the development of his two favorite characters, Elvis Cole and Joe Pike. He gives you an insight into both characters. I loved it, but not a necessary read
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews