The Monkey's Raincoat (An Elvis Cole Novel Book 1)

Great humor, and nice to go back before the connivence of cell pxs. There's a lot of reality in the story, and it moves along quickly. It'd be a great book for 20 somethings to read, sice they don't know of a world without cell pxs or computers, and how you got around.

Excellent writing with a bonus of quick wit. Descriptive enough to make you feel a part of each scene, well...not quite with the bedroom scenes. This is another series that I know, in advance, I will read all of.

The start of a great series that introduce you to interesting characters. This book will be the beginning of an interesting and special ride. Robert Chais's characters will enter your world and that's where you'll want them to stay. Excellent author that makes you a page turner.

Crais is very popular, and this is the first book of his that I've read. He seems to be trying to out "smart ass" DeMille's John Corey, or the late Robert Parker's Spenser. Unfortunately, in my opinion he doesn't quite get there. The plot and characters are OK, the book just didn't have that much appeal for me. I'll pass on his other books.

If you like stories about private detectives, based in Los Angeles, with some movie industry stuff and drug smuggling stuff, then this is the book for you. It was okay; I probably should have gone on a hike, instead of reading it.

The quality of the umbrella was not made good. The first day one of the pegs came off the rod. I placed it back on, but I will remove all one by one and put gorilla glue on the tips to make it harder to remove.

I just finished with this book and was highly disappointed when I opened the book to read it and found that the print was so small I could hardly read it, plus there were no separations of the paragraphs so made it extremely hard to read and follow!!! I suppose Robert Crais was perhaps trying to save money with this first of the series, but really . . . one would think he would be trying to please his viewers that love his books.

Another well written, interesting to read book by Robert Crais. I have yet to find a book by him I didn't like. I got hooked after reading "Suspect" as my first Crais book. Anxiously awaiting his next book featuring Maggie the dog.

A very good read. Infiltrated with just the right amount of drama, mystery, intrigue and humor and just a dash of romance. Robert Crais is very adept in mixing the ingredients to have a successful crime novel. I recommend 5 stars for this book. Find a comfortable spot & sit down for a fantastic story
Elvis Cole and his detective agency.

I have always enjoyed Robert Crais, and was devistated when he died. Elvis is really a complex character, and his associate Joe Pike is someone with whom I would love to have a beer. And the cat! ! ! ! what a hoot.

I read this novel after I had read everything Mr. Crais has written, including his stand alone novels (Hostage, Demolition Angel), and it's every bit as good as his later ones. I had read in a previous interview that he recommended new readers to try his later works first which was why I saved this novel for last. But as far as character development, plot twists, page turning excitement goes, this one has got it all. This is maybe took a little bit more time to unravel the plot, but there was no loss of momentum in his telling. Vastly enjoyable like all his other works. Now I have to find other distractions while I wait for "The Wanted" to be released.

If you enjoyed the quirky characters of Robert Parker's Spencer series, then you will probably enjoy Crais' Elvis Cole. Although Cole is limited in how "fleshed" out he is, his quirkiness holds and the story moves quickly and engaging.

Funny and fast moving detective fare. I enjoyed Elvis and will miss him now that I'm finished. It was fun trying to place the year the story takeslace. The author
Eaves clues throughout. ..a sorting of making the reader the detective. I loved his paetner, Pike, and definitely want to get to know his character better in the next book.

This was an entertaining book (thanks Crystal for the recommendation) and motivated me to make additional purchases of Robert Crais books. I truly enjoyed the Elvis Cole character and his cynical humor that is threaded throughout. Recommend to all that like to chuckle through murder/mystery books.

Once again, another winning mystery involving the Elvis Cole-Joe Pike duo. Crais' characters are very well defined & believable as they move along with the plot. I'm anxious to read the next book in the series!

Looking for some light reading material for purposes of amusement, while spending some quiet time at the local library one day; lo and behold, I found The Monkey's Raincoat, by Robert Crais, published in 1987. The client depicted in the novel isn't as weak, defenseless, and pathetic as you might imagine at first glance. She does have a well-meaning friend upon whom she confides for support and guidance. She leans on her for comfort in her hour of need. Neither of them exactly fits the bill for the stereotypical "Wonder Woman" criteria.
The private eyes they meet from the detective agency to help resolve her problem are interesting to say the least. You might be tempted to call them "Frank" and "Reliable." You discover that Lady Luck smiles upon them repeatedly. You get the idea. They are the kind of fellows who would make good friends and neighbors. They would bail you out and be there for you in a pinch, "when push comes to shove," as some might say. Yet, they are believable characters, as caring and lovable as teddy bears. You get the picture.
The setting is Hollywood Hills, with all of the glitz and glamour. Not unlike the bumper sticker visible on a customized farm truck in sparkling show-room condition dragging Main Street which offers a quick assessment of the situation, "too cool for New York, but savvy enough for L.A."
The plot--no job too tough for our illustrious, esteemed gumshoe investigators; involves a case of mistaken identity coupled with misplaced trust, amidst a raging monsoon of megalomania on the part of the antagonist. Before long, you start thinking, "Somebody ought to go over there and spank that monkey." No doubt, you will want to read more about these detectives and their daring deeds in a future novel. Putting them together with the damsels in distress, the score from an arrangement of assorted "Loony Tunes" cartoon theme and poignant classical music, you'd have another "La La Land" movie hit.
"You want to remove the toxins from your body," said Meghan in a calm and soothing tone of voice, as she saturated a tub of warm, clear, cleansing bathwater with two handfuls of finely granulated salt crystals.
"It's good for the skin and the soul, isn't it?" replied R. Royce.
"I don't know about yours," she said, tactlessly, callously.
"Shall we change the subject, then?" said Royce, on guard. He was beginning to feel somewhat uncomfortable. He winced and looked away. Feeling mortally wounded, the fleeting thought occurred to him that a door to the next universe had suddenly closed before his very eyes.
"Who died and left Alexis Sue Shell in charge?" she burst out, bluntly, spitefully, and somewhat angrily.
"What brought that on, Meghan? It's too late for a soap opera."
"Someone knocks on Cornelius' door late one night and asks if he can help retrieve a cold and frightened kitten out from under the hood of a parked automobile. He calls Susan and brings her aboard to resolve the situation."
"So, she coaxes the cute and cuddle-some creature, forlorn and beyond reach, out with a warm saucer of milk. It's no big deal!" explained Royce.
"But then he put her in charge of communications!" said Meghan, frantic.
"Somebody has to contact us when there's an alert. We can't all be in the office all of the time, 24-7. He needed to free you up for more pressing matters. We have plans for you."
"Oh. What do you have in mind? You're telling me she doesn't have a mean streak or a vindictive bone in her body?"
"No, of course not. Neither do you." Royce began to reassure Meghan, and felt the universe expanding, as it should. "Which is why we're all meeting for a friendly breakfast early tomorrow morning."
She changed her tune and began to ham it up with a song and dance routine. "Don't tease me, please me. Hug me, kiss me, squeeze me."
At Denny's, Cornelius Korn told the others present about the novel he was reading and the solid wooden chair he was building in the shop out of hard-rock maple.
"I bet it's sturdy," Meghan commented. Susan laughed inaudibly, contentedly, catching on quickly.
About that time Korn showed them the tickets for their next vacation. "Pack your bags," he said, beaming. "We're going on a Caribbean cruise." Never once did he mention the next get-rich-quick scheme.
"To Atlantis," said Royce, looking over the itinerary. "A resort hotel named after the fabled lost city at the bottom of the ocean. Are we searching for sunken pirate treasure?"

Elvis Cole novels by Crais are for private detective lovers everywhere. If you love Spenser, if you love Jesse Stone and Philip Marlow, you will love Elvis Cole. Fast moving, quick talking, Elvis and Joe will keep you on the edge of your seat, and will do it with style. You will find yourself racing thru the series at the speed of light. Be sure to read the non-series books too. You'll have to when you run out of Elvis.

Really good book, couldn't put it down, just couldn't wait to find out what happened next. Robert Crais really paints a picture it's like you are there, will definitely be reading the next Elvis Cole book.

I have read all of Robert Parkers Spenser and Jesse Stone books. In looking for something similar, I saw a recommendation for Robert Crais. I very much enjoyed the story, in line with Parker. I will be reading more of this author in the future.

When I started this book, my first thought was, “Uh-oh, this author is going to try too hard to be snarky.” But it turned out that the author’s voice really grabbed me—and by 3% in, I found that I’d already chuckled out loud 4-5 times.

Elvis Cole is a PI who has some jerk-like qualities. Among other things he sleeps with two women who are friends in this book, which is generally a no-no. But, despite his indiscriminate ways, he is also a saver of damsels and children, and I couldn’t help but like him.

He’s also a crack-up (refer back to out-loud chuckling). In regards to aforementioned sex: <<She came twice before I did. She bit my shoulders and scratched me and said “Yes” a lot.>>

Well, okay, then! At least Elvis isn’t a selfish B in bed, either…

He is also a tough guy, talented and brutal with his fists in the manner of Jack Reacher—but certainly with his own style.

The story itself was easy to follow, which I like. Sometimes mysteries (or crazy espionage thrillers) can just get so complicated, who can follow it at the end of a long day when you just want to relax? But even though it was uncomplicated, the story was still very engaging. The only time my attention flagged was when Crais talked about driving around Los Angeles, going from one place to another. I’m not unfamiliar with LA, but, still. This was pretty meaningless.

Crais is a new author to me—I picked up MONKEY’S RAINCOAT on a Book Gorilla deal, but now I will certainly be looking for more of this author’s other entertaining books.