The Watchman (Joe Pike)

Past Crais novels, I've enjoyed some. This novel started out in typical Robert Crais fashion but just became more and more unnecessarily convoluted and confusing as each chapter passed. I struggled to finish it and understand the roles of the onslaught of characters (from several countries)as it went on. In the end, I simply didn't care who was lying, who wasn't and what happened to any of these characters. It was a huge let down to previous Crais novels like L.A. Reqeuim.

The long-running Joe Pike/Elvis Cole series of books by Robert Crais are always exciting, entertaining, thought-provoking and very hard to put down. While Elvis Cole has been the central character in the earlier books in the series, and is the more engaging of the two protagonists, his close friend, Joe Pike, has taken center stage in this volume.

The two men, both of whom have military backgrounds and special forces skills, are now partners in a private detective agency in the heart of Los Angeles. Elvis is the public face of the agency, the self-styled "World's Greatest Detective". Charming, endearing, sexy and funny. Pike is the strong, silent (very silent), Terminator-type guy who works mainly in the shadows. But when they've taken on a case, they are equally "mission committed" and totally focused on finishing what they start and on backing each other up, no matter what the cost. Together they are an unbeatable team who share strong values and beliefs, who live by their own rules, who don't give up and who have an unbreakable bond of affection and loyalty between them.

The characters are well-developed and likeable, the stories are realistically plotted, the action is non-stop and the twists are always surprising. Elvis and Joe will make you laugh, gasp, and break your heart.

While The Watchman is not the best book in this long series, it is definitely worth reading. I think any fan of this genre will find it completely satisfying and, if you are new to the series, will have you going back and reading them all. That's what we did. We're happy to recommend Robert Crais as a writer of astonishing skill and Joe Pike and Elvis Cole as two of the best "series" characters around.

Robert Crais is in a class all by himself - Pike & Cole are two of the best fiction characters ever created. Pike is a fascinating man with multiple skills, mystery, loyalty and a heart to go with it, if he believes in you. At times a recluse, at times an operator of unbelievable proportions. Crais weaves great tales - he is on the top of my bookshelves. Michael Connelly is a master as well, but Crais has more diversity in his stories (location, bad guys, etc.) If you like multi-layered stories and stealth to the max, you can't go wrong with a Crais purchase.

It was okay. Don't know what the big fuss was about. Story was decent.

Out of the 2000 books I've listened to, this one has the most asinine beginning I've ever heard. Instead of starting with an initial premise like a normal book, this guy Crais puts the middle of the story at the beginning of the book. No rime or reason other than to totally confuse the reader. Then, midway thru the thing, with just 2 words to signal what's coming, he starts with what should have been the beginning of the book. Miss those 2 words and you don't have a clue other than to guess at what's going on. I had to return twice to find that 2 word transition before being able to solve the mystery of what was going on. You want to read one screwed-up book, try this one.

Another enjoyable Crais read.

I was so excited to read this after seeing all the great reviews but ended up disappointed. The plot was a bit far-fetched but I tried to give it a chance. Unfortunately, the weak characters were no help. Pike was interesting at times but not nearly enough for a lead character. Larkin embodies everything I can't stand about reality TV stars. Why in the world the author wrote a character like her is beyond me but I couldn't bring myself to care about her. The only real entertaining parts of the book were the ones featuring the comical characters Chen and LoMolla.

Lots of suspense and unforeseen twists and turns. Character development was very enjoying and I love the friendship between Cole and Pike.

I just found Robert Crais last December and I've read ten of his Cole/Pike novels in three months. Great find.

Kept my interest