Robert Crais - L.A. Requiem

A milestone in the career of a very fine writer and a must-read for contemporary hardboiled fans.

The Washington Post

After Chandler we had James M. Cain and after Cain there was Ross MacDonald and currently we have Robert Crais.

Los Angeles Times Book Review

Strong characters and plenty of terse dialogue give this tale of West Coast madness a lot of punch.

Chicago Tribune

The trouble with starting a Robert Crais book is that you just can't put it down until you finish it. Crais is one of the great ones.

Tony Hillerman

Outstanding Readers will learn what drives Pike, how he uses his taciturn demeanor as a shield, and why the toughest thing he ever did involved neither guns nor physical bravery. This is an extraordinary crime novel that should not be pigeonholed by genre. The best books always land outside preset boundaries. A wonderful experience.

Booklist (starred and boxed review)

As the complicated plot unfolds, there are surprises and setbacks for all the characters, as well as many moving moments as the friendship between Joe and Elvis is put to the ultimate test. And behind it all stands the city of Los Angeles, populated with the best and worst humanity has to offer and served and protected by a police force that also mirrors the best and worst in human nature.

The Denver Post

Robert Crais should be mentioned in the same breath as Robert B. Parker, Tony Hillerman, Sue Grafton, and James Lee Burke.

Houston Chronicle

[A] blockbuster The best in the Elvis Cole/Joe Pike series to date Its plot moves through serial killers, ice-cold revenge, doppelgangers, lingering effects of childhood violence, sexism on the force, fatal attractions, and lethal media feeding frenzies. You just can't take your eyes away. And Crais can still turn a phrase with the best of them.

New Orleans Times-Picayune

Streamlined plotting, smiling charm, slick action A taut, suspenseful case that opens up scars that easygoing Elvis never looked into before.

Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

A hip, tightly crafted novel full of consistently drawn characters and more than a handful of surprises. There's nothing predictable here. The story is complex and realistic. Crais is a pro, never missing a detail, never crossing himself up with clues, never offering more than he needs to keep the reader mesmerized.

The Denver Gazette

Truly outstanding Powerful It is an astonishing story, full of twists and turns, which holds one riveted right to the end. A major breakthrough novel for this talented writer.

Publishing News

[A] page-turner Since James Ellroy stopped writing about Los Angeles crime, Crais has emerged as one of the most authentic Southern California noir mystery authors. He knows the territory, and, in Elvis Cole, has created an appealing private eye.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Recommended Elvis Cole fans will love this latest page-turner featuring the fast-talking private eye and his taciturn tattooed partner.

Library Journal

Many people contributed to the writing of this novel, and to its moment of publication. They include: Detective-Three John Petievich, LAPD (Fugitive Section); Detective-Three Paul Bishop, LAPD (West Los Angeles Sex Crimes); Bruce Kelton JD, CFE (Director, Forensic Investigative Services, Deloitte & Touche); Patricia Crais; Lauren Crais; Carol Topping (for nights out with the girls); Wayne Topping (for putting up with it); William Gleason, Ph.D.; Andrea Malcolm; Jeffrey Gleason; April Smith; Robert Miller; Brian DeFiore; Lisa Kitei; Samantha Miller; Kim Dower; Gerald Petievich; Judy Chavez (for the language lessons); Dr. Halina Alter (for keeping me in the game); Steve Volpe; and Norman Kurland.

Special contributions were made by the following, without whom this book would not exist in its present form: Aaron Priest, Steve Rubin, Linda Grey, Shawn Coyne, and George Lucas. Thank you.

Help, encouragement, and inspiration were given by many who requested anonymity. These secret creatures include TC, MG, TD, LC, and Cookie. Good to go on night patrol whenever, wherever.

This book is not solely mine; it also belongs to Leslie Wells.