Stalking the Angel by Robert Crais

This is the second entry in the Elvis
Cole Los Angeles Private Investigator series. I guess this should be
more appropriately referred to as the Elvis Cole/Joe Pike series. I
read an interview by the author in which he stated that he didn't
suggest reading the books in order, as the recent books are much more
indicative of his style and the characters. In spite of that, I have
elected to read the books in order, and I am glad that I have. This
novel dwelves even further into the odd relationship between Pike and
Cole. Pike is at ease killing bad guys, or making Cole breakfast.


The mystery here, or case, involves the Japanese mafia, and one
very dysfunctional family that hires Cole to locate a missing Japanese
treasure. The story was enjoyable and the characters are outstanding.
The wise-cracking Cole had me laughing at several times as I read.
While Pike in all his stoic glory is a delight. This book really focues
on the true ambiguity that sometimes exists between right and wrong and
the good guys and the bad guys.

I also feel that the series is developing along the lines of the inspector Montalbano books in that there is more and more detail when describing food and how Elvis enjoys them.

Monkey's raincoat by Robert Crais

This is the first entry in Robert Crais' Elvis Cole series and is a
great read. Crais is a former TV writer who wrote for Emmy Award
winning series such as L.A. Law and Hill Street Blues. In Elvis Cole,
he creates a charcter who, on the surface, seems to be just another
wise cracking private eye, but is actually so much more. Along with his
perpetually sunglassed partner Joe Pike, Elvis owns a P.I. Agency in
Los Angeles. Pike is quite interesting as well. He says little and
lives life according to a strict code of discipline. He reminds me a
little bit of Clint Eastwood from his spaghetti western days. The book
opens with Elvis meeting with Ellen Lang & her friend Janet. It
appears that Ellen's husband Mort has kidnapped their son. Elvis
reluctantly takes the case and what appears to be a routine case of a
missing person turns into something much bigger. Through many twists
and turns involving small time Hollywood agents and actresses, he
eventually comes face to face with a Mexican crime lord, who is a
former bullfighter. He thinks Elvis has his missing cocaine and the
story ends with Elvis searching for the cocaine and a showdown in the
crime lord's compound. Crais weaves many interesting characters into a
fast paced, humorous tale. The book contains the right amount of twists
and turns to keep you on your toes, but not too many as to seem
implausible. He reveals just enough about Elvis & Pike for us to
get know them, but leaves somethings about them uncovered, so they can
be explored in future books.

The Draco Tavern by Lary Niven

A series of short stories based in the Draco tavern. A tavern run by a human and finananced by E.T.'s in Siberia. It is the place that is used by crews and passengers of ships that stop in our Solar system.

Some fun stories but nothing special. I would rate it a 6

The Overlook by Michael Connelly

Harry Bosch book. Originaly a serialisation for the New York Times that finally made it into a book. Has a Q&A session with M.C. at the back which I found interesting, as for the rest of the book...well,I just love the whole Harry Bosch thing. A thouroughly entertaining book though having read enough of his books you know about half way through who did, with who and why. I just got the "with who" wrong :-)

City of lies by R.J.Ellory

I have to give this a 10 out of 10. Excellent written book. Just love the style of telling the story, he had me griped. Whereas a book like this I would normally read in a day or two, it took about a week to complete this as I was taking my time savouring each page.