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.