The Last Detective

Written by Robert Crais

Narrated by James Daniels

Elvis Cole's girlfriend, Lucy, is out of town and she has left her young son, Ben, in Elvis' care. Elvis and Lucy have had a few problems lately—not least over his job as a private investigator. But at last things seem to be getting better.

Then Ben disappears. One minute he's playing his computer game in Elvis' house; the next he has vanished. Elvis looks everywhere, but he just can't find Ben; and neither can Lucy when she arrives.

Then Elvis receives a phone call about Ben—and realises that something from his own past has come back to haunt him....

• Language: English
• Publisher: Hachette UK Audio
• Release date: Sep 25, 2014
• ISBN: 9781409155256

Robert Crais

Robert Crais is the author of the bestselling Cole & Pike novels. A native of Louisiana, Crais moved to Hollywood in the late 70s where he began a successful career in television, writing scripts for such major series as Cagney & Lacey, Miami Vice and Hill Street Blues. In the mid 80s, Crais created a series of crime novels based around the characters Cole & Pike. In addition, Crais has also written several bestselling standalone thrillers. Robert Crais lives in LA with his wife and family.

Reviews for The Last Detective

[michaeldeavers · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A gripping read This was a fast paced thriller that is sure to be one of Robert Crais' best books. It grabbed my senses from the very beginning and didn't let up until I finished reading the exciting ending. I think that it is probably one of the darkest books in the series, and it is fascinating how it explores Elvis' past, and Joe Pike's hidden insecurities. I couldn't put the book down and I read it over a two evening period. The only disappointment was the solution of the kidnapping...a little bit contrived and unrealistic in my mind. Still, this is a roller coaster read.

[theprint · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It took me a couple of chapters to get into the main character of this book, but once there, I was hooked. The story is well composed with a good feel of urgency and the badguys are truly evil. Pretty good, recommendable.

[macha_4 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

sokay. except the part where i didn't get to sleep till 4 am. i was obscurely disappointed in it though, because it seemed a bit perfunctory, and maybe a bit simplistic, two qualities i don't really stick Crais with too often. and Joe Pike was borderline touchy-feely, which just seems wrong.

[fnrlr1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Best book in the author's Elvis Cole series to date. Elvis is babysitting his girlfriend, Lucy Chenier's, 10-year-old son, Ben, when the boy is kidnapped. The kidnappers imply that this is payback for something that Elvis did in 'Nam. Then Lucy's obnoxious ex-husband, Richard, shows up and tries to take over the case. It's a race to save Ben's life and uncover the true villains. Multiple viewpoints and Crais's own grab-you-by-the-throat writing style make this a riveting read. Villains are scary without being superhuman. We learn more about Elvis's own background as well.

[tatoosh-3 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This is not one of Robert Crais' better offerings. Perhaps the Elvis Cole/Joe Pike series is running out of steam.The introduction of Lucy Chenier and her son Ben in Voodoo River was a positive development that gave Elvis Cole a chance to grow beyond the typical one-night-stand detective common in pulp thrillers (e.g., Jack Reacher and Virgil Flowers). Although authors seldom know what to do with the family of their protagonist (e.g., Ridley Pearson's Lou Boldt), some do occasionally feature a family member in a way that creates an independently interesting character. A good example is Letty Davenport, the daughter of Lucas Davenport featured in Wicked Prey. Unfortunately, Crais' treatment of Lucy and Ben has not risen above the status of a lame plot device.Lucy and in this book Ben have been used by Crais in an unsuccessful attempt to create a heightened sense of tension. The effort has been unsuccessful because readers have never been given a reason to believe that Lucy or Ben would be harmed. The novels are structured in such a way that the only feasible outcome is that Cole and Pike will succeed. That is the case in The Last Detective. Lucy is on a business trip to San Diego and Ben is kidnapped while staying with Lucas. Lucy, is panic stricken and blames Lucas. Her feelings spill over to Joe, who is also told in no uncertain terms that his presence in her life is unwelcome. How could this story possibly end without the unfairly accused Cole and Pike saving the day?Crais' other plot elements are growing boringly routine. The police show little initiative and Cole and Pike quickly discover critical information while the primary role of the officials is to impede their investigation. We are led to believe that the kidnappers are extraordinarily efficient killers, despite the fact that the primary activity of two of them is terrorizing a ten year old boy. The climax features yet another battle to the death in which the outnumbered Cole and Pike manage to kill the kidnappers. This time it is Elvis' turn to be seriously injured when, desperate to save his life, he grabs the blade of a knife. Crais seems to lack the necessary background or imagination to know the almost certain outcome of such a behavior is the death of Elvis Cole.Having decided that Lucy and Ben have outlived their usefulness, in the penultimate scene Lucy decides to leave Los Angeles. She is moving to a location where Ben can lead a normal life. I guess readers are supposed to overlook the fact that most of the abnormality she and Ben have experienced in Crais' novels has originated from the very place to which they are moving. Go figure!Will Cole now become a one-night-stand detective, will he meet his next "true love," or will he spend the next couple of novels as a sad and lonely guy, lamenting the loss of his one true love? I don't know but I welcome the opportunity to see what Crais can come up without Lucy, Ben, and Richard Chenier as plot devices in the story.

[aliceanna-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Very good compelling plot -- his main characters are well drawn. Even his villains seem fairly well fleshed out. Strong women characters too. I didn't like seeing Pike vulnerable but that was part of creating believable characters. More back story on Elvis as well.

[caroren_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A real page turner with interesting characters and background information on wartime experiences of main character. This book is filled with intricate detective work and combat details.

[pharrm_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Carol Starkey, who first appears in Demolition Angel, joins the Cole series

[jrtanworth · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Elvis Cole, Joe Pike, and the bad guys keep the action moving from the first page to the last. Too bad that Elvis and Joe can't figure out the mystery before the reader can. Otherwise, a good thriller, with Elvis and Joe a little less perfect than usual, and up against a formidable team of nasties.

[ericnwest · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

My first Crais/Elvis Cole/Joe PIke book and I think I will look for others. A bit too much graphic, gratuitous violence, and the parts in italics (especially the end piece) are distracting and boring. Elvis and Pike are slow to figure out the scenario. Pacing is good.Sharkey is an interesting character-looking forward to more of her.

[kaylol · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A bit predictable but still great

[msphotogirl · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I wasn't as impressed with this one as the previous one. I really begin to not like Lucy. Although I'm sure she's acting like any mother would in that situation. It was nice to find out how Elvis got his name and some of his background. I would have loved if Pike had gone back to Alaska at the end to get the bear.

[plunkinberry · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Great read! Kind of uncomfortable in places, but realistically so. Ben is kidnapped and Elvis must get him back, as much for himself as for Luce and Ben. Somewhat predictable and expected but still good. I like how Elvis & Joe are both human with failings and weaknesses. Somewhat confused about the very end...

[quibee · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A fairly well-written book, except for the fact that the guilty party was easily guessed quite early on--and that was before it was revealed to the reader in a scene not witnessed by the characters in the book.
Cole's girlfriend's son is kidnapped and Cole, with Pike, races against time to try and figure out who dunnit. Because he is so intimately involved with the case other's try to shut him out, but he is determined to bring the little boy home.

[lamour_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Elvis Cole is babysitting his girlfriend, Lucy's son Ben. Ben suddenly disappears from Cole's back yard and the abduction is by someone very good at hiding their presence. Lucy's EX makes a big deal out how his son was put in danger by her dating PI Cole as he has always disliked the man who caused his EX and son to move from New Orleans to LA. Cole calls in his partner Joe Pike to help. The police and FBI want them out of the case as does the EX as he has hired New Orleans police to help. As Cole & Pike research the abduction, they realize that they are up against mercenaries who have no qualms about killing the boy or anyone else.Be ready for the twist at the end although I suspected it before it was revealed. This is my third Elvis Cole novel and I have thoroughly enjoy them all. This one lacked the descriptions of the Los Angeles area that the other two did and which I am sure make them wonderful reads for an LA resident; however the plot was interesting with twists and turns that make this genre fun to read.

[ikeman100 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Another great book on a great series.