Robert Crais

Robert Crais is an American author of detective fiction. He is best known for his Elvis Cole and Joe Pike series of novels. Before becoming a novelist, Crais wrote scripts for television shows such as Hill Street Blues, Cagney & Lacey, and Miami Vice.

This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.

  1. 1. The Monkey's Raincoat

    An Elvis Cole Novel

    In this gritty detective novel, a wisecracking private investigator takes on the case of a missing woman and her son, leading him into the seedy underbelly of Hollywood. As he delves deeper into the investigation, he encounters a slew of dangerous characters, from drug dealers to professional hitmen, all while grappling with his own personal demons. The case becomes increasingly complex, revealing a web of deceit and corruption that challenges the protagonist's wit, resourcefulness, and moral compass. With sharp dialogue and a fast-paced narrative, the story keeps readers on the edge of their seats until its thrilling conclusion.

    The 8592nd Greatest Book of All Time
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  2. 2. L.A. Requiem

    In this gripping crime thriller, private investigator Elvis Cole and his partner Joe Pike are drawn into a complex web of murder, corruption, and personal vendettas when they are hired to find a missing woman in Los Angeles. As the investigation unfolds, they uncover a series of dark secrets involving the city's elite and a past that Pike cannot escape. The narrative delves into themes of loyalty, redemption, and the haunting nature of unresolved trauma, all set against the backdrop of a city teeming with danger and deception.

    The 17152nd Greatest Book of All Time
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  3. 3. Racing The Light

    In this gripping thriller, a private investigator is thrust into a perilous world of secrets and deception when he is hired to find a missing woman. As he delves deeper into the case, he uncovers a web of corruption and danger that stretches far beyond what he initially imagined. With time running out and the stakes higher than ever, he must navigate a treacherous path filled with unexpected twists and turns to uncover the truth and bring justice to those who have been wronged.

  4. 4. Suspect

    In this gripping thriller, a former LAPD officer, haunted by the traumatic loss of his partner, finds an unexpected ally in a military-trained German Shepherd named Maggie. Both scarred by their pasts, they form a unique bond as they team up to solve a murder case that is as personal as it is dangerous. As they delve deeper into the investigation, they uncover a web of deceit and corruption, forcing them to confront their fears and rely on each other in a race against time to bring justice to those responsible.

  5. 5. The Sentry

    In this gripping thriller, private investigator Joe Pike finds himself entangled in a dangerous web of deceit and violence when he steps in to protect a local sandwich shop owner and his niece from a group of threatening thugs. As Pike delves deeper into the mystery, he uncovers a complex conspiracy involving a notorious drug cartel and a hidden past that could have deadly consequences. With the help of his partner, Elvis Cole, Pike must navigate a treacherous path to uncover the truth and ensure justice is served, all while confronting his own demons and the shadows of his past.

  6. 6. Taken

    An Elvis Cole Novel

    In this gripping thriller, a young couple is kidnapped by a ruthless human trafficking ring operating along the U.S.-Mexico border. As the clock ticks, private investigator Elvis Cole and his enigmatic partner Joe Pike are drawn into a dangerous world of deception and violence. With lives hanging in the balance, they must navigate a treacherous landscape of betrayal and corruption to rescue the victims before it's too late. The narrative weaves a tense and intricate web of suspense, showcasing the relentless determination and resourcefulness of the protagonists as they confront their most formidable adversaries yet.

  7. 7. A Dangerous Man

    In this gripping thriller, a routine day turns perilous for Joe Pike, a stoic and skilled private investigator, when he witnesses the attempted abduction of a young bank teller, Isabel Roland. Driven by his unwavering sense of justice, Pike intervenes, saving Isabel and unwittingly entangling himself in a dangerous web of secrets and deceit. As the two delve deeper into the mystery, they uncover a sinister conspiracy involving powerful adversaries who will stop at nothing to protect their interests. With relentless pacing and unexpected twists, the story explores themes of loyalty, courage, and the lengths one will go to protect the innocent.

  8. 8. The First Rule

    In this gripping thriller, a former military operative turned private investigator is thrust into a dangerous world of organized crime and betrayal when a close friend and his family are brutally murdered. As he delves deeper into the investigation, he uncovers a web of deceit involving a ruthless Serbian gang and a deadly conspiracy that threatens to destroy everything he holds dear. With relentless determination and a keen sense of justice, he navigates the treacherous underworld, confronting his own demons while racing against time to uncover the truth and avenge his friend's death.

  9. 9. The Watchman

    In a gripping tale of suspense and intrigue, a wealthy heiress becomes the target of a ruthless assassination attempt, prompting her father to hire a seasoned private investigator to protect her. As the investigator delves deeper into the case, he uncovers a web of corruption and danger that stretches far beyond a simple murder plot. With time running out and the stakes higher than ever, he must navigate a treacherous world of deceit and betrayal to keep his client safe and unravel the mystery behind the deadly threats.

  10. 10. The Last Detective

    In this gripping thriller, a private investigator's world is turned upside down when his ex-girlfriend's son is kidnapped, forcing him to confront his past and navigate a web of deceit and danger. As he races against time to uncover the truth, he must rely on his instincts and skills to outwit a cunning adversary, all while grappling with personal demons and the haunting memories of his military service. The narrative weaves a suspenseful tale of loyalty, redemption, and the relentless pursuit of justice.

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  11. 11. The Big Empty

    Set against the backdrop of the sprawling and enigmatic landscapes of the American Southwest, this gripping narrative follows a seasoned detective and his partner as they delve into a complex web of crime and deception. The story unravels with a mysterious murder that leads them into the heart of a small, tight-knit community, where secrets run deep and loyalties are tested. As they navigate through layers of intrigue and danger, the detectives must confront their own pasts and the moral ambiguities of justice, ultimately revealing the dark truths hidden within the vast emptiness of the desert.

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  12. 12. Hostage

    In a gripping tale of suspense and moral dilemmas, a former LAPD hostage negotiator turned small-town police chief finds himself thrust into a harrowing situation when a botched robbery leads to a hostage crisis. As the tension escalates, he must confront his own past traumas and navigate a web of deceit and desperation to save the lives of a family held captive in their own home. With time running out and the stakes higher than ever, he is forced to make impossible choices that test his resolve and redefine his understanding of justice and redemption.

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  13. 13. Voodoo River

    In this gripping mystery, a private investigator is hired by a television star to uncover the truth about her biological parents, leading him to the murky depths of Louisiana's bayous. As he delves deeper into the tangled web of secrets and lies, he encounters a colorful cast of characters, each with their own hidden agendas. The investigation takes unexpected turns, revealing a dark past intertwined with danger and deception, ultimately forcing the detective to confront his own moral compass in a quest for justice.

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