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LAST DETECTIVE, THE
by Robert Crais
Doubleday, February 2003
302 pages
$24.95
ISBN: 0385504268


Buy in the UK | Buy in Canada

For almost four years, fans have been waiting for a new novel featuring L.A. Private Detective Elvis Cole. Sure, there has been DEMOLITION ANGEL where the author introduces us to LAPD Bomb expert Carol Starkey and then, there was HOSTAGE, which introduced hostage negotiator John Talley. Fans were not too happy with these interruptions, but now they have something to cheer about, Elvis has NOT left the building. (Sorry, it was too easy.)

Last seen in L.A. REQUIEM, Cole has seen his relationship with his girlfriend come to an end. His business partner, Joe Pike, is a shadow of his former self after being critically injured in the last novel. This is a guy who makes Lurch from THE ADDAMS FAMILY seem like Bart Simpson, but he is no longer that guy. He now lacks confidence, but he is keeping it a secret hiding himself in his tough man persona and his mirrored sunglasses.

In THE LAST DETECTIVE, Cole is preparing to say goodbye to Lucy Chenier and her son Ben, whom we first met in VOODOO RIVER, as they are preparing to leave to New Orleans. In her last appearance Lucy confessed to Elvis that she is afraid for her son because of the level of danger that Elvis and Joe seem to always attract. She received a big scare when her son’s life was in danger and she wants what is best for him even if it means leaving California. Elvis understands, but it does not mean he has to like it. With only ten days left before they leave for good, he decides to make the most of it while babysitting her son. While preparing dinner, Ben wanders outside and disappears. Someone wants revenge on this private detective and they are using the boy to lure him out. Things then go from bad to worse, but if there is one last thing he will do is find Ben and bring him back to his mother. He is now on his breaking point and things will go downhill from there. If you are expecting some Disney references and wiseass comments, read LULLABY TOWN.

The story is fairly predictable once all the principal characters are put in play. The author reveals more about the life of Elvis and shows what a man can do when he has nothing left to lose. It almost seems that the author is fulfilling reader’s whims in writing the story instead of writing what he wants. Crais puts Carol Starkey in the novel in a role that is not suitable for her. She is as out of place in this book as a moose in the Sahara desert. Wouldn’t it have made more sense to involve Talley instead? Granted, he could not become a new love interest for Elvis, but at least the story would have more credibility. Had Elvis made an appearance in a story featuring the demolition angel then that is a different story. THE LAST DETECTIVE reeks of commercialism giving the characters plenty of ways to self-destruct before the series can go any further. One has to be desperate to write a crossover. Only true fans will follow the book and will unconditionally like the book; other people might want to give it a shot, but in the end they will all be disappointed.

Reviewed by Angel L. Soto, April 2003

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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)


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