Reading some of the already submitted reviews, it seems Crais fans and detracters alike expect a certain continous style of writing and storyline. I started reading Crais in the middle sequence of his books, went back to the start of the Elvis Cole novels, and have now read the latest. To be sure, Crais has grown in his writing style with more emphasis on enhancing prose than character personalization, which at times had become rather tedious. I was impressed with every aspect of this novel. Each time I thought I had it all figured out, a previously dismissed clue surfaced and propelled the book along. The old Elvis and Pike are now developing deeper personalities, a must for continuing characters in a series and I'm glad to see it. If I were to compare Elvis to a tv character, it would be Michael on Burn Notice - fun, kind-hearted, smart and up to the minute on the latest in detection methods which are shared with the reader in an amusing manner. How any detectives spell out the tricks of the trade? This series can, in my opinion, only continue to get better, but there's really no rush to improve. Crais is now at a most enjoyable level!

I listen to these Robert Crais books as audible books and they are great that way. Strongly recommend.

Very enjoyable book - why then a two star? Because this book does not compare to any of Crais' past writing - the characters do not have the depth of previous books - there is nothing really puzzling to try to unravel.

Robert Crais is one of the best writers ever - hope he keeps writing. This novel just does not meet up to the high standard Crais has formerly written at.

Robert Crais has created another mystery novel that fans of reading won't want to miss. Chasing Darkness once again brings forth Elvis Cole to solve a mystery that could only come from the mind of Crais. It seems a few years back Elvis Cole made a career mistake: a serial killer was exonerated of murder charges that he may have been guilty of. Now with the discovery of a body, this man may have killed again. Was Elvis Cole fooled or was his defense flawless and accurate? Chasing Darkness has an apt name as this novel really does expose the darker side of Crais' imagination. Well-written and impeccable character development lead to a mystery novel hat one shouldn't miss.

Editor of the highly recommended novel: The Fates by Georgiou, Tino Fates (2nd Edition)

There are two ways of evaluating this book: 1) as a mystery; and, 2) as an Elvis Cole mystery.

As a mystery it is very good. An apparent suicide indicates that when Cole got a susptect off years ago, the suspect was actually a serial killer. Cole's effective work apparently allowed the Cole-cleared-suspect to commit two more murders. All, of course, is not as it seems, and Cole is forced to find the real killer to clear his name.

The plot is a good one. There are misdirections throughout and a good ending. Unlike many other books in the genre, some cops want to help Cole, others do not. Some cops like him, others do not; and, the ones that don't like him occasionally end up on his side and vice versa. As a straight mystery, the book is recommended.

Now, as an Elvis Coel mystery, it falls short. The early Cole was funny, if not hilarious, and had an edge. His sidekick, Pike, was a mono-syllabic mountain of intimidation. Although Cole has gotten over the Prozac phase of losing his lover, he has not regained the humor or the edge of the first several books. Pike is in this one throughout, but he does not seem like Pike. He speaks in full sentences and never intimidates anyone. As a Cole novel, it leaves the old Cole fans with an empty feeling.

So, if you're looking for a good mystery; this is a good mystery. If you're looking for a good Elvis Cole mystery, reread some of the early ones.

If Robert Crais is not THE best mystery fiction writer today, he certainly is among the top 10! This book focuses almost exclusively on his chief protagonist, PI Elvis Cole, but Crais has him carry the story quite well. There is a little bit of his sidekick, Joe Pike, but for the most part he stays pretty much in the background in this novel.

The story revolves around an apparent suicide discovered while police are evacuating an area in Southern California because of wild fires. The victim is a man Elvis once helped to exonerate in a string of murders involving a variety of young women. Now, because of evidence found on the dead man, it appears that Cole erred. Maybe the man was guilty after all. Elvis sets out to discover the truth, whatever it turns out to be.

If you've read any of Crais's thrillers before, then you'll find this book as exciting and well-written as his previous books. If you aren't familiar with Crais, this book will get you hooked on him and his books!

Michael Garee

There are two ways of evaluating this book: 1) as a mystery; and, 2) as an Elvis Cole mystery.

As a mystery it is very good. An apparent suicide indicates that when Cole got a susptect off years ago, the suspect was actually a serial killer. Cole's effective work apparently allowed the Cole-cleared-suspect to commit two more murders. All, of course, is not as it seems, and Cole is forced to find the real killer to clear his name.

The plot is a good one. There are misdirections throughout and a good ending. Unlike many other books in the genre, some cops want to help Cole, others do not. Some cops like him, others do not; and, the ones that don't like him occasionally end up on his side and vice versa. As a straight mystery, the book is recommended.

Now, as an Elvis Coel mystery, it falls short. The early Cole was funny, if not hilarious, and had an edge. His sidekick, Pike, was a mono-syllabic mountain of intimidation. Although Cole has gotten over the Prozac phase of losing his lover, he has not regained the humor or the edge of the first several books. Pike is in this one throughout, but he does not seem like Pike. He speaks in full sentences and never intimidates anyone. As a Cole novel, it leaves the old Cole fans with an empty feeling.

So, if you're looking for a good mystery; this is a good mystery. If you're looking for a good Elvis Cole mystery, reread some of the early ones.

If Robert Crais is not THE best mystery fiction writer today, he certainly is among the top 10! This book focuses almost exclusively on his chief protagonist, PI Elvis Cole, but Crais has him carry the story quite well. There is a little bit of his sidekick, Joe Pike, but for the most part he stays pretty much in the background in this novel.

The story revolves around an apparent suicide discovered while police are evacuating an area in Southern California because of wild fires. The victim is a man Elvis once helped to exonerate in a string of murders involving a variety of young women. Now, because of evidence found on the dead man, it appears that Cole erred. Maybe the man was guilty after all. Elvis sets out to discover the truth, whatever it turns out to be.

If you've read any of Crais's thrillers before, then you'll find this book as exciting and well-written as his previous books. If you aren't familiar with Crais, this book will get you hooked on him and his books!

Michael Garee

Robert Crais needs a vacation. Or a book deal that requires him to put out fewer books over a period of time. He is one of the best of the trade. His hallmark is some tongue and cheek fun with terrific character development. Joe Pike and Elvis Cole, self proclaimed "World's Best Detective" have made for some fun and worthwhile reading. In Chasing Darkness, he falls back to plot, plot and then more plot. A lot of it preposterous. Mr. Crais, take a vacation. We will be buying your books when you come back. For Crais fans this book should be read, but don't expect what he has spoiled us with in the past. And, hopefully, in the future.

Many authors are plugged into an editorial formula writing style. For Crais he usually pulls it off without problems. An interesting story line that is somewhat telegraphed along the way. His discussions with the "bad guy" were obvious and yet I still enjoyed the book.

Quick & enjoyable read - maybe next time he will make the ending less predictable.

This is easily Robert Crais best book to date.

Elvis and Pike are at their best throughout.
I found it near impossible to put down and now eagerly await Robert Crais next book.

Light? Yes. Quick Read? Yes. Enjoyable? Thoroughly. I found the latest Elvis Cole a satisfying entry in the series. Maybe not so many Elvis wisecracks, but you do have Carol Starkey getting off some dandies. Crais is so comfortable by now with Elvis & Joe & Carol and company that this is this year's adventure and while the earlier books might have been denser, I found this a very nice read. Of course, must I say it? The 4 stars are for fans of the genre and the series.

Three years ago, Elvis Cole aided defense attorney Alan Levy in clearing Lionel Bird's name. Bird had been arrested for the killing of Yvonne Bennett. Cole found proof that Bird had been having a drink across town at the time of the murder. Now, Bird has killed himself and police find in his lap a book of pictures. The pictures are of seven murder victims and these pictures along with evidence found in the house prove that Bird was a serial killer. Or was he? That is what Cole has to find out. Did his actions in freeing Bird allow Bird to continue to kill? The guilt weighs on Cole and he spends the rest of the novel trying to find the truth about Cole as well as why the police are continuing the investigation after naming Bird as the killer.

Robert Crais brings back all the regulars: Carole Starkey, John Chen, Joe Pike, and Cole all work together at various times trying to piece together Bird's life and if he really was the killer. This is a good book, but a definite let down after the Watchman featuring Joe Pike. This book doesn't have any flashbacks or new insight into Pike or Cole's life. Nor does anything happen in Pike or Cole's personal life. These personal touches into the personal lives of Cole and PIke, or the strong secondary characters (Larkin Barkely in the Watchman) are what have made Crais' novels so good. Chasing Darkness is full of twists and turns but lacks the characterization that made his previous novels so good. Another problem I had with Chasing Darkness was the formula. It stuck out like a sore thumb. Cole is a detective, yet in all of Crais' novels, usually ends up doing police work. So, each novel has a justification for why Cole has to be included. Then, each novel usually has a police chief angry with Cole for interferring, then it all works out in the end. This formula dragged the book down a bit as well.

I recommend this book to Crais fans, but those curious about the author should start with LA Requiem or the Last Detective.

I like most of the Cole novels, but this one has a fairly predictable plot (albeit with a bit of a twist) and very little action. Joe Pike gets some play, but not enough. The plot is more plodding than page-turner. I'd wait for the paperback and buy it at the grocery store.

And ... I hate to say it, but what's with Crais's photos these days? Is he serious? The sunglasses and stern expression remind me of Tom Clancy at his most pretentious. I mean, c'mon, these are fairly lightweight, albeit entertaining, detective novels. There's no cause for him to take himself so seriously.

No, he didn't. But this bad guy is just as trite and poorly conceived. Not up to the usual high standards. Much has been written about publishers pushing their bankable authors to churn them out quickly. Is this such a product? Let's hope for better next time.

Stephen King teaches novelists to think of an unusual situation to start the book and then let the book write itself from there. Chasing Darkness proves that formula isn't surefire advice. Despite a very interesting and unusual beginning, Chasing Darkness manages to end up feeling all too pedestrian at the end.

Elvis Cole and Joe Pike are inspired characters who have provided their fans hours of amusement, entertainment, and dark humor. When those two are at it, the rest of the story doesn't matter so much.

What do we make of this book which crowds out Joe almost entirely and gives us relatively little amusement, entertainment, and dark humor from Elvis? The plot had better be pretty good. And it starts off like that, until it twists into dry gulch you've been down far too many times before. As a result, the book ends with a whimper rather than a bang. It's definitely deflating for the reader.

But if you are a dyed-in-the-wool fan of this series, you'll want to read the book. It's good enough not to skip. Keep your expectations low and you'll enjoy the book more than I did.

Having cleared a man of a murder charge three years earlier, Elvis Cole and his sideick, Joe Pike, find themselves on trial when the former defendant is found dead holding photographs of the victim he had been accused of killing. BT.
I'd have to say that Robert Crais' previous novels all surpass this one. Yes I got through it fairly fast and enjoyed it, but I still felt disappointed because it didn't seem to break any new ground and seemed like the typical mystery/thriller. This is not really one of those stories you'll remember.

Where's the spark? Elvis Cole is nothing close to his chirpy, irreverant self, Pike is a pale shadow of his usual formidable presence and Starkey seems like a caricature of herself. Towards the end, the book becomes mildly interesting when Cole finally figures out whodunit, but then Crais cheats his audience with the ending. After a break from Cole in which Crais penned two other novels, I'd a-thunk he'd have brought Elvis back well rested and in fine form, but Elvis Cole seems as bored as I was in this latest addition to the series.

I love all the Elvis Cole books. This was no exception. His wit and humor interspersed with the action and drama have me flying through the book. I would love to see another book focusing on Joe Pike though. He is one of the most fascinating charcters I have discovered and I always want more of Joe. But overall this was as good as I anticipated.

Chasing Darkness: An Elvis Cole Novel (Elvis Cole)

Well, it's another great who-done-it by Robert Crais. Elvis is the world's greatest even if he's lost some gusto since he lost Lucy. I did miss there being a romantic sub-storyline but it seems our detective is in transition right now.
I much more appreciate the grown up versions of Pike and Elvis we see now as compared to the earlier novels. The mystery was great if lacking just a little in the something extra that the normally spunky Elvis would provide.
I will keep my fingers crossed that Elvis finds a way to get happy again.
In the meantime I hope and pray for the next Joe Pike novel as that last one was phenomenal!

Chasing Darkness: An Elvis Cole Novel (Elvis Cole)

Well, it's another great who-done-it by Robert Crais. Elvis is the world's greatest even if he's lost some gusto since he lost Lucy. I did miss there being a romantic sub-storyline but it seems our detective is in transition right now.
I much more appreciate the grown up versions of Pike and Elvis we see now as compared to the earlier novels. The mystery was great if lacking just a little in the something extra that the normally spunky Elvis would provide.
I will keep my fingers crossed that Elvis finds a way to get happy again.
In the meantime I hope and pray for the next Joe Pike novel as that last one was phenomenal!

A typical action-filled Crais. Good story. Good plot development. What I missed in this book is the relationship between Elvis and Joe. Not as developed as usual. My main complaint with this book, however, is the ending: it just sorta stops. I had already figured out "who dun it," so there was no umph in the ending for me. The plus, though, is looking at the picture of Crais on the book jacket. That makes up for any misses he might have made. (Yes, I know this is not a legitimate part of a review, but the truth is the truth!)

Elvis never fails to entertain me and this book was no exception. I love both he and Joe. While Joe does not play a major role in this book you know he's around covering his friend Elvis. Even if I'm reading another book, I put it down and immediately read any new delivery written by Robert Crais.

First Sentence: Beakman and Trenchard could smell the fire--it was still a mile away, but a sick desert wind carried the promise of Hell.

Three years ago, Elvis helped prove Lionel Byrd innocent of killing a prostitute. Now, Byrd's body has been found with a book containing the photographs of seven women who had been murdered, including the prostitute. The pictures were taken as the women died and could only have been taken by the killer. Two of the women were killed after Cole helped free Byrd.

A special task force claims Byrd killed all the women and has closed the case. Cole isn't that easily satisfied, especially when Cole learns the investigation may not be as closed as it appears.

This is classic Crais. With his very powerful, evocative first sentence, Crais knows how to hook the reader into the story and, with each page, ensure you're not going to leave.

The characters of Elvis and Joe, the friendship between them evident in action and in words said and unsaid, is the major reason I keep returning to this series. There is just enough background to give context to the characters without being repetitive to the series.

But it is also knowing, with this, and every book, that the plot will keep me guessing, the dialoque will be crisp, the humor will be there when it's appropriate, the sense of place always strong and it will be a darn good story.

This book did not fail but held to Crais' usual high standard. It was a thoroughly good read.

My wife and I were sadly disappointed in this latest Elvis book. The previous books have all shared a generally upbeat, exciting tone that made them both entertaining and an enjoyable read. This one starts out very dark and just seems to get worse and more depressing as it goes along.

My wife read the first 20 pages and set the book aside with the comment "this is not the Elvis that I learned to enjoy". I have struggled through the first 100 pages looking for some light at the end of the tunnel and so far not finding it.

Unfortunately this is not an Elvis Cole book. Its a dark, pedantic read with little to enjoy. I think its almost false advertising to have Elvis in this book.

My impression is that the author has had some success recently with darker, more violent reads and is taking Elvis in that direction. Sorry, but you can take that trip without my wife and I. Bring back the real Elvis.

As a longtime Robert Crais fan who has not had a problem with any of his previous works, I devoured this book in one sitting-as usual.

While the usual characters are in attendance, this is Elvis' show all the way. I did wish for more Joe Pike but I was glad that he didn't try to cram too many story lines in this one story.

Quick writing with enough nuances to keep you intrigued, as far as I'm concerned, Robert Crais is up to his usual excellent standard.

An invalid named Lionel Byrd is found dead in his LA apartment, the apparent victim of a suicide. What makes this tragedy front-page news is the discovery of a "murder book" at the feet of Byrd's body. This photo album contains explicit pictures of seven different women, all of whom have been brutally murdered over a seven-year period.

Private detective Elvis Cole takes particular notice of the suicide because he helped clear Byrd of murder charges a few years ago. It now turns out that the woman he was accused of killing at the time is the fifth of the seven victims featured in the album. Cole is torn up on how this could have happened since he was absolutely positive that Byrd was not responsible for the murder of Yvonne Bennett. Moreover, he must now deal with an angry bunch of LAPD investigators who view him almost as an accomplice to Byrd's atrocities. Even worse is the fact that Cole is also being harassed by the family of one of the women allegedly murdered by Byrd after his exoneration. Can Cole --- with the assistance of partner Joe Pike --- safely conduct his own investigation to reveal the truth surrounding the killing spree?

The fact that Byrd was house-bound due to a serious foot injury --- as well as being addicted to oxycodone --- seems to have been overlooked by the LAPD investigators and Deputy Chief Marx, all of whom are looking for a slam-dunk closure to the case. Cole has his office vandalized, receives many harassing phone calls and is involved in a physical altercation with the brothers of victim Debra Repko. When his own investigation finds that a major political figure --- Councilman Wilts --- might be involved in the case, he realizes he has quite an uphill battle on his hands.

Cole never doubts his instincts and is confident that Byrd could not have committed any of these murders, let alone be a serial killer. To prove that Byrd was set up as a fall guy, Cole must cross several legal and ethical lines, and has to battle his personal guilt over the deaths of the two women following the Byrd trial. He appeals to the family of Debra Repko and reluctantly gets them to allow him to proceed with his investigation into apprehending the "real" serial killer.

Robert Crais does not pull any punches and really gets inside the heads of all his characters. When you read his novels you come away feeling you "know" them personally. Also, his knowledge of LA is finely detailed --- particularly his descriptions of the Laurel Canyon area, which is so richly drawn you feel like you're right there in Cole's living room. My only criticism is that, once the killer is revealed, things are wrapped up a little too quickly without allowing readers to understand the motivation behind the killings. Possibly that is the point --- we really cannot understand how the psychopathic mind works.

Crais states it best with this thought from Elvis Cole at the close of CHASING DARKNESS: "The darkness frightens me, but what it does to us frightens me even more. Maybe that is why I do what I do. I chase the darkness to make room for the light." Well said.

--- Reviewed by Ray Palen

Elvis Cole, the world's greatest detective, is back in action with Robert Crais' newest novel, Chasing Darkness. I've been reading the "Elvis Cole" series since the mid-nineties, and I've never been disappointed in a single one of the twelve books. In fact, this is a series that I'll buy in hardcover as soon as it comes out, rather than waiting for the paperback edition to present itself a year down the road. That alone says a lot about the quality of the storytelling here and the author's writing.

In Chasing Darkness, Los Angeles P.I. Elvis Cole has to deal with the possibility that he got a serial killer (Lionel Byrd) off the hook several years before when he was hired by the man's lawyer to find evidence of the client's innocence with regards to a particular murder. Now, Byrd is dead and the evidence that is found with his body suggest that he might have killed a large number of young women over the years and the police and the victim's families are blaming Cole for the additional deaths that occurred after Byrd's release from police custody. Cole, however, doesn't believe that Byrd was the killer, and the only way for him to prove this is to find the real murderer. Even with the help of LAPD officers Carol Sharky and Lou Portias, Cole is going to have a difficult time following the necessary leads because the Task Force that's been set up to investigate the serial killings is keeping him out of the loop. If that isn't bad enough, the evidence and witnesses are disappearing as fast as Cole becomes aware of their existence, causing him to believe that the killer is still at work and that he may be a person of prominence in the local community. Elvis Cole will definitely have his work cut out for him as he attempts to stay alive and to clear his name at the same time. Of course, he'll have the help of his partner, Joe Pike.

That Robert Crais is a much better writer today than he was a decade ago is beyond question. His writing style took a giant leap with the publication of L.A. Requiem a few years ago, bringing his work to the attention of a much larger reading audience and to a spot on the New York Times Bestseller list. His prose certainly creates images in the reader's mind that linger long after the book is finish. His characters are filled with the energy of actual people who have to find a way through the utter chaos of life and to hopefully grow through the trial and tribulations that are placed in front of them. Cole is still his sarcastic self in Chasing Darkness, but a more serious side of his personality comes out as he deals with the family members who hold him responsible for the deaths of their children and siblings. The ever silent and dangerous Joe Pike is still at Cole's side, but he plays a much smaller role this time around. The few scenes that Pike is in, however, are powerful and almost steal the show from our hard-working and wisecracking detective. If I needed someone to cover my back, I'd definitely want Joe Pike there to do it. Cole feels the same way!

Needless to say, Chasing Darkness is another excellent novel in this outstanding series. Why Hollywood hasn't scooped up the film rights to the Cole/Pike books is beyond me. These novels are perfect for the big screen. They're entertaining, witty, fun, thought provoking, and sometimes deadly serious. So, if you're looking for some high quality reading for the remaining weeks of the summer, pick up Chasing Darkness, or go back and buy L.A. Requiem paperback, or maybe even The Last Detective. You can never go wrong with a novel by Robert Crais.

Like the other books in this series, this was an enjoyable read. Just a fun (and fast) outing with Elvis and the gang. This novel did seem a little shorter than some of the previous works, and maybe not as much in depth, but it was enjoyable none the less. I've always just checked out Crais's books from the library, but I'm about at the point where I want to buy the Elvis series just to have around to re-read, and I'd include this latest novel in the purchase. Some of the other reviewers had valid points (such as the rapid turnaround in attitude of some of the characters--one minute they're making threats, the next they're buddies.) This came across as more of a summer-fluff read than an intense crime drama, but I still liked it.

The biggest problem I had with the book was the ending. I didn't mind that some things went unanswered--that's real. The discussion of darkness, and the origin of the title, however, came across as schlocky and pretentious--"What evil lurks in the heart of man? ELVIS knows!" Left a little bit of a bad taste behind, but it was like a disappointing desert after an enjoyable meal. You'd rather end on a good note, but overall you'd do it again.

Chasing Darkness is another fine piece of work from Robert Crais. This book delivers on the sarcasm, the mystery, and Joe Pike! There are some great cameos from characters from the past. A sure fire read for the summer.

Chasing Darkness is another fine piece of work from Robert Crais. This book delivers on the sarcasm, the mystery, and Joe Pike! There are some great cameos from characters from the past. A sure fire read for the summer.

I've read all of Robert Crais's crime novels, and CHASING DARKNESS probably ranks somewhere in the upper middle of his body of work. It's not a great novel like LA REQUIEM, but it's definitely an entertaining mystery with a lot of surprising twists and turns.

CHASING DARKNESS is very much a very plot-driven book. Fortunately, the story is quite engaging. This is essentially a serial killer story, but it's told in a unique manner that keeps the reader guessing about the identity of the killer and the true intentions of the police. This novel is a bit too densely plotted for its own good, but I found the whole thing a very fun read from start to finish.

Stylistically, CHASING DARKNESS is a bit of a throwback to the early Cole novels. Almost the entire novel is told from Cole's point of view, and Crais avoids using the mulititude of flashback scenes he employed in recent novels such as THE LAST DETECTIVE and THE FORGOTTEN MAN. Personally, I felt this decision produced a more streamlined plot with fewer digressions, which made for a more enjoyable read.

Readers looking for the emotional depth of LA REQUIEM or even THE WATCHMAN will probably be disappointed by the lack of character development in this installment. But after the emotional intensity of the last several books, I'm guessing Crais just wanted to write a straightforward mystery this time out. In my opinion, he succeeded in writing a solid one here, and I think CHASING DARKNESS is well worth your time.

If a book has the name Robert Crais on the cover, buy it. I have read all of his Elvis Cole series and they are consistently good. Crais is one of my favorite authors and I look forward to his next publication. Keep them coming Mr. Crais and I'll keep buying. Thanks for an entertaining read.

Once again Robert Crais ratchets up the tension. And fun. You gotta love a PI (Elvis Cole) who never loses his sense of humor even when he's about to lose a few teeth. I can't get enough of Joe Pike, either, the go-to man, the fixer, the when-all-else-fails sidekick. The pair gets the bad guy, but not without more than enough twists, turns, and obstacles to render the reader exhausted. Robert, write faster!

Crais' Elvis Cole novels are always great entertainment and this one is no different. We now look forward to the next.

I've been a Robert Crais fan since his first book because he made Elvis Cole and Pike such vivid, interesting characters. The plots were almost secondary, the books were interesting because of the main characters. In this book, however, the characters are as real as cardboard, and the plot isn't interesting enough to make up for it. I'm giving it 3 stars only out of affection for his previous books, if this was his first effort, I'd give it 2 stars. I'm hoping this book is only a temporary downturn in an otherwise fun series!

Crais is back, in my humble opinion. I will say that I gave up on his work a while back. The stories and their touchy-feely relationships (I have enough of those with Robert B. Parker) with unintersting plots lost my interest...then on a whim at the library I picked up and read the first pages of THE WATCHMAN and was sucked right in and enjoyed it immensley.
I wondered if he would carry this on, and Crais does. In a mirror image of his last book, Pike is a mere guest character and that is fine with me as this allows Crais to flesh out Elvis and does so in a way that does not get mired down in romantic relationships. CHASING DARKNESS opens up well well with enough mystery, suspense, surpirse, etc. to keep the reader going. This was one of those thankful reads with which I slowed down near the conclusion as I did not want it to end. Frankly I had all but given up on this series, and the author after a few unsatisfying books, but after Pike in The Watcman and Cole here in CHASING DARKNESS...I am happy to repeat - Crais is back to form!

Crais is a terrific writer, and this book is no exception. Elvis once investigated a man the police were sure had murdered a woman, but Elvis proved he was somewhere else at the time.

Now, years later, new evidence suggests the man did, indeed, commit the murder. What happened? Was Elvis wrong?

Although this is certainly a book about Elvis, Starkey makes a few, brief entrances. Of all the characters he writes about, Starkey is the most sympathetic. I was quite intrigued when Crais hinted she might have a crush on Elvis.

I'm looking forward to the next book, which I hope will develop things further with Starkey.

Let me start off by saying I absolutely *hate* books written in first person. I avoid them with a passion. There are very few authors that rise above my boycott of such books\characters and Robert Crais' Elvis Cole is one.

I am one of the few that really did not care for the early Elvis Cole books. The character was a bit too smart-alecky for me, but he has (slightly) matured through the years. And Joe Pike? Please, I'm with Starkey, I'm friends with Cole in order to get close to Pike. ;-)

"Chasing Darkness" started out with a great mystery and, although it had a few rough patches in the middle, it tied everything together in a well thought out mystery with a few curve balls tossed in. Yes, Lucy and, to some extent, Pike were sidelined, but it was good to see Starkey again. Reading about her functioning on the job and her obvious yearning to be back at the bomb squad was a painful but seeing her develop into a character with known demons that can communicate with Elvis and is more than just a passing conversation.

I really enjoyed this book. I got to take away a message that I don't tend to find in most PI/detective mysteries - those working for justice don't always have to take the law into their own hands to see it achieved.

Personally, I was glad to have Elvis back at the center of the story again, and thrilled that Lucy was relegated to nothing more than a single phone call. Joe Pike takes a back door as well, but that didn't bother me this time. I think for any of these mystery writers who have had characters that continue in multiple books it becomes a huge challenge to make the plots fresh while moving the characters forward. I think Crais does it here, and for me this was a page turning fun summer thrill ride.

It's good, but I find myself missing the earlier Elvis Cole, the one who always had a quip or a comeback. Elvis seems a little weaker, a little slower than in earlier books. I also think that the direction Crais has taken the series, toward a more serious tone, paradoxically seems less believable, maybe because the over the top plots are more apparent. Also, nothing happens to advance Elvis' personal life. There is one conversation with Lucy, nothing happens with Starkey and I'm starting to worry that Elvis is going to turn into a simple vehicle to carry a plot.

Still, I liked the plot, I like the characters and I'm looking forward to the next. I would just like to see some emotional resolution.

This novel is Exhibit A of what happens when an extraordinarily gifted writer feels compelled to publish but lacks the heart to write as well as he can. The book is too densely plotted at the expense of character development, doesn't develop themes adequately, especially the one invoked by the title, and doesn't use Joe Pike enough. "Chasing Darkness" is definitely still worth reading. Crais, after all, is still Crais. I hope he takes the time necessary in writing the next book to re-discover the joy of the characters.

I was really disappointed in this book. I agree with the other reviewers that the book felt flat, obligatory, and prematurely released.

While the basic story was OK (a few unlikely plot twists, but I can live with that), there was nothing of the metastory that I love. Joe Pike was an improbable plastic cut-out figure of devotion. Starkey had none of her usual pathos and punch. Even Elvis seemed to be a perfunctory character sketch and the "cameo" from Lucy was just sad.

I DETESTED the Watchman and felt that was an highly unsuccessful foray into making Pike the hero (talk about unlikely plot twists--yeesh). I pre-ordered this one months ago hoping Bob would be back on track. He certainly writes Elvis more compellingly as the lead, but for this book, overall, he seems to have been just phoning it in.

Wonder if he can ever get back to the power of LA Requiem, one of my favorite books ever? THAT one was a five star book. This one, not so much.

I am still glad I bought it though. LA Requiem earns Bob 10 years of hardback purchases before I re-evaluate. I have faith that we'll get something better eventually....And thanks for the awesome stories that have come before the last two, Bob.

I like Robert Crais's Elvis Cole character, his sidekick Joe Pike and most of his other standing characters. The dialog is usually crisp and more than a little reminiscent of the classic noir novels of the 40s. The plots generally have a hole or two, but nothing that Crais's storytelling can't overcome.

In "Chasing Darkness", Crais gets off to a strong start as police clear homes in the path of a Los Angeles wildfire and discover the body of Lionel Byrd, an apparent suicide. His body has been in his house for several days and at his feet is a photo album that ties him to the gruesome murders of seven young women.

Thus it is that two nasty, snarling cops enter Elvis Cole's office while he is engaged in banter with his enigmatic partner, Joe Pike. The cops are hostile to Cole because three years ago, working for prominent criminal attorney Alan Levy who was representing Byrd pro bono, Cole discovered a surveillance tape that proved Byrd couldn't have committed the murder he was accused of. Since the dismissal of those charges, police now believe that Byrd committed two more killings and that Cole, having found the evidence that seemed to exonerate Byrd, is responsible for those deaths.

Good opening.

But things bog down quickly after that. The plot is simply too strained. Even Crais's usually strong storytelling isn't enough to pull the reader over some gaping holes, one of which is simply a massive chasm.

Cops seem to be corrupt, evidence disappears as do mysteries strangers. Cole is attacked (no suprise there), rescued, warned of dire consequences and he labors on, ultimately solving the bit whodunit.

Problem is that by the end of this tale, who cares? I didn't. It doesn't help that Crais telegraphs the conclusion long before he reaches it, making the last several chapters nothing more than a slog.

"Chasing Darkness" is not awful. If it were the first work of someone new on the scene, it would be worth of high praise. But Robert Crais is not only a veteran, his Elvis Cole, Joe Pike and subsidiary characters are well established and Crais is an exceptionally strong storyteller. But he isn't up to the standards he has set in this book.

It's okay and nothing more. You certainly won't question your sanity by reading "Chasing Darkness" all the way through, but you won't be bowled over either.

Hopefully, Crais's next effort will be stronger.

Jerry

I, too, am a great fan of Robert Crais. I did feel that with Chasing Darkness he was a bit rushed...perhaps the publisher was pushing to get this one out, I don't know. Elvis Cole was very engaging, I must say. I did wish there was more of Joe Pike, but I do recommend the book as a buy.

Editor of TV director Raymond Austin's mystery The Eagle Heist (Beauford Sloan Mysteries)

So I'm beginning to feel like all of the big names in pop thriller/crime fiction - Lee Childs, James Lee Burke, James Patterson, and now Robert Crais, are getting either bored or lazy, or have somehow managed to misplace the passion and fiery writing that placed them in their well deserved positions (well, except perhaps Patterson) on the big best seller lists. Yes, I'm a Robert Crais fan. The early Elvis Cole was smart, funny, and in your face - definitely an updated, more hip, and slightly more irreverent version of the venerable Raymond Chandler's Phillip Marlowe and today's answer to the hard boiled LA that Chandler invented. And Joe Pike? In Crais' prime, can you think of a supporting cast member more menacing - a more cleverly and intelligently rendered butt-kicker - the hands down candidate for the guy you'd least want to have on the other side of a street fight - or any kind of fight? Leaves me yearning for "LA Requiem", "The Monkey's Raincoat", or Crais' outstanding stand alone effort, "The Hostage".

To be fair, "Chasing Darkness" is by no means a bad read. In fact, it starts out with an intriguing "murder in a locked room-like" premise that is genuinely gripping, and definitely held my attention. And without the distraction and baggage of Cole's annoying girlfriend Lucy hanging around to mush up the action, I was getting ready to declare that "Crais is back" after what a thought were a couple of sub-par installments. But before long it starts feeling a bit tired with crooked cop conspiracy theories and all too familiar themes. And the intimidating Pike is relegated to a near cameo role, emerging with only enough adrenaline to help Elvis beat up some kids. At the end of the day, the enigma unravels too easily, and if you devote more than a few seconds to dissecting the mystery, you'll find a hole big enough for Cole's 'vette and Pike's Jeep to drive through - side-by-side.

When all is said and done, "Chasing Darkness" is mostly an entertaining ride, but essentially flat - a journeyman's effort that had that "got-to-do-this-to-meet-my contract" feel to it. The Crais aficionado - like me - will want to read it, but it is far from his best effort, and a sure sign that the talented Mr. Crais should take the hint from Dennis Lehane and William Lashner, and take some well deserved time off to recharge his classic crime-busting mojo. And should he take this hiatus, Crais fans take heart - their are plenty of great new writers - Huston, Swierczynski, Gischler, McKinty, Doolittle and more - to fill the gaps while the old guys like Crais and Child remember what got them to the top.

I'm not one for wordy reviews - so I will keep this brief. Elvis is BACK! Yea! Great book, very fun read! I think I powered through it in 2 days - and I wish I had another 273 pages. Really good story that keeps you guessing, and all of the characters stay within themselves. Pike is Pike, Starkey is Starkey. And, most importantly, Elvis is Elvis - human, quirky, interesting, relentless, and very good at what he does. I really enjoyed the book, one of the best of the summer! Crais is a consistent hit & I can't wait for the next one! Greg Isles could learn something from Robert Crais!

I do agree with 'Savvy Spender'; this latest from one of my favorite authors is disappointing. I kept waiting for the story to take off, Elvis-fashion, and it never did.
After the latest sorry offering from Lee Child, I too wonder if we're asking too much of authors to crank out annual books. Nevertheless, I'd rather read a mediocre Robert Crais than anything else around right now.
To the author- please take a long break and come back to us refreshed, sassy, inventive, and sharp-witted. Elvis and Joe deserve only the best!
Your loyal fan

Frankly I had begun to lose some interest in the Elvis Cole series as of late. I thought the last books focus on Joe Pike as the main character didn't work and I was wondering if maybe Mr. Crais had run out of ideas for his signature character. This book restored my faith as it is one of the better books in the entire series. The plot moves fast and the twists are solid. This is a quick read but nothing feels rushed as there are some nice character moments and insights into Cole's pyche. If your a fan of the series this is a must buy.

Having read all of Robert Crais's novels (except Hostage), it was nice to see Elvis Cole back in action. His last novel "Watchman" was more Joe Pike centered, with this installment centered around Elvis Cole. In my opinion Joe was not involved as much as I would have liked, but I understand exploring Elvis a little more deeper. This novel does exactly that...explore Elvis Cole's character and moral ethics. However, I was disappointed in the length of the novel, it seemed to develop to quickly, without the normal conflict and crisis levels common in Crais novels.

The last few chapters felt like Robert was under pressure to finish the novel so it could meet a publishing deadline and he really left a lot of loose strings hanging with out logical conclusions. I won't go into specifics to ruin the book, but it seems like an antagonist becomes a willing partner within a few paragraphs, just so the book can conclude in pretty quick order.

This is not to say I didn't thoroughly enjoyed the book, because I did, I just wish it could have been longer with more conflict...and more Elvis Cole signature wit.