From AudioFile
With smooth efficiency, David Stuart reads this abridgment of Robert Crais's first novel, the Anthony and Macavity Award-winning mystery that introduced Private Investigator Elvis Cole. Stuart reads with a syncopated hesitation that confers a Hollywood sullenness but misses the "noir" edge of Crais's writing. Elvis Cole--the sensitive and wisecracking collector of Disneyana--and his heavy-artillery partner, Joe Pike, traipse through the seamier streets of Los Angeles, infiltrate high-society Hollywood, and cross the line with the Latino drug trade in search of an errant husband and a missing boy. The adventure and the characters of this novel are exciting and totally satisfying. S.E.S. © AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

ANNOTATION

Taking the mystery community by storm, this Elvis Cole novel was nominated for the Edgar, Anthony, Shamus, and Macavity awards and won both the Anthony and Macavity for Best Novel of the Year. Crais, a VP at Paramount, was previously head script writer for Quincy, Hill Street Blues, and Cagney and Lacey.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

HEADLINE: Introducing tough but charming P. I. Elvis Cole, and his unflappable and ammo-ready partner Joe Pike . . .

When Ellen Lang's husband disappears with their son, she hires Elvis Cole to track him down. A quiet and seemingly submissive wife, Ellen can't even write a check without him. All she wants is to get him and her son back -- no questions asked.

The search for Ellen's errant husband leads Elvis into the seamier side of Hollywood. He soon learns that Mort Lang is a down-on-his-luck talent agent who associates with a schlocky movie producer, and the last place he was spotted was at a party thrown by a famous and very well-connected ex-Matador. But no one has seen him since -- including his B-movie girlfriend.

At the same time the police find Mort in his parked car with four gunshots in his chest -- and no kid in sight -- Ellen disappears. Now nothing is what it seems, and the heat is on. It's up to Elvis Cole and his partner Joe Pike to find the connection between sleazy Hollywood players and an ex-Matador.

FROM THE CRITICS

AudioFile

With smooth efficiency, David Stuart reads this abridgment of Robert Crais's first novel, the Anthony and Macavity Award-winning mystery that introduced Private Investigator Elvis Cole. Stuart reads with a syncopated hesitation that confers a Hollywood sullenness but misses the "noir" edge of Crais's writing. Elvis Cole—the sensitive and wisecracking collector of Disneyana—and his heavy-artillery partner, Joe Pike, traipse through the seamier streets of Los Angeles, infiltrate high-society Hollywood, and cross the line with the Latino drug trade in search of an errant husband and a missing boy. The adventure and the characters of this novel are exciting and totally satisfying. S.E.S. (c) AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

"Far and away the most satisfying private eye novel in years. Grab this one - it's a winner!" — Lawrence Block

"Is Bob Crais good? Put it this way: if they're taking you out to put you against the firing squad wall, and you want to enjoy your last moments on earth, pass on the last cigarette and ask for an Elvis Cole novel." — Harlan Ellison