4 stars

You can read all of my reviews at Nerd Girl Loves Books.

This is another fun and exciting Elvis Cole mystery/thriller. This time, Elvis is hired by a mother desperate to find her son Josh, a controversial podcaster. She thinks he's in mortal danger, and although she's quirky and has a flock of professional bodyguards following her around, Elvis takes the case. And the cash. As Elvis starts to look into the son's life, he once again attracts danger and enlists the help of his buddy Joe Pike to watch his back.

Elvis is in fine form this book, cracking jokes as he finds clues and uncovers the mystery layer by layer. Joe Pike makes an appearance, but there is never enough Joe for my liking. We also meet another mysterious government-trained friend of Joe Pike with a particular set of skills. He reluctantly aids the duo track down clues and evade the elite cadre of trained fighters also trying to track down Josh. Added to the tension of finding Josh, Elvis' former girlfriend Lucy and her son Ben pay Elvis a visit. As Elvis tries to find Josh, he can't help but hope to reconnect with Lucy and get back together. If you like wise-cracking sleuths and fun, twisty mysteries, you've got to read this series. You won't be disappointed.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam. All opinions are my own.

I was really happy to see Robert Crais newest installment on the Elvis Cole/Joe Pike series.
Racing the LIght can be read as a standalone though reading the complete series is highly recommended.
I have to say, the story seemed to drag a bit to me. There is a lot going on within the story.
All in all, a solid read that kept me engaged.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I really enjoy Robert Crais's Elvis Cole and Joe Pike books (they are a close second to Michael Connelly's Harry Bosch books). Therefore, when I had the opportunity to read and review the newest entry, Racing the Light, I jumped at it.

Racing the Light puts Cole on the search for Josh Schumacher, a podcaster who has gone missing. Mysterious parents, a bitter best friend, and a missing porn star/artist just add to the intrigue. There are several twists and turns, as there usually are. And when things begin to go sideways, Joe Pike is there to have Elvis's back.

Crais writes a good mystery, but the characters are the best part of these books. Cole has a bittersweet humor that underlies a world weariness that just rings true for me. He is a competent detective, but a better friend, and is like a bulldog when he gets his teeth into a case. Pike is as taciturn as ever, but for readers who've been through the series, we know there is more beneath the surface than he generally shows. These two characters remind me so much of Robert Parker's Spenser and Hawk, They are such a great pair. I would love to see this series adapted for a streaming service (as long as Crais has a say on how its done).

Further, Racing the Light brings back a few series regulars, including Lucy and Ben Chenier. Their evolving relationship with Cole and Pike continues to add a level or realism and humanity to these books. I would be remiss if I failed to mention Crais's ability to make Los Angeles seem like a character, as well. Having some familiarity with the city, I really enjoy the description's that pervade Racing the Light. It just adds to the fun.

Overall, I highly recommend Racing the Light by Robert Crais. It is an entertaining mystery and another opportunity to spend time with old friends. A new reader can enjoy Racing the Light without prior knowledge of the previous volumes, but I'd highly recommend picking them up.

I received a preview copy of this book from Netgalley and the Penguin Group, Putnam in exchange for an honest review.

When Adele Schumacher walked into Elvis Cole's office, she appeared to be more than a typical little old lady. For one thing, she came with a stack of cash. For another, she came with two formidable-looking bodyguards whom she referred to as "helpers". Adele needs Elvis's help to find her missing adult son, Josh Shoe, who is a podcaster with a taste for conspiracy theories. Adele thinks he's gone to Area 51 but Elvis suspects there's a more pedestrian explanation.
As Elvis begins poking around, he finds that he's not the only one looking for Josh. It seems there's another team of professionals staking out Josh's place. That means it's time to call in Joe Pike for some assistance. Soon Elvis is down the rabbit hole trying to figure out what story Josh was chasing and who is trying to stop him. Corrupt politicians and murderous business cartels are the least of it. To add to his busy life, Elvis's ex-girlfriend Lucy Chenier and her son Ben pop into town. Events personal and professional are spiraling into dangerous territory and it's up to Elvis and Joe to sort them out.

Robert Crais is the master at spinning a story where the stakes keep going up and Elvis Cole and Joe Pike are two of the best characters to go on the journey with. The action is intense and exciting and Crais manages to pique your interest with every clue that leads to a more and more fascinating mystery. The secondary characters you meet along the way are well-developed and provide both comic relief and sympathy. The ability to quickly sketch a character in a way that makes you empathize and root for them is a real gift. The action is superb, the characters interesting and the mystery absorbing. I'd always like to see more Joe Pike, but you can't complain with such an entertaining story. Robert Crais is the master and Racing The Light is another winner. This is a great series and I can't wait for the next one!

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher.

Elvis Cole and Joe Pike are back and us readers are the beneficiaries. A fast paced story, well developed characters, and a dry sense of humor made this a unputdownable mystery. If you are new to the Elvis Cole mysteries, you can start anywhere but I recommend starting with the first one and read them all. Highly recommended

Thanks to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for the advanced reader copy.

I was so stoked to read the newest Elvis and Joe book and it did not disappoint! Elvis has agreed to help find a missing guy who is a podcaster and reports on....aliens?? But the more Elvis looks into the disappearance, the stranger things become. Joe Pike, of course, is brilliant and as uncommunicative as ever. And I was so excited to see some old friends return (no spoilers here!!!)!!! Overall, the book was really engaging and I read it as fast as I could because I needed to know how it ended!

A special thanks to NetGalley for the book. This is not a paid review.
Robert Crais is simply one of the best in the business, and even after 20 plus years Elvis and Pike never get old. In Racing the Light, we even have appearances from Jon Stone ( who needs his own series) as well as Lucy Chenier and her son Ben.
Racing the Light deals with the search for a missing podcaster whose mother hires Elvis to find. But, along with the mother and her estranged husband, there are copious amounts of bodyguards and security. All for a couple who like like they your average middle aged people. It turns pout they are anything but.
The podcaster, Josh, along his childhood friend Ryan, delve into what are mainly conspiracies until a porn star turned artist see and hears things she shouldn't that implicate city government officials. Having been interviewed by Josh before she goes to him for help.
What follows is a hair raising series of events that keep Elvis and Pike hopping. Intermixed with the action we see the softer side of Elvis with Lucy and some nice events occur.
Elvis and Pike are ALWAYS worth the wait.

Some of the authors I like can be counted on to produce a book a year, and I am grateful for that. Robert Crais is one of my very favorites, and Elvis Cole and Joe Pike, the heroes of this series, rank as particular favorites. It is a pity that Crais takes so long to write his books, but in actuality if he needs the time to write his perfect books, then I can deal with it.

I don't like spoilers, and I especially don't want to ruin "Racing the Light" for you. This is such a good book, with such interesting turns in the plot that you should have the right to read it unencumbered. Suffice it to say that the detective agency run by Elvis with the help of his silent partner, Joe, is hired for what should be a routine job. Of course, not much is routine about it. This is when the fun starts.

Most long-running series feature a dud book or two. Not this series, and quite frankly, none of Crais' non-series books have been duds either. "Racing the Light" is another engrossing book in this excellent series. I cannot say enough good things about the book, and would award more than five stars if I could.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC

“Chasing the Light” is #19 in Robert Crais’ Elvis Cole series, and it’s amazing how fresh he keeps his characters and plotting. In this latest outing, Elvis and his pal Joe Pike search fo a missing podcaster, whose mother believes he may be held by The Government at Area 51. Elvis is curious why Mom comes with an enormous security detail when she seems just like a regular crackpot.

Area 51 turns out to be a red herring, but all sorts of other strange happenings are right on point. The missing Josh Shue, a 20-something mess who turns out to be a very astute interviewer, has discovered an explosive city coverup. Josh does not seem to understand the danger he’s in and how many different entities want him to shut up. So, Cole & Pike are juggling Josh, his mother’s really wicked security detail, some even more wickedly armed and creepy killer teams, and Josh’s dad, who thinks his son is an idiot just screwing around.

This is an engrossing and satisfying book, and it would be stingy to give it less than five stars based on that alone. Toss in Crais’ ability to quickly establish interesting characters and the occasional nasty shock, and you’ve got a winner! Many thanks to the publisher, and Netgalley for access to this title in exchange for an honest review. It was a pleasure!

Elvis Cole - the self-styled "world's greatest detective" - is back for another adventure, along with his extended friends and family. Cole is an entertaining mix of soft-boiled compassion and snappy dialogue, and he is, in fact, a pretty good private eye. His sidekick Joe Pike is a wonderful character: sort of a modern samurai with a strong moral code to offset his discipline of violent arts.

The plot is satisfying; there is some real detecting done and there are some nice twists and turns. There is plenty of well-choreographed action without being overly bloody. The supporting cast are mostly believable human beings.

Robert Crais has made the Cole books one of the best P.I. series out there for a long time, and this one lives up to his high standards.

Private detective Elvis Cole is somewhat amused when Adele Schumacher enters his office and requests his help in finding her missing son, podcaster Josh Shoe. As Adele comes with own body guards, Elvis is understandably curious. After listening to Adele’s story, he agrees to help her out, thinking this is going to be pretty easy. Only, as Elvis begins to ask questions he discovers there may be more to the disappearance than just a missing person. Somebody else is on the hunt for Josh and they are determined to find him first.
As Elvis digs deeper, he uncovers a web of lies, intrigue and political greed and corruption going to the highest levels of city government. Elvis calls in his partner Joe Pike to help untangle the mess Elvis is now in the middle of. If he doesn’t locate Josh before the bad guys do, it could be deadly for both of them.
Having never read an Elvis Cole/Joe Pike novel before, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but wasn’t disappointed. Each turn of the page revealed more questions, while the energy of the story increased through each chapter as stones were unturned and the picture began to come into focus. It all led to a thrilling conclusion. I liked Elvis’s casual demeanor and personality, and the humor, nonchalance laced throughout the dialogue and the real emotion that pops up at unexpected times. I’m always surprised when I choose a book outside my regular reading wheelhouse and find myself lost in the story. This was one of those books.

Robert Crais has done it again. Taken a simple missing person case and made a political and international criminal investigation. As the detective Elvis Cole investigates, he comes up against some secret government issues that he is unable to decipher, and that cloud his efforts to find the missing man. In the meantime, he is struggling with personal problems related to his estranged girl friend. As the investigation becomes more intense he calls on his partner Joe Pike, and mercenary Jon Stone for additional help. It does not help that the missing man is involved in things over his head and naively works against Elvis's efforts to solve the case. Another read that is hard to put down but eventually satisfying.

A fantastic addition to one of my favorite series!🥳

Elvis Cole is not your average private detective. I mean, let’s just start with his first name. He’s a wise cracking, free-spirit. But make no mistake, Elvis is the best private detective in the business. On the personal side…he is fiercely loyal to those in his inner circle.

When two private security guards enter his office he is instantly on alert. That is until he gets a look at his potential client, minimized by her personal body guards. A harmless looking older woman. (come on Elvis - we all know looks can be deceiving ). Her son is missing and needs Elvis to find him. Sounds simple enough!💁🏻‍♀️

Elvis calls in his closest friend and partner, Joe Pike. Ex-special forces, truly the muscle of the team. Not exactly the chatty type, nor someone you want to cross. With Pike’s help, Elvis is sure to find the missing man.

Not so fast Elvis! As is often the case, There are many layers to peel back behind this simple disappearance!

I love Elvis and Joe equally! And was treated to the best parts of each in this latest release.

Elvis’ former love interest Lucy is back in town with her son Ben. What does this mean for Elvis? Can the two rekindle an old love or is she back for other reasons.

Joe was more all business in this read, But I enjoyed every scene he was in. Maybe we could have a bit more Joe in the next Book?🙏

If you’re a fan of the series you’ll love this latest. It can be read as a stand-alone but you’d really be missing so much fascinating backstory of all the characters! Highly recommend this series!

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam

It’s another investigation for Elvis Cole and his partner, Joe Pike. This time they are hired by a mother who is looking for her missing podcaster son. While it sounds simple enough, Elvis and Joe quickly find themselves dealing with conspiracy theorists, city corruption, thugs of various kinds, and this is only the beginning.

It’s always fun to spend time with Elvis and Joe and once again Robert Crais uses his special brand of humor and dialogue to bring his latest story to life. This is the nineteenth entry in the series and it never gets old. With plenty of action and a number of twists and turns, Racing the Light won’t disappoint his fans and is sure to garner new ones. I highly recommend this book as well as the series!

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book for review.

It's been a while since I last connected with private investigators Elvis Cole and Joe Pike, and the reunion via this book - the 19th in the series - was a very enjoyable one. They're both in fine form, although Elvis is still trying to recover from his amicable split from girlfriend Lucy Chenier and her son Ben. Then an obviously wealthy elderly woman, Adele Schumacher, visits their Hollywood office (preceded by a couple of burly bodyguards) to ask his help in finding her son, Joshua, who's gone missing. Josh, it seems, is also known as Josh Shoe - a popular but controversial podcaster who, with his partner, is a bit hung up on the UFO scene.

Adele's reasons for her son's disappearance lean toward mostly unsubstantiated conspiracy theories, which Elvis mostly disregards, but when Josh's father Corbin calls to approve of Elvis's hiring, he decides to take the case. A bit of detecting leads Elvis to Josh's podcast partner and a woman who's made a name for herself in the adult film business - who, surprise, has gone missing as well. In the midst of all this come Lucy and Ben, putting Elvis on edge wondering if her visit is positive or negative.

Of course, when the going turns tough, Elvis turns to Joe and a couple of other characters from previous books (for the record, though, this book stands on its own just fine). There's a bunch of technology "stuff," some mild but welcome yuck-yucks and plenty of action that, if not handled properly by the two heroes, could spell the end of this series. All told, it's another fun adventure I wish I'd had the free time to read without putting it down. Thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy. Well done!

This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
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WHAT'S RACING THE LIGHT ABOUT?
The essence of the case is that Elvis is hired by the mother of a young man who has gone missing to find him. This is pretty par for the course for Elvis Cole—a missing persons case.

Here's what makes this distinct: the mother has money—she pays a generous retainer in cash (so generous, Elvis gives some back) and you get the impression that it wouldn't be difficult for her to add a few more thousand. Before she walks into the office, two people come in and do a security sweep. Adele Schumacher believes her son, Joshua, has been taken by government agents for his investigation into Area 51 for his podcast. So, yeah, not a typical day in the office.

The podcast is called In Your Face with Josh Shoe, and it's frequently about government corruption, conspiracies, and whatnot—but they've branched out to things like interviewing a porn actress. His childhood friend/podcasting partner, Ryan, tells Elvis that Josh is trying to move to more mainstream topics (Ryan doesn't seem on board with this, for what it's worth). Ryan shares Adele's theory for Josh's absence, Josh has been taken because he returned to Area 51 and found something.

But Elvis starts to find evidence that Josh is investigating something he didn't tell Ryan about—Elvis can't figure out what it is, sadly, but he starts to figure out who Josh might be interviewing for this story. And one of them has gone missing, too. Is this tied to his disappearance or did the twenty-something self-employed and single guy just flake off for a few days?

It's not long before Elvis starts to think he's not the only one looking for Josh and he enlists help from Joe Pike (who brings in Jon Stone). If those two get on board, you know things are about to get dangerous.

PIKE AND STONE
The problem with getting to know the PI's more lethal/less-hung-up-about hurting people friend/sidekick/partner better is that it's harder to keep them feeling dangerous and mysterious—it maybe even gets to the point where they stop being quite as prone to violence as they once were, and their charcoal-gray hats get a little closer to white. With Joe Pike getting some novels of his own, a lot of his sharp edges have been dulled for fans, so it was nice that Crais brought along Jon Stone so when Pike couldn't be ruthless and cold-blooded, there'd be someone who could.

He gets to be that guy here—he's helpful (very), resourceful, and mercenary. He pitches in because Pike pushes him to—not because he cares about Elvis or the fate of Josh. But what he does, he does well. (and is amusing for the reader throughout)

Pike is also not quite the active presence in this book that he has been lately—so when he does show up and act, it makes it feel a bit more super-human. Crais really upped his game with Pike in this novel and it allows him to steal almost every scene he's in. Naturally, the phone calls between Pike and Cole are still fun to read—if you can write an entertaining conversation with one party being nearly-monosyllabic, you've got a gift.

LUCY AND BEN
Lucy and Ben come by for an almost-unannounced visit to ensure that Elvis can't give his full attention to the case. Which sounds snarky and may not be wholly fair of me. But it's not wrong.

I enjoy the character of Ben and the way he interacts with Elvis—and continue to do so. I appreciated and believed what he was going through—both on his own and with his mother—at this stage of life, and Crais's portrayal of this was one of the (many) highlights of this novel. It was also a good way to remind the reader just But Lucy has bothered me for a while now (although I was initially a fan), and I'm not certain that this book alleviates that (nor do I think Crais is altogether worried about it). I'm going to reserve judgment on this appearance for now. I did like Cole's response to her visit and presence (when it didn't take him off of his game, although I thought that was a nice touch).

SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT RACING THE LIGHT?
I need to spend some time thinking about this idea, but while reading this book I started to think of some notable first meetings between a PI and their client—like The Big Sleep, The Doorbell Rang, God Save the Child, and The Judas Goat*—and how those meetings can be a bellwether for the rest of the book. If the meeting seems pretty good/typical, the rest of the book will be, too; if the meeting catches your attention, the rest of the book will be of a higher quality.** The first meeting between Elvis and Adele Schumacher definitely fits—it's not your standard meeting (the presence of her personal security helps). Right away, I could tell this was going to be a better-than-usual Elvis Cole novel. There's not much that can beat that, in my book.

* This is a list generated in a rush, and I know I've left off some big ones, but as indicated, this is a theory-in-progress, I might work it out fully later.
** It's likely that a better book is going to be better from the first chapter, and I just like the idea of creating a litmus test.

My opinion never wavered from that point on—this is some of the best writing Crais has given us in a long time—there are some passages/sentences/phrases I've had to read a few times just because I enjoyed them so much. I'm going to have a hard time limiting myself when quoting from the book once I get the hardcover. I'm already looking forward to a re-read of this somewhere down the road.

Along those lines, there's one passage following a conversation between Elvis and Josh's father that I'd believe Crais stole from one of the earliest Robert B. Parker novels. It's not often that I get a reminder of the shared DNA between Elvis and Spenser. I appreciate what distinguishes the two more than their similarities, but it's good to see the family resemblance is still there—it's what attracted me to both characters (and their authors!).

We see the return of some characters that Crais hasn't used in a while, too—which adds to the overall feeling of this novel hearkening back to earlier Elvis novels more than the last few. Another of the ways this book shines is in the supporting characters, not just that many from the old gang are back, but characters for this book. We get to know a couple of people connected to the missing persons really well, they're well-fleshed out, and you can't help feeling empathy for them and connected to them. For example, there's a man who lives in Griffith Park who's a witness to part of a cover-up—we get four chapters from his perspective. And I like him enough already that I'd read a short story/novella just about him.

I've probably gone on more than long enough at this point, let me wrap it up.

New readers will find plenty to enjoy here as well as well-established fans should. Obviously, newcomers won't get all the character moments that come from the buildup of 17 previous novels, but that doesn't mean they won't walk away with a sense of them. Don't let the existence of those novels dissuade you, see them as an added bonus of backstory you can explore if you get into these characters.

I don't see how long-term fans aren't going to relish this novel. Racing the Light doesn't carry the emotional heft of L.A. Requiem or The Last Detective (primarily because those books explored the characters of Elvis and Pike in depths that Crais can't repeat), but in terms of plot, pacing, and character this is their equal. I haven't been this excited about a Robert Crais novel since The Promise.

I'm telling you, readers, don't miss out on this one.

Disclaimer: I received this eARC from PENGUIN GROUP Putnam via NetGalley in exchange for this post—thanks to both for this.

I have read all of this author's books, including the ones of the Elvis Cole series. I was excited to read this because it's been a while since we've had one. I won't say that this was a bad book, it just wasn't an interesting mystery. It was still well written and kept my attention though. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Well I'm an Elvis Cole and Joe Pike fan, so I was happy to see them back. I love Elvis's sarcastic, dry humor and Joe's tough, yet sincerely loving, persona. This book can definitely be read as a standalone, but it is best if you've read other books in the series since some past characters are back - like Jon Stone and Lucy & Ben. Jon brings some more humor and Lucy & Ben bring a sweeter side to Elvis and Joe.

In Racing the Light, Elvis is hired by a mother that wants her son found. She believes he might have been abducted by aliens... but he quickly finds that she's a little out there, but other people around her think her son Josh may be in hiding. I like the way Elvis does his detective work - he never takes himself (or the client) too seriously and he has fun, even in dangerous situations. There is a good amount of action and suspense at the end and not everyone survives in this book!

I have read all of the previous books in this series, some multiple times, and it was wonderful to see that Robert Crais brought Elvis and Joe back after a long period of away-time without any fuss whatsoever. What a truly gifted author he is.

Elvis Cole is hired to find the adult son of a woman who is accompanied to his office by two people acting suspiciously like bodyguards. How many cars of people does it take to bring one woman downtown to Cole's office? And why does this woman carry so much cash around with her? Then as he begins to investigate the missing person his valuable information sources start bumping up against brick walls that feel uncannily like government roadblocks. Who is this missing guy who does a podcast about UFO's and the aliens who walk among us?

There is never enough of the Joe Pike character included in an Elvis book for me, but he definitely has a nice number of appearances. They even rope in Jon Stone to help out when the technology passes anything Elvis or Joe are familiar with. I love it that Jon keeps trying so hard to be a bad guy (he's always reminding Elvis that he gets paid mega-huge bucks for his services), but he always gives in to the "fun" of the chase. Lucy and Ben fly in from Baton Rouge on a rather flimsy excuse and she and Elvis spend lots of time trying to figure out their relationship. I can see lots of book plots on the horizon so I'm in hopes that the next book in the series will not be so long in coming as this one was. A very enjoyable novel written by a favorite author about favorite characters.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for an e-galley of this novel.

A very well done mystery in this book, the characters were interesting!! I didn’t guess the killer till the end!! This is a real page turner! I would highly recommend this book to everyone!!