Thanks for letting me review this book to the publisher and Netgalley.
Oh Elvis I love his character and have always thought he would make a good TV show . I love his quirky characters and his California setting and now he feels like an old friend.
I loved the book .

Robert Crais never lets you down.
This one however has too many Social and Familial issues which for me, is a big turnoff in mysteries and thrillers. Nevertheless it’s a solid tale albeit unnecessarily over complicated. Despite the violence it isn’t as exciting as most of the Elvis Cole series. Not his best but better than most long running series because even on a bad day, Robert Crais never lets you down.

Racing the Light is the 19th book by Robert Crais featuring private detective Elvis Cole. The story revolves around a missing podcaster whose eccentric mother hires Cole to find him. Things are strange from the beginning. The podcaster believes in conspiracy theories and had been researching Area 51. On top of that, the podcaster’s mother is a retired scientist whose work was so classified she still has a security detail to protect her. Cole has few leads to follow, but he soon figures out he isn’t the only one looking for the podcaster. The twisted trail leads Cole and Pike to uncover a plot full of sex, greed, and a murder with lots of fast-paced action.

I had the best time catching up with these characters! A fan of this series for years, this newest installment did not disappoint!

All around an action packed, fun read, just as I had hoped for. Another solid adventure to add to the series.

Elvis Cole and Joe Pike fans will be thrilled to see that they have returned in Robert Crais's latest book, Racing the Light. Familiar readers will recognize the author's signature style and enjoy the trademark fast pace and snarky humor.
As the 19th offering in this series, some of the novelty might be wearing off. True fans will want to see more Joe Pike.
That being said, Racing the Light is a great way to kick off your summer reading.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group for this ARC of Racing the Light.

Elvis Cole and Joe Pike are back and this time they are charged with finding a missing son, hired by his mother. The son, a podcaster, has disappeared with his girlfriend, an adult star. The mother has a lot to tell Elvis and it includes wild conspiracy theories that may or may not be true.

As he hunts for the missing man he finds that he is not alone on this trail. Business cartels, corrupt politicians and a general cesspool of humanity make this story another Crais novel that you can't put down.
He never disappoints -

Even though I’ve read every book by Robert Crais as they come out, it seems like a very long time since I’ve read one. That being said, getting back in touch with Elvis and joe went well. Meeting a couple of old friends again is a great treat.
Elvis is hired to find a missing podcaster and of course, things go sideways from there.
A bit of banter here. A few twists and turns there. Good guys win. Bad guys lose.
Crais didn’t break any new ground with this book. No monkeys. No wrenches.
Just a solid, fun and action packed story like always. And there’s nothing wrong with that.
Until next time, Elvis!

Elvis Cole is back! Robert Crais's new book is a fun, fast paced ride. Racing the Light is the 19th addition to the series. I have always enjoyed Elvis Cole and Joe Pike (really need to see more of him) and the adding Jon Stone to the mix is great! When Adele Schumacher, an eccentric older woman hires Elvis to find her missing son, Josh Shoe, a podcaster and self-proclaimed investigative journalist he unleashes a wealth of secrets leading to someone dead, Throw in a few other surprises and the head turning spins and twists start happening.

This can be read as a standalone but you miss so much character development. Previous books in the series were mentioned, but does not detract, and it still flowed well. Highly recommended for everyone. Well written, fast paced, and unputdownable! If you haven't read an Elvis Cole novel, be sure and start at the beginning ... you won't be disappointed.

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group!

I have loved Elvis Cole and Joe Pike since the very beginning. This book was a fast and enjoyable read. Once Elvis is on a case, he has to follow all of the leads to the conclusion. Elvis's new case begins when a podcaster goes missing and his mother comes to Elvis to find him. Elvis quickly discovers, he is not the only one looking for Josh, and that there is more to Josh's disappearance than UFOs and Area 51.

Thank you NetGalley and G. P. Putnam's Sons for an advance copy for my review.


Review is on Goodreads.

Free ARC from NETGALLEY

The early stuff is still the best, but with the 19th story it is safe to say "Elvis has NOT LEFT the building". Plenty of crazy characters and twists, I think R.C. has still got his groove!!

Picking up an Elvis Cole/Joe Pick novel is like meeting up with old friends and fitting into a comfortable night. Elvis cracks wise, Pike is his loyal, silent self and a noir mystery soon ensues. A 20-something podcaster going by the name Josh Shoe has disappeared and his wealthy mother hires Cole to find him. From this trope beginning, the mystery picks up as Elvis pulls on strings to find out more is going on than a person’s disappearance. Joe Pike has a simple extended cameo and violence takes a backseat to figuring out why Josh Shoe is targeted. When Lucy Chenier and her son Ben show up, the story tends to drag and there is continued hope Crais will resolve that relationship sometime in the series. The strengths of the story are the characters and Elvis Cole’s determination to do the right thing for his client.

Welcome Back, Elvis! It's been a while.

A worried mom hires LA private investigator Elvis Cole to find her missing adult son. Guess what? This mom's not a regular mom. As Elvis makes inquiries and follows up leads, he runs into porn stars, conspiracy theorists, retired black ops weapons designers, Chinese thugs, crooked city councilmen, bent real estate developers and a homeless man living in Griffith Park. This is the Los Angeles I am here for.

Joe Pike, Elvis' laconic bestie, shows up in Chapter 7. Old flame Lucy and her son Ben arrive for a visit. The personal and the professional bleed into each other and all over the pages. Can Elvis keep everyone safe?

Robert Crais' signature blend of crackling action and snappy dialogue is as fun to read today as it was way back in 1987. The "world's greatest detective" is back in the house.

Another classic Elvis Cole/Joe Pike novel. They always perform. I'm always grateful to see a new one appear.

In You Face by Josh Shoe is the name of the podcast. Josh Shoe is actually Schumacher, clever, eh? He and his best friend Ryan Seborg have been doing this podcast for a couple years. Josh fancies himself a journalist who reveals what the mainstream media can’t, or won’t, tell the public. Conspiracies, government coverups, Area 51, black helicopters are his bread and butter. He doesn’t have much of an audience.

One recent guest on his show was Stacy Lawless/Rachel Bohlen, an artist/porn actress/escort. He’s been interviewing her about her artwork, not her ‘other’ work. Not long after the episode dropped, Stacy/Rachel messages him for hush hush meet. She passes him a thumb drive. She says he’ll love it. Right up his alley.

And then Josh just up and disappears. Doesn't even tell Ryan. His mom, Adele Schumacher contacts Elvis Cole because he has the best rep in the LA basin for finding missing persons. She’s in her 80s, former college Stanford prof, lives alone (divorced), tends her bees, and for some reason has 24/7 security (maybe a future book will tell us more about her and her ex?). She and Josh meet weekly for lunch and he’s not been showing up, which is strange because Adele passes Josh a sack of money over lunch. The podcast doesn’t pay well and the rent is always due.

She drops another sack full of money on Elvis’ desk to find him and bring him home. Once the job’s parameters have been fully defined, Elvis starts with Ryan, Josh’s partner who tells Elvis about Stacy/Rachel. And it’s not long before Stacy/Rachel disappears, too. Elvis uncovers her ‘safety’ (the person she calls before and after each escort date), lifelong friend Kimberly Laird. Turns out Kimberly takes notes that include some names of Stacy/Rachel’s dates. And the list includes a smattering of LA politicians, one is the chief of staff for an LA Commissioner who sits on a zoning board that approves proposals by commercial developers.

Bye-bye Area 51 . . . hello City Hall.

At first Elvis thought Josh might’ve pissed off some federal office with his conspiracy ramblings. Now his attention becomes more local and may need the help of his longtime associate, Joe Pike, just in case back-up might be needed. Cole's cases usually need Pike's necessary and timely skills.

This is the 19th Elvis Cole book written by Robert Crais. And unless I’m mistaken, they’ve all been reviewed her by the boys at MRB. Crais is a favorite for good reason. First and foremost, he’s a helluva a storyteller; easily one of the best we’ve reviewed, no question. A worthy member of our elite Power Rotation of top shelf authors. Second, it’s hard not to love Elvis Cole and Joe Pike. Elvis the the wise-cracking PI and Pike is the mysterious, quiet, and lethal one.

Crais has worked behind the scenes in Hollywood (mostly writing for TV) and probably knows how ‘they’ can screw up your characters (cases in point: Tom Cruise playing Jack Reacher or any number of John Grisham’s books) so he’s been protective of his work being put on either the big or little screen. No matter. His writing style is taught and bare bones whose wit gives a subtle wink for the reader.

And who wouldn't want Joe Pike as a friend?

Crais is a regular on the NY Time best seller list. A multi-award winner and Emmy nominee (for writing on Hill Street Blues). Bottom line: you’ll never go wrong with a book written by Robert Crais . . . ever.

The one drawback – he doesn’t publish an annual book in the fall (for the Christmas rush) like so many of the big names. It’s been three years since his last book, A Dangerous Man. And three years is just too long, but I'm patient.

Due to be published on November 1, 2022. Thanks for Netgalley for the reviewer copy.

ECD

In this latest adventure from Robert Crais, Elvis (with help from Joe Pike and Jon Stone) is hired to find a missing person. As expected, it turns into more than a missing persons case, with government conspiracies, mysterious strangers and a climbing body count. Add in the return of Elvis' ex-girlfriend, Lucy Chenier and her son, and you have complications galore!

As always, Crais' writing is crisp and humorous and the story was fast-moving, despite the intricacies of the plot. I finished it in a day and will now enter my sad waiting period until the next chapter of Elvis an Joe.

**Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced readers copy in exchange for an unbiased review.

Thoroughly enjoyable., and a fast read!

I liked watching the author tie up the loose ends on Elvis’ romantic relationships (which will no doubt unravel in future books) while he’s once again looking for “missing” people who don’t want to be found until it’s almost too late to seek professional help.

First of all, I'd like to thank NetGalley for the Advanced Readers Copy of Racing the Light by Robert Crais.

This is the first time I've read a book by Robert Crais, and it certainly won't be the last. Well written, it sucked me in from page one. It had a bit of everything in it.

A shabbily dressed elderly woman, who has well dressed helpers, hires Elvis to find her 26 year old son. Elvis is hesitant, but takes the job anyway. Along with his friend Joe Pike, Elvis learns the story of the missing son is much more complicated and deadly than he first thought.

I've long been a fan of the Elvis Cole novels, and found this one to be entertaining, move quickly, and have a vivid sense of place. It is also slightly snarky. In his office Elvis has a Pinocchio clock and a Mickey Mouse phone. He lives alone with a semi-feral black cat for company. The unnamed cat has scars, lopsided ears, and brings Elvis presents. Elvis really cares for this cat as shown by the scene where he washes the peppers off and chops a piece of squid from his Thai take-out before giving it to the cat. Elvis also understands that “People who live with a cat, talked to the cat.”

But, this is a crime novel, so there is plenty of action and dangerous situations which makes it an excellent addition to the Elvis Cole series.

Elvis Cole is back! Robert Crais's new book is a fun, twisty, intense ride. I love the relationship between Elvis and Joe Pike ( more of him please!) and the addition of Jon Stone is perfect. He complements Joe and Elvis perfectly (bring him back again too!) When an eccentric older woman hires Elvis to find her missing adult son, a podcaster and self-proclaimed investigative journalist.,- he unearths a Pandora's Box of secrets, leading to a dead porn star, Chinese spies and more.
Highly recommended for everyone. If you haven't read an Elvis Cole novel yet- now is the time!

I really enjoyed this book. First time reading an Elvis and Pike series and love it. I look forward to reading more books by Robert Crais.