The author has delivered a fast paced and deliciously wicked tale. The characters are well rounded and come across as believable, whether you love them or hate them. Full of twists and turns, it will keep you on the edge of your seat from the first page, trying to anticipate where this story will go. A surprising twist at the end to give the story a very satisfying end.

Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing who provided me with a copy of this book. I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

I loved this latest addition to the world of Elvis Cole and Joe Pike. This book is fast paced and full of the trademark Elvis Cole humor and colorful characters. I particularly loved the reflective, nuanced, and vulnerable nature of Cole in this story. This book is darker than some of the previous books by Robert Crais, allowing the emotion and the pain to show through which only deepens story. I highly recommend this book. It meets the needs for those who love detective stories as well as those that enjoy stories with good characters and a plot with twists, turns, and true emotion.

“The Big Empty” is a satisfying addition to Robert Crais’s Elvis Cole & Joe Pike series. Despite having only read 8 of the 20 books in the series previously, I found it accessible and engaging, with the dynamic between Cole and Pike remaining strong and believable.

The tone and style are consistent with previous books, making it easy for both long-time fans and new readers to enjoy. While I prefer the Pike-centric books, this Elvis-focused entry is still a solid read.

Luke Daniels narrates the audiobook version. His performance is generally good, particularly for Elvis Cole’s wisecracking character. However, his gravelly-voiced Joe Pike feels miscast, similar to Tom Cruise as Jack Reacher.

Overall Rating: 3.5 ⭐️s
Story: 4 ⭐️s
Narration: 3 ⭐️s

Disclaimer: I received a free advanced reader copy (ARC) of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. This review reflects my personal and independent opinion.

In this addition to the 'Elvis Cole - Joe Pike' series, the Los Angeles private detectives look for a missing person. The book works fine as a standalone.

*****

Private detective Elvis Cole is surprised when he's offered one thousand dollars just to CONSIDER taking a case. Cole agrees to meet with 23-year-old Traci Beller, a social media celebrity known as 'The Baker Next Door' for her culinary videos and delicious biscuits. Traci tells Cole that her father, Tommy Beller, vanished ten years ago. Traci explains that her dad owned a heating and air-conditioning company, and he never returned from a series of service calls in a town called Rancha.

The police investigation wasn't fruitful, and a private detective agency called Ryan & Byers also came up with zip. Traci heard Elvis is 'The World's Greatest Detective' and she implores him to PLEASE look for her dad, who was 'a wonderful father'. Elvis thinks the case is probably too cold to solve, but agrees to give it a shot.

From the files compiled by Ryan & Byers, Elvis learns that Beller was last seen at a Rancha hamburger stand called SurfMutt. Elvis track down employees who worked at SurfMutt ten years ago, to see what they recall. One waitress remembers that Tommy was staring at the kids in the skate park across the way from the burger shop.

Elvis locates one of the skate park denizens, a woman called Anya, who's now 25-years-old and working in a florist shop. Anya offers no helpful information, and seems reluctant to speak to Elvis. It becomes obvious that Elvis's inquiries are stirring up a hornet's nest, because a weirdo starts following him; thugs beat him up; and people in Rancha start getting killed. Needing reinforcements, Elvis calls his friend and partner in the detective agency, Joe Pike - a formidable former mercenary who uses few words, has red arrows tattooed on his biceps, and wears sunglasses 24/7. The partners proceed to work the case together, and start to make progress.

In the meantime, the production team for 'The Baker Next Door' - who are in the midst of arranging TV appearances for Traci and recruiting investors for biscuit shops - are urging Elvis to wrap up the investigation. They don't want Traci distracted at this critical time in her career.

I don't want to give away spoilers, so I'll just say things take a few unexpected turns before the case is finally resolved.

I'm a long time fan of Elvis Cole and Joe Pike, and this book provides a nice demonstration of Elvis's wry sense of humor and investigative skills; and Joe's stoic demeanor and combat expertise.

I'd recommend the novel to readers who enjoy thrillers, especially fans of the Elvis Cole-Joe Pike series.

I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Luke Daniels, who does a fine job.

Thanks to Netgalley, Robert Crais, and Brilliance Audio for a copy of the book.

What a great surprise! This was my definite win of the week.

I'm not really sure how I ended up with this ARC because I did not even realize that this was part of a series, and to top that....I had absolutely NO CLUE that this was the 20th book in that series. So much for my rule of NOT reading books out of order. Thank goodness that I didn't know that beforehand......

This book may be the 20th book in this series, but it was perfectly fine for me - a first time reader - to fall completely into the story. At no time did I feel like there was an entire back story that I was clueless about. The story unfolded in a way that I felt perfectly comfortable meeting and getting to know the main characters of Elvis Cole and Joe Pike.

The story is told in a fast moving way that doesn't give the reader too much time to stay focused on any particular area. Cole - a private detective - takes on a case from a popular social media influencer who is a famous baker. She is loved by millions but can't get over the fact that her father went missing when she was 13 years old. On the eve of the 10th anniversary of his disappearance, she wants Cole to try one more time to find out what happened to him.

Cole starts going back over the case, but he finds one lead that everyone else missed. Once Cole starts down this road, things start moving even faster. There are multiple storylines going on at the same time and Cole ends up asking for help from his best friend and silent partner Joe Pike.

I liked both of the characters. They are each completely unique and very likeable and I found myself rooting for them immediately. The tension builds and builds until the very end when it all erupts into a HUGE climax. Did I figure everything out first? Partially. But there was WAY more that I didn't figure out and THAT surprised me. For me, that doesn't happen as often as I would like.

So, definitely a huge win. I listened to this on audio and another positive for me was that it was narrated by Luke Daniels. He is and has been one of my favorite narrators and this was no exception. The first thing I did when I finished this book was go and find Book 1. Looks like I'm going to be reading a few Cole and Pike books in the near future :)

Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing / Brilliance Audio for the opportunity to listen to and review this audio ARC. The opinions above are mine and mine alone. This book comes out for publication on January 14, 2025.

Thank you Netgalley and Brilliance Publishing | Brilliance Audio for the audio copy for my honest opinion.

The Big Empty is part of a series, I have not ready any of the other books in the series, but I feel like these books can be picked up anywhere in the series. I loved the quirky characters in the book and the dad jokes. It was a pretty good mystery, but at the same time a bit obvious, I didn't mind that at all though because the journey through the book was fun. I will be picking up more books my Robert Crais because think these books will be quick, fun reads.

Listening to this book made me a little bit mad - but at myself, and in a good way. It made me realize how long it has been since I picked up a book in the Elvis Cole series, and remember how much I enjoy Robert Crais' books. As the book blurb indicates, this one is a bit darker - a young influencer hires Cole to find her father, who went missing some ten years ago, and the case becomes something far more disturbing than he could've imagined. I don't want to say too much but this was a fascinating listen, lots of twists and turns with the usual sprinkling of humor that I always enjoy from Crais. And the narration by Luke Daniels is excellent. And the good news is I still have several books in the series to get caught up on.
Thanks to Netgalley and Brilliance Audio for providing a digital copy for an unbiased review.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this stellar eARC. In audiobook format.

Before I begin my review, I wanted to add a note to say about 60% of the books I read are mysteries, and this book is a standout excellent novel. It has everything one looks for and loves in stories of this genre and the narrator did an excellent job. 5 stars from this reviewer, Crais is at the TOP of his game , this is his best book yet, I loved it!

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Robert Crais’ “The Big Empty” is a masterful addition to the Elvis Cole and Joe Pike series, delivering a taut, suspenseful narrative that keeps readers hooked from the first page to the last. This twentieth installment showcases Crais’ ability to blend intricate plotting with deep character development, making it a standout in the series.

The story begins with private investigator Elvis Cole and his enigmatic partner, Joe Pike, being drawn into a cryptic case involving the disappearance of Traci Beller’s father. Traci was just thirteen when her father vanished in the sleepy town of Rancha, near Los Angeles. Now, years later, new evidence has surfaced, suggesting that his disappearance might be linked to a series of brutal murders. As Cole and Pike dig investigate, they uncover secrets and lies which point to a terrifying killer.

Crais excels at creating multi-dimensional characters, and “The Big Empty” is no exception. Elvis Cole is as sharp and determined as ever, while Joe Pike’s stoic demeanor hides a fierce loyalty and a complex inner life. Traci Beller is a compelling addition to the cast, her quest for answers driving much of the narrative’s emotional weight. The interactions between Cole and Pike showcase their deep bond and contrasting personalities.

Crais’ writing is crisp and evocative, capturing the tension and urgency of the investigation. The pacing is impeccable, with each chapter ending on a cliffhanger that propels the story forward. Crais’ attention to detail, especially in the procedural aspects of the story, adds authenticity.

“The Big Empty” explores themes of loss, redemption, and the search for truth. The novel delves into the psychological impact of unresolved trauma and the lengths people will go to uncover the truth.

“The Big Empty” is a gripping and emotionally resonant thriller that will satisfy both long-time fans of the Elvis Cole and Joe Pike series and newcomers alike. Robert Crais has crafted a story that is thrilling and thought-provoking, with well-developed characters and a plot full of twists and turns.

Or, "I'll Do Anything For Another One of Those Yummy Muffins."

Elvis Cole, Robert Crais's original protagonist, is back after a brief hiatus, hired by an internet celebrity (known for her yummy muffins) who wants to know what really happened to her father who went missing ten years earlier. Two investigations came up empty, but Elvis is now on the case hoping to get more muffins from his client, so you know he's going to solve it.

There is a show on TV right now called Elsbeth, a spin-off of The Good Wife. What I find unique about the show is that viewers know right from the start whodunit, why they dunit, and how they dunit. The fun is watching the quirky Elsbeth (if you can stand her -- I can) see past all the obvious conclusions her police friends quickly reach in solving the far-fetched murders.

It's refreshing because in the traditional whodunit, it has become annoyingly easy to spot who done it very quickly, especially in TV series. Occam need not apply, his razor is not going to cut it here -- the obvious suspect is of course never the perp, so you look for the least obvious suspect. I wouldn't bet the farm on it because they occasionally throw you a curve, but four out of five times, bingo!

Crais used to write TV mysteries before he writing novels, so maybe he knows what I'm talking about. Nevertheless, as soon as I was introduced to the character in The Big Empty who done it, I said, bingo! There was more than one unsolved mystery in this book, the other easier to spot, much to Mr. Occam's relief, but that was OK because it wasn't a matter of who done it, it was about the consequences.

OK, so if you read this book already, you know that it's all more complicated than just who done it. I mean, when you have a talking car with its own point of view (which by the way is far more fun than it may sound), there are more layers to this onion as you (I mean Elvis) peel(s) them apart. That makes it all that much more worthwhile, especially since the characters are well drawn even when they are right out of central casting.

It's all quite entertaining, a good listen -- I got the audio edition with the great Luke Daniels, master of voices, narrating (the car's voice is cool). I do want to now go back and read more by Crais, especially about Cole and Pike. But it really was too easy to figure out what was going on, so I feel like this was a 3 1/2 star book for me, rounding down to three out of solidarity with Occam's Razor.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing a copy of the audio edition in exchange for an honest review.

This was fantastic. I really enjoyed it and couldn’t stop listening. I was hooked from the first minute! The narration was wonderful. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this audiobook.

Thanks to Brilliance Audio & NetGalley for providing an audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I often forget how good these books are until I read another one - they are solid stories whose plots hang together well, with likable characters (even if Joe Pike is a bit of a cartoon, he'd no worse than Jack Reacher), and occasional lulz.

This one (and perhaps others?) is narrated by Luke Daniels, who is just voice acting gold. He does a good job with Elvis, and makes Pike sound like Christian Bale's Batman. I'm not mad about it, but see my pervious comment.

This story folds in the recent trend of having an "influencer" as a character, but it's not too grating and feels organic and real. The doggedness of Elvis' efforts to find a missing dad, gone mysteriously for the past 10 years, is impressive, and I also like that Cole is not a character who can best 5 burly dudes using jiu-jitsu or something. (Instead, he wakes up in a hospital room). I did feel confused at first about The Driver and the Death Car, and that aspect of the story was irritating enough to maybe remove a star. But it all worked out in the end.

Might need to go back and listen to some other titles when my TBR pile calms down.

The plot was engaging, great character work and there were a few twists I did not see coming. If you are a fan of Cole and Pike you will love this book. Highly recommended.


Thank you to Netgalley and Brilliance Publishing for sending me an audiobook of this title to review.

The book was fine, if unremarkable. Another good Elvis Cole outing by this author. The narrator was not a favorite. Some of his voices were downright silly. He also pronounced the name Dina as Dinah!? Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Private Investigator Elvis Cole is hired by a social media influence to find her father that has been missing for ten years. After multiple previous investigations have turned up empty handed,  Elvis dives in head first. Assisted by Joe Pike, the teams works endlessly to find new clues. A large cast of characters fill the story with humorous banter and non-stop action . A few twists and turns add to the adrenalin filled climax.

The narrator Luke Daniels was great. The production quality was top notch.

One of the most enjoyable audio books I've ever listened to! The narrator does a great job of switching between characters using different voices, even though the female characters were a bit strange. There are no boring parts, something is always happening as the story unfolds. Elvis Cole and Joe Pike make a great investigative team as they dive into adventure and suspense while solving the mystery. I would definitely recommend this book (especially the audio version) and will be checking out more from this series. My thanks to Brilliance Publishing for providing a review copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This action packed book is part of the Elvis Cole & Joe Pike series. It was fast paced with tons of twists and turns. This is my first book by Robert Crais and I’m going to be reading more in the series. Luke Daniels did an excellent job with the narration and voices for each character.

Thank you to NetGalley & Brilliance Publishing/Audio for letting me read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Another great crime novel with Elvis Cole, private detective, and his friend/partner Joe Pike. And internet sensation hires Elvis to find her father, who's been missing for years and declared dead. Elvis doesn't know if he can find anything after all this time, but decides to try.
When Elvis is attacked, he knows that he's stirred up a hornet's nest, and Joe Pike comes in to help.
I really enjoyed this audiobook, and the performer did a great job making different voices. Thanks to NetGalley for letting me listen to this

Robert Crais continues to prove why he’s a master of the crime genre with The Big Empty, a gripping and intense tale centered around a classic yet effortlessly cool private investigator. True to the style fans of the genre adore, the PI operates with a laid-back confidence, unraveling a web of secrets and lies while maintaining a razor-sharp focus on the truth.

Crais’s writing is sharp and evocative, pulling readers into a world where every clue matters and danger lurks just beneath the surface. The pacing is perfectly tuned, keeping the tension high without sacrificing the character-driven moments that make the story resonate. The protagonist’s understated determination and resourcefulness shine as they tackle a case filled with unexpected twists that will leave readers guessing—and often gasping—at every turn.

What makes The Big Empty especially satisfying is the way it combines a classic hardboiled detective vibe with a modern edge. The twists are unpredictable, the stakes feel real, and the conclusion ties everything together in a way that’s both satisfying and surprising. It’s the kind of story that keeps you on your toes while showcasing Crais’s ability to deliver not just a mystery, but a fully immersive experience.

Verdict:
With its smart writing, a charismatic PI, and a plot that keeps you hooked until the very last page, The Big Empty is a must-read for fans of crime fiction. Crais delivers a story that’s both thrilling and stylish, reminding us why the PI genre remains timeless.