Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

This was a real edge of your seat thriller, with so many twists and turns, you wont know which way is up! Fantastic and gripping read!

The latest book from Robert Crais. This one is a Joe Pike book with occasional glimpses of Elvis Cole rather than the other way around in his earlier works. Thanks to NetGalley and publisher for this ARC

Joe is definitely one of the strong silent types and not someone to be crossed.

Needless to say, there is a mysterious plot that Joe & Elvis get embroiled in and a character needing their assistance.

To summarise without giving too much away, Joe wears sunglasses and has red arrow tattoos on his deltoids. he says little and kicks ass.

Whilst I enjoyed the book, and I have read all of the series of Joe / Elvis books, I have to say I preferred the ones where Elvis was the lead with his wise-cracks and the references to the clock on the wall in his office. Just my personal opinion.

With thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC, which I have enjoyed reading.
This is only the second Robert Crais book that I have read and the first was The Wanted, which is the previous book to this one. I thought they were both well written, funny, sad and entertaining and very violent. The main characters are Joe Pike and Elvis Cole and they are very individual characters with their own brand of justice. The storyline is superb, as is the writing and the heroes have their own form of justice and morality.
Highly recommended.

What’s not to love about yet another fab Cole and Pike novel. This is one of those series where I don’t even need to read the blurb to know I want it.

The combo of Cole’s humour and Pike’s stoic silence makes for one of the great double acts in fiction.

This is a very reliable and compulsive series to read and I have been a fan for many years. This book is set in Los Angeles featuring Joe Pike and Elvis Cole. It is fast paced and tense with excellent characterisation. The plot revolves around a young girl being abducted and witnessed by Pike. Perfect reading for fans of well written thrillers.Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

7.5/10

This is only my second book in this series so I'm definitely approaching things from the wrong end, but by no means do I think that hindered my enjoyment of it and I never felt like I was missing out on something.

Whereas the last one I read seemed to focus more on Elvis Cole, this one seems to be more based around Joe Pike. They both have plenty to do in the book but he came across more as the protagonist here. He differs to Elvis in that he's more the silent type and not as wisecracking as Elvis but together they work well.

The plot was interesting without ever being a thriller that I couldn't put down. The action comes early doors and doesn't really stop throughout. The characters are pretty standard once you get past the main few but it was enjoyable and that is the main thing I need when I pick this type of book up.

I need to read this series from the beginning and know I will when I get chance as there is so much I like here that I'd be foolish not to. A good thriller all round and I'm glad I took a chance on this series.

From Good Reads:
Can't make up my mind which I prefer - strong, silent Joe Pike or wisecracking Elvis Cole - but I love how they take turns in being given prominence.
As expected, this did not disappoint.
Fast moving, tense, ,lots of action, plenty of twists.

Just great fun and a guaranteed winner for a wet afternoon on the sofa

This is the first book I read by mr Crais and won't surely be the last.
It's a fast pace thriller that kept hooked till the last page.
It's engrossing and entertaining, the character and plot development are excellent and the pace keeps you reading.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

The latest in a long line of great books featuring Joe Pike and Elvis Cole .

Joe intervenes in the attempted kidnapping of banK cashier , Izzy ……………… why was she kidnapped , who is after her ??
The kidnappers make bail and a terrified Izzy contacts Joe - a suspicious SUV has been seen outside her home -Joe rushes to her aid BUT she is nowhere to be found . Determined to look for her Joe contacts his PI partner Elvis Cole to ask him to help investigate - there appears to be more to the kidnapping than initially thought - especially when they link the torture/murder of a retired US Marshall to her past - a past she knows nothing about
They are in a race against time to find Izzy alive and to puzzle out the secrets of her past .

This is a fast paced thriller , with the usual conflict between Joe and Elvis with local Police forces adding to the plot .
I would recommend this series to anyone who wants a great PI thriller with a difference ……. the main characters makes this series strand out from the norm .

I was given an arc of this book y the Publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Robert Crais is incapable of writing a bad book. Joe Pike, one of my favourite characters, are back in this action packed novel assisted by his loyal friend Elvis Cole.
Pike intervenes in a kidnapping and becomes embroiled in a the life fo Isabel and trying to save her from whomever is plotting against her.
Honestly the story is so well plotted and moves along nicely so you never want to put it down.

Another fast, high octane thrill-a-minute from Elvis Cole and Joe Pike. I won't repeat the synopsis but suffice it to say that Robert Crais knows how to write! From the get-go it's packed with thrills and spills - the relationship between Cole and Pike is as droll and funny as ever. I feel as if I know them both so well and would love to accompany them on one of their adventures (then again, maybe not. too dangerous!) Thanks go to the publisher and NetGalley for kindly providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Now...hmmm...I'm champing at the bit for the next Cole and Pike story!

Robert Crais's fabulous crime thriller series set in Southern California and Los Angeles, featuring the well established duo of the strong, silent and dangerous Joe Pike with his military background and PI Elvis Cole returns with this latest cracker of an addition. Joe is at the bank where he is served by the young teller, Isabel 'Izzy' Roland. When Izzy leaves for an early lunch break, Joe is outside and just happens to see her being abducted by two men who bundle her in a car and take off. It's Izzy's lucky day, for Joe does what he has to do, and the two kidnappers have not a hope in hell as he rescues her. The men are arrested by the local police, but go on to make bail. A terrified Izzy contacts Joe, at which point it becomes clear that Joe is going to take on the mantle of her protector. As Izzy disappears after seeing a suspicious SUV outside her home, Joe calls in his best friend and business partner, Elvis to investigate.

Soon it becomes apparent there is a local crime crew and arrivals from out of state who have a malign interest in getting hold of Izzy, but why? Izzy seems a straight forward, normal young woman, whose parents have died and with little in the way of any background or reasons for why she should suddenly have become a high value target for criminals. Connections begin to emerge with the torture and killing of a retired US Marshall earlier, a man by the name of Ted Kemps, a long time presence in Izzy's family life and who she refers to as an 'uncle'. With the US Marshall Service intent on hunting down Kemps killer, Joe and Elvis find themselves in a case that involves a long ago pharmaceutical trial for fraud, whistleblowers, the Witness Protection Programme and a powerful force seeking vengeance at any cost. John Chen, the usual ambitious forensic guy that Pike turns to, finds his career prospects taking a distinct downturn after helping Joe, but Joe being Joe is not going to let Chen's career go down the pan.

Crais masterfully showcases his ability to write fast paced, tense and compulsive crime reads with this short but well crafted story. His characterisation is pin sharp, I particularly loved Izzy and her bestie, the marvellously exuberant Carly, their relationship was a joy to observe. I am always going to read any addition to this wonderful series, i will take any opportunity to return to LA and dip into the action packed lives of Elvis Cole and Joe Pike. This is for fans of this series and anyone who loves well written and tense crime thrillers. Many thanks to Simon and Schuster for an ARC.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Simon & Schuster UK for an advance copy of A Dangerous Man, the eighteenth novel to feature LA based Joe Pike and PI Elvis Cole.

Pike has just left the bank when he sees teller, Isabel Roland, being bundled into a car. He manages to rescue her, but when her abductors are released from jail and shot soon after he realises there might be more to it than a simple kidnapping.

I thoroughly enjoyed A Dangerous Man which is a high octane read from start to finish. It is not a long novel so Mr Crais does not have room for padding or slow moments. It is short, sharp and to the point and yet, the characters are all well defined, some more likeable than others. Perhaps this is to do with the shifting perspective as all the characters get their moment in the spotlight. Often I find this change in point of view distracting and choppy but in this case it all merges together well, whetting the appetite for more. I am very impressed with his skill and think it is one of the best crafted novels I have read all year. It held my attention from throughout and I read it one sitting without peeking ahead to see what was coming (most unusual) as I was living in the moment.

In the reality stakes the plot probably doesn’t stand up to close scrutiny, so many guns and bodies and Joe Pike’s superhuman powers, but it is highly entertaining, funny in points when Elvis Cole makes an appearance and constantly on the go. Despite the violence it’s fun, fun, fun.

I have read most of the books in this series and enjoyed them all. I must admit that I love Elvis, but even with the emphasis shifting to Pike I can still say it’s one of my favourite series. Elvis is the wisecracking extrovert, Pike is the silent man of action whom nobody can beat. Clichéd? Perhaps, but it’s very satisfying to see the good guys win unambiguously and be entertained along the way.

A Dangerous Man is a great read which I have no hesitation in recommending.