Review of "The Wanted: An Elvis Cole and Joe Pike Novel" by Robert Crais

In this addition to the 'Elvis Cole - Joe Pike' series, the Los Angeles private detectives try to help a trio of over-privileged teenage thieves. The book can be read as a standalone.

*****

Devon Connor is worried about her 17-year-old son Tyson. The troubled boy was booted out of two high schools, making it necessary to enroll him in an expensive 'alternative school' - and now Tyson's room contains wads of cash and big-ticket items he can't afford, like designer clothes from Barneys; electronics; and a Rolex watch that costs at least $40,000.



Concerned that Tyson is doing something illegal, Devon hires Los Angeles private investigator Elvis Cole - the self-styled 'World's Greatest Detective' - to find out what's going on with her son.



Using the serial numbers on the Rolex, Cole learns that it was stolen from Dr. Richard Slausen. Cole's visit to the physician's house brings him to the attention of two LAPD detectives - Cassett and Rivera.



Cassett and Rivera are investigating a string of 18 home burglaries in the area, including the heist at Slausen's place.



The detectives reveal that three people were seen on CCTV, breaking into the looted homes, but the burglars always hid their faces.....until one boy accidently glanced up at the camera.



This was Tyson, but the cops haven't identified him yet, and have no idea who his accomplices are.

Cassett and Rivera want Cole to reveal what he knows, but the PI keeps mum - hoping he can arrange for Tyson to get a lawyer, turn himself in, and make a deal. This deal isn't going to happen though because Tyson robs homes with two other teens, Amber and Alec, and he'd never rat them out. Especially not Amber, who has Tyson wrapped around her little finger.



So, instead of surrendering, Tyson goes on the run.

Unfortunately for the larcenous teens, they stole a laptop from someone who's desperate to get it back. The laptop owner hired a couple of shrewd toughs, named Harvey and Stemms, who have a spy in the police department AND know how to track people down.



When the thugs - who pretend to be LAPD detectives - find people with information about the teens, they 'interview' them.....then kill them.

Meanwhile, Elvis Cole is also hunting for Tyson and his friends, to keep them alive. Needing assistance, Cole calls on his 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.



With people getting killed left and right, you'd think the teenage crooks would be frightened - but Amber seems to think the whole business is a hoot....and that a Hollywood movie will be made about the gang's exploits.



Other interesting characters in the book include Tyson's former schoolmate Carl - a computer nerd who wears suits to his 'office' in the shed; and Amber's mother - who's annoyed when she has to abandon her skiing vacation to assist her daughter. Furthermore, Harvey and Stemms are more than just thugs for hire. When they're not killing people, the men discuss guitar riffs; changing a ringtone from the stabbing scene music in 'Psycho' to The Association's 'Windy'; and their personal lives.

There's plenty of action and excitement in this page turner, which ends in a dramatic climax.

I'm a big fan of Cole and Pike, two smart, capable guys who get the job done. I enjoyed the book and recommend it to thriller fans. 

Rating: 3.5 stars