Robert Crais is an American detective novel author. One of his best known recurring fictional characters is Elvis Cole, who appears in 12 of his novels. Before writing novels, Crais wrote scripts for television programs like Hill Street Blues and L.A. Law. In 1980, Crais had enough of script writing, and decided to write novels. The first novel with Elvis Cole was written in 1985, and titled The Monkey’s Raincoat. In 1988, it won the Anthony Award for Best First Novel, and the Mystery Readers International Macavity Award for Best Paperback Original. It has now been named by the Independent Mystery booksellers Association as one of the 100 Favorite Mysteries of the Century.
In the novels, the fictional character Elvis Cole calls himself “The World’s Greatest Detective,” and the stories are usually told in the first person narrative by Cole. He is a decorated U.S. Army Ranger skilled in several forms of martial arts. His physical description is "looking like John Cassavetes 20 years ago." The street Elvis lives on is the same street where Cassavetes owns his current home. His partner, Joe Pike is a USMC veteran and an ex-LAPD officer. He never smiles, owns a gun shop, and occasionally works as a mercenary.
In later years, it is said that Crais’s novels have become darker with more cynicism. He is using more flashback and dream imagery, getting the reader more into the characters' psyches. Mr. Crais stated that, “Thematically, again and again, my books are about people who are trying to be better than they have been.” The strongest recurring themes are that honesty works out for the best in the long run, and the importance of loyalty and family.
