This first book in Crais' PI Elvis Cole and Joe Pike series was written back in 1987. Set in Los Angeles, it begins with Cole meeting two women: one, Ellen, who doesn't want to go to the police, and Janet, her best friend, one of many who push her around. Ellen's son and husband are missing. Her husband, Mort, picked the child, Perry, up from school and disappeared. After taking the case, Cole goes to Ellen's house when she calls to say someone has broken into her home, looking for something. Ellen again refuses to go to the police because she believes it was her husband who ransacked the house, and he has a right to do that. Cole thinks that someone other than her husband did this while looking for something they thought her husband had stashed. Ellen sends her children to stay with Janet, and she goes to stay with Cole with Pike as a guard dog. Mort had a lot of affairs, and it seems that his current mistress is an actress. The two went to a party at a drug cartel boss's house, where two kilos of lab-grade coke went missing. Someone tells the boss that Mort stole the cocaine. Cole hopes to find the cocaine in time to save Ellen's son.
Elvis Cole is a big smart ass, whose mouth gets him into trouble, which gets him taken out by the bad guys. Pike is kinda scary, but the person you want at your back in a fight. You have to keep in mind when this book was written. A couple of times, some things might be seen as racist or sexist. They did not bother me. I grew up in the eighties and remember it well. This is classic Sam Spade detective fiction, which makes sense, considering it won the Anthony and McCavity awards and was nominated for the Edgar and Shamus awards. This mystery is filled with snark and one-liners, and for those who like PI detective stories, this one sure hits the spot.
Quotes
He leered and made a pistol with his fingers and shot me. I considered returning the gesture with my .38.
Robert Crais (The Monkey's Raincoat, p 25)
But good news, like magic, is sometimes in short supply.
Robert Crais (The Monkey's Raincoat, p 27)
Teenage girls reek of disapproval better than anyone I know.
Robert Crais (The Monkey's Raincoat, p 38)
All the good things are in childhood. Innocence. Loyalty. Truth. You're eighteen years old. You're sitting in a rice Paddy. Most guys give it up. I decided eighteen was too young to be old.
Robert Crais (The Monkey's Raincoat, p 79)
Bud holds up better warm than any other beer. Great for that tailgate party when you're on stakeout.
Robert Crais (The Monkey's Raincoat, p 101)
"He likes you quite a lot."
"That's the Marine. Marines are all faeries at heart."
Robert Crais (The Monkey's Raincoat, p 218)
There are so many maybes in my life that they begin to lose all meaning.
Robert Crais (The Monkey's Raincoat, p 240)
Link to ThriftBooks: https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/the-monkeys-raincoat-by-robert-crais/250417/?resultid=bc7c1cfa-1189-499e-9522-632808818709#edition=2410712&idiq=2180457
