Racing the light: a novel

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English

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*On Reader's Digest's list of "30 new books we can't wait to read in 2022"* Private investigator Elvis Cole and his enigmatic partner, Joe Pike, are back on the case in this brilliant new thriller from #1 New York Times bestselling author Robert Crais.        Adele Schumacher isn't a typical worried mom. When she hires Elvis to find her missing son, a controversial podcaster named Josh Shoe, she brings a bag filled with cash, bizarre tales of government conspiracies, and a squad of professional bodyguards. Finding Josh should be simple, but Elvis quickly learns he isn't alone in the hunt—a deadly team of mysterious strangers are determined to find Josh and his adult film star girlfriend first.        With dangerous secrets lurking behind every lead, Elvis needs his friend Joe Pike more than ever to uncover the truth about Josh, corrupt politicians, and the vicious business cartels rotting the heart of Los Angeles from within. And when Elvis's estranged girlfriend, Lucy Chenier, and her son, Ben, return, he learns just how much he has to lose...if he survives.        Written with the heart, humor, and relentless suspense for which Crais is famous, Racing the Light delivers Elvis Cole's most dangerous case yet.

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ISBN
9780525535720
9780525535751
9781432899356
143289935

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Also in this Series

  • The Monkey's Raincoat (Elvis Cole/Joe Pike novels Volume 1) Cover
  • Stalking the angel (Elvis Cole/Joe Pike novels Volume 2) Cover
  • Lullaby Town (Elvis Cole/Joe Pike novels Volume 3) Cover
  • Free fall (Elvis Cole/Joe Pike novels Volume 4) Cover
  • Voodoo River (Elvis Cole/Joe Pike novels Volume 5) Cover
  • Sunset express (Elvis Cole/Joe Pike novels Volume 6) Cover
  • Indigo Slam (Elvis Cole/Joe Pike novels Volume 7) Cover
  • L.A. requiem (Elvis Cole/Joe Pike novels Volume 8) Cover
  • The Last Detective (Elvis Cole/Joe Pike novels Volume 9) Cover
  • The forgotten man (Elvis Cole/Joe Pike novels Volume 10) Cover
  • The Watchman (Elvis Cole/Joe Pike novels Volume 11) Cover
  • Chasing darkness: an Elvis Cole novel (Elvis Cole/Joe Pike novels Volume 12) Cover
  • The first rule (Elvis Cole/Joe Pike novels Volume 13) Cover
  • The sentry (Elvis Cole/Joe Pike novels Volume 14) Cover
  • Taken (Elvis Cole/Joe Pike novels Volume 15) Cover
  • The promise (Elvis Cole/Joe Pike novels Volume 16) Cover
  • The wanted (Elvis Cole/Joe Pike novels Volume 17) Cover
  • A dangerous man (Elvis Cole/Joe Pike novels Volume 18) Cover
  • Racing the light: a novel (Elvis Cole/Joe Pike novels Volume 19) Cover
  • The big empty (Elvis Cole/Joe Pike novels Volume 20) Cover

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Similar Series From Novelist

NoveList provides detailed suggestions for series you might like if you enjoyed this book. Suggestions are based on recommendations from librarians and other contributors.
Fans who enjoy the hardboiled P.I. in Elvis Cole, and don't mind a twist of fantasy, will appreciate the Vincent Rubio mysteries, which feature a depressed, basil-addicted dinosaur investigating cases on his own since his partner was murdered. -- Katherine Johnson
Weiss and Bishop's San Francisco and Joe Pike's Los Angeles are seedy, dangerous cities, much like the protagonists themselves. These hardboiled crime tales are violent, suspenseful, and gritty with an undertone of dark humor. -- Mike Nilsson
The Donald Tremaine and Elvis Cole mysteries feature cool private detectives who tend to be smart-mouthed and unorthodox in their sleuthing methods. The books have snappy dialogue, nonstop action, and complex plots that stem from society's problems. -- Merle Jacob
Though August Snow is a bit more likeable than sarcastic, world-weary Elvis Cole, both hardboiled private investigators find themselves involved in treacherous cases in these suspenseful series. -- Stephen Ashley
The Elvis Cole novels and the Nameless Detective mysteries are character-driven tales packed with suspense, plot twists, and plenty of heart. Set in teeming West Coast cities, both feature complex protagonists and formidable villains. -- Mike Nilsson
These fast-paced hardboiled detective series both follow tough private investigators who are guided by strong moral compasses to do what they believe is right and find justice for those most in need. -- Stephen Ashley
Starring ex-military men who investigate crimes, these fast-paced mysteries are big on witty banter and snark. Although Cordell Logan owns a flight school and Elvis Cole is a professional P. I., both series have a hardboiled feel. -- Mike Nilsson
Though Detective Leonid McGill's willingness to bend laws is a bit stronger than private investigator Elvis Cole's, these authentic but tough investigators dive into the seedy underbelly of their big cities to solve a variety of twisted cases. -- Stephen Ashley
Readers who appreciate a tough private investigator unafraid of suffusing their work with sarcastic quips will appreciate both of these suspenseful hardboiled mystery series. Elvis Cole is a bit faster paced than Nils Shapiro. -- Stephen Ashley

Similar Titles From NoveList

NoveList provides detailed suggestions for titles you might like if you enjoyed this book. Suggestions are based on recommendations from librarians and other contributors.
Trouble in mind - Wiley, Michael
These books have the appeal factors intricately plotted, and they have the genre "hardboiled fiction"; the subjects "private investigators" and "secrets"; and characters that are "flawed characters."
The prostitutes' ball - Cannell, Stephen J.
These books have the appeal factors darkly humorous and offbeat, and they have the subjects "missing persons investigation," "cole, elvis (fictitious character)," and "actors and actresses"; and characters that are "flawed characters."
These books have the genre "hardboiled fiction"; the subjects "private investigators," "missing persons investigation," and "corruption"; and characters that are "flawed characters."
NoveList recommends "Ashe Cayne novels" for fans of "Elvis Cole/Joe Pike novels". Check out the first book in the series.
NoveList recommends "Leonid McGill mysteries" for fans of "Elvis Cole/Joe Pike novels". Check out the first book in the series.
These books have the appeal factors well-crafted dialogue, and they have the genre "hardboiled fiction"; the subjects "private investigators," "missing persons investigation," and "politicians"; and characters that are "likeable characters," "sarcastic characters," and "flawed characters."
These books have the appeal factors witty and intricately plotted, and they have the genres "mysteries" and "hardboiled fiction"; the subjects "private investigators," "missing persons investigation," and "missing persons"; and characters that are "sarcastic characters" and "flawed characters."
These books have the appeal factors intricately plotted, and they have the genres "mysteries" and "hardboiled fiction"; the subjects "private investigators," "missing persons investigation," and "secrets"; and characters that are "flawed characters."
NoveList recommends "August Snow novels" for fans of "Elvis Cole/Joe Pike novels". Check out the first book in the series.
Both part of a series, these novels will appeal to mystery fans who enjoy a combination of likeable protagonists and zippy, action-packed plots with plenty of dark humor as amateur (Finlay Donovan) and professional (Racing) investigators attempt a rescue. -- Basia Wilson
NoveList recommends "Nils Shapiro novels" for fans of "Elvis Cole/Joe Pike novels". Check out the first book in the series.
NoveList recommends "Cordell Logan mysteries" for fans of "Elvis Cole/Joe Pike novels". Check out the first book in the series.

Similar Authors From NoveList

NoveList provides detailed suggestions for other authors you might want to read if you enjoyed this book. Suggestions are based on recommendations from librarians and other contributors.
Robert B. Parker and Robert Crais write character-centered, often humorous mysteries featuring long-term relationships. Both have branched out from their popular series characters to create new series and stand-alone titles. Los Angeles is Crais' pied-a-terre, and it is as carefully evoked as Parker's Boston. -- Katherine Johnson
Tim Cockey's Hitch and Robert Crais' Elvis demonstrate cockeyed optimism, witty cynicism, comic commentary, and dogged loyalty and devotion to what's right and just. Hitch is a mortician rather than a private eye like Elvis, but both solve mysteries in short order, zipping through to satisfying conclusions. -- Katherine Johnson
Though Barbara Seranella's tone is darker than Robert Crais', their protagonists have the same cockeyed brand of honor in their fast-paced, noir-like, compelling mysteries. -- Katherine Johnson
Don Winslow's Neal Carey mysteries have similar qualities to Robert Crais' Elvis Cole stories. Their stories involve protecting persons unable to protect themselves and feature not only a strong sense of honor, exotic and intricately plotted mysteries, and satisfying resolutions, but witty commentary by the lead detectives. -- Katherine Johnson
These authors' works have the genre "hardboiled fiction"; and the subjects "private investigators," "murder," and "former police."
These authors' works have the genres "mysteries" and "hardboiled fiction"; and the subjects "private investigators," "former police," and "organized crime."
These authors' works have the genre "hardboiled fiction"; and the subjects "private investigators," "missing persons investigation," and "drug traffic."

Published Reviews

Booklist Review

Adele Schumacher tells PI Elvis Cole that she believes her son, Josh, a controversial podcaster, is being held by the government at Area 51. Adele has a purse stuffed with cash, a brain full of government conspiracies, and, oddly, a professional bodyguard. Who is this woman? When Cole finally tracks him down, the podcaster reveals that his mother and father were both employed by the government and, quite possibly, reworked captured alien technology. But it turns out that's not really relevant. The real question is, Who are the assorted assassins?, including "Scarecrow and the Meatball," who are looking for Josh? Cole calls in his partner, Joe Pike, to help. Josh's porn-star girlfriend is found brutally murdered, hints of a Silicon Valley conspiracy surface, and Cole's estranged girlfriend, Lucy Chenier, and her son, Ben, decide to come for the weekend. A whirlwind of action, fisticuffs, and stray bullets, along with Crais' usual dose of heart and humor, make for a riveting and satisfying read. No one does the bromance buddy genre better than Crais, and he always keeps it fresh and timely. This is the nineteenth outing for the PI duo, in a series that began with The Monkey's Raincoat in 1987, and Cole and Pike are still relentless, with their humanity, remarkably, fully intact.

From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
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Publisher's Weekly Review

The disappearance of podcaster Josh Schumacher drives MWA Grandmaster Crais's entertaining 19th novel featuring L.A. PI Elvis Cole and his ex-Marine sidekick, Joe Pike (after 2019's A Dangerous Man). Josh's mother, Adele, hires Elvis to find Josh and bring him home. Elvis soon discovers that Josh's latest story, which involves an adult film star and secrets tying city politicians to a corrupt pay-for-play scheme, has mobilized a vortex of competing interests, including a vicious business cartel, Chinese operatives, and the mysterious Adele's own personal protection team. Once Elvis tracks down Josh, he's frustrated by the podcaster's refusal to let the story go, and matters quickly degenerate into murder and mayhem. As usual, Pike's involvement is minimal and timely, and the novel further advances the on-again, off-again relationship between Elvis and love interest Lucy Chenier, with several effective scenes between Elvis and Lucy's son, Ben. While the influence of Michael Connelly is apparent and the pace is somewhat uneven, Crais maintains a humorous tone throughout. This long-running series shows no signs of losing steam. Agent: Aaron Priest, Aaron M. Priest Literary. (Nov.)

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Kirkus Book Review

In the latest Elvis Cole mystery, young podcaster Josh Shoe is on the verge of nailing a corrupt city official when the murder of his prime source--a porn actress--sends him into hiding. A hulking 26-year-old, Shoe--short for Schumacher--prides himself on "bringing the truth the mainstream media hides," whether that involves alien visits or conspiracy theories. Following the murder of Skylar, who works as a call girl to support her efforts as a visual artist, Josh's own life is in danger. When it's revealed that sophisticated surveillance equipment used by Chinese intelligence has been installed in his apartment, Elvis suspects the stakes are higher than he thought. The LA detective has other things on his mind: His long-lost girlfriend, Lucy Chenier, has returned to town with her son, Ben, who was traumatized by his father's sick plot to cast himself as a hero. Ben loves Elvis, but does Lucy? But back to the action, which involves a hapless bagman, a city councilman who sells out a low-cost housing project, a Chinese enforcer, and, of course, Cole's taciturn sidekick, the ex-Marine Joe Pike. Though the novel promises intrigue of a higher order than it delivers, Crais' affection for his characters, masterful pacing, and dry wit make this one of his better efforts. An unrepentant classicist, he keeps the traditional detective novel alive and well. An enjoyable mystery from a tried-and-true veteran. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
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Booklist Reviews

*Starred Review* Adele Schumacher tells PI Elvis Cole that she believes her son, Josh, a controversial podcaster, is being held by the government at Area 51. Adele has a purse stuffed with cash, a brain full of government conspiracies, and, oddly, a professional bodyguard. Who is this woman? When Cole finally tracks him down, the podcaster reveals that his mother and father were both employed by the government and, quite possibly, reworked captured alien technology. But it turns out that's not really relevant. The real question is, Who are the assorted assassins?, including "Scarecrow and the Meatball," who are looking for Josh? Cole calls in his partner, Joe Pike, to help. Josh's porn-star girlfriend is found brutally murdered, hints of a Silicon Valley conspiracy surface, and Cole's estranged girlfriend, Lucy Chenier, and her son, Ben, decide to come for the weekend. A whirlwind of action, fisticuffs, and stray bullets, along with Crais' usual dose of heart and humor, make for a riveting and satisfying read. No one does the bromance buddy genre better than Crais, and he always keeps it fresh and timely. This is the nineteenth outing for the PI duo, in a series that began with The Monkey's Raincoat in 1987, and Cole and Pike are still relentless, with their humanity, remarkably, fully intact. Copyright 2022 Booklist Reviews.

Copyright 2022 Booklist Reviews.
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Publishers Weekly Reviews

The disappearance of podcaster Josh Schumacher drives MWA Grandmaster Crais's entertaining 19th novel featuring L.A. PI Elvis Cole and his ex-Marine sidekick, Joe Pike (after 2019's A Dangerous Man). Josh's mother, Adele, hires Elvis to find Josh and bring him home. Elvis soon discovers that Josh's latest story, which involves an adult film star and secrets tying city politicians to a corrupt pay-for-play scheme, has mobilized a vortex of competing interests, including a vicious business cartel, Chinese operatives, and the mysterious Adele's own personal protection team. Once Elvis tracks down Josh, he's frustrated by the podcaster's refusal to let the story go, and matters quickly degenerate into murder and mayhem. As usual, Pike's involvement is minimal and timely, and the novel further advances the on-again, off-again relationship between Elvis and love interest Lucy Chenier, with several effective scenes between Elvis and Lucy's son, Ben. While the influence of Michael Connelly is apparent and the pace is somewhat uneven, Crais maintains a humorous tone throughout. This long-running series shows no signs of losing steam. Agent: Aaron Priest, Aaron M. Priest Literary. (Nov.)

Copyright 2022 Publishers Weekly.

Copyright 2022 Publishers Weekly.
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