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Book Nook provides readers with insights into the world of books. Vick Mickunas takes you into the center of the publishing world with the latest book buzz, book reviews, and exclusive chats with authors..Home > Blogs > Book Nook > Archives > 2010 > January > 16
Saturday, January 16, 2010
It begins with a home invasion…
“The First Rule” by Robert Crais (Putnam, 308 pages, $26.95)
Journalists traditionally have particular beats — sportswriters watch sporting events, grade performances, interview athletes. Political reporters track campaigns, monitor speeches, question politicians. Journalists can trace careers. We develop affection and a rapport with some of the people that we cover.
That can be wonderful. Over the past 15 years I have read stacks of books and evaluated the abilities of various writers, and I have developed a deep respect for some of the authors I have met. Robert Crais is one author whom I hold in high regard.
We first met for an interview at WYSO public radio for oneof the early books in his series featuring private investigator Elvis Cole. We have had another dozen conversations since then.
What a pleasure it has been to follow his career. Crais is a brilliant, successful writer. And it couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy. He has just published “The First Rule,” his 16th novel. Elvis Cole has been the lead character in most of those books. But that aspect is shifting.
Ten years ago Crais wrote a book called “L.A. Requiem.” That novel marked a different approach. The earlier books were lighter, almost humorous crime novels. “Requiem” had a darker focus and a more pronounced role for Cole’s partner in the detective agency, the brooding, ex-mercenary Joe Pike.
Pike has always been Cole’s loyal lieutenant and enforcer. Pike also owns a gunshop. And he always wears sunglasses. Don’t get on his bad side — you might just die. A couple of years ago Crais wrote a book which featured Joe Pike as the lead character. “The First Rule” is his second offering with Pike as the lead.
As the book begins a home invasion is taking place. Wrenching violence ensues. Pike loved that innocent family. He sets out to avenge his friends’ murders. With Pike you can expect a terrible justice to be exacted eventually.
Pike determines that a Balkan underworld syndicate operating in Los Angeles could be linked to the killings of his friends. “The First Rule” traces Pike’s inexorable pursuit of these bad guys. Elvis Cole helps out but this is Pike’s show. Buckle up. Lock and load.
Crais opens with this explanation: “The organized criminal gangs from the 15 republics of the former Soviet Union are governed by what they call the ‘Vorovskoy Zakon’ — the thieves’ code — which is comprised of 18 written rules. The first rule is this:
“A thief must forsake his mother, father, brothers and sisters. He must not have a family — no wife, no children. We are his family.”
“If any of the 18 rules are broken, the punishment is death.”
Pike’s icy forboding exterior masks turbulence and emotion. We glimpse a tender side though as Pike cuddles a baby. Truly shocking; he briefly removes his sunglasses. Crais is already working on a third book about Pike. Joe Pike enforces the rules.
Robert Crais visits Books & Co. at the Greene in Beavercreek on Sunday, Jan. 24, at 6 p.m.
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