Status
Available
Genres
Collection
Publication
Brilliance Audio (2013), Edition: Abridged
Description
Frank Meyer had the American dream--until the day a professional crew invaded his home and murdered everyone inside. The police think Meyer was hiding something very bad, but Joe Pike does not. With the help of Elvis Cole, Pike sets out on a hunt of his own--an investigation that quickly entangles them both in a web of ancient grudges, blood ties, blackmail, vengeance, double crosses, and cutthroat criminals.
Media reviews
Whenever Robert Crais feels the need to refresh himself, he can always activate Joe Pike, a saturnine former soldier who performs id-like functions for Elvis Cole, the Hollywood private eye who is Crais’s regular series hero.
User reviews
LibraryThing member reannon
Robert Crais's main mystery series is about Elvis Cole, a private eye in Los Angeles. Cole's partner in his investigative agency is former mercenary and former cop Joe Pike. Crais has now written some novels in which Pike is the main character and Elvis the sidekick, and this is one of them.
Frank
Joe feels bound to investigate, and to would prefer to find the killers before the police do, as his punishment would be more final. The Murphy's nanny was also killed, and she seems to be the key as to why the Murphys were attacked.
Joe Pike is an interesting character. The phrase "I don't like violence but I'm very good at it" might have been invented for him. Actually, he doesn't seem to like or dislike violence. It is a tool he uses when needed....it's just needed a lot. Pike is an honorable character.who deals with a lot of people who are not.
I'm ambivalent about characters like Pike. I don't like the level of violence.... but if I were in trouble, I would certainly like to have somebody like Pike looking out for me.
Overall, I liked this book a little less than others by Crais. It seemed a bit formulaic. However, Crais is the kind of writer I'd rather read his worst than most other authors' best.
Disclaimer: I participate in the Amazon Vine program and received this book free in return for reviewing it.
Frank
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Murphy, his wife, and two sons, aged 10 and 6, were all murdered in a home invasion that seems to be part of a series of home invasions in which eleven people total have been killed. Frank had been a mercenary under Joe Pike's command, but left when his wife insisted he give up that life. He became an importer of clothing and by all accounts, happy and content in his new life.Joe feels bound to investigate, and to would prefer to find the killers before the police do, as his punishment would be more final. The Murphy's nanny was also killed, and she seems to be the key as to why the Murphys were attacked.
Joe Pike is an interesting character. The phrase "I don't like violence but I'm very good at it" might have been invented for him. Actually, he doesn't seem to like or dislike violence. It is a tool he uses when needed....it's just needed a lot. Pike is an honorable character.who deals with a lot of people who are not.
I'm ambivalent about characters like Pike. I don't like the level of violence.... but if I were in trouble, I would certainly like to have somebody like Pike looking out for me.
Overall, I liked this book a little less than others by Crais. It seemed a bit formulaic. However, Crais is the kind of writer I'd rather read his worst than most other authors' best.
Disclaimer: I participate in the Amazon Vine program and received this book free in return for reviewing it.
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LibraryThing member katiefeldmom
While I loved loved loved The Watchman (1st in the Joe Pike series), this one was just okay. It took a while to get going, but once I got hooked, I was in and couldn't put the book down. I loved learning more about Joe Pike and his previous life and the parts with the baby warmed my heart and made
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me realize that Joe is human and not a machine like he wants to be thought of as. It wrapped up nicely at the end. Show Less
LibraryThing member sirspeedy
This is the second in the series featuring Joe Pike. While the character seems to suffer from above-average talents, Pike is the ultimate avenger. Crais is a gifted author and has hit another home run with this book. I thoroughly enjoyed the story, his knowledge of Eastern European mobs, and the
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interaction with Elvis Cole. The book is well researched and moves along quickly. I could not put the book down for the last 100 pages. Show Less
LibraryThing member norinrad10
The character of Joe pike is a very interesting character. Unfortunately he may be a character that works best as a supporting character. Here he is the main guy and things just aren't quite as interesting. Elvis Cole pops up, so that helps.
LibraryThing member pharrm
LA, kidnapping, serbian mob. this book features Crais' number 2 character,Joe Pike. He is drawn into intrigue and mob dealings when an old special forces comrade and his entire family are murdered, including the nanny. Elvis Cole makes several appearances but is relegated to a supporting character
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this time. We learn more of Pike's background and the code by which he and his buddies world revolves. Show Less
LibraryThing member mikedraper
Home invaders break into Frank Meyer's home and kill his family. They also severly wound his nanny. Frank had a successful business but before meeting his wife, he had been a mercenary. He was part of Joe Pike's group.
Joe is approached by detectives who want to know if he had any information about
Joe decides to investigate in order to clear his friend's name and to pay the killer's for what they had done. He goes to the hosptial where the nanny, Ana Markovik, was a patient. He finds Ana's sister, Rina, gurading her sister's room. She suspects that Joe might be part of the group who shot her sister. Joe explains that he's a friend of the family and learns that Rina and her sister are Serbians. Since he knows that Meyer wasn't involved in criminal activities, he deduces that the killers might have been after Ana.
Joe asks his partner, Elvis Cole, to research the sister's backgrounds and finds that Rina is Karina Markov and has a history of prostitution that she is trying to hide.
Returning to the hospital to question Rina further, Joe learns of Ana's death. Rina then admits that she knows who killed her sister. Joe asks who it was and the answer is totally unexpected and leads Joe and Elvis down a trail that is filled with danger and involves the United States bureau of Alcohol and Firearms.
The story was an easy read and fun experience. Robert Crais is one of the finest thriller writers and Joe Pike is the kind of character that make readers dream of being like in their fantacies. The pacing is well done right up to the end which seemed to bring things together a little too conveniently.
Joe is approached by detectives who want to know if he had any information about
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his friend's death. They tell him that the group had broken into six other homes and all of the other homes were owned by drug traffickers and other criminals. Police feel that it is a trend and want to know if Meyer was involved in illegal activity.Joe decides to investigate in order to clear his friend's name and to pay the killer's for what they had done. He goes to the hosptial where the nanny, Ana Markovik, was a patient. He finds Ana's sister, Rina, gurading her sister's room. She suspects that Joe might be part of the group who shot her sister. Joe explains that he's a friend of the family and learns that Rina and her sister are Serbians. Since he knows that Meyer wasn't involved in criminal activities, he deduces that the killers might have been after Ana.
Joe asks his partner, Elvis Cole, to research the sister's backgrounds and finds that Rina is Karina Markov and has a history of prostitution that she is trying to hide.
Returning to the hospital to question Rina further, Joe learns of Ana's death. Rina then admits that she knows who killed her sister. Joe asks who it was and the answer is totally unexpected and leads Joe and Elvis down a trail that is filled with danger and involves the United States bureau of Alcohol and Firearms.
The story was an easy read and fun experience. Robert Crais is one of the finest thriller writers and Joe Pike is the kind of character that make readers dream of being like in their fantacies. The pacing is well done right up to the end which seemed to bring things together a little too conveniently.
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LibraryThing member knitwit2
Very good crime fiction. Soviet Organized crime groups in Los Angeles are up to thier usual activies, prostitution, drugs, etc. But a huge arms deal and a double cross go bad and a former American mercenary and his family are killed, his friends seek to even the score. And even it they do. Fast
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paced, reasonably well written, definately a page turner. Show Less
LibraryThing member shawnd
This action novel features Joe Pike, a tough-as-nails ex-mercenary who has all the personality of a rusty nail. Pike is a vegetarian, yoga and meditation-practicing ex-warrior who is a man of little words and always wins every skirmish with no fear. In fact the only way Pike is ever surprised, it
Pike finds out that one of his old mercenary teams has been killed, and activates to find the killer and enact retribution. In the process, Pike activates other members of that team and a friendly private detective. Pike enters a world of Eastern European Organized Crime, the US ATF, and arms smuggling. The reader is surprised when an infant shows up in the story, and Pike's reaction, but even this falls flat after a dry account of the robotic Pike's swath of damage across the villains.
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seems, is when some twist of the story is unexpected due to a lie or cover up.Pike finds out that one of his old mercenary teams has been killed, and activates to find the killer and enact retribution. In the process, Pike activates other members of that team and a friendly private detective. Pike enters a world of Eastern European Organized Crime, the US ATF, and arms smuggling. The reader is surprised when an infant shows up in the story, and Pike's reaction, but even this falls flat after a dry account of the robotic Pike's swath of damage across the villains.
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LibraryThing member miyurose
This is the first Crais novel I’ve read with Joe Pike at the forefront, and I thought it was quite good. He reminds me a lot of Jack Reacher from Lee Child’s books; they’re both quiet, mysterious, and a lot more dangerous than they appear. And here you see a little of Pike’s softer side
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when he finds himself trying to save a baby from becoming a pawn in an organized crime double-cross. I thought Crais did a good job of making you wonder what the truth actually is with a lot of characters that are very good liars. Elvis plays a significant part here, but most of the book is through Pike’s eyes. Joe Pike is a really strong leading man, and I hope we see more books from his perspective. If you are a fan of this genre, Crais is a must-read. Show Less
LibraryThing member Cinfull
Joe Pike has a style all his own with a distinct personal code. He keeps his word to his dead friend, his prior team members, the law, and to himself. The concern for what was right and his actions at the end were new insights into his personality. I enjoy the books featuring him after his second
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position all these years to Elvis Cole. Show Less
LibraryThing member fordbarbara
Joe Pike is by far a more favorite character for me than Elvis Cole, who seems a little to "amusing"
LibraryThing member shazjhb
It did not all make sense to me. Must have missed a step or two
LibraryThing member cmwilson101
The First Rule by Robert Crais stars Joe Pike. A former mercenary, Joe is taciturn, deep, tough, and complex. In this book of the series, a former member of Joe's mercenary team is murdered (along with his entire family & the family's nanny), and Joe feels honor-bound to identify the killers and
Nothing is what you think in this story, and I was pleased to find that all my guesses as to why Joe's friend was killed were wrong. As usual, Crais's writing is pithy, clear, and well-crafted. Joe is complicated, multi-dimensional, and interesting. All the supporting characters are well thought out & believable. A very good read, whether you have read any of the other Joe Pike/Elvis Cole novels or not.
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bring justice for his friend & friend's family. He unravels the case with the help of Elvis Cole, the nanny's sister, and an assortment of friends. Nothing is what you think in this story, and I was pleased to find that all my guesses as to why Joe's friend was killed were wrong. As usual, Crais's writing is pithy, clear, and well-crafted. Joe is complicated, multi-dimensional, and interesting. All the supporting characters are well thought out & believable. A very good read, whether you have read any of the other Joe Pike/Elvis Cole novels or not.
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LibraryThing member cmeilink
Robert Crais performs his magic again with The First Rule in crafting a powerful story about friends, loyalty, and revenge.
Crais' character, Joe Pike, takes center stage in this work, a man intent on avenging the murder of an old friend and his family.
The secret lies with a group of Serbians. Pike
A gripping story that I highly recommend.
Crais' character, Joe Pike, takes center stage in this work, a man intent on avenging the murder of an old friend and his family.
The secret lies with a group of Serbians. Pike
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knows they murdered his friend...the question is "why"? When a young Serbian prostitute, Rina, discloses the reason behind the murders, Pike will not rest until the guilty pay.A gripping story that I highly recommend.
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LibraryThing member crazybatcow
I can't see a single flaw with this book. Pike is hard and determined and does what needs doing without looking back or complaining or wimping out when the going gets tough. There are no politics, no whining, no moralizing - just good ol' fashioned justice at the end of a gun (or Joe's fist,
I'm glad I continued with this series - I'm not a big fan of Cole because he's a wise-cracker, not a hard-guy and I like justice via gun rather than by mouthing-off. Fortunately, Cole is a minor player here and there's lots of action and justice to go around.
I really liked the way the loose ends were tied up - there is even the tying up of a loose end that I didn't even realize was still untied! Overall, I was pleasantly suprised and am going to get the next Pike book immediately.
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whichever was fastest).I'm glad I continued with this series - I'm not a big fan of Cole because he's a wise-cracker, not a hard-guy and I like justice via gun rather than by mouthing-off. Fortunately, Cole is a minor player here and there's lots of action and justice to go around.
I really liked the way the loose ends were tied up - there is even the tying up of a loose end that I didn't even realize was still untied! Overall, I was pleasantly suprised and am going to get the next Pike book immediately.
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LibraryThing member lindasuebrown
Crais just keeps getting better, more intensely involved with his characters. Joe Pike is center stage again in The First Rule, and we peek a little further into his soul, and learn a little more of what made him the man he is -- all while going on one heck of an exciting ride when he takes on
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Russian gangsters in Los Angeles! Show Less
LibraryThing member xenchu
A good action novel. An ex-teammate of Joe Pike is slaughtered with his family. Joe Pike gathers a team of two, an ex-teammate and detective Elvis Cole, to extract payback from the killers. To do it he has to deal with Eastern European (Serbian) Organized Crime, an ATF agent looking for payback of
The language is straight-forward and well written, the plot holds together. The book is pretty much standard Robert Crais which is fairly high-level writing and action. If you like action books with a fast pace or you like Robert Crais then I recommend the book to yu.
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her own and 3000 Kalasnikovs combat rifles. Joe sorts it out in the end after shooting a number of people and double-dealing the Serbian mob.The language is straight-forward and well written, the plot holds together. The book is pretty much standard Robert Crais which is fairly high-level writing and action. If you like action books with a fast pace or you like Robert Crais then I recommend the book to yu.
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LibraryThing member SteveAldous
Enjoyable read but the reversal to make Elvis Cole become Pike's sidekick removes much of the wry commentary seen in other books in the series. Competent without being particularly memorable.
LibraryThing member porchsitter55
What a great read! This thriller features Joe Pike, similar to Lee Child's character Jack Reacher. Also featured is Elvis Cole, another Robert Crais favorite character with his own Crais series.
The book begins with the murder of a man and his family during a home invasion. The man was linked with
The book then takes the reader on a thrill ride with many twists and turns, with Pike & Cole teamed up to search out the killer and seek revenge for their murdered friend.
Eastern European mafia lords, black market weapons, a kidnapped baby, a female ATF investigator, intrigue.... this book is a whirlwind of action and suspense that I didn't want to put down.
Robert Crais has jumped to my top ten list of favorite authors with this book. I highly recommend!
The book begins with the murder of a man and his family during a home invasion. The man was linked with
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Joe Pike many years back when they were involved together in mercenary activities. Joe knows that his friend had given up on his old life and old ways, and vows to himself that he will find the person who killed him and his family.The book then takes the reader on a thrill ride with many twists and turns, with Pike & Cole teamed up to search out the killer and seek revenge for their murdered friend.
Eastern European mafia lords, black market weapons, a kidnapped baby, a female ATF investigator, intrigue.... this book is a whirlwind of action and suspense that I didn't want to put down.
Robert Crais has jumped to my top ten list of favorite authors with this book. I highly recommend!
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LibraryThing member dorie.craig
This was a really good entry in Pike's series. Back in the day Pike led a team of professional mercenaries, a few of which we meet in this book. Frank Meyer fell in love and with Pike's encouragement left that life behind, having two children and a home in the burbs. He was happy and content --
I found everything Pike did in this book fit within the framework of the character I already know (and love). If you've read all Crais' books, you know Elvis and Pike operate by different "codes". There are no unpleasant surprises in this book where one acts out of character. I'm not always happy about Pike's choices, but they are believable and understandable. Crais knows his characters well and the storyline was tightly plotted and compelling. Four and a half stars.
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until the day gunmen invaded his home and murdered the entire family, including the nanny. When police question Pike he finds out that Frank's isn't the first in the neighborhood to be hit, and the others were all criminals. Pike sets out to avenge his friend and clear Frank's name in the process. I found everything Pike did in this book fit within the framework of the character I already know (and love). If you've read all Crais' books, you know Elvis and Pike operate by different "codes". There are no unpleasant surprises in this book where one acts out of character. I'm not always happy about Pike's choices, but they are believable and understandable. Crais knows his characters well and the storyline was tightly plotted and compelling. Four and a half stars.
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LibraryThing member quiBee
An old army companion of Joe Pike is murdered, together with his whole family.
The police think his friend was dirty.
Joe doesn't believe it andinvestigates, finding things are getty very confused and dirty looking.
It's a bit cut and dried. There's never any doubt that Joe will come up with the goods.
The police think his friend was dirty.
Joe doesn't believe it andinvestigates, finding things are getty very confused and dirty looking.
It's a bit cut and dried. There's never any doubt that Joe will come up with the goods.
LibraryThing member booklovers2
If you like reading about tough guy, organized crime, russian mob, shoot em up & walk-away movies. then this would be for you. My 1st Joe Pike.
LibraryThing member writestuff
Frank Meyer is living an idyllic suburban life with his wife and two young children. But not too far in the past, Meyer existed in a much more dangerous space working as a mercenary with Joe Pike and his men. He has put that behind him. Or has he? When armed men break into Frank’s home and murder
The First Rule, which is the second book in the Joe Pike series, is a fast-paced, edge of your seat thriller. Joe Pike is a character who is almost supernatural in his abilities to take down criminals. But under his tough guy exterior, is a man with a huge heart…and in this novel, Robert Crais reveals the sensitive side of his adrenaline-fueled super hero.
Like all good thrillers, The First Rule is a page turner – a book I had trouble putting down. Crais spends some time fully developing Pike’s character which I appreciated. In fact, I found this second book in the series much more effective and enjoyable reading than The Watchman – although they are both good books for those readers who appreciate this genre.
Robert Crais writes with authority about law enforcement and special ops. He gives readers a strong protagonist in Pike, but one who has some humanity too. Readers who like dark, well-paced, and superbly plotted books, will find much to love in The First Rule.
Recommended.
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him and his family, Joe Pike gets involved, bent on uncovering the perpetrators and bringing them his own unique form of justice. Pike calls in his friends, Elvis Cole and Jon Stone, and they begin to dig deep into the crime. But was Frank somehow involved in running guns? Was his death related to illegal dealings he had with an underworld of cold-hearted criminals?The First Rule, which is the second book in the Joe Pike series, is a fast-paced, edge of your seat thriller. Joe Pike is a character who is almost supernatural in his abilities to take down criminals. But under his tough guy exterior, is a man with a huge heart…and in this novel, Robert Crais reveals the sensitive side of his adrenaline-fueled super hero.
Like all good thrillers, The First Rule is a page turner – a book I had trouble putting down. Crais spends some time fully developing Pike’s character which I appreciated. In fact, I found this second book in the series much more effective and enjoyable reading than The Watchman – although they are both good books for those readers who appreciate this genre.
Robert Crais writes with authority about law enforcement and special ops. He gives readers a strong protagonist in Pike, but one who has some humanity too. Readers who like dark, well-paced, and superbly plotted books, will find much to love in The First Rule.
Recommended.
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LibraryThing member whwatson
This morning I finished "To Kill A Mockingbird"; this afternoon I read and completed "The First Rule". Obviously they are totally different in subject matter and category but comparisons between the two could not be more glaring.
The first, even 50 years since written, still reflects a style,
The second, a totally different experience. My 3rd Robert Crais novel. One more associated with seeking a quick afternoon escape from a cloudy, rainy Oregon day. In assigning my rating to "The First Rule", I almost felt guilty after reading a majority of the previous reviewer's comments. It was, as claimed, fast paced, with a fair amount of continous action. But still, to me, it was just a quick read that fulfilled a sought after lightness.
I enjoyed the book but, unlike Harper Lee's novel, I doubt that I will remember it several years from now. Both formats have their place, but the more I read and discover the extremely vast spectrum of authors and their writings, the less I'm drawn to the hard hitting characters of a Joe Pike.
The first, even 50 years since written, still reflects a style,
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message, a level of realism, and quality of depth that will be reflective and enduring throughout time and worthy of the many awards and prizes the author achieved. The second, a totally different experience. My 3rd Robert Crais novel. One more associated with seeking a quick afternoon escape from a cloudy, rainy Oregon day. In assigning my rating to "The First Rule", I almost felt guilty after reading a majority of the previous reviewer's comments. It was, as claimed, fast paced, with a fair amount of continous action. But still, to me, it was just a quick read that fulfilled a sought after lightness.
I enjoyed the book but, unlike Harper Lee's novel, I doubt that I will remember it several years from now. Both formats have their place, but the more I read and discover the extremely vast spectrum of authors and their writings, the less I'm drawn to the hard hitting characters of a Joe Pike.
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LibraryThing member AuntieClio
If I were a beach bunny, this would be a good beach read. Just enough action and mystery to keep a reader occupied, no deep thinking necessary.
Frank Meyers was a stand up guy with a family and a nanny when he met his demise. But ten years ago, he was part of a mercenary security for hire team with
As readers of mystery books know, someone lies. Usually several someones lie, and they all underestimate the strength of their enemy. Men from Frank's past band together to solve the murder mystery, and avenge Frank's death.
All I will say is that on the way to avenging Frank, Joe Pike and Elvis Cole (two mainstay characters in Crais' books) discover something so unsavory and rotten that even I was rooting for bloody mayhem. "Shootin's too good fer 'em."
Frank Meyers was a stand up guy with a family and a nanny when he met his demise. But ten years ago, he was part of a mercenary security for hire team with
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deadly training. When someone kills the entire household, it is surmised this had to do with Frank's unseemly past.As readers of mystery books know, someone lies. Usually several someones lie, and they all underestimate the strength of their enemy. Men from Frank's past band together to solve the murder mystery, and avenge Frank's death.
All I will say is that on the way to avenging Frank, Joe Pike and Elvis Cole (two mainstay characters in Crais' books) discover something so unsavory and rotten that even I was rooting for bloody mayhem. "Shootin's too good fer 'em."
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Awards
SCIBA T. Jefferson Parker Mystery Award (Winner — 2010)
Shamus Award (Shortlist — 2011)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2010
ISBN
1469235544 / 9781469235547