Non-Fiction

The Watchman: A Joe Pike Novel (Joe Pike Novels)
Reserve It!
Robert Crais 
2008-01-29 - Pocket Star
9781416514978 
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Larkin Connor Barkley is beautiful, spoiled, and rich.  She is often in the tabloids for being a photogenic wild child.  Familiar you say, reminds you of someone whose name rhymes with “heiress”? 

Joe Pike, a man of few words but lots of combat skills, has been hired to keep her alive after her Aston Martin collides with another car.  In Larkin’s innocent attempt to help the victims of the accident she becomes embroiled in a secret federal investigation.  Bad people want her dead.  The plot heats up when Pike and Larkin’s location gets leaked to the shooters -twice- by… who?  Pike's old buddy and police partner?  Larkin’s father??

Enter private investigator Elvis Cole, Pike’s loyal best friend.  If you are familiar with Crais you will surely recognize Cole as he is Crais’s original lead character in his earlier award-winning novels.    Elvis is smart, witty, capable and all-American nice.  Pike and Larkin depend on him for help, wisecracks and the steadiest of nerves in a battle of wits and gunfire with cold-blooded killers. Cole’s character also helps humanize the often silent and stony Pike. 

Crais makes use of flashbacks to illuminate Pike’s situation as well as his past.  The reader gets more insight into what makes him tick. We find out what motivates him, what his past experiences as a Special Forces combat soldier was like, learn about his life as an L.A. cop and find out why he hates bullies so much… The flashbacks are easy to follow and provide good information that helps us to understand the man behind the dark glasses (which Pike wears even at night). 

Crais’s writing style is minimal with maximum effect which keeps the story moving at a fast pace until the anticipated showdown at the end.

Lonely rich girl needs strong, silent bodyguard with a heart.  No new story line here, but not to worry!  In Crais’s deft hands you are in for a fast moving suspense filled romp!