The Forgotten Man by Robert Crais

Overall, not bad.  I'd still read another of Robert Crais' books.

I really liked how he depicted the criminal.  He did a good job of making him suffer from psychosis and presenting it from his viewpoint.  Mr. Crais managed to make it realistic and sympathetic, without being excessive or cloying.  He also didn't spend a lot of time on the psychoanalysis or trying to explain why he acted as he did.  He did it mostly by showing the thought processes rather than telling, and (by the way) setting up a pretty good rationale for the plea of not guilty by reason of insanity.

That being said, those concepts weren't explored or even touched on in the book itself, but were interesting to think about.  I might have preferred if the resolution had involved that sort of plea arrangement, but then it probably would have devolved into a lot of explanation, and I think Mr. Crais is more keen on the action.

The mystery itself isn't bad in terms of set up.  Seems fairly logical and doesn't try to build suspense beyond the likely point the reader can guess the solution.

My biggest complaint is around the Carol Starkey character.  I liked Carol Starkey in Demolition Angel.  I thought she was a bit cliche (tortured cop, haunted past, drowning in the bottle) but again, aspects of her character were well done.  I read L.A. Requiem next, and there was a character called Samantha Dolan.  Samantha Dolan was indistinguishable from Carol Starkey.  I was getting them confused as I was reading.  I fault Mr. Crais for that a bit, he's clearly got his stock of female archetypes and both of these are the same.  I read L.A. Requiem, and just treated Samantha Dolan as Carol Starkey, since they both talk the same, act the same and seem to have all the same characteristics.

In L.A. Requiem, Samantha Dolan becomes romantically interested in Elvis Cole, and pursues him notwithstanding that he's in a relationship.

Back to The Forgotten Man, Carol Starkey is a major character again, still sounding and acting just like Samantha Dolan.  Now Carol Starkey is pursuing Elvis Cole, notwithstanding that he's in a relationship, and I'm certain some of the lines were from the prior novel.  The plot line continues to spin out just like it did in L.A. Requiem.  At the end, Mr. Crais modified the outcome, but I'm not sure if I'll give him a pass on it or not.  He's clearly recycling the same ideas, and I'm not sure whether this is because it's an area of interest for him, if it's some idea he has to develop the characters, or if he's just testing the waters to see which ending goes over better for his Elvis Cole fans.  Either way, I find it annoying.  Perhaps readers didn't like how L.A. Requiem was resolved, or perhaps Mr. Crais thinks memories are short, but I wasn't impressed.  In two weeks I doubt I'll be able to distinguish the two novels, and for me that's not a reason to pick them up again.

As I noted in my introduction to this author, Mr. Crais leaves Joe Pike as a cypher, and doesn't do much to develop the character in a realistic way.  If he's only got one female character he recycles into the same plotline over and over, and only one or two recurring male characters, then it's unlikely that he'll hold my interest.

(As a side note, L.A. Requiem was my first introduction to criminalist John Chen.  I laughed out loud at the chapters from his viewpoint, and really liked how the character was portrayed.  I thought he was a little weaker here, but still an enjoyable diversion, and by himself is almost reason for me to continue reading the series.)

Since I took out several Robert Crais books I'll continue reading, but I think I might give him a rest for a bit, or limit myself to older or non-Elvis Cole books.

I've just started The Two Minute Rule (a non Elvis Cole book) and thereafter I'll switch authors and move to a (purportedly) scary book in honour of Halloween, Heart Shaped Box by Joe Hill.

Robert Crais

I debated whether I should try to start off with one of my favourite authors, but decided to just go with my current reading material.

I was at my local library trying to decide if I should give Lee Child a try (I did, and enjoyed him, and will likely read more of his to post here in the future), and they had one of those signs "If you like this author, you may like...", and it listed Robert Crais and Barry Eisler, among others.

I tried Demolition Angel, thought it was okay, so decided to try a couple from his series.  I read L.A. Requiem and The Watchman.  I think the Joe Pike character acts mostly as an invincible superhero to advance the plot of the Elvis Cole novels where necessary, but when the story was told from his perspective (The Watchman), it was less irksome.

I also think, based on the jacket photos, that perhaps Mr. Crais pictures himself as Joe Pike, but I don't mind that, since readers might like to do the same.  (For myself, being more of a talkative type, I find it easier to identify with Cole, but the Hawaiian shirts comprising his outfits throw me off a bit).

I've just finished The Forgotten Man (an Elvis Cole novel) and am just starting The Two Minute Rule.  Comments to follow.

Introduction

I enjoy reading.  I really enjoy reading.  I've recently acknowledged that I read compulsively.  I read at home, at work and on the bus.  I read while eating, working, walking and driving.  It's not unusual for me to dream about reading.

Unfortunately, I don't exercise a lot of discretion about what I read.  I like to read books that are absorbing enough to transport me, that give me something interesting to think about, or provide a character that gives some insight.  I like quick reads and easy reads.  I'm much more likely to pick up something from the mystery section of the bookstore or library than I am to wander the literature section.

I've been using the library very heavily lately (I seem to read more when there are greater pressures at work and home), so I've decided it might be interesting to comment on my reading material.  I don't warrant that I will always provide reviews, but I will try to convey what I found interesting about a book, whether I would be inclined (or compelled) to pick up another book by the author, and my rationale for so doing.

For those of you who are interested in these thoughts and comments, welcome.  If any of you wish to make book suggestions, please do so, though I am notoriously bad for neglecting to read books which have been recommended. Nevertheless, I am always looking for suggestions, and will strive to overcome this literary perversity.