The Forgotten Man

Into every series, a little unevenness must fall. Besides the first two books in the Elvis Cole series, this was my least favorite. But that's mostly because it hit a couple of personal triggers: the perspective-from-the-killer-viewpoint and the angsty relationship.

In this one, Elvis is recovering from the events of The Last Detective, when his girlfriend's son Ben was kidnapped in a bizarre scheme. Girlfriend Lucy and Ben have gone back to Wherever, Bayou, and Elvis is spending his days in a blue funk, moping about and watching the Disney clock tick. His inaction comes to an end when a dying man declares Elvis to be his son. It's most likely not, but it's intriguing enough to pull Elvis into the case and down memory lane. One of the show more detectives on the case insists on keeping Elvis part of the official investigation (as contrasted with many of his other police interactions), and Elvis finds himself working again with Carol Starkey, detective and main contact from The Last Detective.

Narrative takes a complicated turn in this book. We learn a bit about Coles' younger years, but in a very piecemeal way. Interestingly, the reader gets the perspective of a younger boy rather than insight from a mature Cole. They are time flashbacks, and Elvis doesn't share much interpretation, leaving the reader to draw their own conclusions about his mother and grandfather. Narration is also offered from Carol Starkey and another detective, Wilson. Then Crais makes the error of including a murderer's viewpoint.

I generally assume that when an author brings in the perspective of a murderer in a series book, they're getting a little bit bored and relying on a pov-change to add tension. But quite honestly, it has the opposite effect for me. It's generally simply done, relying on tropes (sociopath killer or the mentally ill killer) over full characterization. Added into it is that I read these books for positive structure, the relatively clear-cut construction of personal ethics winning out over systemic and/or personal injustice. As far as I can tell, the three possible reasons for killers to be included at all are as a character study, to add tension, or to titillate with torture porn. I'm thankful that Crais stays away from the latter here, but other than that, it's a miss.

I don't usually scrutinize the plotting too closely in these books. As far as I'm concerned, it passes the first-sniff test. What I didn't appreciate is Cole's lingering despondency about Lucy and Lucy's push and pull with their relationship. I appreciate that Crais may want to humanize Cole and perhaps give readers another emotional hook, but the combination of Cole's issues surrounding a missing father and ex-girlfriend leaves both of us in an emotionally unpleasant place. If I wanted relationship drama and storm-crossed lovers with unrealistic expectations, I'd read YA. show less

One of the annoying things Crais does is have his character repeat the information he just learned at least once in the next paragraph (reminds me of a certain SF writer who does that too...) - a habit which gets old after a while.

I don't know if it's Crais or if his editor insists that he put it in, but, after only the second book I've listened to by this author, I think he really should steer away (far away) from putting or even mentioning romance of any kind. He can't write romance to save his life so I would suggest he just stop putting it in. After listening to one of the most awkward dream sequences ever, well, I skipped through a lot of it, - even if it was foreshadowing - it added nothing, nothing to the story in any way, shape show more or form. I do feel bad for Starkey, the lady who was obsessing over Cole (her actions come across as more stalkerish than someone in love with the guy), in that she really never had a chance. Cole never even acknowledged her existence beyond accepting her help with his case.

Over all, the mystery is well done. The character named Frederick is a paranoid delusional man and he's downright creepy. I certainly never want to meet him on the street. It was a good story for the car. I do think a different narrator might be a good idea, but I'll take what I can get when borrowing from the library. show less

I thoroughly enjoyed reading "The Forgotten Man" by Robert Crais. This is the first novel that I have read by this author and it certainly will not be the last! "The Forgotten Man" follows the life of Elvis Cole, a private investigator who is well known for solving crimes. The plot starts off with an elder man that is found murdered in a Los Angeles alleyway. According to the first police officer on the scene, the old man claims to be looking for his long-lost son, Elvis Cole. The victim is clutching old newspaper clippings of articles featuring Elvis. Elvis has been searching for his father since he was a young child. Can his search finally be over? Mr. Crais has a unique talent of keeping his readers engrossed from the first page to show more the last of this never ending novel full of twists and turns. Loved the ending! show less

An elderly man is found murdered in a downtown Los Angeles alley and Elvis Cole is called to the scene to identify the victim. He doesn't recognize the man. However, the detective who found the man reports that he possessed a folder containing clippings of newspaper and magazine articles about Cole and the last thing he said before he died was that he was Cole's father. Given that he never knew his father, Cole attempts to learn the identity of the man and to determine whether he really is his father.

This isn't one of Crais' better efforts. I found it was hard to maintain interest and put the book down for a few days several times. Perhaps the next book in the series will rebound.

I also find it getting boringly predictable that all of show more the cases The World's Greatest Detective investigates always end in a shoot-out and that typically Joe Pike or Elvis Cole is shot, stabbed, or otherwise seriously injured. By now the two must be little more than scar tissue. Come on, Crais; try to come up with a surprising ending. show less

I thoroughly enjoyed reading "The Forgotten Man" by Robert Crais. This is the first novel that I have read by this author and it certainly will not be the last! "The Forgotten Man" follows the life of Elvis Cole, a private investigator who is well known for solving crimes. The plot starts off with an elder man that is found murdered in a Los Angeles alleyway. According to the first police officer on the scene, the old man claims to be looking for his long-lost son, Elvis Cole. The victim is clutching old newspaper clippings of articles featuring Elvis. Elvis has been searching for his father since he was a young child. Can his search finally be over? Mr. Crais has a unique talent of keeping his readers engrossed from the first page to show more the last of this never ending novel full of twists and turns. Loved the ending! show less

This installment of the Elvis Cole series is a darker one then the previous 9 installment. Not dark in story but dark in tone because Elvis has lost a lot of his humor because of losing his love Lucy. And that darker narrative held my interest and I found that I miss the free fun and humor of Elvis and hope he returns cause I hate to see him in pain like that.

Just so good. I had forgotten how much I enjoy Crais. Great character development, tight plots that aren't trite or predictable, good pacing ... love it all.