The First Rule (2010)

by Robert Crais

Series: Joe Pike (2), Elvis Cole (13)

Members	Reviews	Popularity	Average rating	Mentions
1,396	50	13,366	(3.87)	32
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.… (more)

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I do really enjoy these Joe Pike novels. Interesting stories, twists and turns til the end. All of the peripheral characters are also well done, they play off each other very well. I am really excited to pick up and read all the Elvis Cole novels, started from the first one, if only I could find them. (

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MrMet | Apr 28, 2023 |

I am so in love with Joe Pike. Dang, this was a really bloody one, but there was only one shooting that I thought was a bit much even for Joe. Good story, maximum violence, Serbian gangsters, Pike shows his sensitive side and Elvis Cole shows up too. What's not to like? (

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AliceAnna | Jan 29, 2023 |

A good one for Joe Pike fans. I like him, but not as much when he's the main character. He's not really very entertaining like Elvis Cole. But this one was interesting because it told a bit more about his background, and showed some of his hidden personality - can you imagine Pike taking care of a baby?

It was still a fun read, if you like the super-hero style of character that can always come out on top. And there was a bit of Elvis Cole to keep things light and interesting. (

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MartyFried | Oct 9, 2022 |

Crais delivered action and adventure. I especially enjoyed focusing on Joe Pike, the tough soldier of fortune. This time Cole was the sidekick. (

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MichealJimerson | Dec 12, 2021 |

Good thriller with lots of killing and violence (

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ZachMontana | Sep 20, 2021 |

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thingScore 75

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.

added by Shortride | editThe New York Times Book Review, Marilyn Stasio (Feb 14, 2010)

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Belongs to Series

Elvis Cole (13)

Joe Pike (2)

Is abridged in

Reader's Digest Select Editions 2010 v04 #310 by Reader's Digest

Encounters: Real Life Reading: The Geneva Deception | Major Pettigrew's Last Stand | The First Rule | The Accidental time Traveller by Reader's Digest

Robert Crais - Elvis Cole and Joe Pike Collection: The First Rule, The Sentry, Taken by Robert Crais

▾Awards and Honors

Awards

SCIBA T. Jefferson Parker Mystery Award (Winner – 2010)

Shamus Award (Shortlist – PI Hardcover – 2011)

Distinctions

New York Times bestseller (Fiction – 2010)

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Canonical title

The First Rule

Original title

The First Rule

Alternative titles

Original publication date

2010

People/Characters

Joe Pike

Elvis Cole

Important places

Los Angeles, California, USA

Important events

Home invaders break into Frank Meyer's home and kill his family.

Related movies

Epigraph

Dedication

For my friend Harlan Ellison, whose work, more than any other, brought me to this place.

First words

Frank Meyer closed his computer as the early winter darkness fell over his home in Westwood, California, not far from the UCLA campus.

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Last words

(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)

Disambiguation notice

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▾Book descriptions

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.

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