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Elvis Cole & Joe Pike

by Robert Crais

20 books Started 1987 Latest 2025
Publication Reading Order

The Elvis Cole & Joe Pike is a Crime Fiction series by Robert Crais, made up of 20 books published between 1987 and 2025. It begins with The Monkey's Raincoat (1987), and is best read in publication order. The most recent entry is The BIg Empty (2025), spanning 38 years of storytelling.

20books
38years active
5decades
~2yrs between books
2025latest release
# Title Year Buy
1980s
1 The Monkey's Raincoat 🏆 Macavity Award 1988🏆 Anthony Award 1988Shamus Award 1988Edgar Awards 1988Full award history → 1987 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
2 Stalking the Angel 1989 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
1990s
3 Lullaby Town 1992 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
4 Free Fall 1993 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
5 Voodoo River 1995 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
6 Sunset Express 1996 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
7 Indigo Slam 1997 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
8 L. A. Requiem 🏆 Dilys Award 2000Barry Award 2000Macavity Award 2000Anthony Award 2000Shamus Award 2000Edgar Awards 2000Hammett Prize 1999Full award history → 1999 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
2000s
9 The Last Detective ★ NYT 6w · peaked #4 2003 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
10 The Forgotten Man ★ NYT 4w · peaked #7 2005 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
11 The Watchman ★ NYT 5w · peaked #5 2007 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
12 Chasing Darkness ★ NYT 2w · peaked #7 2008 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
2010s
13 The First Rule ★ NYT 4w · peaked #2 2010 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
14 The Sentry ★ NYT 5w · peaked #2 2011 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
15 Taken ★ NYT 4w · #1 Goodreads Choice Award 2012Full award history → 2012 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
16 The Promise ★ NYT 2w · peaked #3 2015 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
17 The Wanted ★ NYT 1w · peaked #4 2017 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
18 A Dangerous Man ★ NYT 2w · peaked #4 2019 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
2020s
19 Racing the Light ★ NYT 1w · peaked #8 2022 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
20 The BIg EmptyLatest ★ NYT 1w · peaked #2 🏆 Edgar Awards 2026Full award history → 2025 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia

Elvis Cole & Joe Pike series: frequently asked questions

What order should I read the Elvis Cole & Joe Pike series?

Start with The Monkey's Raincoat (1987), the first book in the Elvis Cole & Joe Pike series by Robert Crais. Follow the books in publication order for the best reading experience.

How many books are in the Elvis Cole & Joe Pike series?

There are 20 books in the Elvis Cole & Joe Pike series by Robert Crais, published between 1987 and 2025.

What is the first book in the Elvis Cole & Joe Pike series?

The first book in the Elvis Cole & Joe Pike series is The Monkey's Raincoat, published in 1987 by Robert Crais.

What is the latest book in the Elvis Cole & Joe Pike series?

The most recent book in the Elvis Cole & Joe Pike series is The BIg Empty (2025) by Robert Crais.

More books by Robert Crais View all series and reading orders →
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About Robert Crais

Robert Crais (pronounced ; born June 20, 1953) is an American author of detective fiction and former screenwriter.

View all Robert Crais series →