A review by appalonia
The First Rule, by Robert Crais
4.0
This was a really good entry in Pike's series. Back in the day Pike led a team of professional mercenaries, a few of which we meet in this book. Frank Meyer fell in love and with Pike's encouragement left that life behind, having two children and a home in the burbs. He was happy and content -- until the day gunmen invaded his home and murdered the entire family, including the nanny. When police question Pike he finds out that Frank's isn't the first in the neighborhood to be hit, and the others were all criminals. Pike sets out to avenge his friend and clear Frank's name in the process.
I found everything Pike did in this book fit within the framework of the character I already know (and love). If you've read all Crais' books, you know Elvis and Pike operate by different "codes". There are no unpleasant surprises in this book where one acts out of character. I'm not always happy about Pike's choices, but they are believable and understandable. Crais knows his characters well and the storyline was tightly plotted and compelling. Four and a half stars.
I found everything Pike did in this book fit within the framework of the character I already know (and love). If you've read all Crais' books, you know Elvis and Pike operate by different "codes". There are no unpleasant surprises in this book where one acts out of character. I'm not always happy about Pike's choices, but they are believable and understandable. Crais knows his characters well and the storyline was tightly plotted and compelling. Four and a half stars.