Forgotten Books Friday: L. A. Requiem
This isn't exactly a forgotten book, but it's a book I haven't thought about in a long while. But I'm reading THE FIRST RULE right now, and it got me thinking about Crais' biggest Elvis Cole book.
When I read this book, I was just getting into PI fiction. I'd read Parker, Chandler and MacDonald. I had finally gotten the rhythm of a PI novel down. Someone comes into the office and hires the PI. The PI gets involved personally. Case solved, PI usually ends up sad.
And then came Crais. For a while I didn't notice anything different about him. He had the same thing... a witty PI, a crazy sidekick, some good characters. And then came REQUIEM.
Crais blew the whole genre up.
I don't say that lightly.
He blew it up.
He took things that had been done before--the PI novel, the police procedural, the thriller, and studying two dark characters deeply and managed to mix it into one incredibly satisfying novel. I can remember being glued to the page, never wanting to put the book down. And I hardly did. I think I read it in two days.
To say this novel was an inspiration to WHEN ONE MAN DIES is an understatement. The mixing of voices, the action that pushed the characters forward.
This is a book I want to read again to see if it holds up. I hope it does.
It's one of the books that made me the writer I am today.
When I read this book, I was just getting into PI fiction. I'd read Parker, Chandler and MacDonald. I had finally gotten the rhythm of a PI novel down. Someone comes into the office and hires the PI. The PI gets involved personally. Case solved, PI usually ends up sad.
And then came Crais. For a while I didn't notice anything different about him. He had the same thing... a witty PI, a crazy sidekick, some good characters. And then came REQUIEM.
Crais blew the whole genre up.
I don't say that lightly.
He blew it up.
He took things that had been done before--the PI novel, the police procedural, the thriller, and studying two dark characters deeply and managed to mix it into one incredibly satisfying novel. I can remember being glued to the page, never wanting to put the book down. And I hardly did. I think I read it in two days.
To say this novel was an inspiration to WHEN ONE MAN DIES is an understatement. The mixing of voices, the action that pushed the characters forward.
This is a book I want to read again to see if it holds up. I hope it does.
It's one of the books that made me the writer I am today.
Labels: Forgotten Books Friday, L.A. Requiem, Robert Crais
posted by Dave White at 8:00 AM
7 Comments:
While it didn't drive me to write myself, I felt EXACTLY the same way, Dave. Your post made me smile and nod. Love it! I've just been thinking lately that it's time to reread it again. I may grab it on audio this time around. He broke the rules with this book and the genre is greater for it. I heard him say in an interview once he thought this book would end his writing career. It did just the opposite, and boy am I glad. Going to see him this Sunday and just can't wait!
I'll add this in.
This is my favorite in the Cole-Pike series. And, you nailed it, David, when you said he blew the whole genre up. It's the one novel (and series) I try and get friends to read. I dare say you may get more out of it the second time around--it's done that each time I revisit it. Thanks for this.
You sold me. I have to see the blow up.
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I read L.A. Requiem a month ago. Followed it up with Watchman, and have The First Rule on my bedside table. That's next. Don't forget, this is where Crais introduces Joe Pike as more than the crazy sidekick. And what a character he is. Better than Reacher, imo. Terrific book.
BTW, Dave, I cited you and this post in my look back at the audiobooks of the Cole/Pike series. And of course, today's post is L.A. Requiem. Thanks very much.
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