Carol
Carol asked:

Where is the best place to start reading Robert Crais? Seems I've missed his stuff over the years and he apparently has a few different series going on. So do I start with the Elvis Cole series, the Joe Pike series, or what??

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Kaceey Start at the beginning. The Monkeys Raincoat. It features Elvis Cole but Joe Pike plays a part. His series stays that way for quite a few books. Joe Pike doesn't lakefront stage till half way through the series. Enjoy!!
Marge If you want to start with a standalone, try Suspect. I was amazed at how good it was, and then I started to read the entire Elvis Cole series. Don't start with the Joe Pike series, since Elvis is really a big part of most of those anyway.
Scott Bell The best place to start reading Crais is the library, where the books are free.
Douglas Castagna Monkey's Raincoat. The Elvis Cole series started out really strong. The stand alone books are good as well. Hostage, Demolition Angel. I have read everything.
J.l. Mcgrath Why would you not want to start with the first book in a series? Characters can evolve and change as people do, and as authors do.

When I read a good novel I like to go back to the first book and read in order.

Lou Berney and Jess Walter both are good writers who started in the mystery realm and their current work seems to me to be more literary. I like both genres so I'm happy.
Andie Another good standalone is The Two Minute Rule.
Kris B I recommend L.A. Requiem, then go back and start at the beginning of the Elvis Cole books.
Bill Another good stand-alone is Hostage.
Paul Magnussen What Kaceey said, except that a couple of the nominally non-Elvis books feature characters that appear later in that series (specifically, Demolition Angel and Suspect.) And all the other novels are good.

So, since none of the books are prequels, I would recommend reading (as I have just finished doing) all his novels in publication order
Enelita Hermens-Latoza I discover his book @ a carbootsale, 3 great novels compiled n 1 book consisting his 1st 3novels The Monkeys Raincoat, Lullaby Town, and Stalking the Angel. Since then am his fan forever, and I ordered his books accdg 2 date released. PROUD/HAPPY 2 have all his 20 books. (Y) :-)
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