The Watchman

Robert Crais

Simon & Schuster, 292pp.

A couple of months ago, I reviewed Robert Crais’ “A Monkey’s Raincoat.” It was the first of many Elvis Cole and Joe Pike detective novels, mostly featuring Elvis in the lead. Here, after a dozen or so titles, Crais gives the silent partner the starring role. As much as Elvis is a wise-cracking, risk-taking charmer, his partner Joe is the opposite. Think of Joe as a combination of Reacher, John Wick, and the Terminator. He’s stoic, methodical, deadly, and relentless.

If you’re expecting a high body count, you’ve come to the right place.

In “The Watchman”, Joe is tasked with babysitting a spoiled rich society brat who happened to have a minor fender-bender with the wrong people at the wrong time. After several attempts on her life, Joe is brought in as protection. If you thought this was overdoing it, then you are about to get wised up, along with Joe, on exactly who is after this poor girl who’s never known a moment's inconvenience. The pace of the book starts fast and builds from there. Joe is an interesting character, full of quirks and habits to go along with his lack of friendly conversation.

If you like crime fighters with a no-nonsense, take-no-prisoners approach like the old Mike Hammer tales, this one’s for you.