I have all of Crais's books except the newest one, The Forgotten Man.And this is the best of a very good lot.The Elvis Cole books are better than the non-Cole books (Demolition Angel and Hostage--now a major crummy motion picture).And one reason is Joe Pike.Pike is a mythic creation: sort of like the Eastwoodian Strong Silent Type on steroids.This book tells how Pike got that way.It also has a very nice turn with Who Dun It.Read all the Elvis Cole books, but if you can only read one, read this.