>In case anyone is interested and doesn't already know, Robert Crais has a new Joe Pike book out (hardcover). The title is "The First Rule". I just bought it.

I read it as soon as it came out and enjoyed it. Lots of writers who achieve success on his level start mailing it in. He hasn't yet. Joe Pike has always been the best thing in his books -- the stories always take off when he shows up -- and I like the ones that focus on him rather than Elvis Cole.