ROBERT CRAIS: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. I just discovered RC’s work. Should I start reading the Elvis Cole series with the first book, or does it matter?
2. Why doesn’t Elvis Cole have a cell phone?
3. Did Robert publish the following novels: THE DEVIL'S CANTINA, HAGAKURE, and JUNGLELAND?
4. Will any of Robert's books be made into movies?
5. Can I get an autographed photo of Robert?
6. Can I send my books to Robert to have them inscribed?
7. Does Robert read his email?
8. I have a terrific idea for a story! Would Robert like to write it?
9. In what order were the Elvis Cole novels published?
10. Have Elvis Cole and Harry Bosch appeared in each other’s novels?
11. Okay, RC, I’ve read all the Elvis Cole novels, and one thing is bugging me—where on earth did you get the title to your first book, THE MONKEY’S RAINCOAT, and what does it mean?

I just discovered RC’s work. Should I start reading the Elvis Cole series with the first book, or does it matter?

We asked RC for his opinion on this. Here is his answer in his own words:

     “At this writing, the Elvis Cole series now includes ten novels, and, altogether, I have published thirteen books. My readership has grown dramatically over the last several books, and continues to grow. Thankfully, new readers are coming to me all the time, and, inevitably, many want to start with my first book. I understand this, but part of me always cringes because my books and their nature has changed over the course of the ten Cole novels. When a new reader asks me which book they should start with, or whether or not they should begin at the beginning with THE MONKEY’S RAINCOAT, I always suggest they begin with L. A. REQUIEM, or even one of the standalones like DEMOLITION ANGEL or THE TWO MINUTE RULE. It isn’t that I feel the earlier books aren’t as ‘good’ as my more recent efforts—I am intensely proud of those early novels—but my newer books are richer, broader in scope, and way more complex in their structure, so I believe them to be more representative of the work I am doing today.”

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Why doesn’t Elvis Cole have a cell phone?

We get this question a couple of times every week from new readers who have started reading the series at the beginning (see FAQ #1 above!), but haven’t yet reached the later books. Once more, we went to RC for the definitive answer.

     “I wrote THE MONKEY’S RAINCOAT twenty years ago. I began making notes about Elvis Cole and Joe Pike late in 1985 when I was living in a cabin in the San Bernadino Mountains at Lake Arrowhead, California, and finished TMR in the summer of ’86. Hey, nobody had cell phones back then! Check out reruns of shows like MIAMI VICE—Sonny Crockett (Don Johnson) was using a clunky old car phone the size of a shoe box!
     Later, I held off giving Elvis a cell phone as long as possible because I enjoyed writing the scenes where he was forced to use a pay phone. Inevitably, the pay phone scenes evolved into more than the phone call—Elvis would always encounter a minor but colorful character with whom he would have to interact. Sometimes I would play these scenes for humor, other times these moments would be used to illustrate a deeper side to Elvis’s nature. (IE, the North Hollywood Station scene in TMR where Elvis intimidates the young man into getting off the phone, after which Elvis feels guilty about it.) I enjoyed these scenes, and I think my readers did, too, but now those opportunities are lost.”

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Did Robert publish the following novels: THE DEVIL'S CANTINA, HAGAKURE, and JUNGLELAND?

No. Even though these titles often show up on Amazon.com and in catalogs, no books by Robert were published with these titles. Robert often has a 'working title' for a manuscript, and most often that title changes several times before Robert selects the 'real title' for publication. THE DEVIL'S CANTINA was once the title for L. A. REQUIEM; HAGAKURE was the working title for STALKING THE ANGEL; and JUNGLELAND was the working title for FREE FALL.

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Will any of Robert's books be made into movies?

HOSTAGE, starring Bruce Willis, was released in 2005 by Miramax films.

The movie rights for DEMOLITION ANGEL were purchased by producer Laurence Mark (AS GOOD AS IT GETS, JERRY MAGUIRE) but the project seems to have stalled in pre-production. If this changes, we'll update it here on the site.

Although Robert has received numerous offers from Hollywood to buy the screen rights to the Elvis Cole novels, he has no intention of selling them.

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Can I get an autographed photo of Robert?

Currently, we're just not set up for that. If we're in a position to offer photos of Robert in the future, we'll announce it on the site.

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Can I send my books to Robert to have them inscribed?

Robert loves to personalize his books, and did sign books through the mail for years, but the number of requests has risen to a level that he's had to discontinue the practice. Robert regrets this, as he truly enjoys interacting with his readers and appreciates the compliment of an autograph request, but we'd much rather have him writing new novels. We hope you agree.

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Does Robert read his email?

Our policy is to cull Robert's email of rude commentary, business propositions, and other inappropriate correspondence. All other email is read and answered by Robert, but please be patient.

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I have a terrific idea for a story! Would Robert like to write it?

Due to legal reasons, as well as the unfortunate fact that Robert doesn't have enough time to write many of his own ideas, he cannot read, consider, or comment upon any unsolicited material. We are under strict orders from the lawyer to cull all such requests and we do not forward them to Robert. Although many of you have wonderful literary ideas, please do not send stories, notions, ideas, concepts, or anything of this sort. We  return all such submissions unread. Robert  wishes all of you who may be aspiring writers the best of luck with your writing endeavors.

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In what order were the Elvis Cole novels published?

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