Elvis Cole is a Los Angeles private detective created by author Robert Crais. Cole rides around in a bright yellow Corvette Stingray convertible and wears loud colored Hawaiian shirts. He tends to frustrate police and criminals alike with his fortitude and manner of detecting. He lives alone in an A-frame house in the Hollywood Hills, which he, sort of, shares with a black lop eared cat who drinks his beer and nips at his visitors.

In the books Cole partners with a retired cop names Joe Pike who seems to always be getting Cole out of one mess or another. The cat, who tolerates Cole, seems to have a great affinity for Pike. The books spend a lot of time in detail of the surroundings but especially concentrate on the intricacies of police and forensic work.

Cole’s character is supposed to be a Vietnam War vet where he served time as an Army Ranger. He is proficient in Tae Kwon Do and practices daily, at least as much as he can when not out solving or getting into trouble. Cole has a smart mouth, which he is not afraid to use and that angers many of the people he works with.

When the author was asked if a new reader should start with book number one, “The Monkey’s Raincoat”, Crais directs them to read “L.A. Requiem,” or “Demolition Angel” first, saying these books are more in-depth and show a better command of his writing skills. They are also wider in scope and employ more complex situations which he believes better describes his work.