Elvis Cole, is a fictional detective created by Robert Crais. The first book featuring Cole, "The Monkey's Raincoat," was such a success, that a series was created. Cole is the classic private detective, with a few twists.

Elvis Cole is a decorated Vietnam U.S. Ranger with experience as a security guard. He is a martial arts expert and is talented in Wing Chun, Tae Kwon Do , Tai Chi and Hatha Yoga. He is also concerned about society's moral ambiguities and hypocrisies on which he has does not hesitate to comment. He always tries to do the right thing being particularly concerned about abused and battered women and children.

He is a complex character in that he is on the cusp of adulthood. He has several Disney character figurines in his office. He wears Hawaiian shirts and drives around, in his now famous, 1966 "Jamaica Yellow" Chevrolet. He has expressed a desire to be like Peter Pan and stay a child forever.
Joe Pike, serves as Cole's sidekick, riding shotgun both figuratively and literally. Joe, is a tight lipped, Marine Corp veteran of Vietnam and a former Los Angeles police officer, who turned mercenary. Crais devoted the book, "L.A.Requiem" to Pike.

Both Elvis and Joe have changed as the series has progressed. Some of Elvis' annoying traits have been toned down. When a character appears in a series like this, the avid reader begins to better understand the character. In effect the character becomes a "friend." The series has received many awards.