Robert Crais
Robert Crais was born on June 20th, 1953 and is currently 71 years old. Robert Crais was born in Independence, Louisiana, USA. Crais attended Louisiana State University where he studied Mechanical Engineering.
Robert Crais is the author of the Elvis Cole & Joe Pike series which currently consists of 20 novels. The Elvis Cole & Joe Pike series started in 1987 with the novel The Monkey's Raincoat . The most recently released novel in the Elvis Cole & Joe Pike series was The Big Empty which was released in 2025. There are no upcoming novels for the Elvis Cole & Joe Pike series.
Prior to being an author, Robert would write scrips for television shows. He wrote scripts for detective and police related shows, including the likes of
Hill Street Blues,
Miami Vice,
L.A. Law and
Quincy. He also received an Emmy award nomination for his work.
The Independent Mystery Booksellers Association listed this Mystery Writer of America Grand Masters first novel,
The Monkey's Raincoat, as one of the
100 Favourite Mysteries of the Century.
On his website, Robert notes that he initially planned for the first Elvis Cole novel to be a standalone, but realized he had created a very powerful character which he wanted to use to be able to comment on his life and times. The novel
L.A. Requiem really changed the way Robert wrote, as that became a bestseller at various publications and changed the way he structured his novels.
While the novel
Demolition Angel is a standalone, one of the characters from it Carol Starkey is prominently featured in the Elvis Cole books.
Robert Crais: Awards & Accolades
Robert Crais has won multiple awards including: The Santa Barbara Book Council Awards, Ross MacDonald Literary Award, in 2006 and the Edgar Award, Grand Master, in 2014.
Robert Crais has won many awards including:
- The Monkey's Raincoat won the Macavity Award, Best First Mystery, in 1988 as well as the Anthony Award - Best Paperback Original in 1988.
- Sunset Express won the Shamus Award, Best P.I. Novel, in 1997.
- L. A. Requiem won the Dilys Award, Best Mystery Novel, in 2000.
- The Watchman won the Barry Award, Best Thriller, in 2008 as well as the Gumshoe Award - Best Thriller Novel in 2008.
- Taken won the Shamus Award, Best P.I. Novel, in 2013.
- The Promise won the Maltese Falcon Society, Falcon Award, in 2018.
- Suspect won the Barry Award, Best Mystery/Crime Novel of the Decade, in 2020.
The following novels by Robert Crais were also nominated for these awards:
- The Monkey's Raincoat: Edgar Award, Best Paperback Original (1988). Shamus Award, Best P.I. Paperback Original (1988).
- The Man Who Knew Dick Bong: Shamus Award, Best P.I. Short Story (1989).
- In the Line of Duty: Shamus Award, Best P.I. Short Story (1989).
- Lullaby Town: Shamus Award, Best P.I. Novel (1993). Anthony Award, Best Mystery Novel (1993).
- Free Fall: Edgar Award, Best Mystery Novel (1994).
- Voodoo River: Dilys Award, Best Mystery Novel (1996).
- Indigo Slam: Shamus Award, Best P.I. Novel (1998).
- L. A. Requiem: Hammett Prize, Best Crime Novel (1999). Barry Award, Best Novel (2000). Shamus Award, Best P.I. Novel (2000). Macavity Award, Best Mystery Novel (2000). Anthony Award, Best Mystery Novel (2000). Edgar Award, Best Mystery Novel (2000).
- Demolition Angel: Edgar Award, Mary Higgins Clark Award (2000). Dilys Award, Best Mystery Novel (2001).
- Hostage: Crime Writer's Association Award, Ian Fleming Steel Dagger Award (2002).
- The Last Detective: Audie Award, Best Mystery (2004). Audie Award, Best Fiction (2004).
- The Forgotten Man: Shamus Award, Best P.I. Novel (2006).
- The Two Minute Rule: Audie Award, Literary Fiction and Classics (2007). Audie Award, Best Fiction (2007).
- The Watchman: Anthony Award, Best Mystery Novel (2008). International Thriller Writers Award, Best Novel (2008).
- Chasing Darkness: SCIBA Awards, Best Mystery Novel (2008).
- The First Rule: Shamus Award, Best P.I. Novel (2011).
- Taken: Goodreads Awards, Best Mystery and Thriller (2012). Lefty Award, The Watson Award (2013).
- Suspect: Goodreads Awards, Best Mystery and Thriller (2013). Audie Award, Best Thriller or Suspense (2014). Anthony Award, Best Mystery Novel (2014). Barry Award, Best Novel (2014).
- The Promise: Shamus Award, Best P.I. Novel (2016). Lefty Award, Best LCC Regional Mystery (2016).
Robert Crais: Lists & Other Mentions
- Taken was a New York Times: #1 Fiction Best Seller in 2012.
Robert Crais: TV/Movies Based on Books
The standalone novel Hostage was adapted into a movie in 2005. The action thriller was adapted by Doug Richardson, and it starred Bruce Willis playing the hostage negotiator Jeff Talley.
Related Authors
The most common authors followed by users who also follow Robert Crais are:
- Michael Connelly, author of the Harry Bosch Series.
- Lee Child, author of the Jack Reacher Series.
- David Baldacci, author of the Amos Decker Series.
- John Sandford, author of the Prey/Lucas Davenport Series.
- Harlan Coben, author of the Myron Bolitar Series.
Robert Crais: F.A.Q
When was Robert Crais Born? How old is Robert Crais?
Robert Crais was born on June 20th, 1953. Robert Crais is currently 71 years old.
Where was Robert Crais Born?
Robert Crais was born in Independence, Louisiana, USA and is American.
What awards has Robert Crais won?
Robert Crais has won the following awards: Ross MacDonald Literary Award at the Santa Barbara Book Council Awards (2006) and the Grand Master at the Edgar Award (2014).
What book awards has Robert Crais won?
The Monkey's Raincoat : Macavity Award Best First Mystery (1988), Anthony Award Best Paperback Original (1988).
Sunset Express: Shamus Award Best P.I. Novel (1997).
L. A. Requiem: Dilys Award Best Mystery Novel (2000).
The Watchman: Barry Award Best Thriller (2008), Gumshoe Award Best Thriller Novel (2008).
Taken: Shamus Award Best P.I. Novel (2013).
The Promise: Maltese Falcon Society Falcon Award (2018).
Suspect: Barry Award Best Mystery/Crime Novel of the Decade (2020).
What was the first book Robert Crais wrote?
The first book written by Robert Crais was The Monkey's Raincoat , published in 1987.
What was the most recent book Robert Crais wrote?
His most recently released work was The Big Empty on January 14th, 2025.
Will there be any more books by Robert Crais?
Robert Crais does not have any upcoming books with a set publication date within the next few months at this time.
How many books has Robert Crais written?
Robert Crais has written 27 books excluding contributions to anthologies. 20 books in the Elvis Cole & Joe Pike Series, 2 books in the Scott James & Maggie Series, 3 Standalone Novels, 1 Short Story/Novella, 1 book in the Mysterious Profiles Series.
Were any Elvis Cole and Joe Pike novels made into TV shows or movies?
They have not been adapted as of this time.
Where did the name The Monkey's Raincoat comes from?
In the beginning of the novel there is a Basho haiku, and it is from that. A soul of a man is represented by the monkey, and you use a raincoat to protect yourself.
Did Robert Crais write the scripts for the TV series Joe Dancer with Robert Blake?
According to his website, he wrote the scripts for The Web of Jerry G., A Clear Cut Case of Murder and The Monkey Mission.