The Two Minute Rule

So I really wanted to like this book a lot. I love Robert Crais' books with Elvis Cole and Joe Pike, and I really liked Hostage. I didn't dislike this book, but I was really bothered by the way Max Holman kept violating the terms of his parole and just plain doing stupid stuff. I'm, at heart, a rule follower, and while I know Cole and Pike often break rules, they do so from a position of strength and knowing what the heck they are doing. Max was operating off of emotion and just plain doing stupid stuff. And the former FBI agent, while knowing what she was doing, was not breaking rules from a position of strength.However, all that aside, the book did hold my interest, and I definitely wanted to know what happened to Max's son. It was, in general, a good read, with Crais' usual intricate plot, although he is overusing this particular plot twist a little too much. But a mediocre book by Robert Crais is better than the good books by many writers on most days!

This freestanding novel came out in about the middle of the Elvis Cole, Joe Pike series. It is well worth a read while waiting for Robert Crais next book. The characters travel in the same milieu as Elvis and Pike's circle of known associates and I would not be surprised if upon re-reading Crais had indeed used them as minor characters in the series. The story may seem to start a little slow because the reader is not jumping right in with a set of well know characters but soon enough you develop empathy for them and really want everything to workout for them. There was what I thought was kind of a plot hole toward the end that maybe developed because Robert Crais himself was at a loss about just how hopeful he intended the ending to be. Still if you like his books you need to read this one for sure.

First, the characters are better than one-dimensional, illustrating the problem of being asked to use multiple choice regarding art. I have read many Crais novels and this is not one of the best; however, it kept me interested until the last page. It is a good read, not requiring much of the reader. Little of the delightful prose of other novels. Wish the title had been The Fifth Man, despite the fact that a novel with that title was published in 2002 (Google). Since titles cannot be copyrighted, I wish it had been otherwise, since once you know what the two minute rule is, well, nothing to think about. Especially interesting was the novel-long attempt of the main character, a long-time non-violent criminal just released from a 10-year prison sentence, to not only change into someone who abides by the law but also to deal with the constant regret of a man who neglected his son and his son's mother. Thus the major conflict is his attempt to be law abiding when his policeman son has been murdered and accused of malfeasance. The plot progresses as he attempts to find the truth about his son in conflict with the some elements of the LAPD and the FBI which are corrupt. Was his son corrupt, also, or not? Thus his guilt is increased as he fears his own unlawful history had created a dishonest son. Enter the female FBI agent who arrested him after his last bank robbery but also asked for his ameliorated sentence because he allowed himself to be caught in order to save a life. She is retired but itching for action, especially in response to a good cause. And a good man.customers

Based on a trusted amazon.com reviewer's recommendation, earlier this month, I ordered Robert Crais' Hostage; however, I mistakenly ordered the audio instead of the paperback version. I enjoyed it so much that I ordered the audio version of Crais' The Two Minute Rule to take on a long road trip with my son and boy, I am happy that I did.Christopher Graybill's performance in reading this exceptional book was praiseworthy! Six hours of the journey was thrilling entertainment that made me wish I had bought an additional engaging Crais audio thriller for the ride.I have never read a book by Robert Crais and usually prefer paperback stories over audio or video; however, my audio experience with this author's mysteries has expanded my horizons.This tale started with a bang! Two violent, less than keen minded hardened criminals, Marchenko and Parsons having successfully scored millions of dollars from their numerous bank robberies run out of luck and are riddled with bullets as they exit a Los Angeles bank with their bounty having by far exceeded the two minute time limit that any competent criminal understands is the time limit to complete and get away with their heist.Fast forwarding 86 days, 46-year-old Max Holman, having paid for his history of crime with a 10-year jail sentence is about to be released with a job and a place to live when he learns that his estranged son, Richard, a Los Angeles Police Officer, along with 3 others were murdered by a notorious gang leader named Juarez.Having accepted responsibility for his prior life he rehearsed what he was going to say to those he had hurt the most, Richard's mother, Donna and his son his hopes and future were demolished with the knowledge that he would never see them again.At every turn, the police stonewalled his attempts to contact Donna or Richard's widow or get to the bottom of who was responsible for his son's death. His new purpose for living was to find and make those responsible pay with their lives.With the help of Katherine "Kate" Pollard, the former FBI agent who arrested him in the bank where his actions at that time resulted in his moniker "The Hero Bandit" and the help of his former brother in crime, "Chee," Max sets out to solve the mystery surrounding his son's death.Robert Crais does an incredible job of keeping the reader intrigued and guessing in this engrossing whodunit through interesting well-developed complex and flawed characters and careful attention to detail in the spellbinding storyline that ends with a satisfying yet unexpected finale.Deducting ½ a star for the unlikely romantic connection between Pollard and Holman and personal sacrifices and chances Kate takes involving her two children, the tales was so powerful overall that I still round up to 5 stars.Enjoy!

I've read quite a few books by this author and have never been disappointed. He knows how to make the reader care about the characters. I particularly appreciated how he explained the feelings of a recently released prisoner who had spent half his life in prison. It was enlightening and heartbreaking. I also found the strengths and weaknesses of the former FBI agent were more interesting than if she hadn't had her own issues to deal with.I liked their relationship. You couldn't call it romantic, but you knew it had a good chance of heading in that direction.

Love Pike and Cole books, this feels like it was written by someone else. Stilted, predictable, normally I check how much of a Crais book I have left to enjoy but this was how much to endure.

Robert Crais is a fabulous , skilful writer. One of the very best. His stories salwar capture you and this is no exception. A very different group of characters but just as alive and enthraling. I love his stories.and this is a good one. Amust read.

Had to use as lost my original but what a great author! Well recommended along with all Pike & Cole series books!

Having enjoyed the Elvis Cole/Joe Pike series I was a bit nervous about moving away from the familiar, so many authors attempt to do so after hitting on a winning blend and seem to lose the spark that you have come to expect. Quite simply I loved Holman and Pollard, great story and endearing characterisation. Terrific read. Would love to see Crais write more with these two characters.

book exactly as described and prompt delivery thanks