Robert Crais' First Rule Sneak Peak

(photo © pop culture nerd)

If you're into Robert Crais, you have to check out Pop Culture Nerd's sneak peak into the new Joe Pike novel (coming in early 2010). Great stuff!!!:

Exclusive First Look at Robert Crais's FIRST RULE

Chasing Darkness Redux

Sometimes, when your anticipation is so high for a particular author's new work, finally reading it (though very enjoyable) does not necessarily equal savoring it. Last year at the start of July, Robert Crais released the latest in his Elvis Cole - Joe Pike series of books. And when it came out, I got my hardback copy soon after its release, early on RC's then book tour (along with Brilliance Audio's MP3 audiobook of the same work). Even had the man autograph my hardcover on his Mystery Book Store stop (I know... all of this really sounds needy to me, too). But Crais can simply write well, entertain and enthrall you with his characters, and pull you into a universe of his own making that you actually give a damn about.

So when I planned on taking a road trip down to San Diego to a attend the author's event at the Mysterious Galaxy book store (see below), I planned on re-listening to Chasing Darkness once more in audiobook. Though, this time it was going to be with my favorite narrator for this series. William Roberts has read the entire Cole/Pike books, with one exception: the great L.A. Requiem. However, he performs this for the BBC Chivers audiobook publisher in the U.K. (so only a few U.S. audiobook fans have heard him performing RC's characters) And Chivers only released CD in May 2009. Luckily, I received it in time to incorporate the experience into my L.A. to S.D. round-trip drive time. And it was well worth it.

Book bloggers Jen and Corey have also experienced this narrator distinct style, and I think they are somewhat taken by him (at least I think so). Although, it's interesting to note that the narrator for the U.S. audiobook publisher (Brilliance Audio) for this series, James Daniels, actually quit recording audiobooks after earning his law degree. But, he returned to the craft to record the newest in the Cole-Pike line. That should tell you something about how this series affects its fans (inside and outside the publishing business). As well, those who re-read (or re-listen) the books (like me) actually enjoy them more the next time around. Perhaps, it's due to the fact the subsequent take is not being pushed by the reader's anticipation. Let's call it the Heinz Ketchup effect. One can get into and through a book too fast, and miss or minimize the author's words.

Politics is like Oz, only you never see the magician behind the curtain.

Both Jen and Corey produced excellent reviews of the twelfth novel last year. Note: even Robert Crais does not differentiate the Joe Pike novel from the Elvis Cole novels--it's all part of the same universe. And when the new Joe Pike rolls out early next year, it'll be the thirteenth (my lucky number, BTW). However, I only left one comment to either in response to the reviews of the novel, Corey's, and mentioned that I found this book to be a very Chandleresque take on this series novel. Suffice it to say, his reply was wide-ranging and worth reading--and I should have put down a comment on Jen's equally wonderful review, too. Compounding this, I blew it by not subscribing to the post comments, so I missed Corey's reply and his query, "How about you?" D'oh! So, though I'm months late for either, here it goes for both of you: I look at the corrupting aspects that are so wonderfully woven into RC's latest tale. And here I'd can't say it better than how Jen put it:

From page one, Crais starts building up a theme of corruption in reality. There are evils destroying the world around Elvis. First the fires are burning his city. Then he receives news that his exterminator has found termites at his house, corrupting the foundation. A ransacking break-in even results in Elvis' Mickey Mouse phone being broken. Crais has to glue him back together, but you can still see the cracks...the damage. And the corruption continues to build up to the ultimate level of law enforcement and the government.

To me, that harkens back to Raymond Chandler's L.A.--the old power elite operating above those that give a damn (like those still hanging on to a code), and spreading their corruption downward. And I agree with you that "Crais is... more subtle than Chandler", but no less talented. Reading some of its reviews on Amazon, I equally agree that that subtlety is what many (not all) miss, especially in this instance. As well, RC's writing exhibits a maturity in the elegance of his wordsmithing. Crais doesn't need to dazzle the readers with his character's toughness and martial skills when he can intrigue us with his story's complexity, contrasts, and potent observations. His last paragraph proves the point, IMO. With a delightful coincidence (and the fun of listening to Roberts read it, which drove me to write this post), I finished this audiobook as I was about to cross back into Los Angeles County line while driving north on Interstate 405:

The darkness frightens me, but what it does to us frightens me even more. Maybe this is why I do what I do. I chase the darkness to make room for the light.

2010 can't come fast enough, now (oh, here I go again).

Six for my Wife

Well, I just knew she-who-must-be-obeyed would bring this up, and my nostalgia gene was going to be the culprit. After reading my recent song post, she brought up the fact that I seem to be stuck in a decades-ago mindset. I guess I can't argue too hard on that one. The military geostrategist, Thomas P.M. Barnett, has said:

Morris Massey, an expert on conflict between generations, pioneered the argument. "what you are is where you were when ," meaning all of us reach a point in life where we discover a world larger than ourselves. At that point, we become cognizant of the morals we've developed across our early years, and those morals - or worldview - tend to persist across our adult years.

For most people, that fateful transition occurs in the teenage years, which explains our tendency to stick with the popular music of those years throughout adulthood.

Admit it - you stayed cool enough across your 20s, and maybe you faked it deep into your 30s, but then you woke up in your 40s and realized you absolutely hate your kids' music!

Don't worry. It happens to everyone.

So busted am I. I know I'm not alone in this. I'm sure there are countless number of (somber) males out there who've faced the same realization of when the female in their life proves their point (to their downfall). She even challenged me to post another six, this time for the last two years. Well, that's not going to happen because, for me, the song (whether old or new) and the moment have to percolate for at least that long for any of the engrams to form. Ooh... how's that for justification?!? So, I'll reach back a little further, dear, and grab some of the more recent music and memory commemoration--and yes, I can tie in old music with just over the hill events (I can do this because it is my blog, after all ;-P)

So, without further a do:

Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman? (1996), after the birth of my daughter in '99 I could relate with this Bryan Adams song--especially since I came to realize I was under the dual effect of two of the most important females in my later life (and under the same roof!)

The Year of the Cat (1976), this old Al Stewart hit played on the radio during a particularly beautiful stretch of California coast as I wound my way in a car to Pebble Beach in 2005 (for what was a turning-50-gift from my wonderful wife)

The Sweet Escape (2006), who haven't really heard this song till you've heard it being co-sung from the backseat backup singers that are my children (in school carpool); wooohooo yyyeeehhoooo!!!!!

Cool (2005), "Dad! You're not playing this song, again, are you?!?" - my kids; I guess my children don't really understand that I appreciate the direction and editing of this piece (and both the track and music video are on my iPod)

Just Dance (2008), okay, I lied. Musical memories don't take years to formulate--I watched this music video on Virgin America's seat entertainment system on our way to NYC (and the song kept playing in my head whenever we were in Times Square)

Tears In Heaven (1992), around the turn of the century, while looking at my sleeping children, I realized this Eric Clapton song and its lyrics would never again be just another tune

Bob Peck Back on the Edge

There are a handful of made-for-television miniseries that I'll watch repeatedly (if they would show up again on TV, or on DVD). And there are still some I've yet to view. Some on the missing list comprise John Adams, Taken, and Tales of the City (and I hope to whittle it down). On the other side, there are some that I've seen and consider truly great (Roots, Jesus of Nazareth, Thorn Birds), but for whatever reason the repeat factor isn't there for me. So what does make that small repeat viewing list? Especially since they're on DVD, I include I, Claudius, Lonesome Dove, Band of Brothers, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Captains and the Kings, and documentaries The World at War and The Civil War.

However, there is one that's been missing from that list for too long (at least of the DVD afficionados). And it has been rarely seen at all on U.S. screens since its initial release because it is a British miniseries. Luckily for the good many of us who have seen (and treasure) it, that'll be rectified (digitally) later this year. Edge of Darkness was a BBC serial drama that was released in 1985 (and later shown on American PBS television--though I saw it on the local independent (at the time), KCOP). It is really a quite remarkable and unique tale that is part drama, who-dunnit-mystery, detective narrative, ghost story, and political espionage thriller. Add a little Environmental-Nuclear Power tension and this series had it all.

Image via Wikipedia

Additionally it had an ideal British cast, with a couple of them to go on to larger fame because of it--and one very American character actor who'd dominate any of the scenes he was in. The late-Bob Peck is forever tied to this work, and for good reason. His ability to be both "tragic and intelligent simultaneously" in this six-part series raised him up from a stage and minor TV actor to one famous enough (due to the role of Ronald Craven) for Steven Spielberg to cast him as the game warden in Jurassic Park. The other characters of note play his dead daughter, Emma (Joanne Whalley in her debut), and the mysterious and not to be forgotten Darius Jedburgh (Joe Don Baker). And though it's been available in VHS and on Region 2 disc, it'll make its US DVD release on November 3, 2009.

Needless to say, since it was such a successful original work it seems another studio exec has green-lighted a movie remake of it. Spare me. Given that fans of another critically acclaimed BBC serial drama, State of Play, thought the 2009 U.S. film remake (changed and condensed dramatically to fit a 2 hour format) was such a travesty, I'm not looking forward to what they'll do here. But, I'm soooo looking forward to finally getting EoD on disc.

My Six

Image by 嘉莉-咖哩 via Flickr

I discovered a wonderful post today, titled "Six Songs", by Moondancer on her blog, Just.....a wee bit. It is a sublime and eloquent piece speaking to the power of music upon memory, and one's emotions. I'm in wholehearted agreement with her on this, and I very much recommend her post. Outside of the potent sense of smell, music/song has always been a memory trigger for me, as well.

If you gave it some thought, what would your six songs be.....

And since she graciously asked, at this moment, the list of six that I'd put together would be:

It's All in the Game (1958), my mother's favorite song; and when I hear it even now after all of these years later, I cannot help but think of the wonderful woman who bore me...

A Hard Day's Night (1964), I still can recollect fondly sitting in a darkened theater taking the Beatles in as a 10 yr. old. Although I'd heard songs on the radio by the Fab Four, it was this movie and song that first struck and mesmerized me. And I'm still within its impact.

It's Too Late (1971), my junior year of high school and it was this song that marked a shift in my heart's outlook (and the girl that was a H.S. senior at the time shall remain nameless, here--as my wife eventually reads all of my posts).

Dust in the Wind (1977), this song played on the radio as I left drove home from St. Francis Medical Center in March '78 after I learned my mother wouldn't be with us for much longer... Though I wanted desperately to change or turn off the radio, somehow I couldn't.

Silhouette (1988), the same year I courted my future bride, this song always seemed to pop up on the radio. The CD eventually found its way into our music collection before our engagement, and it was played at our wedding reception.

Don't Fear the Reaper (1976), this song introduced the concept of the air guitar to my first born when he was a barely a toddler some 20 years after it was released. Our living room jam sessions right before bedtime, with the volume up, had my wife giving us the weirdest of looks, too!

My thanks goes to Moondancer for giving me a chance to the flex the nostalgia gene once again (as my wife groans about this somewhere out in the ether), and for her heartfelt post.

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