Surveillance is a best thriller books by Robert Crais. Sprinting forward into another outcome-driven tale filled with Crais’ signature characters, fast pacing, and pain, Crais returns with another heart-pounding novel featuring Elvis Cole and Joe Pike. Fans of the action crime genre will adore this book, a high-octane mix of tension, suspense, mystery, and an elaborate plot that keeps readers hanging on the edge of their seats.
Book Overview
The Sentry was published in 2011 and is the third book in the Joe Pike series but also connects to the wider Elvis Cole series. “There’s a story where Pike, the former Marine, former cop, now P.I., gets tangled up in a local business owner wanting to clear his name and it draws him into a conspiracy.” What begins as a generous impulse quickly descends into a deadly chase involving lies, killing, and frenzied action.
Plot Summary
Joe Pike witnesses a random street crime — roughnecks harassing a sandwich shop owner, Wilson Smith, and his niece, Dru Rayne. Pike, the conscientious protector that he is, intervenes to protect them. But his intervention sets off a much more perilous chain of events than he bargained for.
Pike soon discovers that Wilson and Dru are not who they present themselves as. Their history is full of secrets, and soon deadly forces pursue them. As Pike investigates, he summons his old friend, the legendary detective Elvis Cole, to help root out the truth. Following their investigation, they find themselves embroiled with a ruthless cartel and a plot so sinister it endangers not only their lives, but those of everyone involved.
With non-stop action sequences, multilayered twists, and fully realized characters, The Sentry demonstrates the talent of Robert Crais for creating a thrilling read with a superb balance of suspense and feeling.
Key Themes in The Sentry
Justice and Morality – Joe Pike lives and dies by his strict moral code, doing what’s right, even putting himself in harm’s way.
Gaping And Gloating – The novel stresses that not everything appears as such and the reader is left wondering about the motives and backgrounds of the various characters.
Friendship and Loyalty – The strong friendship between Pike and Cole is a central theme throughout the story, providing an example of faith in one another and loyalty in the face of adversity.
Punches that Land and Suspense — The novel is filled with chase scenes, close-quarters fighting, and other violent confrontations, which makes for a fast-moving read.
Why Reading The Sentry Should Be A Literary Expectation
Excellent Storytelling: The novel grabs the reader from word one and the arcs for the characters and the mystery unfold beautifully.
Strong Protagonist: Joe Pike is an interesting lead, with a mix of stoic resilience and a rock-solid sense of justice.
Thrilling Action: Its narrative is filled with fast-paced scenes that keep you flipping pages.
Now for the dialogue, Crais writes some of the best dialogue you will likely ever read.
Conclusion
The Sentry is a must-read for fans of thrillers, a novel with just the right blend of action, mystery, and character development. Whether you’ve been reading Robert Crais for ages or are just becoming acquainted with him, this novel is for you. If The Sentry is anything, it is a violent, slow burn of a story that sticks in your mind long after you close the book.
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