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Robert Crais, author portrait
© Jerry Ward

Robert Crais

Robert Crais is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of twenty novels, sixteen of them featuring private investigator Elvis Cole and his laconic ex-cop partner, Joe Pike. Before writing his first novel, Crais spent several years writing scripts for such major television series as Hill Street Blues, Cagney & Lacey, Miami Vice, Quincy, Baretta, and L.A. Law. He received an Emmy nomination for his work on Hill Street Blues, and one of his standalone novels, Hostage, was made into a movie starring Bruce Willis. His novels have been translated into forty-two languages and are bestsellers around the world. A native of Louisiana, he lives in Los Angeles.
The Big Empty
Racing the Light
A Dangerous Man
Demolition Angel
L.A. Requiem
Hostage
Sunset Express
Stalking the Angel
The Last Detective
The Monkey's Raincoat

Books

The Big Empty
Racing the Light
A Dangerous Man
Demolition Angel
L.A. Requiem
Hostage
Sunset Express
Stalking the Angel
The Last Detective
The Monkey's Raincoat

Announcing Penguin Random House’s 2026 Edgar Award Winners 🎉

We are proud to announce that 3 Penguin Random House books have won a MWA’s Edgar Award for 2026! Best Novel: THE BIG EMPTY by Robert Crais (9780525535775, Putnam) Best First Novel by an American Author: DEAD MONEY by Jakob Kerr (9780593726723, Bantam) Best Fact Crime: MURDERLAND by Caroline Fraser (9780593657249, Penguin Books) According to

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