The Big Empty (Elvis Cole and Joe Pike #20) [B1306]

2025 HCDJ. Elvis Cole and his enigmatic partner, Joe Pike, race to find a terrifying, unidentified killer in this twisting, unpredictable thriller from #1 New York Times bestselling author Robert Crais. Traci Beller was thirteen when her father disappeared in the sleepy town of Rancha, not far from Los Angeles. The evidence says Tommy Beller abandoned his family, but Traci never believed it. Now, ten years later, Traci is a high-profile influencer with millions of followers and the money to hire the best detective she can find: Elvis Cole. Elvis heads to Rancha where an ex-con named Sadie Givens and her daughter, Anya, might have a line on the missing man. But when Elvis finds himself shadowed by a gang of vicious criminals, the missing persons cold case becomes far more sinister. Elvis calls his ex-Marine friend, Joe Pike, for help, and they follow Tommy Beller's trail into the depths of a monstrous, hidden evil. The case flips on its head, victims become predators, predators become prey, and the question becomes: Can Elvis Cole save them all from this nightmare?

From recent Amazon/GoodReads reviews: "I would have given this novel 10 stars if that had been an option! Holy crap, what a page turner. I loved the plot. I loved the assortment of characters and the author's writing style. I've read quite a few Elvis Cole and Joe Pike novels in the past. Now I'm hoping I've missed some and can find one to read really soon. Bravo Robert Crais!"; "Typical Elvis and Pike ...gripping. I didn't want to put it down but I also didn't want it to end. An interesting twist ....presenting victims from both sides of a monster's deeds. His victims and his family."; "One of Crais' best. Gut-wrenching. Not for the fainthearted."; "This is the first book I have read by this author, but it won't be the last! I devoured this book! It struck me as a cross between old school noir and Stephen King noir. I didn't see the big reveal coming. The second reveal, I suspected, but I wondered how the author would pull it off. I love the relationship between Cole and Pike. I can't wait to read more about this duo and anything else Crais writes!"