Helpful Score: 8
Crais is a master writer; this book showcases his great skills in a little different arena that we are accustomed to. While I really enjoyed this book, I still like his Elvis Cole series a little better.
In this book, we ride along with a man who is being released from ten years in prison--he's a convicted bank robber. He is determined to go straight, but that's not easy for an ex-con who has never obeyed the law in his life. I am somewhat uncomfortable in the skin of such a person; I like to identify with the good guys! Nevertheless, our man is a good man in his way, and after some initial discomfort (which pops up at odd times during the story as he exhibits some new scofflaw behavior) I felt all right being his alter ego.
His problem comes up immediately--the night before he is released from prison, his son--a cop, of all things--is murdered with a group of three other police officers. You can imagine the emotional charge that has.
The story moves on as he hooks up with the now former FBI agent who busted him to try to find out what happened to and with his son. There are many twists and turns, lots of excitement and hair-raising events along with the necessary quiet, tedious investigative work that finally brings out the truth, which is probably not what you expected. Well, not quite what you expected, anyway.
As much as I love the Elvis Cole stories, I'm glad Crais took time out to write this one. It has some of the good characteristics of a best-seller formula thriller, but avoids a lot of the earmarks of such books that annoy me. This is honest story telling, not twists and thrills just for the sake of fooling you because that's what people want in best-sellers.
Get the book. It's a good one.
In this book, we ride along with a man who is being released from ten years in prison--he's a convicted bank robber. He is determined to go straight, but that's not easy for an ex-con who has never obeyed the law in his life. I am somewhat uncomfortable in the skin of such a person; I like to identify with the good guys! Nevertheless, our man is a good man in his way, and after some initial discomfort (which pops up at odd times during the story as he exhibits some new scofflaw behavior) I felt all right being his alter ego.
His problem comes up immediately--the night before he is released from prison, his son--a cop, of all things--is murdered with a group of three other police officers. You can imagine the emotional charge that has.
The story moves on as he hooks up with the now former FBI agent who busted him to try to find out what happened to and with his son. There are many twists and turns, lots of excitement and hair-raising events along with the necessary quiet, tedious investigative work that finally brings out the truth, which is probably not what you expected. Well, not quite what you expected, anyway.
As much as I love the Elvis Cole stories, I'm glad Crais took time out to write this one. It has some of the good characteristics of a best-seller formula thriller, but avoids a lot of the earmarks of such books that annoy me. This is honest story telling, not twists and thrills just for the sake of fooling you because that's what people want in best-sellers.
Get the book. It's a good one.
Helpful Score: 5
Being a big fan of Robert Crais and his Elvis Cole series, I wasn't sure if I would like this "stand alone" novel but I was pleasantly surprised. "Two Minute Rule" is well worth the read and has likable characters with a strong, keep you guessing "who done what to whom" mystery where the bad guys turn good, the good guys may or may not be bad and the City of Angels stands witness to it all. Check it out.
Helpful Score: 4
Intense and very suspenseful. Extra good read.
Helpful Score: 4
One of Crais's stand alone books!! Very Good!!!
Helpful Score: 3
This is the first time I have read anything by Robert Crais.... I've been missing out. Good book.
Helpful Score: 3
Crais's usual hypercharged suspense. A great read.
WOW what a book. The best I have read in awhile. Recommend it to anyone. Holds your attention I could not put it down.
Helpful Score: 2
He gets better with every book
Helpful Score: 2
Loved this book! Two-minute rule - when you're robbing a bank, get in and out within 2 minutes. But the 'hero' of the book did not, for a very good reason. Ex-con gets out of jail and learns his son was murdered, and he's going to find out why.
Highly recommended!
Highly recommended!
Helpful Score: 2
First time reading Robert Crais and have to say I can't believe its taken me this long to discover him. The story begins with convict Max Holman about to be released from a prison stint when he suddenly finds out that his son, a cop, was killed.
The story just takes off from there. Being a convict, Max knows that he won't get much help from local PD, but finds someone else to help him in his quest for the truth. From there the the pace quickens and and teases you the reader to keep turning the page. Its definitely one of those that keeps you guessing til the very end.
I will be looking for more Robert Crais novels and I recommend you do the same.
The story just takes off from there. Being a convict, Max knows that he won't get much help from local PD, but finds someone else to help him in his quest for the truth. From there the the pace quickens and and teases you the reader to keep turning the page. Its definitely one of those that keeps you guessing til the very end.
I will be looking for more Robert Crais novels and I recommend you do the same.
Helpful Score: 2
I think I like Crais' Elvis Cole books better, but this one is very good, too. I have read almost all of his thrillers.
Helpful Score: 2
I found myself holding my breath at times, willing my protagonist not to get in trouble! A great book from Robert Crais, not a part of the series featuring his usual detective Elvis Cole.
Helpful Score: 2
A Good Read, but not one of the best that Robert Crais has done. I really want another Elvis novel....
Helpful Score: 1
Crais' usual excellent story. No Joe Pike in this one, but it's still a great read. Lots of action and an unexpected ending.
Helpful Score: 1
Good book with plenty of action
Helpful Score: 1
When ex-con Max Holman gets out of jail he desperately wants to reconcile with his estranged son who is a cop. However, the night before Max's release, his son is killed and the hit is exposed as a revenge killing. The question of police corruption is raised. You won't be able to put this book down.
Helpful Score: 1
A great read....hard to put down!
Helpful Score: 1
I love all the Elvis Cole/Joe Pike books. This one is not connected to those at all, but it is still a great read. I wish he could have left an opening for the main characters to reappear.
This is a page turner! We are currently reading it in the car, so that's where it stays. We keep finding ourselves "taking a ride" just so we can continue the excitement, however I have to do a little "verbal editing" because it does have come colorful language. But the plot is a good one!
ALWAYS GOOD MYSTERY, LOVE HIS WORK
(The Paperback Swap interface is actually showing a book description for a different Robert Crais book.) The Two-Minute Rule has an unusual premise, unusual characters and genuine suspense. More exciting than the average thriller.
A cross between Harlan Coben and Michael Connolly
My first Robert Crais book and I already know that I will be getting more. It is a riveting tale of a bank robber gone good. Get this book, it's a very good read!
An ex-con tries to clear his son's name of dirty police work.
htis is a very good book if you like detective stories. fast paced. surprise ending. good character development. i will order more from this author now.
Not an Elvis Cole book, but a stand alone.
Great character development and great well thought out plot. Nice twists and turns. A bit slow in some parts, but other than that it was a great read.
Good story!!
Great "who dunnit" .... will be a quick read as you can't put it down
a good crais
From back of book
Max Holman knew the two minute rule: Get in, get the cash, and get out. But two minutes can be a lifetime... In one moment of weakness he botched a bank job and was sent away for years. Now released from prison, Max wants to reconcile with his estranged son, an LA cop. Instead he receives the devasting news that his son's been gunned down in cold blood. To uncover the truth about the killing Max aligns with Katherine Pollard, the ex-FBI agent who put him away- in a father's search for justice and revenge.
Max Holman knew the two minute rule: Get in, get the cash, and get out. But two minutes can be a lifetime... In one moment of weakness he botched a bank job and was sent away for years. Now released from prison, Max wants to reconcile with his estranged son, an LA cop. Instead he receives the devasting news that his son's been gunned down in cold blood. To uncover the truth about the killing Max aligns with Katherine Pollard, the ex-FBI agent who put him away- in a father's search for justice and revenge.
Another excellent book by Robert Crais.
Once I started this book, I could not put it down. The story opens up and moves at a rapid pace from beginning to end. Keeps you guessing.
Excellent read!
A great read!
This is not hardcover. It is an advanced reader's copy that I won in a raffle at Border's.
