The First Rule

Is it possible for a crime novel to be both ultra-violent and elegant? If so, then The First Rule is a prime example. The mayhem is graphic and unflinching, but the prose and story line are as sleek and efficient as a beautifully crafted piece of machinery. The Seattle Times

[The First Rule] will satisfy longtime fans and make new ones...well-written action sequences and snappy dialogue. Los Angeles Times

Crais follows a straightforward, no-nonsense tradition that marks him as a direct descendant of Raymond Chandler. Pittsburg Tribune-Review

A devastatingly effective thriller. The Providence Journal

Adrenaline-fueled...Pike emerges as an enigmatically appealing hero, whose lethal skills never overshadow his unflappable sense of morality. Publishers Weekly

Crais plants each twist carefully and detonates it expertly...Righteous vengeance, a reckless pace, astratospheric body count, and just enough surprises to keep you turning the pages. Kirkus Reviews