Finder

Rating:
Summary: Builds you up to a big fizzle
Review: Rucka does certain things masterfully. His dialogue crackles with realism and intensity; his characters breathe down your back, they're so alive; and the emotions he conveys are rich without being melodramatic. Atticus Kodiak, his protaganist, moves in a circle of foul-mouthed, partying friends, yet maintains a style all his own in the midst of the muck about him.

Here, again, Atticus Kodiak is at work as a bodyguard, this time watching over the daughter of his former lover. Erika's all grown up now--or thinks she is--and isn't always hip to the idea of his guardianship. What's truly eating young Erika, though, is the power struggle between her despicable parents. She takes out her frustrations on those sent to protect her, but finds a friend in Kodiak's off-and-on romantic interest, Bridgett. With trained assassins opposing Kodiak's team, the odds seem stacked against him, but he manages to come through...not without some physical and emotional scars along the way.

If you're a fan of G-rated mysteries (in the Mrs. Pollifax vein), steer clear of Kodiak. If you like your mysteries tough and gritty, with a bit of heart (think Dashiell Hammett after the sexual revolution), then give this series a shot.

Rating:
Summary: Gritty, With Heart
Review: Rucka does certain things masterfully. His dialogue crackles with realism and intensity; his characters breathe down your back, they're so alive; and the emotions he conveys are rich without being melodramatic. Atticus Kodiak, his protaganist, moves in a circle of foul-mouthed, partying friends, yet maintains a style all his own in the midst of the muck about him.

Here, again, Atticus Kodiak is at work as a bodyguard, this time watching over the daughter of his former lover. Erika's all grown up now--or thinks she is--and isn't always hip to the idea of his guardianship. What's truly eating young Erika, though, is the power struggle between her despicable parents. She takes out her frustrations on those sent to protect her, but finds a friend in Kodiak's off-and-on romantic interest, Bridgett. With trained assassins opposing Kodiak's team, the odds seem stacked against him, but he manages to come through...not without some physical and emotional scars along the way.

If you're a fan of G-rated mysteries (in the Mrs. Pollifax vein), steer clear of Kodiak. If you like your mysteries tough and gritty, with a bit of heart (think Dashiell Hammett after the sexual revolution), then give this series a shot.

Rating:
Summary: Builds you up to a big fizzle
Review: The book itself is alright, if you dont mind the author's bland, verbose, and tedious writing. But be prepared for a big letdown because the ending of the book is one of the worst I've ever read. I wish someone had warned me, so I'm warning others. I like the characters, but the book doesnt flow fast at all and it really fizzles in the end with no climax, and it was a big dissappointment.

Rating:
Summary: Buy this book! You'll be kept up late, but it's worth it!
Review: Well crafted mystery that keeps you guessing to the end. Greg Rucka is off to a good start

Rating:
Summary: Overall, I look favorably on this novel.
Review: While I feel that his action pacing needs some work,the very human dimension to Kodiak's character is refreshing. The story was not written as a handbook for VIP protection and this shows, however, as a story with a security specialist as the protagonist it works well. Mr. Rucka's writing style took some time to get used to but I found myself caring about Atticus Kodiak. The stress on quasi "realistic" action is okay but some cinematic stuff would be entertaining as well.This is especially so in a novel that does take dramatic license with the close protection field. Mr. Rucka has definitely created a cast of characters that I want to read about again as it is their personal journey that is the true heart of the stories.