Rating: 
Summary: Interesting character, tautly paced story
Review: Greg Rucka's prose is fluid and fine-edged, reminiscent of Lawrence Block's work in his Matthew Scudder series of novels minus the New York City grit that Block does so well. Atticus Kodiak, Rucka's protagonist is, if seemingly a little too young at 28, an engaging character with an interesting supporting cast, and his chosen profession, bodyguard, is vividly depicted. Rucka seems to be known for his research and he's apparently done his homework here as the overall scenario rings true. The story's backdrop, New York City at the height of the mid-90s anti-abortion protests and clinic bombings makes for a enthralling plot as Kodiak is charged with the protection of a pro-choice doctor. Rucka unself-consciously tackles the sticky politics of the situation, offering welcome shades of gray in what is often a black and white topic, while delivering a taut thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat through the end. An excellent first-novel and I'm looking forward to reading the next one in the series.
Rating: 
Summary: I Have Discovered A New Favorite!
Review: I am usually extremely picky about the fiction I read, as I am often disappointed by derivative works that just lack any kind of emotional bite. Not true here. I came across this series by chance and it looked interesting, so I purchased this, the first in the series. Two days later I finished it and immediately ordered the rest. This is great stuff! The characters are highly believable (and likeable). Mr. Rucka does not pander to petty preaching (as the plot revolves around a controversial issue), but rather paints a vivid and disturbing picture of the often brutal reality that surrounds his topic. This is one of my favorite books and I can't wait to read more from this author!
Rating:
Summary: This book is a "keeper"
Review: I can't believe I just discovered this author. I read this book, the first in the Atticus Kodiak series, in one sitting, and I bought exta copies to pass on to friends. I also bought all the other books in the series. I can't wait to read them!
Keeper is a fast-paced, absorbing tale of a professional bodyguard and his efforts at protecting his latest client from fanatics who want to kill her. Kodiak is a believable modern hero, imperfect but doing his best to survive with integrity. The book should appeal to fans of the hard-edged thriller because the action sequences are exciting and plausible. Fans of the genre who insist on well-written characters and dialog will also be pleased with this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Political overtones marred story line and characters
Review: I did not enjoy this book, the story line, or the major characters because of the political heavyhandedness of the author. The major character of the book is an abortionist, whom the author portrays as a heroine. The author is obviously a liberal, and strongly pro-abortion, and felt the need to use this genre to advance his views on the subject. Regardless of your political views, I believe that most people would find the use of this genre to be inappropriate to advance those views. The characters were political symbols and not genuine people.
Rating:
Summary: realistic, gut-wrenching, tight story with plenty of action
Review: I picked up Keeper out of curiosity and was hooked from the first chapter. It read quickly, but not for lack of substance. The plot was put together well, leaving you guessing right up to the end. The characters, especially Kodiak, were not unbelievable supermen, and were susceptable to pain and anguish. Rucka's story of a young man doing an ugly job was a great one, and a great debut. It wasn't just a mystery/suspense story. It also handled an extremely sensitive issue with the professionalism of a seasoned author. I applaude him for that and rank him right up there with Robert Parker and Ross Macdonald. I am anxiously awaiting his next book, Finder, and hope for many more Atticus Kodiak novels
Rating:
Summary: A worthy addition to the genre
Review: If there is a reason to write a novelisation of something (beyond money), it's for an author to be able to showcase his work for a built-in and wider audience. Hopefully his satisfying work on BATMAN-NO MAN'S LAND, will (as it did me) lead people to his novels of Atticus Kodiak. Rucka's protaganist, Atticus Kodiak, is hired on to bodyguard a doctor at an abortion clinic and tries to get to the bottom of a series of threats against her. Ok. Enough plot. What makes this book satisfying and gripping are involving characters (sketched just enough to intrigue but leaving enough mystery to keep us interested), a nicely moving plot, as well as the best use of New York City since Lawrence Block. Fans of Spenser, Burke, and Elvis Cole will find a happy home here. And best of all? It's a series. A brief note: The subject of abortion is part and parcel of the story, and while the author clearly seems pro-choice, he takes special efforts not to demonize the other side save in depicting certain extemists drawn right from the headlines. Sensitively done.
Rating:
Summary: It's an okay read with some anti-climax flaws
Review: It's not bad for a new writer's first book if his writing was through the help of a very good editor. But the hero, Atticus Kodiak, is somewhat stupid and not qualified enough for a security-protection team leader and/or boss. Nor his six feet height at 190 pounds, wearing glasses looked quite intimidating in the least even by the reader's viewpoint. If Katie was killed by the assassin across the street, her own home needed not to be dusted with toner stains all around; If Barry only stuck his hand out of Rubin's window and then shot by a sniper with supersonic high impact bullet, his body should be kicked back by the bullet into the room instead of falling out to the metal grate and then hit the landing; Bridgett and Atticus looked even more unprofessional when they contaminated the crime scene of Crowell's apartment.
And most of all, none of the characters in this book was attractive enough; Bridgett and Atticus might even look a bit repulsive and disgusting to the readers. The whole story was kind of an
Rating: 
Summary: AUTHOR'S GOOD ENOUGH, WAITING ON A BETTER BOOK...
Review: Keeper is the second novel I've read that deals with the issues involved in America's abortion debate. The first, Insomnia by Stephen King, dealt with the issues in a way that I found surprisingly insightful and somewhat even-handed. Insomnia was, like most of Mr. King's work, very character driven and it worked on many fronts--mostly those not dealing with the abortion debate. It got bogged down and seemed to throw the abortion issues into an already full pot.
On the other hand, Keeper's drama centers on and stems from the abortion debate. Keeper is also somewhat even-handed (in the end, both Insomnia and Keeper tend more towards the pro-abortion side of things). Keeper is just as Character driven, but somewhat less engrossing than Insomnia (not to compare the two--they are really apples and oranges in all respects but the abortion).
Keeper's main character is Atticus Kodiak--a bodyguard. He is the only fully drawn character in the book. Another character, a private eye named Bridget, almost comes to life as well, but only almost.
We are drawn (first person narration) into Atticus's world. The strength and the hook of Keeper is our fascination with Atticus's life. Mine wasn't that strong for the first half of the book; yet he grew on me.
Keeper is not really a whodunnit. Its a wedamnwellknowwhodunnit for most of its length. Keeper is more of a can-he-stop-it than a mystery.
It is what it is with some hardbitten prose and dialogue torn from the pages of Elmore Leonard. I found it entertaining enough that I'll read the next book of the series (O God please let it not be about abortion this time) and report back here.
Till then, this one gets more of a nod than a recommendation.
(As a grim postscript and an aside--if, for some reason, you are interested in further aborti-fiction and want a piece from the opposing side of the debate, check out F. Paul Wilson's story Foet in the Borderlands 2 anthology. It is quite a nasty little piece, but well done--very well done).
Rating:
Summary: WOW
Review: Phenomenal for a first time novel writer!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent new series!
Review: This was one of those books that you just wander across in the library...I'd never heard of him before. . . Atticus Kodiak is a very well-developed, well-rounded character and the plot (even if you don't agree with the politics) is attention getting. I've since read his two sequels and would highly recommend them. There needs to be some additonal development of the peripheral characters (which begins to take place in books 2 and 3) to make the whole world more exciting. Rucka's certainly an author to keep an eye out for!
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