by
3.81 of 5 stars
In a heartbeat, a crowded auditorium or a city street can become a kill zone, where life and death are separated by a split second. For Atticus Ko... read full description

reviews

Oct 13, 2011
***Dave rated it: 4 of 5 stars
(Review from 7/2002)

Good, good stuff.

I became a fan of Robert Parker and his Spenser series quite some time ago. "Keeper" and Kodiak remind me of Spenser in the Good Ol’ Days, before Parker became comfortable with his formula (which formula is good enough, mind you, to keep me reading each new installment, not to mention his other two series). In some ways, Rucka outdoes Parker. His Kodiak is less philosophical, and doesn’t spend as much time in the kitchen, but Ruc More...
Oct 22, 2011
Karl Ruben rated it: 4 of 5 stars
I first read this five, six, maybe seven years ago. Most of the plot details had leaked away from my memory over the years, so I came to the book fresh enough to be able to enjoy the twists and turns of Rucka's story. Fortunate, because Keeper is pretty barebones as far as character goes. Which is not to say it's superficial and plot-centric, far from it. Rucka's sure, unflinching perspective on the psychological traumas visited upon women and men in violent professions is one of his main streng More...
Feb 26, 2008
Dufour rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Ever wanted to know about the insides of the bodyguard or personal security business? Here's an awesome place to start. Rucka describes Atticus Kodiak, a New Yorker with sick Army skills who parlayed them into a successful career in personal protection. Kodiak has a stringer team of acquaintances and friends in the business who he calls on when he needs help with a principal, like he does in KEEPER. In this instance, Kodiak is responsible for protecting the owner/operator of an abortion clinic. More...
Jan 04, 2012
Betty rated it: 4 of 5 stars
This had been in my TBR pile for a long, long time. I'm sorry now that I waited so long to read it. Really interesting exploration of the personal protection business in the context of a highly charged and topical conflict. Rucka doesn't take a position in the abortion fight, at least not overtly, and presents both rational sides of the debate pretty even-handedly. My biggest quibble was the multiple references to characters being pro-abortion. Nobody, and I do mean nobody, is pro-abortion. The More...
Sep 02, 2010
Sally rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Rucka's character Atticus Kodiak and his crew of bodyguards are kind of like Andrew Vachhs' Burke and his crew of misfits. Once they get their hooks into you, they never let go. Unfortunately, Rucka is not nearly as prolific an author as Vachhs.

I'm pretty sure I've read all the books with Atticus, but I'll keep looking. I suggest you guys check 'em out. (Hee! Again with the book reference...) ;)
Oct 06, 2009
Bill rated it: 3 of 5 stars
I read this after seeing lots of good comments. I was somewhat disappointed. Rucka is a mediocre writer with often clunky sentences and dialogue. The plot itself is okay, but similar to many others so there were no real surprises. The topic of abortion, however, does allow Rucka to manipulate our emotions very effectively, although I wonder how a pro-life advocate would respond to this book.
Mar 29, 2011
Eric rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Very fast paced and full of action. This series is riveting. I little strong on language but the story kept me wanting to read further despite that. The characters are strong and relate well with each other building a team which knows their job and will do nothing else until it is done.
Sep 26, 2010
Rae rated it: 5 of 5 stars
This book was amazing. I was more familiar with Rucka's comic book work so when I found his novel work at the library, I was curious. To me, his style is engaging and personal, and the ending is not your traditional happy ending which, while sad, left me happily angry and wanting more.
Mar 15, 2010
Maura rated it: 3 of 5 stars
A good solid book, by the same guy who writes the Queen and Country comics i'm so fond of. i like the comics better, but this is quality too. Sort of like a chicken & vegetables meal -- hearty & filling, but not so exciting that you're looking forward to the next time it gets served.
Jan 23, 2009
Lloyd rated it: 4 of 5 stars
First off, let me say that I find it SO refreshing when a story actually starts on page 1 of a book. This is actually my second reading of the Atticus Kodiak series. That has to say something right there, with so many books out there and so little time to read them. Rucka is one of those rare writers who seem entirely comfortable in either genre he is writing, be it prose novels or comics. I was originally intending to just jump right in to Patriot Acts, but it has been almost seven years si More...
Oct 09, 2010
Bryon rated it: 2 of 5 stars
it was okay. i like rucka and i liked atticus so i read the rest of the series. i'm glad i stuck with it. i liked the series more and more as went goes on. book two was far better and by book three i was really digging it.
Aug 25, 2008
Kellie rated it: 4 of 5 stars
(#1 in the Kodiak Series)- "The world of the professional bodyguard provides the arena for this no-nonsense first novel. Atticus Kodiak, 28, is hired to protect Felice Romero, director of a Manhattan abortion clinic targeted by militant pro-lifers. The pros and cons of abortion are intelligently presented as Kodiak tries to protect his client and her daughter, who's afflicted with Down's syndrome. Soon the bodyguard, whose girlfriend has just undergone an abortion, finds himself personally More...
Oct 27, 2011
Peter rated it: 3 of 5 stars
this book was a mystery. more like a comic book without pictures. this was a good read and ifm you like this kind of book im sure you will enjoy this. interesting characters good plot.
Jan 19, 2012
Ratforce added it
The Atticus Kodiak series by Greg Rucka features a bodyguard who is set up to protect some very vulnerable targets. You might try the first book in the series, Keeper.
Jun 03, 2010
Drew rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Not quite as good as Barry Eisler's but still a very good read! Good action scenes, but again, not as detailed as Eisler. Excellent character development.
Aug 10, 2011
Joey rated it: 5 of 5 stars
The first of many home runs about the character Atticus Kodiak. One of the best characters and book series around.
Nov 17, 2010
Keidron rated it: 3 of 5 stars
Even though he wasn't a main character...Rubin's story and the ending of the story tugged at my heart
Mar 17, 2009
keri. rated it: 4 of 5 stars
rereading the series for what feels like the 902343th time, and finally documenting all books.
Jun 14, 2011
Patricia rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Interesting concept. Kept me interested throughout. Kinda of sad at some of the outcome.
Jan 03, 2012
Stien rated it: 3 of 5 stars
Hard, good. Bodyguard protects abortion doctor. Unpredictable enough.
Sep 27, 2011
Penny rated it: 3 of 5 stars
Good story, but I would have liked more action.
Oct 28, 2009
Danny rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Rucka's first work, Keeper begins the Atticus Kodiak series of novels. In this story, Atticus is protecting an abortion doctor named Felice Romero and her family from a right wing organization named the Sword of the Silent (SOS). A must read if you like Rucka or want to read Kodiak as Keeper lays the ground work for the entire series.
Aug 19, 2008
Thacher rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Oh crap do I love the Atticus Kodiak books. This is the jump-off, first one, and it just sucks you and and takes off running. It really sets the tone to the procedural body-guard work that Rucka writes so well about, as well as the chaotic action and sudden heartbreak that become hallmarks of the series.
Oct 11, 2008
Richard rated it: 4 of 5 stars
My first Rucka read and I was hooked. This is the best bodyguard series around. My second Rucka read was Smoker..and then I was addicted...
Jul 23, 2008
Jerry rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Great intro to a great series.
Nov 28, 2007
colleen rated it: 3 of 5 stars
read 11.13.05
Feb 12, 2012
January rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Feb 10, 2012
Jke3684 rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Feb 09, 2012
Peggy added it
Feb 08, 2012
Marion marked it as to-read