What do you think?
Rate this book
Bravo Cell One Nine #1
Devil's Keep
BORN TO KILLEven trained warriors often feel an internal blink of resistance when the killing takes place within the zone of body heat.Not Ray Favor. He killed with the easeof flipping a light switch.ONE SHOT AT REDEMPTIONA decade ago, Ray Favor was a remorseless killer for theBlack Ops cell Bravo One Nine. He did what he was hiredt o do out of patriotism and duty. Now, having amassed a fortune but deeply troubled by his past and suspicious of his own nature, Favor is motivated by something a chance to r ight the wrongs he committed and restore balance .He get s that chance deep in the Philippines , where thedisappearance of two teenagers leads Favor and his Bravo team to confront an illegal operation by the Russian mob—and an evil so deplorable that it can only be righted by the means Favor once used to wreak destruction. Now, driven by a hungry sense of purpose, Ray Favor will seek retribution by any means necessary. And exact a violent justice without mercy—or regret.First in Phillip Finch’s stunning new series, Devil’s Keep is a suspense-packed international thriller introducing a powerful, complex, and memorable action hero.
418 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 8, 2010
11 people are currently reading
528 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
October 8, 2011
Author Finch avoids making Favor a typical spy character in fiction by showing us a man who isn't a hero. So many books romanticize the killing machine some soldiers become by having them suffer for all the dirty deeds they've done in the pursuit of good. Main character Ray Favor isn't an evil psychopath, but he is restless after his retirement form the world of special ops, and he admits to himself that he misses not just the action, but the killing. Yes, this makes him sound like a bad guy, and this is where author Philip Finch's talent shines, because he develops the character in a way that you like him, and cheer for him.
The story of the missing kids is well plotted, and the setting of the Philippines is described in such a way that you almost feel the humidity.
The book ends with the perfect balance of solving one plot, but leaving the reader drooling for the next Bravo One Nine story. I can't wait for more Ray Favor and crew.
The story of the missing kids is well plotted, and the setting of the Philippines is described in such a way that you almost feel the humidity.
The book ends with the perfect balance of solving one plot, but leaving the reader drooling for the next Bravo One Nine story. I can't wait for more Ray Favor and crew.
June 15, 2010
Ray Favor is very, very good at what he does, making money, sensing profit in deals well before others. It's getting to be very, very old hat though. What's left after a guy has made a fortune several times over? Especially if the way he makes that fortune is not what he was originally trained to do.
Favor is one of four members of Bravo Cell One Nine, a special ops quartet that accomplished any number of complicated, dangerous and slightly sordid missions over the years. They've gone their separate ways, except Ray got the girl, but have remained in touch. He was a killing machine but walked away from that job. Now he's ready to walk away from making money. It's all got to mean a little more than being good at it just for the sake of being good at it.
When team member Alex Mendonza hears from a distant relative in the Philippines that a teenage girl has disappeared in Manila when she left her village for a well-paying job, Ray and the others are in. Their mission gets even more urgent when her brother, searching for her in the big city, also disappears.
The reader knows that the teens have been whisked away to an island in the middle of nowhere, kept alone but healthy. When a captive begins to receive injections, he or she soon disappears.
Finch is adept at setting up the situation and moving the action between the two main storylines as the Bravo team searches for the teens. Why the young people are being abducted may not be much of a secret, but that's not the point. It's the adrenaline rush that matters. And Finch is terrific at delivering.
The author plays fair as the plot unfolds, something novels as action-packed as this one don't always deliver. Finch also sets up the opportunity for further novels. They would be welcome both as fast-paced thrillers and the chance that Favor, a rock climber who tries to conquer the most dangerous places, will explore whether he can redeem his past as he carves out a different path.
Favor is one of four members of Bravo Cell One Nine, a special ops quartet that accomplished any number of complicated, dangerous and slightly sordid missions over the years. They've gone their separate ways, except Ray got the girl, but have remained in touch. He was a killing machine but walked away from that job. Now he's ready to walk away from making money. It's all got to mean a little more than being good at it just for the sake of being good at it.
When team member Alex Mendonza hears from a distant relative in the Philippines that a teenage girl has disappeared in Manila when she left her village for a well-paying job, Ray and the others are in. Their mission gets even more urgent when her brother, searching for her in the big city, also disappears.
The reader knows that the teens have been whisked away to an island in the middle of nowhere, kept alone but healthy. When a captive begins to receive injections, he or she soon disappears.
Finch is adept at setting up the situation and moving the action between the two main storylines as the Bravo team searches for the teens. Why the young people are being abducted may not be much of a secret, but that's not the point. It's the adrenaline rush that matters. And Finch is terrific at delivering.
The author plays fair as the plot unfolds, something novels as action-packed as this one don't always deliver. Finch also sets up the opportunity for further novels. They would be welcome both as fast-paced thrillers and the chance that Favor, a rock climber who tries to conquer the most dangerous places, will explore whether he can redeem his past as he carves out a different path.
September 17, 2017
This is a book about retired special ops / spies that worked together a decade before. It has all of the hallmarks of being an interesting thriller, but it turns out to be nothing special.
The author tries to take us inside the mind of Ray Favor, the main character. But we really don't get to know him well. Ex-soldier, wealthy, like to rock climb and gets a thrill bashing skulls. The guy has no family. Just makes money and hangs out at Lake Tahoe.
The whole plot is one that is well worn and leaves no surprises. As an avid reader of thrillers, spec ops and spy books (both fiction and non-fiction) this book came off as dull. Sure there is action, but also a lot of talking through details. Or that the characters may be a little slow, but somehow retain all of their tradecraft skills which they haven't used in the field for over a decade. Plus the computer stuff was just dumb.
The end of the book sets up for the next installment, but I'll pass.
I have issues with movie posters and book covers that bear no relation to the media they are presenting. In this case the main character only touches a pistol once in the entire book. He is a close up specialist, loves knives. Also doesn't wear dog tags either. His attire is non-military. Ray Favor is only glummy when he isn't in the middle of an op. Then he's relaxed. But never shows remorse. Someone didn't give the artist a character summary.
The author tries to take us inside the mind of Ray Favor, the main character. But we really don't get to know him well. Ex-soldier, wealthy, like to rock climb and gets a thrill bashing skulls. The guy has no family. Just makes money and hangs out at Lake Tahoe.
The whole plot is one that is well worn and leaves no surprises. As an avid reader of thrillers, spec ops and spy books (both fiction and non-fiction) this book came off as dull. Sure there is action, but also a lot of talking through details. Or that the characters may be a little slow, but somehow retain all of their tradecraft skills which they haven't used in the field for over a decade. Plus the computer stuff was just dumb.
The end of the book sets up for the next installment, but I'll pass.
I have issues with movie posters and book covers that bear no relation to the media they are presenting. In this case the main character only touches a pistol once in the entire book. He is a close up specialist, loves knives. Also doesn't wear dog tags either. His attire is non-military. Ray Favor is only glummy when he isn't in the middle of an op. Then he's relaxed. But never shows remorse. Someone didn't give the artist a character summary.
April 27, 2017
a refreshing read. Not the typical fare of "Super Commandos" we're accustomed to in the genre.
July 12, 2012
The central story arc concerns a team of one-time hard-ass secret operatives whose brutally effective activities on behalf of the government still echo for their leader. His remorse plus his adrenaline starvation as a civilian (no matter how wealthy) has left a hollow space in his soul. Both of his needs--atonement and action--get met when a young relative of one of his teammates apparently is kidnapped, though not for an immediately known reason. The team goes back into action. Being wealthy, they can draw on resources most people only dream about. The hard cases who kidnapped a number of Filipino young people get the surprise of their lives, while the team gets to exercise its ferocious skills in behalf of innocents..
Finch writes well. The back-story angst gets a little soapy, but the action is solid and the Filipino setting is interesting. The book could easily be a 3-star one, but Finch's skills elevate it to 4.
Finch writes well. The back-story angst gets a little soapy, but the action is solid and the Filipino setting is interesting. The book could easily be a 3-star one, but Finch's skills elevate it to 4.
November 29, 2015
Wow, edge of the seat thriller.
A hot shot special ops team for a shadowy government agency has retired...until one of its members get a call from a relative: her daughter has gone missing. The team reunites, flies half way around the world and goes to work. Through just the right combination of smarts, toughness, and novelistic licensed coincidence and good luck (mainstays of every thriller, so not a negative), they pick up the kid's trail.
Despite the fact that I figured out what was going on long before the team did (in part because Finch gives the reader a look at a couple of scenes unknown to the team), I remained riveted until the very end.
My one criticism...the final plot twist (isn't there always one last twist?) seemed contrived...but have to set up the next book somehow. Now, off to see whether there are others in this series. Here's hoping!
Update: Finch seems to have written nothing since he wrote this book in 2010. Any clue what happened?
A hot shot special ops team for a shadowy government agency has retired...until one of its members get a call from a relative: her daughter has gone missing. The team reunites, flies half way around the world and goes to work. Through just the right combination of smarts, toughness, and novelistic licensed coincidence and good luck (mainstays of every thriller, so not a negative), they pick up the kid's trail.
Despite the fact that I figured out what was going on long before the team did (in part because Finch gives the reader a look at a couple of scenes unknown to the team), I remained riveted until the very end.
My one criticism...the final plot twist (isn't there always one last twist?) seemed contrived...but have to set up the next book somehow. Now, off to see whether there are others in this series. Here's hoping!
Update: Finch seems to have written nothing since he wrote this book in 2010. Any clue what happened?
January 26, 2013
I enjoyed this international thriller, set in the Phillipines, although it is hard to dispute the criticism that the book is formulaic. A young Philippine girl is offered a job overseas and disappears immediately upon her arrival in Manila. Her distraught mother contacts a friend's son, who is part of a retired black ops team, who come to determine what has happened. A very sinister and horrifying criminal enterprise is operating, forcing the retirees back into the game, while struggling with the issues of justice, morality and karma.
October 19, 2018
Bravo! A good fast read! now i am hooked. This was such a great, easy and creative book. i was hooked after the first page.
The characters were easy to fall in love with and follow, along with the story. the author made the mental visions so easy and vivid of the surroundings and the characters actions felt so real.
i would highly recommend this author and this book.
The characters were easy to fall in love with and follow, along with the story. the author made the mental visions so easy and vivid of the surroundings and the characters actions felt so real.
i would highly recommend this author and this book.
Want to read
July 19, 2020elibrary
September 25, 2022
Ok read. Lead character far fetched
May 18, 2023
This was a great book. I would’ve loved to read a sequel. Unfortunately, I found out the author passed away after writing this one. It was worth the read for sure.
April 11, 2013
I read this on a flight cross country, and for passing the time it was an easy and for the most part enjoyable read. Never mind that the evil caper being pulled off has been used many times before (see the films "Coma" and "Dirty, Pretty Things") and will be many more times no doubt.
The protag, Favor, is growing restless and bored without meaningful action in his life. He also feels a need to atone for the killing and mayhem he sewed as the most lethal element in a crack undercover team of four operatives so black as to make the CIA appear lily white. When one of his old colleagues is asked to look into the disappearance of a missing girl in the Philippines, the old crew reassembles for a reunion of sorts. Only they get into more trouble than they anticipated.
The story unfolds with action that's not pulse-pounding and a show of expertise and smarts by the team that's for the most part underwhelming. The story simply lacks the verisimilitude of many others in the international spy thriller genre. They go in unprepared, don't cover their trail, and rely on a host of assumptions that work out only due to good luck.
Very Minor Spolier alert:
Just to give one example, the team has foiled an assault by a corrupt cop on their hideaway. They know they must disappear, and Favor, with admirable foresight, has already procured for them a sleek yacht. The four of them (three foreigners) pile into a cab and go straight to the Marina without a care in the world, as if a corrupt cop had no means of canvassing taxi drivers who may have driven such a conspicuous group. Were I writing this, each team member would have taken a separate cab or public transportation, with at least one other location as a midpoint diversion, before heading for their true destination at the marina. And even then, none would go directly there, but rather to that neighborhood, then walking the rest of the way. It's the lack of this sort of detail (see by way of contrast any of Barry Eisler's John Rain series) that left me lukewarm. I doubt I'll read another by this writer.
The protag, Favor, is growing restless and bored without meaningful action in his life. He also feels a need to atone for the killing and mayhem he sewed as the most lethal element in a crack undercover team of four operatives so black as to make the CIA appear lily white. When one of his old colleagues is asked to look into the disappearance of a missing girl in the Philippines, the old crew reassembles for a reunion of sorts. Only they get into more trouble than they anticipated.
The story unfolds with action that's not pulse-pounding and a show of expertise and smarts by the team that's for the most part underwhelming. The story simply lacks the verisimilitude of many others in the international spy thriller genre. They go in unprepared, don't cover their trail, and rely on a host of assumptions that work out only due to good luck.
Very Minor Spolier alert:
Just to give one example, the team has foiled an assault by a corrupt cop on their hideaway. They know they must disappear, and Favor, with admirable foresight, has already procured for them a sleek yacht. The four of them (three foreigners) pile into a cab and go straight to the Marina without a care in the world, as if a corrupt cop had no means of canvassing taxi drivers who may have driven such a conspicuous group. Were I writing this, each team member would have taken a separate cab or public transportation, with at least one other location as a midpoint diversion, before heading for their true destination at the marina. And even then, none would go directly there, but rather to that neighborhood, then walking the rest of the way. It's the lack of this sort of detail (see by way of contrast any of Barry Eisler's John Rain series) that left me lukewarm. I doubt I'll read another by this writer.
August 4, 2010
Very formulaic spy novel. You have read it before, Ex Spy/contract killer wonders if he can be forgiven for his sins so he strikes out on a mission of vigilante justice to save those that can't save themselves. Not worth your time as there are so many other great books out there.
June 7, 2010
I have no excuses other than I failed to plan ahead when I got on my flight and there were no decent airport bookstores in the connecting location. This. Was. AWFUL.
March 21, 2011
Phillip Finch tried but there was no detail to the story and could just not pull you into the whole thing.
July 31, 2011
Very ordinary. Nothing much happens until page 200. Some action around page 300. The book ends at page 400. Felt like a bad movie script. I had worked out the plot by page 5 in the prologue!
November 4, 2012
First book i read from this author. Loved it. Grabs you immediately. Will be looking for others.
May 20, 2014
Almost satisfied my need for action.
if you like Matt Hilton or the early Clive Cussler's or Matthew Reilly's Scarecrow series, you will like this. Not in the same class but very close.
if you like Matt Hilton or the early Clive Cussler's or Matthew Reilly's Scarecrow series, you will like this. Not in the same class but very close.
Read
August 3, 2015very good
November 22, 2015
Great book and characters. It sets it up for a second book but the author has not written a sequel. Other than that a superb book would give it 4.5 if I could.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews