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Atticus Kodiak #4
Shooting at Midnight
Greg Rucka has earned a devoted following for his edgy Atticus Kodiak thrillers, Finder , Keeper , and Smoker . Now, in an electrifying new suspense novel, Rucka puts us in the heart and brain of Kodiak's friend and lover, Bridgett Logan, a young woman living life on her own terms—and living it on the edge. Shooting at Midnight .
It began with a promise made to a friend, made when they were both teenagers. Now, years later, the friend wants to collect. All Bridgett Logan has to do is keep her word and the vow she Commit a murder. Now two men are desperately trying to find Bridgett.
One to save her. The other—to kill her.
It began with a promise made to a friend, made when they were both teenagers. Now, years later, the friend wants to collect. All Bridgett Logan has to do is keep her word and the vow she Commit a murder. Now two men are desperately trying to find Bridgett.
One to save her. The other—to kill her.
400 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
3 people are currently reading
202 people want to read
About the author
Greg Rucka
1,493 books1,924 followersGreg Rucka, is an American comic book writer and novelist, known for his work on such comics as Action Comics, Batwoman: Detective Comics, and the miniseries Superman: World of New Krypton for DC Comics, and for novels such as his Queen & Country series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
September 29, 2012
Shooting At Midnight has to be one of the most structurally interesting novels I've ever read. The first section of the story is told from the perspective of Atticus Kodiak's friend and on-again-off-again lover Bridgett Logan. We learn about her past as a heroin addict as she gets pulled back into that criminal underworld as she tries to help a friend who has gotten herself in some trouble with a couple of bad people. Things escalate quickly and as the spit is truly about to hit the fan the structure flips and the narration is handed over to Atticus Kodiak as he searches for Logan, who has gone missing.
This structure allows for a frightening level of suspense. Greg Rucka is the kind of writer who will kill off a character with little buildup simply because that is the way death often is. There is a very good chance that when the point of view changed it was because Bridgett didn't make it out alive. I don't consider it a spoiler to say that she doesn't wind up dead but her circumstances make it so that giving her the first person perspective wouldn't have worked well for the novel. Instead we get to see every angle of the story and are better off for it. When the novel returns to Logan's POV, we get a very direct idea of how the events in the book have affected everyone. Perception is handled very differently depending on the POV and it makes for some quite engaging reading.
Taking the time to switch the focus from Kodiak to Logan gives the series an interesting sort of intermission. After the crazy escalation in "Smoker" it is a logical step to dial the story back in a different way to let the readers adjust themselves. Things got so heavy in the previous book that much of the relationship drama between Logan and Kodiak got put on the back burner. This book is essentially dedicated to handling that element of the story and giving it the proper due. I appreciated that.
I don't know many series that will take a detour like this and be better for it. It is a testament to Rucka's skill as a writer that he can keep a hold on his characters by doing something unexpected.
This structure allows for a frightening level of suspense. Greg Rucka is the kind of writer who will kill off a character with little buildup simply because that is the way death often is. There is a very good chance that when the point of view changed it was because Bridgett didn't make it out alive. I don't consider it a spoiler to say that she doesn't wind up dead but her circumstances make it so that giving her the first person perspective wouldn't have worked well for the novel. Instead we get to see every angle of the story and are better off for it. When the novel returns to Logan's POV, we get a very direct idea of how the events in the book have affected everyone. Perception is handled very differently depending on the POV and it makes for some quite engaging reading.
Taking the time to switch the focus from Kodiak to Logan gives the series an interesting sort of intermission. After the crazy escalation in "Smoker" it is a logical step to dial the story back in a different way to let the readers adjust themselves. Things got so heavy in the previous book that much of the relationship drama between Logan and Kodiak got put on the back burner. This book is essentially dedicated to handling that element of the story and giving it the proper due. I appreciated that.
I don't know many series that will take a detour like this and be better for it. It is a testament to Rucka's skill as a writer that he can keep a hold on his characters by doing something unexpected.
May 17, 2018
So, this is my favorite of these, in which Rucka gives voice to one his great female narrative protagonists.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
March 8, 2022
Over the course of 3 books, the adventures of Atticus Kodiak independent security agent was evolving in an increasingly entertaining and increasingly unrealistic path (think the top tier private assassins in the world). Along the way, Atticus really messed up a developing relationship...though to be fair, he and his friends were dealing with a lot of issues.
With this fourth book, Rucka breaks open this developing narrative by telling the side story and back story of Bridgett Logan, Atticus' former love interest...and possibly future love interest, if Bridgett can survive her personal demons and the dark-hearted thugs that Rucka puts in between Atticus and Bridgett.
This was equally crazy and entertaining and over the top. And it re-grounded the series before what appears to be the return to the over the top international assassin storyline.
---
Two quick quotes:
"Saturday passed like a snail on Quaaludes."
"I wanted to make certain a skel like him..." (Always appreciate a toss in of "skel".)
With this fourth book, Rucka breaks open this developing narrative by telling the side story and back story of Bridgett Logan, Atticus' former love interest...and possibly future love interest, if Bridgett can survive her personal demons and the dark-hearted thugs that Rucka puts in between Atticus and Bridgett.
This was equally crazy and entertaining and over the top. And it re-grounded the series before what appears to be the return to the over the top international assassin storyline.
---
Two quick quotes:
"Saturday passed like a snail on Quaaludes."
"I wanted to make certain a skel like him..." (Always appreciate a toss in of "skel".)
Read
October 25, 2022The fourth #atticuskodiak novel #shootingatmidnight from Greg rucka published in 1999. The narrative structure is interesting. Three parts covering fairly short periods of time with gaps in between each part. The first and third part are narrated by Bridgett Logan private eye helping a friend in trouble. The second part is narrated by atticus and his attempts to find Bridgett. Really interesting to view atticus from Bridget’s perspective and have the main character of the series as a side character for two thirds of the book. Really good cliffhangers at the end of each chapter leading you on to the next. Good detective work and planning and scheming from Bridgett she is remarkably self aware. Good to see atticus lose his professional cool when his loved ones are in danger. Looking forward to the next one. Hopefully some more bodyguarding and another appearance from Drama soon.
July 17, 2018
That this was so implausible still didn't affect my enjoyment of reading this thriller speaks well for the author. I've never read the Atticus Kodiak books before so I cannot answer if the fact that's Atticus is only a supporting character would hamper anyone's enjoyment. It didn't stop mine. The main character is a female Private Investigator with a past as an ex- (ie recovering) junkie who is willing to do anything to save another ex-junkie friend she met in rehab many years ago. I'm not going to spoil what happens from that point, but the tale is gritty and interesting even if I don't buy into all the plot points. I guess the best summation is--it's complicated.
August 12, 2021
This book focuses primarily on Bridgett Logan, a private detective and the main protagonist's romantic partner, as she engages in a case to help a friend while at the same time battling with addiction. Despite the descent into the drug world, there's less of the over the top soap opera than in the previous novel Finder, and the series actually benefits from a bit of domesticity.
January 3, 2018
As always, Rucka writes a great yarn, and I appreciated getting a different character's viewpoint with this novel. My only complaint is that the subject matter doesn't appeal to me, but the book is excellent.
August 9, 2018
This one is a real page-turner! It’s my favorite book of this series. Bridget has been one of my favorite characters and it was good to dig deep into her.
January 26, 2023
Choose for me-October 2022
Print owned hardcover.
Don’t know why it took me so long to finally read this book from a mystery series I’ve enjoyed in the past.
Print owned hardcover.
Don’t know why it took me so long to finally read this book from a mystery series I’ve enjoyed in the past.
February 28, 2017
dragged too much and the actions never seemed to fit with the characters. no one was believable. this is one that i just barely wanted to see how the story would tie up and that is why I kept reading.
September 23, 2014
Read this book after recommendations of it on Goodreads. Was looking forward to this new author, new protagonist and new book. Well, all new to me, at any rate.
But, was somewhat disappointed in it. While I did like the book, I found it somewhat different to read. The expected protagonist, Atticus Kodiak, was not the central character of this book. Bridget Logan, his "girlfriend" was. The book was written in 1st person, but, the 1st person changed twice in the book. The 1st part of the book, it was from the viewpoint of Bridget. The middle portion was from the viewpoint of Atticus and the last part was, again, from Bridget. While an interesting concept, it didn't really set all that well with me. The entire story revolved around Bridget and her addition to heroin. She was a recovering junkie at the beginning of the book. And, she set out to help a friend, Lisa Shoof, out of a murder charge. The middle portion, Kodiak's part, we find out that Bridget was once again a heroin junkie and had disappeared. Kodiak's job was to find her and get her out of her predicament. Then, in the last portion, again with Bridget as the 1st person, the story is resolved. I'll not get into the plot as it's too intriguing to unravel and spoil the fun of reading it for one's self.
All in all, I liked the book. Did find it somewhat disappointing as I wanted it to be more about Atticus Kodiak. His character is what was recommended and that's what I wanted to read about. Not that the character of Bridget wasn't intriguing, as it definitely was. But, all in all, I thought that the characters weren't all that developed. Bridget's and Atticus's were, but, the other characters weren't, to my satisfaction.
Still, I liked the book and I'll read more of the series and this author. Just that there are 7 books in the Atticus Kodiak series and my local library only has 3 of them. And, Shooting at Midnight, the 4th book in the series, is the earliest one that they have. Maybe inter-library loan???
But, was somewhat disappointed in it. While I did like the book, I found it somewhat different to read. The expected protagonist, Atticus Kodiak, was not the central character of this book. Bridget Logan, his "girlfriend" was. The book was written in 1st person, but, the 1st person changed twice in the book. The 1st part of the book, it was from the viewpoint of Bridget. The middle portion was from the viewpoint of Atticus and the last part was, again, from Bridget. While an interesting concept, it didn't really set all that well with me. The entire story revolved around Bridget and her addition to heroin. She was a recovering junkie at the beginning of the book. And, she set out to help a friend, Lisa Shoof, out of a murder charge. The middle portion, Kodiak's part, we find out that Bridget was once again a heroin junkie and had disappeared. Kodiak's job was to find her and get her out of her predicament. Then, in the last portion, again with Bridget as the 1st person, the story is resolved. I'll not get into the plot as it's too intriguing to unravel and spoil the fun of reading it for one's self.
All in all, I liked the book. Did find it somewhat disappointing as I wanted it to be more about Atticus Kodiak. His character is what was recommended and that's what I wanted to read about. Not that the character of Bridget wasn't intriguing, as it definitely was. But, all in all, I thought that the characters weren't all that developed. Bridget's and Atticus's were, but, the other characters weren't, to my satisfaction.
Still, I liked the book and I'll read more of the series and this author. Just that there are 7 books in the Atticus Kodiak series and my local library only has 3 of them. And, Shooting at Midnight, the 4th book in the series, is the earliest one that they have. Maybe inter-library loan???
September 28, 2010
Shooting at Midnight is the fourth book in Greg Rucka’s Atticus Kodiak series and it differs from the previous novels in two ways: the book does not have a one-word title and Atticus is not the main focus. Instead, his on again, off again girlfriend, Bridgett Logan is given center stage. When Bridgett’s childhood friend is accused of murder, she takes up the case and is dragged into a world she has struggled to leave behind. Ashamed of her past, she goes deep undercover in New York City’s sordid, drug infested ghettos. As she infiltrates the inner sanctum of a powerful drug syndicate, she is once again confronted with the personal demons of her former life.
Rucka spends a lot of time exploring Bridgett’s background, from childhood to the present day. From the initial pages, he develops her personality and motivations, forcing the reader to re-assess her character. It is revealed early on that Bridgett is a recovering heroin addict, that she was in rehab, and that she attempted to commit suicide. It is clear from the prologue that this is not a light story. Rucka does not hold back and presents drug addiction as the disgusting and debilitating affliction that it is. Through flashbacks and memories, Bridgett recounts traumatic experiences from her past. While this book marks a departure of form for the series, it is vitally important as it fleshes out an important side character. By the end of the book, the reader knows Bridgett better than he does Atticus.
Despite the gritty tone of the novel, the ending is surprisingly positive, which is a rarity for the series. It is unclear how Rucka will develop Bridgett from here. She literally destroys her life throughout the course of the novel. From her friends to her job to her health, everything suffers. I hope we see more of Bridgett in the future, but I am looking forward to another Atticus-centered novel.
Rucka spends a lot of time exploring Bridgett’s background, from childhood to the present day. From the initial pages, he develops her personality and motivations, forcing the reader to re-assess her character. It is revealed early on that Bridgett is a recovering heroin addict, that she was in rehab, and that she attempted to commit suicide. It is clear from the prologue that this is not a light story. Rucka does not hold back and presents drug addiction as the disgusting and debilitating affliction that it is. Through flashbacks and memories, Bridgett recounts traumatic experiences from her past. While this book marks a departure of form for the series, it is vitally important as it fleshes out an important side character. By the end of the book, the reader knows Bridgett better than he does Atticus.
Despite the gritty tone of the novel, the ending is surprisingly positive, which is a rarity for the series. It is unclear how Rucka will develop Bridgett from here. She literally destroys her life throughout the course of the novel. From her friends to her job to her health, everything suffers. I hope we see more of Bridgett in the future, but I am looking forward to another Atticus-centered novel.
Read
February 5, 2012Shooting at Midnight, an Atticus Kodiak novel, by Gregg Rucka, A-minus, borrowed from the Library for the Blind,
This book is really about Atticus’ on-again off-again girl friend, Bridget Logan. Atticus is a bodyguard, and Bridget is a private eye. Bridget has a secret she hasn’t let anyone she works with know about, including Atticus, and that is that she a a “recovering junkie.” She was addicted to heroin and, like any other heroin addict, could be drawn back into the habit at any time. It’s a daily struggle. Then a friend of hers, Lisa, who she met during treatment, showed up and said that her former dealer/pimp was demanding money or he would kill her and her ten-year-old son. Bridget said she wouldn’t help Lisa kill him, which is what Lisa initially proposed, but she would help Lisa put him out of action and make him think twice about bothering Lisa and her son again. So Bridget beats the dealer up badly, and then she thinks everything is over. But two weeks later, the dealer turns up dead, and Lisa is the primary murder suspect because at least three witnesses saw her approach the dealer and shoot a gun at him. In trying to assist Lisa’s lawyer in coming up with a defense, it is necessary for Bridget to reinhabit her old world of drug addicts and dealers-a very dangerous place for her to be, not only because of the characters who are there, but also because she is always on the verge of being enticed back into the habit. This is an engrossing novel with a very strong woman who is reluctant to let anyone in to her life, but is forced to do so as things fall apart and she is in danger. This is a nail-biting story, very good.
This book is really about Atticus’ on-again off-again girl friend, Bridget Logan. Atticus is a bodyguard, and Bridget is a private eye. Bridget has a secret she hasn’t let anyone she works with know about, including Atticus, and that is that she a a “recovering junkie.” She was addicted to heroin and, like any other heroin addict, could be drawn back into the habit at any time. It’s a daily struggle. Then a friend of hers, Lisa, who she met during treatment, showed up and said that her former dealer/pimp was demanding money or he would kill her and her ten-year-old son. Bridget said she wouldn’t help Lisa kill him, which is what Lisa initially proposed, but she would help Lisa put him out of action and make him think twice about bothering Lisa and her son again. So Bridget beats the dealer up badly, and then she thinks everything is over. But two weeks later, the dealer turns up dead, and Lisa is the primary murder suspect because at least three witnesses saw her approach the dealer and shoot a gun at him. In trying to assist Lisa’s lawyer in coming up with a defense, it is necessary for Bridget to reinhabit her old world of drug addicts and dealers-a very dangerous place for her to be, not only because of the characters who are there, but also because she is always on the verge of being enticed back into the habit. This is an engrossing novel with a very strong woman who is reluctant to let anyone in to her life, but is forced to do so as things fall apart and she is in danger. This is a nail-biting story, very good.
February 25, 2012
The fourth Atticus Kodiak novel, this one offers a narrative twist: the first and final thirds are told by Kodiak’s lover, the PI Bridgett Logan. We learn that she was a junkie, and will always feel the addiction’s affects. Nevertheless, she goes undercover to help a friend, putting herself in jeopardy both from violent criminals and the lure of the drug. It is at this point that Kodiak takes over, finding Bridgett and helping her get clean. Despite a couple of credulity-straining moments (such as Logan’s being forced to wear a wire and elicit a confession from the drug kingpin), this is taut and gritty drama; amoral characters adrift in a brutal world make for much more interesting reading than supervillains (Smoker, Scent of Evil.)
August 2, 2010
A sequel to the last book but now about Bridgett Logan, a PI and former junkie who goes undercover to try and prove the innocence of a former friend in killing the man who pimped and raped her when she was 15. Now the friend is a single mom w/a son and has been clean for 10 yrs. She is trying to make something of herself w/schooling and her old pimp finds her and threatens her and her son w/violence.
Not too bad but the story bogs down too much in dwelling on Bridgett's former addiction and her psychological dependence on drugs. She solves the mystery and breaks up a drug ring in the end w/the help of Atticus Kodiak but you never really care about Bridgett that much. She is just not too likable.
Not too bad but the story bogs down too much in dwelling on Bridgett's former addiction and her psychological dependence on drugs. She solves the mystery and breaks up a drug ring in the end w/the help of Atticus Kodiak but you never really care about Bridgett that much. She is just not too likable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 1, 2012
The first part of the book was great, with it's tough-as-nails, flawed lady detective. It's the sort of character this genre needs more of, and a lot like the one found in Rucka's Stumptown. But the second part made me queasy. Bridgett went from being the protagonist to just another damsel who needed rescuing by the mostly-absent lead of the series, Atticus, who takes over on narrative duties. It not only spoiled a good thing, it seemed unnecessary.
February 7, 2017
I read this because I've enjoyed Greg Rucka's Lazarus and Queen and Country comics, and I'm glad I grabbed this book when I spotted it going secondhand. I get the impression that Atticus Kodiak has already been the subject of several earlier novels, so I'm not sure if this is the first novel that stars Bridgett Logan, or if she's a character in the Atticus novels as well, but I'm going to be picking the other novels up to see if they're as good as this one was.
October 28, 2009
Kodiak #4. This one threw me for a loop first time through as the narrative is from Bridget Logan's perspective. I wasn't ready for it and initially didn't like it. After Smoker I wanted more Kodiak and I wanted it bad. We learn a lot about Bridie here and after a second reading I found it to be one of the best in the series.
November 12, 2009
I had never read this author before but will now. A former junkie, now a PI, goes undercover to help a friend from her junkie days and ends up back on heroin as well as in life threatening danger. I didn't quite get her relationship with her boyfriend but I think he is the main character in ealier books. Her description of her cravings for heroin which she calls "Mr. Jones" are scary.
August 10, 2011
Sort of an Atticus book; roughly 2/5ths of the story is told from his perspective. The rest of it is told from the perspective of the central protagonist, Atticus's love interest from previous books, private eye Brigitte Logan. By this point, Rucka is a master at faking you out, leaving you hanging, and making you both dread and anticipate every revelation.
February 15, 2014
I tried to like this book as I went to high school with the author and, though he has penned many book, this is my first go at his writing. But the characters just never grabbed me. Exotic dancers. Recovering drug addicts. They just didn't engage my imagination. I might try another of his books. Maybe.
May 8, 2015
Great book. I loved the flawed Bridgett. Drugs are evil and so are its dealers and drug lords. We all know about drugs but this book shows the bottom of the pit of users and what addiction does to people. Really good stuff.
May 1, 2007
Greatness.
August 29, 2007
I feel like I maybe should've read the Atticus books first but it wasn't entirely necessary. I got the gist of who the characters were.
Good stuff. Rucka kicks ass.
Good stuff. Rucka kicks ass.
May 5, 2008
Fantastic. Gritty, edgy. Very realistic. Loved that mid-series he spend 1/2 of the book without the main character!
July 14, 2009
Deep. and a little disturbing.
June 28, 2010
Just as good the third time around.
August 11, 2010
Great character development. This one is not so much about Atticus but still a good read.
November 29, 2011
Why anyone would help this thoroughly unlikeable detective - and she needs help constantly - is beyond me.
April 1, 2013
Not nearly as fond of this as the actual Kodiak books. I'd be tempted to skip it on a reread
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews