What do you think?
Rate this book
Atticus Kodiak #1
Keeper
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 Kodiak, professional bodyguard, the object is to keep people alive, and there is no margin for error. Now Kodiak faces his toughest challenge: to protect a woman and her daughter from a killer with a fanatic agenda of his own....
Tense, taut, and as brutally real as this morning's headlines, Keeper marks the debut of a talented young writer of tough, unflinching prose—and the beginning of an electrifying new series.
Tense, taut, and as brutally real as this morning's headlines, Keeper marks the debut of a talented young writer of tough, unflinching prose—and the beginning of an electrifying new series.
332 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1996
18 people are currently reading
729 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
October 23, 2018
This book was not bad... I will read the Finder soon... Atticus kodiak is a cool character in these books...Greg Rucka is a good author but I wonder about his comic books are just as good as his novels...
October 14, 2017
Atticus Kodiak is a bodyguard. He comes to the hospital with his girlfriend for her to have an abortion. There are anti-abortion protesters in front and he gets hired by the doctor to protect her. The doctor has a mentally retarded teenager child and Atticus with his company spends two weeks protecting them until something actually happens. And I just told you a third of the book. That's the first major problem with it. All the descriptions are so verbose that I quickly started to ignore them wanting the story to move along.
I'll spoil the book some more. Why? Well, for plot reasons, of course. But why was she retarded? There's no reason for it apart from the juicy +10 cripple sympathy modifier from the hapless reader (which becomes a multiplier due to the mentioned spoiler event). Then the most obnoxious character in the book appears - hot female Irish PI. At the first scene she behaves like the proverbial asshole with the only thing stopping Atticus from getting into a fight with her is her being a woman. She starts to show some humanity only around the third scene and by the fourth one, well, she's hot and all, they start to get some chemistry going. But what about his girlfriend?
After this painful segment the book alternates between Atticus the bodyguard and Atticus the investigator. And that's the other major problem - the bodyguard is actually busy guarding most of the time and doesn't have time to investigate properly. So the book awkwardly changes between bodyguarding, investigating and checking in with the authorities who actually play a significant role in the book. I actually liked the authorities portrayal - they participate in all the conflicts and behave fairly realistically.
So it's rough, uneven and probably interesting only to Greg Rucka fans as an example of his early work.
I'll spoil the book some more. Why? Well, for plot reasons, of course. But why was she retarded? There's no reason for it apart from the juicy +10 cripple sympathy modifier from the hapless reader (which becomes a multiplier due to the mentioned spoiler event). Then the most obnoxious character in the book appears - hot female Irish PI. At the first scene she behaves like the proverbial asshole with the only thing stopping Atticus from getting into a fight with her is her being a woman. She starts to show some humanity only around the third scene and by the fourth one, well, she's hot and all, they start to get some chemistry going. But what about his girlfriend?
After this painful segment the book alternates between Atticus the bodyguard and Atticus the investigator. And that's the other major problem - the bodyguard is actually busy guarding most of the time and doesn't have time to investigate properly. So the book awkwardly changes between bodyguarding, investigating and checking in with the authorities who actually play a significant role in the book. I actually liked the authorities portrayal - they participate in all the conflicts and behave fairly realistically.
So it's rough, uneven and probably interesting only to Greg Rucka fans as an example of his early work.
October 17, 2020
I thought I read this years ago but perhaps I didn't. I know I read later books in the series.
It does foreshadow the main character's arc through the series. It is probably not wise for a professional bodyguard to be carrying so much rage.
It is a little sad to read this knowing its age and considering the background dispute (abortion) is still as heated as ever. I doubt that will change in my lifetime.
The narrator does a well enough job but his voice doesn't mesh with the main character's age. He sounds twice as old than I think he should.
It does foreshadow the main character's arc through the series. It is probably not wise for a professional bodyguard to be carrying so much rage.
It is a little sad to read this knowing its age and considering the background dispute (abortion) is still as heated as ever. I doubt that will change in my lifetime.
The narrator does a well enough job but his voice doesn't mesh with the main character's age. He sounds twice as old than I think he should.
July 7, 2017
Hell of a debut novel: a page turner.
This plot concerns abortion debate, mid 1990s: well portrayed.
Recommended.
This plot concerns abortion debate, mid 1990s: well portrayed.
Recommended.
July 25, 2022
Read this years ago and honestly barely recall it. I had a friend who gave me a bunch of mystery novels he enjoyed, but come to find out our taste differed. This one just didn't move me.
March 1, 2020
Using an abortion clinic as the subject to employ Atticus as a bodyguard, was a slight surprise to me. Does pull at the heartstrings, for the reader and Atticus. A nice debut thriller. 3.5 stars.
April 12, 2021
Keeper arrived in a surprise package* from some friends (one a big fan of all things Rucka). The book oozes with the dark side of the 1990s. The focus on the work of a body guard is an interesting twist on the crime thriller genre. We meet a private eye and various police contacts, but the story focuses on the protection that walks the line of the law...slipping over a time or two.
Almost forgot to add these few quotes/notes:
--"Rubin was covered in blood, all over his shirt and pants, up both arms, a vampire's ice cream sundae."
--"My coffee lasted almost an hour, and when the cup was empty I crushed it, folded it, unfolded it, tore it, and then, its entertainment value entirely exhausted, threw it out."
--The band Sisters of Mercy playing on the stereo in punk private eye Bridgett Logan's car.
*Always fun to read books that traveled through the Oakland Museum's White Elephant Sale.
Almost forgot to add these few quotes/notes:
--"Rubin was covered in blood, all over his shirt and pants, up both arms, a vampire's ice cream sundae."
--"My coffee lasted almost an hour, and when the cup was empty I crushed it, folded it, unfolded it, tore it, and then, its entertainment value entirely exhausted, threw it out."
--The band Sisters of Mercy playing on the stereo in punk private eye Bridgett Logan's car.
*Always fun to read books that traveled through the Oakland Museum's White Elephant Sale.
October 7, 2014
I am reading the work of Greg Rucka backwards, having started with his Queen and Country series, "Alpha" (the first book in his new Jad Bell series) and now back to his initial series with Atticus Kodiak in "Keeper." As I've mentioned in a previous review, the author is rapidly becoming my favorite thriller genre author, with his fast-paced and interesting plots and low amounts of graphic violence. "Keeper" is the debut of Atticus Kodiak, who is a private bodyguard, and his attempts to keep safe an abortion doctor who is the target of death threats by radical pro-life proponents. The topic is incendiary, but Rucka keeps the politicizing to a minimum and focuses instead on the difficulty of keeping someone safe when people are willing to sacrifice their lives to harm that person. (This is the Secret Service's worst nightmare, too.)
The book is not as polished as some of the author's later efforts, but all the hallmarks of his writing are there--well drawn secondary characters, terse but eloquent descriptions, interesting plot, and well-paced action. There are also deftly written scenes with the daughter of the target, who has Down's Syndrome.
All in all, Greg Rucka continues to be my favorite author in this genre, and I will certainly be reading "Finder," the next book in the series.
The book is not as polished as some of the author's later efforts, but all the hallmarks of his writing are there--well drawn secondary characters, terse but eloquent descriptions, interesting plot, and well-paced action. There are also deftly written scenes with the daughter of the target, who has Down's Syndrome.
All in all, Greg Rucka continues to be my favorite author in this genre, and I will certainly be reading "Finder," the next book in the series.
July 3, 2014
After I started reading this book, I wasn’t sure I’d finish it. The pace was slow and not much in the way of tension-producing events was happening. The main character, Atticus Kodiak, was taking his girlfriend to a clinic for an abortion and they had to run a gauntlet of anti-abortion protesters. Then he’s hired by the clinic’s director to protect her from threats.
I kept reading, however, and the story did improve, presenting a very realistic picture of what bodyguard work is all about – lots of sitting around and waiting, lots of researching threats to the person being guarded, and brief explosive moments when the bodyguards must act to protect their charge. But Rucka never really gave us a sense of what he was feeling, so I never did feel close to Atticus.
Tension also built throughout the story as danger to the person Kodiak’s team was guarding escalated.
Too much happened too fast in the last few pages then the story just stopped with too many threads dangling, leaving the ending feeling rushed and incomplete.
I won’t hunt out more books in this series, but I’ll read them if they come my way.
I kept reading, however, and the story did improve, presenting a very realistic picture of what bodyguard work is all about – lots of sitting around and waiting, lots of researching threats to the person being guarded, and brief explosive moments when the bodyguards must act to protect their charge. But Rucka never really gave us a sense of what he was feeling, so I never did feel close to Atticus.
Tension also built throughout the story as danger to the person Kodiak’s team was guarding escalated.
Too much happened too fast in the last few pages then the story just stopped with too many threads dangling, leaving the ending feeling rushed and incomplete.
I won’t hunt out more books in this series, but I’ll read them if they come my way.
September 1, 2012
As a fan of Rucka's later work, I was surprised at how good his first Kodiak novel is right out the gate. His trademarks are all there: sharp characterisation (including female characters who live and breathe!), unrelenting pace with escalating tension as the protagonist tries to juggle everything needed to keep everyone as safe as possible & a plot with something to say about the state of the world (in this case, the mid-90s attacks on abortion clinics).
If anything, it felt to me like one of the angriest of Rucka's books. It's not always comfortable to read, but it always gripping. Kodiak subsumes his ambivalent feelings about an abortion and its aftermath into protecting the doctors who make sure women do have choices, and his fury at those who kill adult women so carelessly while claiming to be "pro-life" infuses the book. As someone who remembers the clinic defence movement of the time, I could identify with that anger, and it made the book a more complex read than it could have otherwise been.
Good stuff.
If anything, it felt to me like one of the angriest of Rucka's books. It's not always comfortable to read, but it always gripping. Kodiak subsumes his ambivalent feelings about an abortion and its aftermath into protecting the doctors who make sure women do have choices, and his fury at those who kill adult women so carelessly while claiming to be "pro-life" infuses the book. As someone who remembers the clinic defence movement of the time, I could identify with that anger, and it made the book a more complex read than it could have otherwise been.
Good stuff.
July 4, 2025
El complejo oficio del guardaespaldas es el nuevo teatro a explorar por Greg Rucka, escritor veterano en la serie negra que esta vez reutiliza arquetipos bajo una prudente actualización. La camaradería del grupo que lidera Atticus Kodiak toma forma - colectiva e individual - mientras aborda un tema siempre candente, como es el del aborto y sus enconadas posiciones sociales; puede faltarle espontaneidad, pero no simpatía y el resultado - junto con entretener - llama a buscar las siguientes entregas.
September 2, 2010
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...) ;)
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...) ;)
July 21, 2014
Characters you care about, a twisted plot are the hallmark of this first in a series. I can't wait to read the next one. Hints of McDonald and Parker abound, well worth seeking out.
April 3, 2019
Within thirty or so pages of Keeper, the first thing that came out of my mouth was, "This reads like a comic book." And then I felt dumb when I later looked at the author's profile because I have read Rucka's Wonder Woman and Batwoman works years ago. Somehow, I didn't make that connection beforehand.
Aside from the protagonist being built and named like an action hero, the story beats felt close to a comic book too. Fast and brutal. In and out. Efficient. A quick establishment of our hero's abilities, sharp tongued dialogue, obvious plugs to other superheroes. Other examples that veer into spoilers.
There's nothing to doubt about the anti-abortion bullying taking place at abortion clinics—picketing, obstruction, stalking, hate mail, death threats, attempted murder, and deaths (though rarer now) are still present to this day. But it feels like Keeper borrows too much from the real-life murder of David Gunn by Christian terrorist Michael Frederick Griffin. The sentiments are overdone in that way you often see in American comic books. Rather than expressing the dangers of these events through careful pacing and character development, and perhaps providing a tone for actual awareness, it goes straight into the extremes. Even for the '90s. So most of the main conflict comes across as (unfortunate) examples of over-the-top-villainy—fake. What a missed opportunity. It doesn't feel that much rounded by the ending either.
I'd recommend Keeper to people who read comics or watch superhero films, but don't often read books. Thriller and action hero fans might get something out of it too. Thinking about it now, it really does drip with the '90s. Maybe older readers will get a nostalgia kick.
Aside from the protagonist being built and named like an action hero, the story beats felt close to a comic book too. Fast and brutal. In and out. Efficient. A quick establishment of our hero's abilities, sharp tongued dialogue, obvious plugs to other superheroes. Other examples that veer into spoilers.
There's nothing to doubt about the anti-abortion bullying taking place at abortion clinics—picketing, obstruction, stalking, hate mail, death threats, attempted murder, and deaths (though rarer now) are still present to this day. But it feels like Keeper borrows too much from the real-life murder of David Gunn by Christian terrorist Michael Frederick Griffin. The sentiments are overdone in that way you often see in American comic books. Rather than expressing the dangers of these events through careful pacing and character development, and perhaps providing a tone for actual awareness, it goes straight into the extremes. Even for the '90s. So most of the main conflict comes across as (unfortunate) examples of over-the-top-villainy—fake. What a missed opportunity. It doesn't feel that much rounded by the ending either.
I'd recommend Keeper to people who read comics or watch superhero films, but don't often read books. Thriller and action hero fans might get something out of it too. Thinking about it now, it really does drip with the '90s. Maybe older readers will get a nostalgia kick.
November 14, 2017
My first introduction to Greg Rucka was the comic series, Lazarus. It was love at first... word? He crafted wonderfully complex characters in convoluted scenarios that exist in a muddled world of grays. So I was excited to jump back in time and witness his debut title!
Conclusion: It's... not that great.
As a prospective author myself, it's oddly encouraging in a way. Even one of the best writers in the industry rose from such novice origins.
Rucka falls into many of the standard traps of new writers. His prose is appalling, his sentence structure is non-sensical at times, and his voice is practically non-existent. The main character is a thinly-veiled wish-fulfilling version of Rucka--wearing the same signature hairstyle, glasses, and ear piercings as Rucka, but standing over 6 foot tall and super buff. And, although the main conflict revolves around a complex political issue of which both sides are presented as "equally" valid, the main character constantly behaves in an out-of-line ways toward those across the aisle from him, but it is present as acceptible because he's on the "correct" side of the conflict.
With all those complaints aside, I still managed to enjoy the story. Rucka's potential shines through the numerous amateurish slipups. His characters are unique and decently defined. His forged relationships carry significant weight. The circumstances make you sweat, and the action punches you in the face. And with an open-ended conclusion allowing for him to try again, improving upon the world he built in his debut novel... I think I'll give the sequel a try.
Conclusion: It's... not that great.
As a prospective author myself, it's oddly encouraging in a way. Even one of the best writers in the industry rose from such novice origins.
Rucka falls into many of the standard traps of new writers. His prose is appalling, his sentence structure is non-sensical at times, and his voice is practically non-existent. The main character is a thinly-veiled wish-fulfilling version of Rucka--wearing the same signature hairstyle, glasses, and ear piercings as Rucka, but standing over 6 foot tall and super buff. And, although the main conflict revolves around a complex political issue of which both sides are presented as "equally" valid, the main character constantly behaves in an out-of-line ways toward those across the aisle from him, but it is present as acceptible because he's on the "correct" side of the conflict.
With all those complaints aside, I still managed to enjoy the story. Rucka's potential shines through the numerous amateurish slipups. His characters are unique and decently defined. His forged relationships carry significant weight. The circumstances make you sweat, and the action punches you in the face. And with an open-ended conclusion allowing for him to try again, improving upon the world he built in his debut novel... I think I'll give the sequel a try.
June 23, 2017
Just to be transparent, here, I should let you know I'm a huge Atticus Kodiak fan and have been for years. I've probably read this book more times than the seven listed on Goodreads, but I can't remember how many. I got a little peeved when Rucka sent Kodiak off with "Drama," moving the series into the assassin genre, but forgave him when Walking Dead came out.
This first entry in the Kodiak series is fantastic. Yes, there's a bit of political content, but Rucka gives both sides a fair hearing, even if his own views are evident. More importantly, it showcases Rucka's attention to detail, extensive research, and ability to draw complex characters with just a few strokes. The action is well-paced and, although I may not like some of the decisions Atticus makes, they remain consistent with his character.
This is a series I come back to over and over both because I like the protagonist, but also because I admire the author's craftsmanship. I do wish Rucka would give us another Kodiak story (it's been 8 years, for pete's sake!). If he's decided the character is played out, I can only hope he'll have a Thomas Perry-like epiphany and find new stories for Kodiak just as Perry did for Jane Whitefield.
This first entry in the Kodiak series is fantastic. Yes, there's a bit of political content, but Rucka gives both sides a fair hearing, even if his own views are evident. More importantly, it showcases Rucka's attention to detail, extensive research, and ability to draw complex characters with just a few strokes. The action is well-paced and, although I may not like some of the decisions Atticus makes, they remain consistent with his character.
This is a series I come back to over and over both because I like the protagonist, but also because I admire the author's craftsmanship. I do wish Rucka would give us another Kodiak story (it's been 8 years, for pete's sake!). If he's decided the character is played out, I can only hope he'll have a Thomas Perry-like epiphany and find new stories for Kodiak just as Perry did for Jane Whitefield.
January 4, 2019
I've loved Greg Rucka's work in comics for years and finally checked out his prose work. This book, especially for him being so young when writing it, is amazing. There were so many times when I was positive the book was going to head in a certain direction and Rucka veered off. The story made complete sense and even though the main character is an alpha male lead, he isn't treated as the ultra-badass ladies man. The dialogue was a little hokey but I'm trying to remember the 90s and if I talked that way. Overall, a very good debut novel.
April 5, 2023
I was really disappointed by this book. After finishing Rucka's "Queen and Country" series, I was real excited to dive into his longer Atticus Kodiak series. Only to find a melodramatic body guard plot with a sloppy mystery and too many uninteresting characters. This was a very short story that took me to long to read; just because I kept wanting to put it down and be done. I never really hit a moment when I got sucked in or intrigued enough to get lost in the story.
It wasn't terrible but it definitely did not meet my expectations.
It wasn't terrible but it definitely did not meet my expectations.
July 8, 2023
Going back to the beginning to remind myself why Rucka is one of my favorite writers. And Keeper does not disappoint. Few novelists are quite so hard on their protagonists, and fewer still make us glad we were along for the journey. It is stunning to realize that the opening paragraphs, as harrowing as they are, are essentially a high water mark in the life of Atticus Kodiak.
Hell, there's an argument to be made that Kodiak is never better than in the opening line:
"Much as I wanted to, I didn't break the guy's nose"
Hell, there's an argument to be made that Kodiak is never better than in the opening line:
"Much as I wanted to, I didn't break the guy's nose"
January 18, 2018
Knowing this is a debut novel does help me to have a better understanding of some of the plot holes I felt appeared. The story was interesting and the story had great movement, but there were many characters and several key characters were under developed. The ending was frustrating and disappointing, since I did not like the book well enough to hang around for the next book and 200 more pages. I typically like this genre, but this is one I wouldn’t be likely to recommend.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 16, 2021
This was a short late 90’s crime thriller that concentrated mainly on client protection. In this case it was for a Doctor from a support clinic dealing with abortions which prompted a big anti lobby. Not my preferred topic but it had some interesting characters and relationships with some twisted evil people spoiling the scene. I think thrillers have moved on from here with wider plot stories and intrigue.
October 23, 2017
Rucka lays out a great book with very well drawn characters and a plot that twists and turns. He's also dealing with some really important and controversial themes. I'm not sure that the ending works very well for me....it's very abrupt, and I feel like we needed a little more closure on some of the characters.
November 8, 2018
This book was written in the 90’s. It is about a bodyguard who is hired to protect a doctor who performs abortions. There is much about the abortion debate which still goes on today. I found the pace to be slow, but it has a very exciting ending.
October 22, 2019
Good story about a bodyguard hired to protect a doctor who runs a women’s clinic. It’s the first in a series. I liked it a lot. (Read it more than seventeen years ago, so don’t remember any details.)
January 26, 2022
Es uno de mis libros favoritos sin duda. Está muy bien escrito y muy bien narrado. Me gusta como están desarrollados los personajes y la historia. Es un libro que lo lees muy rápido y no te quedas trabado en un capítulo.
April 8, 2023
I enjoyed the bodyguard part of the book but was disappointed to read how the abortion issue was even years ago. Whether you are pr0 or con, it should not make it ok for the behavior that was noted in the book even though I am aware those things took place.
December 12, 2024
An intelligent thriller,
with some big food for thought,
Fast paced,
No overuse of sex, (sex for formula or just to sell books)
Tolerable and necessary machismo,
women characters that are not just damsels in distress.
with some big food for thought,
Fast paced,
No overuse of sex, (sex for formula or just to sell books)
Tolerable and necessary machismo,
women characters that are not just damsels in distress.
June 10, 2020
Characters had potential, but just didn't like them that much. Not bad, but not for me.
June 15, 2020
The first of a great series featuring Atticus Kodiak, a professional bodyguard.
May 24, 2021
That ending though?? 💔
All in all, a great start to the series. Quite the page turner and with words easy to digest. Love how the story unraveled and the dynamics between the characters.
All in all, a great start to the series. Quite the page turner and with words easy to digest. Love how the story unraveled and the dynamics between the characters.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews