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Sydney Fitzpatrick #5
The Kill Order
What you don't know can kill you . . .
FBI Special Agent Sydney Fitzpatrick knows nothing about the Devil's Key, except that her father was involved in its theft twenty years ago and was murdered as a result. The Devil's Key, a list of seemingly random, supposedly indecipherable numbers, poses an immediate threat to national security—and anyone caught with this code in their possession is terminated with extreme prejudice. Sydney, unaware of the standing kill order, only just recovered the list and turned it over to her superiors—but not before making a copy.
What you do know can kill you . . .
Now the hard drive containing the list's data has been compromised and two civilians are dead. But Sydney's not the only one in danger. When a young woman with eidetic memory sees the numbers, Sydney and her partner, Zachary Griffin, must protect her—and what she knows—at all costs. For if the code falls into enemy hands, it could devastate the entire country's infrastructure—and even ignite a world war.
FBI Special Agent Sydney Fitzpatrick knows nothing about the Devil's Key, except that her father was involved in its theft twenty years ago and was murdered as a result. The Devil's Key, a list of seemingly random, supposedly indecipherable numbers, poses an immediate threat to national security—and anyone caught with this code in their possession is terminated with extreme prejudice. Sydney, unaware of the standing kill order, only just recovered the list and turned it over to her superiors—but not before making a copy.
What you do know can kill you . . .
Now the hard drive containing the list's data has been compromised and two civilians are dead. But Sydney's not the only one in danger. When a young woman with eidetic memory sees the numbers, Sydney and her partner, Zachary Griffin, must protect her—and what she knows—at all costs. For if the code falls into enemy hands, it could devastate the entire country's infrastructure—and even ignite a world war.
403 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 31, 2013
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224 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
September 6, 2016
You might say destiny brought this book and me together. I certainly didn’t discover it in the usual manner. Instead of purchasing it online, discovering it in a conference gift bag, requesting it on NetGalley, or snapping it up for free online via some form or fashion, it stared up at me from a pile of books next to the sink in the men’s bathroom in Albany, NY. Crazy, right? Well, I didn’t have to think too long and hard about it, since free books and I go about as well together as sugar and cocoa beans.
This book proved to be more thriller than suspense, and it certainly managed to hold my attention with a heroine that has a bit of a backbone and a quirky nature. Sydney Fitzpatrick may fail at relationships, but she’s not going to fail when it comes to protecting colleagues and individuals, and that’s why it was rather easy to rally behind her, even if she did make a mistake or two along the way. The world may have Armageddon on its doorstep, but she’s not about to back off. And I wasn’t about to back down from THE KILL ORDER.
It captured my attention right away, and I managed to hold on to the side of the cliff with what was left of my fingernails. Dangling on the side of a precipice, I could have used a string of random numbers and possibly a rope and a woman with more than a bit of gumption on the other end who has enough wherewithal to accept the challenge of pulling me back to safety.
Piper Lawrence proved to be an intriguing character. Saddled with eidetic memory, this allows her to remember strings of random numbers as soon as she reads them, more than a dozen license plates with effortless ease, or recite entire pages from Shakespeare after one perusal, which makes her an absolute hit at drinking parties. Even if she has few friends and even fewer people who understand her true talents, it’s hard not to soften your heart when she enters the picture and rally behind her with both hands placed firmly in front of you.
The dialogue punched and sang and clanged together effortlessly and easily; the story railed away at my senses; the characters fit together rather seamlessly. But I did find myself questioning the likelihood of the storyline, and I would have preferred more jagged edges, instead of the pieces fitting together a bit too easily.
I received this ARC for free at Bouchercon (via the men’s bathroom).
Cross-posted at Robert's Reads
This book proved to be more thriller than suspense, and it certainly managed to hold my attention with a heroine that has a bit of a backbone and a quirky nature. Sydney Fitzpatrick may fail at relationships, but she’s not going to fail when it comes to protecting colleagues and individuals, and that’s why it was rather easy to rally behind her, even if she did make a mistake or two along the way. The world may have Armageddon on its doorstep, but she’s not about to back off. And I wasn’t about to back down from THE KILL ORDER.
It captured my attention right away, and I managed to hold on to the side of the cliff with what was left of my fingernails. Dangling on the side of a precipice, I could have used a string of random numbers and possibly a rope and a woman with more than a bit of gumption on the other end who has enough wherewithal to accept the challenge of pulling me back to safety.
Piper Lawrence proved to be an intriguing character. Saddled with eidetic memory, this allows her to remember strings of random numbers as soon as she reads them, more than a dozen license plates with effortless ease, or recite entire pages from Shakespeare after one perusal, which makes her an absolute hit at drinking parties. Even if she has few friends and even fewer people who understand her true talents, it’s hard not to soften your heart when she enters the picture and rally behind her with both hands placed firmly in front of you.
The dialogue punched and sang and clanged together effortlessly and easily; the story railed away at my senses; the characters fit together rather seamlessly. But I did find myself questioning the likelihood of the storyline, and I would have preferred more jagged edges, instead of the pieces fitting together a bit too easily.
I received this ARC for free at Bouchercon (via the men’s bathroom).
Cross-posted at Robert's Reads
February 24, 2019
This is an easy-to-read book that never slows down, but what I liked best was the realistic characters. They will never make you throw your hands up in exasperation.
April 12, 2018
To be fair, this is book 5 in the Sydney Fitzpatrick series, I've only read one other before this one, that was book 2, entitled, The Bone Chamber. I've done the same with other popular series and never found myself as befuddled as I often was reading The Kill Order. Robin Burcell is a talented author, however, this was not her best.
The book was fast paced all the way through to the end, (some 400+ pages), but it lacked depth and intrigue. The Devils Key, a supposedly indecipherable list of numbers that is crucial to national security IS the "key" to the story, but isn't revealed until about 300 pages in. I'm sure the objective here was to keep the reader in suspense, hungry for the revelation. However, all that did was take the gas out of my reading experience. The main character, Piper had eiditic memory, after seeing the list she had to be eliminated, which is why Sydney had to protect her at all costs, even though she herself was in danger of being killed. (One character being hunted by a secret agency would've been sufficient.) Doubling the action line added umph to the pace, but drained character development, which for me is the most important element of a Good book.
This was a tedious read at times, but all in all it's satisfactory. It just didn't leave me wanting more.
*TIP*
I suggest reading the authors fact or fiction list in the back of the book Before beginning...it gives you some much needed insight into the importance of the Devils Key. If I had done this it would've improved my reading experience.
The book was fast paced all the way through to the end, (some 400+ pages), but it lacked depth and intrigue. The Devils Key, a supposedly indecipherable list of numbers that is crucial to national security IS the "key" to the story, but isn't revealed until about 300 pages in. I'm sure the objective here was to keep the reader in suspense, hungry for the revelation. However, all that did was take the gas out of my reading experience. The main character, Piper had eiditic memory, after seeing the list she had to be eliminated, which is why Sydney had to protect her at all costs, even though she herself was in danger of being killed. (One character being hunted by a secret agency would've been sufficient.) Doubling the action line added umph to the pace, but drained character development, which for me is the most important element of a Good book.
This was a tedious read at times, but all in all it's satisfactory. It just didn't leave me wanting more.
*TIP*
I suggest reading the authors fact or fiction list in the back of the book Before beginning...it gives you some much needed insight into the importance of the Devils Key. If I had done this it would've improved my reading experience.
October 15, 2023
So many characters, good and bad it makes for a confusing read. It's the last in a series, which I had not read and there were quite a few references to Sydney's fathers murder but not really all the details. She is an FBI agent with a new boyfriend from the "Atlas" super secret group but their cases seem to cross al lot.
Besides a number of cross country trips to quite a few states, it also involves a trip to Venice where they "know" a cop (probably from a previous book) that helps them.
It wasn't that compelling that I would go to the first book and start the series.
Besides a number of cross country trips to quite a few states, it also involves a trip to Venice where they "know" a cop (probably from a previous book) that helps them.
It wasn't that compelling that I would go to the first book and start the series.
February 15, 2024
This book was AMAZING. The entire world that Burcell built was so vivid and amazing in my mind. I enjoyed listening to Tears For Fears, The Smiths, and Joy Division when reading this book. Some of the characters were confusing at times, and it ended quickly, but this book has to be one of my top three.
April 14, 2018
Love this series. Love this author. Again this story ended abruptly which I hope means there is more to come. I like more resolution, what about Izzy & the vindication of the journalist, etc. Really love the characters: Griffin, Fritzpatrick, Tex, Donovan, Marc, Lisette, McNiel, et al
Read
May 30, 2021Very debated. I found it quite boring as a repetition of her previous books and sometimes lost track kof where we were becausue of all the jumps from one situation to the other. But at the end I thought it was good.
March 2, 2017
I probably would have liked it more if I had read the first book in the "series" beforehand. Still was a good exciting read though!
August 6, 2017
The books are getting a little tedious...
April 27, 2020
What a great finish to the series. That all the pieces come together just makes this series worth the read. I guess Mom and me will have to have another bedtime read.
February 12, 2024
Should be 3-1/2 stars
January 3, 2015
Robin Burcell's "The Kill Order" (Harper 2015) is the fifth in the FBI Special Agent Sydney Fitzpatrick series (the second series created by Burcell). Sydney becomes embroiled with a powerful computer code called the Devil's Key. It's repercussions are so extensive, it is considered a danger to national security and anyone in its possession is ordered to be killed--the Kill Order.
The problem starts when a deep-cover American agency asks Sydney to draw a profile picture of a man a twenty-year-old pickpocket (Piper) saw kill her boyfriend. Because Piper has an eidetic memory, she remembers minute details and quickly identifies the man as a powerful government official. To make things worse, Piper saw the Devil's Key and now has it stuck in her brain, which means she must be killed. Sydney, with the help of the specialized government agency, decide to unravel why the code is so lethal and hopefully in that way, save the girl's life. What they don't expect is that doing this puts all of them in mortal danger.
The characters are interesting and clever and the plot fast-moving--in fact, it never slows down. The importance of the Devil's Key is explained, but to me, not believably enough. I get that it's a backdoor into sensitive computers. What I don't get is why that isn't solvable since it is a known problem. I found myself bogged down by the plot. At times, it seemed to be going in circles albeit at full speed, as the author tried to figure out where it was really headed.
I was disappoint that Sydney's skills as a forensic artist didn't show up more in the book. I know they're spotlighted more in other volumes in the series (i.e., "Black List"), so Burcell might have wanted to broaden the foundation for the plot by delving into other areas. One other point that didn't detract from the book's score: I think this book would have been easier to understand if I'd read some of the earlier books in the series first. Characterizations were a bit sketchy and there were references to earlier cases that I assume were from prior books. I think if I'd ready the books in order, I would have felt much closer to the characters.
Overall, a great read from a talented author. I will be reading the rest of the series--starting with Book 1.
The problem starts when a deep-cover American agency asks Sydney to draw a profile picture of a man a twenty-year-old pickpocket (Piper) saw kill her boyfriend. Because Piper has an eidetic memory, she remembers minute details and quickly identifies the man as a powerful government official. To make things worse, Piper saw the Devil's Key and now has it stuck in her brain, which means she must be killed. Sydney, with the help of the specialized government agency, decide to unravel why the code is so lethal and hopefully in that way, save the girl's life. What they don't expect is that doing this puts all of them in mortal danger.
The characters are interesting and clever and the plot fast-moving--in fact, it never slows down. The importance of the Devil's Key is explained, but to me, not believably enough. I get that it's a backdoor into sensitive computers. What I don't get is why that isn't solvable since it is a known problem. I found myself bogged down by the plot. At times, it seemed to be going in circles albeit at full speed, as the author tried to figure out where it was really headed.
I was disappoint that Sydney's skills as a forensic artist didn't show up more in the book. I know they're spotlighted more in other volumes in the series (i.e., "Black List"), so Burcell might have wanted to broaden the foundation for the plot by delving into other areas. One other point that didn't detract from the book's score: I think this book would have been easier to understand if I'd read some of the earlier books in the series first. Characterizations were a bit sketchy and there were references to earlier cases that I assume were from prior books. I think if I'd ready the books in order, I would have felt much closer to the characters.
Overall, a great read from a talented author. I will be reading the rest of the series--starting with Book 1.
January 7, 2015
When I first read the blurb on Robin Burcell's "The Kill Order," it seemed like a book with lots of action and entertainment. Fortunately, my assumption was correct and this was an action packed, first rate novel.
FBI Special Agent Sydney Fitzpatrick knew her father was involved in the theft of The Devil's Key twenty years ago and murdered as a result. But she didn't know much more.
Now, she rescues a young woman named Piper who possesses an eidetic memory. She read this list of numbers at her friend's home. He purchased a number of computers on sale from the FBI and one of the computers had this code left in the hard drive. Her friend tries to figure it out.
However, his interest kicks off an alert that someone is attempting to penetrate the code and the kill order goes into effect - where anyone attempting to explore this code is killed because the Devil's Key poses a threat to national security. It permits the user to observe private communications on anyone they want. This timely topic adds to my interest in the story.
Sydney and her partner have to protect Piper and learn why the Devil's Key is so important. There is a covert government group called ATLAS and they work together with the FBI against the criminal group wanting the Key for themselves.
I enjoyed the action and the story, Piper is a unique character with her pink hair and facial rings, she is also a pickpocket. Sydney is interesting as a character and we observe her attempting to more to her life with a relationship that is in jeopardy due to her work.
FBI Special Agent Sydney Fitzpatrick knew her father was involved in the theft of The Devil's Key twenty years ago and murdered as a result. But she didn't know much more.
Now, she rescues a young woman named Piper who possesses an eidetic memory. She read this list of numbers at her friend's home. He purchased a number of computers on sale from the FBI and one of the computers had this code left in the hard drive. Her friend tries to figure it out.
However, his interest kicks off an alert that someone is attempting to penetrate the code and the kill order goes into effect - where anyone attempting to explore this code is killed because the Devil's Key poses a threat to national security. It permits the user to observe private communications on anyone they want. This timely topic adds to my interest in the story.
Sydney and her partner have to protect Piper and learn why the Devil's Key is so important. There is a covert government group called ATLAS and they work together with the FBI against the criminal group wanting the Key for themselves.
I enjoyed the action and the story, Piper is a unique character with her pink hair and facial rings, she is also a pickpocket. Sydney is interesting as a character and we observe her attempting to more to her life with a relationship that is in jeopardy due to her work.
April 14, 2014
A first rate novel that excites,amazes, and makes me want to get the previous books in the series (I know i should have read the earliest books first) A few problems though. The first is that the ending felt rushed and too clean without any consequences for the characters. Some penalties for the characters would seem more real world and less fantasy. The second is the problem I had with the last Sydney Fitzpatrick book I read is that she is a small player in the book and should be more of a feature character since its called the Sydney Fitzpatrick series. Just a thought.
December 27, 2014
This is the fifth in a series, but I felt like I picked up on and understood the characters immediately. I enjoyed how Robin took and idea she got from a news program and ran with it to create controversy, international intrigue and a government conspiracy that is very relatable to current headlines. The characters are believable as are their relationships. I enjoyed it so much I've passed it to other readers. I also had to get her previously written works in this series because I want to know these characters more. I aspire to weave a story as well.
April 6, 2015
A computer geek buys a broken computer, after he repairs it he is murdered and Piper, his girlfriend barely escapes the same fate. This is just the beginning of dangerous situations for Piper as she tries to stay alive and escape the dangerous situation in which she has become immersed.
While you can read this as a standalone novel it does refer back to things that have happened in earlier works that leave you feeling a little lost. This is a well-written, entertaining series that I hope to enjoy for a long time.
While you can read this as a standalone novel it does refer back to things that have happened in earlier works that leave you feeling a little lost. This is a well-written, entertaining series that I hope to enjoy for a long time.
November 13, 2015
Lots of cinematic action, and some appealing minor characters but no real feeling for either Sydney or Griffin. Stock characters. She's a competent FBI type but confused about her feelings for him. He's a tough-guy government agent (can't remember which agency) who's struck dumb in an emotional situation. Plot's confusing even though it's inspired by real events. Meh.
January 14, 2014
I think if I had read the previous 4 installements I would have maybe liekd this. But this is not meant as a stand-alone offering. you need to know all the backstory and the characters to be able to even understand what's going on. Otherwise you won't be able to get into it.
October 8, 2014
Did you know photocopiers keep a record of what is photocopied? Will they do and that is why people are after a discarded copy machine's mother board. The man who is fixing it for new use is murdered. Sidney get caught up in the chase to find why he is murdered. Very exciting.
December 6, 2016
Excellent story and continuation from the first book. Really glad to see Izzy and Giustino again. Extended storyline for Lisette, Marc, McNiel which was awesome. Shame about Griffin and Sydney though but at least they are re-starting as friends.
Is book six coming already? =D
Is book six coming already? =D
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 26, 2014
I enjoyed it. good pace kept me reading
December 19, 2014
Can't remember how I stumbled upon these books, but very glad I did. All of them are great. The only down side is now I have read them all, and have to wait for a new one!
October 13, 2015
Another fast ride
Edge of your seat read! Ms Burcell does it again. Relates to today's news stories and what's happening in our world.
Edge of your seat read! Ms Burcell does it again. Relates to today's news stories and what's happening in our world.
September 2, 2016
Espionage. Government secrets. Corruption. All rolled into a believable story.
December 23, 2013
unreadable
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews