Customer Reviews

Shooting at Midnight

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was recommended Rucka's book, Finder, by a friend and since then I have read everything he's written. What makes Shooting at Midnight so original is its split perspective, with half of it from the viewpoint of Bridgett Logan and the other half from bodyguard Atticus Kodiak. Rucka has a very smooth, easy style: the only other crime writer currently working who he draws comparisons with is Lawrence Block. His action scenes have a sense of danger to them that's lacking in many action-driven books and his command of dialogue is superb. Shooting at Midnight displays the maturity of one of today's most striking writers.

It seems to me that Greg Rucka has really hit his stride with this, the 4th and I think, the best so far in the Atticus Kodiak series. It's deeply moving and occasionally depressing in it's true to life issues.

The story is initially told from private investigator Bridgette Logan's viewpoint. Until now we didn't know a lot about Bridgette other than she was tattooed, body pierced and constantly ate altoids and lifesavers. Her past was filled in with a lot of detail, bringing her fully to life and promoting her to one of the main players in the series.

Bridgette is asked by a friend for protection from her abusive estranged husband. The husband is heavily into the drug business, a world in which the friend is desperate to escape. Bridgette agrees to help, but in doing so, puts herself at risk of losing herself to an addiction she had fought hard to overcome.

This is a poignantly told story that deals with the dark world of the drug addict and the drug supplier and the constant battle with addiction. This is a terrific addition to the series with the character development of Bridgette Logan a real plus.

Having been a big fan of Rucka's other books, I was eagerly anticipating the arrival of Shooting at Midnight. Fortunately, it was everything I had hoped for (and more!). This book takes a new direction by being told through the eyes of Bridgett Logan, whereas the other books were told by Atticus Kodiak. Rucka makes up for the fact that Logan was barely in Smoker by letting us know her history and how she thinks. I highly recommend this book (and all of Rucka's others, which I now plan to re-read)!

SHOOTING AT MIDNIGHT represents a rare sort of accomplishment for any writer, even one as good as Greg Rucka. For fans of his earlier novels, this is an excellent addition to his body of work while, for new readers, this fourth book makes an even better introduction to his work than his first, the exceptional KEEPER. Bridgett Logan is a surprising protagonist, and Rucka's decision to change narrators in the middle portion of the book is a gutsy gamble that pays off.

Wow. That was my reaction upon the completion of this book. I had previously read Rucka's KEEPER, FINDER and SMOKER novels, all starring his terrific bodyguard character, Atticus Kodiak (who is also a major part of this book), and knew that this book starred Atticus' previous girlfriend Bridget. What I didn't know was that within about 50 pages of the book, Rucka would cause my jaw to hit the floor in disbelief, as he takes this previously carefree character and exposes us to her true self, which can be incredibly disturbing and heart-wrenching at times. I have never seen one of the main characters of a writer arsenal go through a more difficult hell, and never has it been so well versed and attention grabbing. This is a truly spectacular book, and one that will expose those of us who are not closely familiar with the many varied hells of addition, to dealing with it head-on. Great stuff and HIGHLY recommended. Go RUCKA!

His DC comics BATMAN work is terrific as well!

This is the 4th, and clearly the best, in a series of books by Rucka surrounding a group of characters employed in the protection business. While the previous books had their moments, 'Shooting At Midnight' is a work of force. Bridget Logan takes center stage from Atticus Kodiak and goes underground in an attempt to clear a junkie friend from a murder conviction. Is she diving into the world of heroin dealing out of loyalty to a friend, or is she using it as an excuse to serve a long standing need. The pages fly by as we, the readers, race to determine the answer. Its dark and nerve racking, but worth every moment. A great read!

AS with his other Atticus Kodiak books, Rucka pulls no punches and delivers incredibly honest and fully fleshed out characters who become your closest acquaintences while you're reading. Like very few other writers, Rucka has the ability to fully engulf and pull you in his words, so much so that your arms will start itching during some of the scenes in Shooting. It's not a pleasant story by any means, but nonetheless, its a book that you can't put down. Clear your schedule when you pick this one up. Rucka's work continues to get better with each book - can't wait to read Critical Mass!

As with his previous works, Rucka once again gives us something most rare with Shooting at Midnight-quite simply, honest characters. Characters who live and die by their beliefs and the choices they make that stem from those beliefs. At the same time Rucka knows how to spin a ripping good yarn rife with action, suspense, and mystery.

Rucka understands well the idea of "character=action" so rather than parade cardboard cut-outs through a fun house of obstacles, he gives us Bridgett Logan, one of the deepest, most full realized, literary characters (male or female) to hit the mystery scene in long time. Bridie isn't perfect, and sometimes it seems like she steps wrong more than right, but she is willing to go to the wall for a friend in need-willing to risk her own life in the process. That Rucka loves his characters is obvious, but he doesn't let that love cloud the emotional honesty of the characters themselves.

Do yourself a big favor and pick this book up...now.

A master of realistic dialog, Greg Rucka's been honing his skills! Shooting at Midnight is outstanding. Familiar from Rucka's other thrillers, Keeper, Finder and Smoker, the two narrators in this book, Bridgett Logan and Atticus Kodiak, speak with assertiveness and conviction, but they're also regular people. Bridgett is hands down one of the coolest protagonists around. She's tough, intelligent, intrepid and a recovering heroin addict with commitment issues and trouble relating to her sister (a nun). A private investigator, Bridgett is resourceful, accomplished and really hard to intimidate. You've got to admire her. What makes her loveable, however, are her flaws.

Bridgett's past catches up with her when an old rehab friend (10 year old son in tow) shows up asking for help. It's all chaos from there on out with law enforcement, drug runners, private eyes, lies, secrets, a murder or two, a million dollars worth of missing heroin, etc. This is one of the best thrillers I've ever read--intelligent, complex, suspenseful, but most of all with wonderfully flawed characters who are giving their lives and work and relationships everything they've got. This is definitely Rucka's finest work to date. Can't wait for the next!

I picked this up in an Airport, having been familiar with and a fan of Rucka's comic book work (Whiteout). I read it straight through on the plane and could not put it down! It grabbed me and didn't let go. The characters were rich and detailed, the plot kept me guessing, and the overall aesthetic of the book made me a firm fan of Greg Rucka.