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Devil's Kitchen
This tight-knit, four-person unit has worked together to save countless lives and stop out of control fires before they cause major destruction.
They've also stolen millions from banks, jewelry stores, and art galleries. Under the cover of saving the city, they've used their knowledge and specialist equipment to become the most successful heist crew on the East Coast.
Andy Nearland is the newest member of the unit, and she's helping them prepare for their largest heist yet -- New York's largest private storage facility, an expensive treasure trove for the rich and famous. She's also an undercover operative, and keeping her true motives hidden proves more and more dangerous as the day of the heist approaches.
Devil's Kitchen is a fast-paced, heart racing thriller from Candice Fox, "a bright new star in crime fiction." (James Patterson)
They've also stolen millions from banks, jewelry stores, and art galleries. Under the cover of saving the city, they've used their knowledge and specialist equipment to become the most successful heist crew on the East Coast.
Andy Nearland is the newest member of the unit, and she's helping them prepare for their largest heist yet -- New York's largest private storage facility, an expensive treasure trove for the rich and famous. She's also an undercover operative, and keeping her true motives hidden proves more and more dangerous as the day of the heist approaches.
Devil's Kitchen is a fast-paced, heart racing thriller from Candice Fox, "a bright new star in crime fiction." (James Patterson)
336 pages, Paperback
First published June 4, 2024
About the author
Candice Fox
30 books1,891 followersCandice Fox is the middle child of a large, eccentric family from Sydney's western suburbs composed of half-, adopted and pseudo siblings. The daughter of a parole officer and an enthusiastic foster-carer, Candice spent her childhood listening around corners to tales of violence, madness and evil as her father relayed his work stories to her mother and older brothers.
As a cynical and trouble-making teenager, her crime and gothic fiction writing was an escape from the calamity of her home life. She was constantly in trouble for reading Anne Rice in church and scaring her friends with tales from Australia's wealth of true crime writers.
Bankstown born and bred, she failed to conform to military life in a brief stint as an officer in the Royal Australian Navy at age eighteen. At twenty, she turned her hand to academia, and taught high school through two undergraduate and two postgraduate degrees. Candice lectures in writing at the University of Notre Dame, Sydney, while undertaking a PhD in literary censorship and terrorism.
Hades is her first novel, and she is currently working on its sequel.
As a cynical and trouble-making teenager, her crime and gothic fiction writing was an escape from the calamity of her home life. She was constantly in trouble for reading Anne Rice in church and scaring her friends with tales from Australia's wealth of true crime writers.
Bankstown born and bred, she failed to conform to military life in a brief stint as an officer in the Royal Australian Navy at age eighteen. At twenty, she turned her hand to academia, and taught high school through two undergraduate and two postgraduate degrees. Candice lectures in writing at the University of Notre Dame, Sydney, while undertaking a PhD in literary censorship and terrorism.
Hades is her first novel, and she is currently working on its sequel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 168 reviews
July 1, 2024
writing: j'adoreeeee | plot: a combo of the movies The Town and The Wrath of Man | ending: hmmmeehhh
my opinion
Candice Fox, my consistent queen, you never disappoint. You can always tell how much I liked a book by the # of highlights/notes on my Kindle; the less, the better. I only had 5 highlights/notes for this book, which might be a record. However, I'm not issuing the banger alert because I had some issues with FMCs "motivation". No spoilies, but I didn't feel like it was strong enough in this case. Also, I had some questions with another storyline that sadly went unanswered.
WARNING: YOU WILL NEED TO YEEEEEEET THAT DISBELIEF. Devil's Kitchen reads like a combination of two of my fave "heist" movies: The Town and The Wrath of Man. I love the angle of firefighters robbing hoes under the guise of a fire callout. It wasn't something I've read, or seen in a show/movie before and she clearly did her research. From the jump, the stakes are high, and I was firmly in a chokehold.
Every single character in this book could be cancelled. The banter between the firefighters is NOT from the chronically online. Very much locker-room chat. And I hate to say it, but probably realistic given the shit my two firefighter cousins used to post on FB. Each male character was clearly drawn and distinguishable; it wasn't one of those books where all the characters sound the exact same. If there's one thing Candice is gonna do, it's bring you a character that makes your skin crawl. In this case, it was Engo. He reminded me of T-Bag from Prison Break.
Was it predictable? Kinda, sorta. I don't mind if it's not the world's greatest whodunnit if the book is giving in other areas like writing, characters, pacing, entertainment, etc... which it did in this case. I am REALLY hoping this is a series. I'm not sure any series will ever top Crimson Lake, but a hoe can dream.
If you're looking for a well-written, movie-esque, heist thriller with a side of missing persons', this is the one. Just remember to suspend your disbelief.
pros & cons
pros: she never fucks around with her writing quality, fast-paced, lots of action, unique approach to the heist trope, well-researched and crafty, characters were clearly drawn (FMC was the weakest sadly), funny, a cliffhanger that makes you want more!!
cons: FMCs background was a little too vague in some regards, didn't buy the motivation for her behaviour at the end, had some qs about one of the major storylines
__
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my opinion
Candice Fox, my consistent queen, you never disappoint. You can always tell how much I liked a book by the # of highlights/notes on my Kindle; the less, the better. I only had 5 highlights/notes for this book, which might be a record. However, I'm not issuing the banger alert because I had some issues with FMCs "motivation". No spoilies, but I didn't feel like it was strong enough in this case. Also, I had some questions with another storyline that sadly went unanswered.
WARNING: YOU WILL NEED TO YEEEEEEET THAT DISBELIEF. Devil's Kitchen reads like a combination of two of my fave "heist" movies: The Town and The Wrath of Man. I love the angle of firefighters robbing hoes under the guise of a fire callout. It wasn't something I've read, or seen in a show/movie before and she clearly did her research. From the jump, the stakes are high, and I was firmly in a chokehold.
Every single character in this book could be cancelled. The banter between the firefighters is NOT from the chronically online. Very much locker-room chat. And I hate to say it, but probably realistic given the shit my two firefighter cousins used to post on FB. Each male character was clearly drawn and distinguishable; it wasn't one of those books where all the characters sound the exact same. If there's one thing Candice is gonna do, it's bring you a character that makes your skin crawl. In this case, it was Engo. He reminded me of T-Bag from Prison Break.
Was it predictable? Kinda, sorta. I don't mind if it's not the world's greatest whodunnit if the book is giving in other areas like writing, characters, pacing, entertainment, etc... which it did in this case. I am REALLY hoping this is a series. I'm not sure any series will ever top Crimson Lake, but a hoe can dream.
If you're looking for a well-written, movie-esque, heist thriller with a side of missing persons', this is the one. Just remember to suspend your disbelief.
pros & cons
pros: she never fucks around with her writing quality, fast-paced, lots of action, unique approach to the heist trope, well-researched and crafty, characters were clearly drawn (FMC was the weakest sadly), funny, a cliffhanger that makes you want more!!
cons: FMCs background was a little too vague in some regards, didn't buy the motivation for her behaviour at the end, had some qs about one of the major storylines
__
Check out my YouTube
June 2, 2024
Candice Fox has presented an extremely interesting variation on the way thrillers are set up to create one of the more interesting that I’ve read in recent times. She has turned the tables on the regard given to first responders, in this case firefighters, and set them up as the criminals in our society. Into the melee is thrown Andy Nearland, a highly adept undercover operative who inserts herself into the midst of a crew with danger everywhere as they’ll do anything to protect the scam that’s so far earned them millions.
A squad of NYC firefighters have come up with a scheme of manufacturing incidents in buildings as a way of scoping out and preparing for a heist, hitting businesses such as jewellers and the like. The team has developed a high-tech approach to their robbery technique and have been careful enough to have never come under suspicion.
One of the dirty firefighters is Ben and his partner and her son have gone missing and he suspects the other members of his team are responsible. He leaves a note on a police detective’s car explaining who he is and what he and his team have done in the hope that the investigation will find his family.
Enter Andy Nearland, a freelance investigator who works deep undercover on cases to expose crooks. She has been given a pair of responsibilities: find out what happened to Ben’s girlfriend and her son and get evidence about the activities of the crooked fire crew. It’s astounding the lengths she goes to when immersing herself in her character and it was this side of the story where things become extremely interesting.
The focus of the story sits firmly on Ben and Andy, chapters alternating from each of their viewpoints, working on the stresses and strains of two people operating under the pretence of a lie. Andy’s gathering information about the 4 men and Ben continues to carry on as if nothing has changed. All the while the possibility of discovery sits close to the surface with severe repercussions an inevitability should they’re true motives be discovered.
As the lines begin to blur between what’s real and what’s make believe between Ben and Andy the tension builds to almost unbearable levels. Candice Fox does a wonderful job of throwing in ever more difficult situations for the two main characters to deal with. This tension is justified because, right on the opening page, we witness Andy being accused of being a police informant by Matt, the crew leader. So we know they’re headed for an inevitable showdown as they prepare for the ultimate heist pay-off.
As mentioned, a particularly fascinating area of the story is the undercover work performed by Andy. We get her background to explain how she reached the point she’s now at in her career - and it’s fascinating in itself. But the craft she uses to fabricate her undercover story to ensure she remains under the radar no matter how much digging the bad guys may do is genius itself. Surely there’s certainly more mileage to be made from this type of character.
Once again Candice Fox has constructed a high octane thriller that threatens to turn incendiary at any moment. Even with a full team of firefighters on hand through every moment, it’s almost impossible to work out how things are going to turn out.
A squad of NYC firefighters have come up with a scheme of manufacturing incidents in buildings as a way of scoping out and preparing for a heist, hitting businesses such as jewellers and the like. The team has developed a high-tech approach to their robbery technique and have been careful enough to have never come under suspicion.
One of the dirty firefighters is Ben and his partner and her son have gone missing and he suspects the other members of his team are responsible. He leaves a note on a police detective’s car explaining who he is and what he and his team have done in the hope that the investigation will find his family.
Enter Andy Nearland, a freelance investigator who works deep undercover on cases to expose crooks. She has been given a pair of responsibilities: find out what happened to Ben’s girlfriend and her son and get evidence about the activities of the crooked fire crew. It’s astounding the lengths she goes to when immersing herself in her character and it was this side of the story where things become extremely interesting.
The focus of the story sits firmly on Ben and Andy, chapters alternating from each of their viewpoints, working on the stresses and strains of two people operating under the pretence of a lie. Andy’s gathering information about the 4 men and Ben continues to carry on as if nothing has changed. All the while the possibility of discovery sits close to the surface with severe repercussions an inevitability should they’re true motives be discovered.
As the lines begin to blur between what’s real and what’s make believe between Ben and Andy the tension builds to almost unbearable levels. Candice Fox does a wonderful job of throwing in ever more difficult situations for the two main characters to deal with. This tension is justified because, right on the opening page, we witness Andy being accused of being a police informant by Matt, the crew leader. So we know they’re headed for an inevitable showdown as they prepare for the ultimate heist pay-off.
As mentioned, a particularly fascinating area of the story is the undercover work performed by Andy. We get her background to explain how she reached the point she’s now at in her career - and it’s fascinating in itself. But the craft she uses to fabricate her undercover story to ensure she remains under the radar no matter how much digging the bad guys may do is genius itself. Surely there’s certainly more mileage to be made from this type of character.
Once again Candice Fox has constructed a high octane thriller that threatens to turn incendiary at any moment. Even with a full team of firefighters on hand through every moment, it’s almost impossible to work out how things are going to turn out.
April 6, 2024
I honestly don’t know how Candice Fox does it every time It is no secret that she is my favourite Australian female author. How could you not be a fan when she constantly delivers books like this. Fast paced, intense, emotional books that entertain but also make you think. Just brilliant!!
Devils Kitchen sees us in New York following a team of fire fighters. They are risking their lives every day to protect the community. We hold our first responders in our hearts, it takes a special kind of person to do what they do. But this group of firefighters are using the fires to cover up their side hustle - burglaries. Who would suspect these pillars of the city are running a spate of heists across the city.
While all of this is happening, one of the men is searching for his missing girlfriend and her son. They just disappear without a trace. Ben goes to the police, believing maybe one of his team is behind it. Enter Andy, a freelance investigator who goes undercover with the men.
Now, this is a book that you want to make sure that you don’t need to be anywhere or do anything. When I was not engrossed in the pages, I was thinking about it and counting down until I could pick it up again. The storyline and the characters are so vivid you feel as if you are reading along on the truck. Are they good guys? Not all the time, but you do start to feel sorry for some of what they are going through.
Long story short, up you just have to read this book. No questions.. just do it.
Devils Kitchen sees us in New York following a team of fire fighters. They are risking their lives every day to protect the community. We hold our first responders in our hearts, it takes a special kind of person to do what they do. But this group of firefighters are using the fires to cover up their side hustle - burglaries. Who would suspect these pillars of the city are running a spate of heists across the city.
While all of this is happening, one of the men is searching for his missing girlfriend and her son. They just disappear without a trace. Ben goes to the police, believing maybe one of his team is behind it. Enter Andy, a freelance investigator who goes undercover with the men.
Now, this is a book that you want to make sure that you don’t need to be anywhere or do anything. When I was not engrossed in the pages, I was thinking about it and counting down until I could pick it up again. The storyline and the characters are so vivid you feel as if you are reading along on the truck. Are they good guys? Not all the time, but you do start to feel sorry for some of what they are going through.
Long story short, up you just have to read this book. No questions.. just do it.
July 21, 2024
Candice Fox is another auto buy author for me & this was something else.
A close group of firefighters who have worked together years, led by a 9/11 firefighting hero, are not just first responders but long term skilled thieves.
One of the group member's partner and her child are missing and he suspects his "brothers" may be involved. An undercover investigator joins the crew to look into the heists and try to find the woman and child.
Fast paced, mysterious, original and really just edge of your seat stuff - this is packed with drama and action.
Candice Fox's writing always keeps me engaged and I highly recommend checking her out.
Publication date: OUT NOW, I'm late!
⚠️ Please check TWs online ⚠️
Thanks to the author, publisher and netgalley for my eARC in exchange for my honest review.
A close group of firefighters who have worked together years, led by a 9/11 firefighting hero, are not just first responders but long term skilled thieves.
One of the group member's partner and her child are missing and he suspects his "brothers" may be involved. An undercover investigator joins the crew to look into the heists and try to find the woman and child.
Fast paced, mysterious, original and really just edge of your seat stuff - this is packed with drama and action.
Candice Fox's writing always keeps me engaged and I highly recommend checking her out.
Publication date: OUT NOW, I'm late!
⚠️ Please check TWs online ⚠️
Thanks to the author, publisher and netgalley for my eARC in exchange for my honest review.
June 5, 2024
Candice Fox is one of my favourite thriller writers. She wrote a couple of series set in her Australian homeland, and the Crimson Lake trilogy was my all-time best-loved series. I watched the adaptation of Troppo to see how its two leading and unique characters were portrayed.
She then moved the location of her mysteries to the United States with some stand-alone thrillers. They were all well-plotted and exciting, and I liked her previous book, Fire With Fire, the most with an American setting.
When I learned a new book, The Devil's Kitchen, was being released, I knew I had to purchase it on publication day. Unfortunately, I failed to become engaged by its characters and storyline. The plot centres around a division of NYC's five-man firefighting crew, Ladder 51. They are renowned as heroes for bravely rescuing countless people from burning buildings and extinguishing the fires. Following the death of one of their members, their number has been reduced to four. They have been setting some of the fires as a diversion while they rob nearby jewellery stores, museums, art galleries, and banks.
These firefighting burglars consist of Matt, the harsh leader of the group, who instills fear into the other members. He has a heroic status. He was the only survivor of his crew on 9/11. He refuses to talk about it. There is the rude Engo, whom Matt considers will be his replacement when he retires. Jake is a young, enthusiastic newbie who is ignored when not being mistreated by Matt. Ben comes across as a criminal who wants to be good. His girlfriend and son have gone missing, and Ben fears they may have been killed. He suspects that a member of his group of firefighters may have abducted them. He has failed to get the local police to take his concerns seriously.
He contacts a brave freelance undercover operator, Andy (Andrea) Nearland. She is a master of disguise, highly competent, and skilled in the abilities needed to infiltrate the group secretly. She becomes firefighter number five in the Ladder 51 team. She tells Ben that she will try to find out what happened to his girlfriend and child, but her primary goal is to bring the burglars to justice. The team is planning their biggest heist yet. They plan to steal the treasures in New York's largest private storage facility, a treasure trove of the rich and famous and worth millions.
Although the characters indulge in criminal acts, their personalities are so well-developed that the reader can't help feeling sympathy for some. A few times, the characters are referred to by only their first name and, at other times, their last, so one must remain alert to avoid confusion. The story becomes intense, and I worry about the outcome, leading to danger and death for some.
This fall, Candice Fox's new book, High Wire, will be released. It is a thriller set in the Australian Outback, and I am waiting impatiently to read it.
She then moved the location of her mysteries to the United States with some stand-alone thrillers. They were all well-plotted and exciting, and I liked her previous book, Fire With Fire, the most with an American setting.
When I learned a new book, The Devil's Kitchen, was being released, I knew I had to purchase it on publication day. Unfortunately, I failed to become engaged by its characters and storyline. The plot centres around a division of NYC's five-man firefighting crew, Ladder 51. They are renowned as heroes for bravely rescuing countless people from burning buildings and extinguishing the fires. Following the death of one of their members, their number has been reduced to four. They have been setting some of the fires as a diversion while they rob nearby jewellery stores, museums, art galleries, and banks.
These firefighting burglars consist of Matt, the harsh leader of the group, who instills fear into the other members. He has a heroic status. He was the only survivor of his crew on 9/11. He refuses to talk about it. There is the rude Engo, whom Matt considers will be his replacement when he retires. Jake is a young, enthusiastic newbie who is ignored when not being mistreated by Matt. Ben comes across as a criminal who wants to be good. His girlfriend and son have gone missing, and Ben fears they may have been killed. He suspects that a member of his group of firefighters may have abducted them. He has failed to get the local police to take his concerns seriously.
He contacts a brave freelance undercover operator, Andy (Andrea) Nearland. She is a master of disguise, highly competent, and skilled in the abilities needed to infiltrate the group secretly. She becomes firefighter number five in the Ladder 51 team. She tells Ben that she will try to find out what happened to his girlfriend and child, but her primary goal is to bring the burglars to justice. The team is planning their biggest heist yet. They plan to steal the treasures in New York's largest private storage facility, a treasure trove of the rich and famous and worth millions.
Although the characters indulge in criminal acts, their personalities are so well-developed that the reader can't help feeling sympathy for some. A few times, the characters are referred to by only their first name and, at other times, their last, so one must remain alert to avoid confusion. The story becomes intense, and I worry about the outcome, leading to danger and death for some.
This fall, Candice Fox's new book, High Wire, will be released. It is a thriller set in the Australian Outback, and I am waiting impatiently to read it.
June 28, 2024
Devil’s Kitchen (audio)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Oooooh!
There are plenty of books about dirty cops but this was an amazing story of dangerous crooked firefighters. Add in a badass female undercover investigator… this was sooo good!
4 firefighters have a little heist side hustle. They have the cover of their respectable profession and on-the-job hazards that provide the perfect distractions. Their next big payout is at risk once Andy joins the crew. She is working undercover to provide evidence of their crimes and to find the missing girlfriend and child of one of the firefighters.
This was a raw and rough edge-of-your-seat thrill ride. The crew had mouths of sailors and sexist pigs. The characters were unique and well written. I enjoyed this from beginning to end.
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this audio ARC.
Pub Date Jun 04 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Oooooh!
There are plenty of books about dirty cops but this was an amazing story of dangerous crooked firefighters. Add in a badass female undercover investigator… this was sooo good!
4 firefighters have a little heist side hustle. They have the cover of their respectable profession and on-the-job hazards that provide the perfect distractions. Their next big payout is at risk once Andy joins the crew. She is working undercover to provide evidence of their crimes and to find the missing girlfriend and child of one of the firefighters.
This was a raw and rough edge-of-your-seat thrill ride. The crew had mouths of sailors and sexist pigs. The characters were unique and well written. I enjoyed this from beginning to end.
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this audio ARC.
Pub Date Jun 04 2024
May 12, 2024
3.5 stars - I felt like it started out so well but then the pace slowed right down and I was struggling to stay interested. I wasn’t surprised with the ending and am not sure if I’ve missed something - as so many have raved about this book. I liked the main character - love a strong female lead.. but the rest weren’t likable at all:
April 9, 2024
I was so excited to receive this beauty last week that I promptly dropped everything to read it immediately. Candice Fox is one of those authors I just know will deliver an amazing reading experience, and Devil’s Kitchen did not disappoint! An absolute cracker from one of my favourite Australian crime/thriller writers.
We are whisked away to the fearless world of the brave firefighting crew of Engine 99 based out of New York. The crew have a complicated comradeship that gave me equally complicated thoughts, yet utterly invested in all their journeys. The shady side of the crew is their side hustling of jewellery heists under the cover of their knowledge of maps of the city and buildings and guise of random fires.
Enter badass Andy - Andrea Nearland, an undercover operative sent in to uncover the truth of the crew and their crimes and also the disappearance of one of the crews girlfriend and young son -also the only female on an all male team.
This book gave me Point Break vibes - maybe it was the closeness of the crew, or their criminal side under the guise of heroes, or just that I could see Keanu Reeves playing Ben - what ever it was, it worked so damn well! The plotting is off the charts amazeballs! Creative, well developed characters paired with high stake circumstances and we have another indisputable winner 🔥 This NEEDS to be made into a movie! ☄️
Out now. Seriously, go get yourself a copy and you can thank me later 😉
Many thanks to the wonderful team @penguinbooksaus for sending this stunner my way 💌 I paired it up with the audio thanks to @libby which was equally fantastic 🎧
We are whisked away to the fearless world of the brave firefighting crew of Engine 99 based out of New York. The crew have a complicated comradeship that gave me equally complicated thoughts, yet utterly invested in all their journeys. The shady side of the crew is their side hustling of jewellery heists under the cover of their knowledge of maps of the city and buildings and guise of random fires.
Enter badass Andy - Andrea Nearland, an undercover operative sent in to uncover the truth of the crew and their crimes and also the disappearance of one of the crews girlfriend and young son -also the only female on an all male team.
This book gave me Point Break vibes - maybe it was the closeness of the crew, or their criminal side under the guise of heroes, or just that I could see Keanu Reeves playing Ben - what ever it was, it worked so damn well! The plotting is off the charts amazeballs! Creative, well developed characters paired with high stake circumstances and we have another indisputable winner 🔥 This NEEDS to be made into a movie! ☄️
Out now. Seriously, go get yourself a copy and you can thank me later 😉
Many thanks to the wonderful team @penguinbooksaus for sending this stunner my way 💌 I paired it up with the audio thanks to @libby which was equally fantastic 🎧
April 1, 2024
3.5 rounded up
I’m not quite sure how I feel about this one. As always, I enjoyed the author’s writing style. But, the pacing was slow and I struggled somewhat to maintain interest. The conclusion felt predictable in that it was obvious who the culprit was and things ended a little too ‘neatly’. I enjoyed the character of ‘Andy’ as she was a real enigma. I kept waiting to find out more about her, but it never really happened. I would be interested if this were to continue as a series with her as the main character.
I’m not quite sure how I feel about this one. As always, I enjoyed the author’s writing style. But, the pacing was slow and I struggled somewhat to maintain interest. The conclusion felt predictable in that it was obvious who the culprit was and things ended a little too ‘neatly’. I enjoyed the character of ‘Andy’ as she was a real enigma. I kept waiting to find out more about her, but it never really happened. I would be interested if this were to continue as a series with her as the main character.
June 30, 2024
Fox spectacularly drops the ball with this one, which is a shame because normally I am a huge fan of her work. This was a difficult read, with overbearing, morally corrupt characters, who have never heard a dick joke they didn't like. Everyone comes across as shouty, about as subtle as a sledgehammer and generally unlikable- and that's just the good guys, who are really the bad guys, or whatever. Even though Fox goes to great pains to give her reprobate characters their obligatory 'tragic backstories', I still failed to give two hoots about any of them. Fox's plotting was all over the shop, from beginning to end, I can't really tell you what happens or why for that matter. The climax was an incredible let down, which gives the reader no satisfying pay off at all. I still cannot fathom why Fox thought that, firefighters using their good standing and specialized equipment to start fires so they could commit robberies, was a good idea? What the actual hell? I can't recommend this book at all, though I see that Fox has another book in the offing to be published later this year. Can she redeem herself, get her groove back and give us her trademark suspense, action and superb plotting to which we have become accustomed? I certainly hope she can do better next time, as 'Devil's Kitchen' was an overcooked and near unreadable mess.
February 25, 2024
YASS QUEEN!!
This was everything I hope for and expect from a Candice Fox, I read the whole fiery thing (pun absolutely intended!!) in ONE day!!!
The action, the pacing, heroes skirting the grey areas of morality - from the questionable to the downright evil, characters you’re supposed to hate but feel sorry for, characters you’re supposed to feel sorry for but are horrible, gah!
It was sooo good!
Fox’s last one didn’t do it for me, I couldn’t gel with the characters or the story, I even ruminated on the idea that her books can be a little hit and miss for me, we go up and down like a yo-yo, but I keep reading her books and let me tell you, Devil’s Kitchen is ALL HIT BABY!!!
This was everything I hope for and expect from a Candice Fox, I read the whole fiery thing (pun absolutely intended!!) in ONE day!!!
The action, the pacing, heroes skirting the grey areas of morality - from the questionable to the downright evil, characters you’re supposed to hate but feel sorry for, characters you’re supposed to feel sorry for but are horrible, gah!
It was sooo good!
Fox’s last one didn’t do it for me, I couldn’t gel with the characters or the story, I even ruminated on the idea that her books can be a little hit and miss for me, we go up and down like a yo-yo, but I keep reading her books and let me tell you, Devil’s Kitchen is ALL HIT BABY!!!
Read
July 7, 2024Fast paced, intense, and emotional. Make sure you have time when you start this because I couldn't put it down. Candice Fox created a unique plot for a thriller, as well as two mysteries to solve. This was a giveaway book I won, so thank you, thank you.
March 22, 2024
Candice Fox returns with another incendiary, page turning stand alone thriller with a killer hook and great central characters in Devil’s Kitchen. Staying in America, where she has set her last few books, Devil’s Kitchen focusses on a crew of firefighters who manage to use their position and their skills to carry out heists across the city.
Devil’s Kitchen starts with an unnecessary cold open in which Andy (Andrea) is being accused of being a police informant and Ben is being accused of helping her. Fox then drops back to the beginning of the story in which Ben is part of a crew of firefighters who use fires that they start to cover preparations for audacious heists. But Ben’s girlfriend and son have disappeared and he suspects his fellow cremates so he has dropped a letter to the police. Enter Andy, a freelance investigator whose skill set involves going deep undercover to help the FBI solve crimes. Andy is keen to help Ben solve the mystery of his missing girlfriend but her handler Tony is much more interested in putting the crew away for the robberies. Tony also holds a torch for Andy which complicates their relationship.
The story revolves around Ben and Andy. Fox skilfully ramps up the tension while focussing on the tenuous relationship that starts to form between the two outside of the one they are pretending to have. Part of that tension is knowing that at some point that first scene will play out and Andy and Ben will be discovered. At the same time, Fox digs into Andy’s past to reveal how she became who she was and the dangerous relationship she has developed with Tony. All of which builds to a satisfyingly explosive ending (these are firefighters after all).
Devil’s Kitchen is Candice Fox staying at the top of her game. It is an effortless thriller in which tension builds and releases in a way that almost demands that the pages keep turning.
Devil’s Kitchen starts with an unnecessary cold open in which Andy (Andrea) is being accused of being a police informant and Ben is being accused of helping her. Fox then drops back to the beginning of the story in which Ben is part of a crew of firefighters who use fires that they start to cover preparations for audacious heists. But Ben’s girlfriend and son have disappeared and he suspects his fellow cremates so he has dropped a letter to the police. Enter Andy, a freelance investigator whose skill set involves going deep undercover to help the FBI solve crimes. Andy is keen to help Ben solve the mystery of his missing girlfriend but her handler Tony is much more interested in putting the crew away for the robberies. Tony also holds a torch for Andy which complicates their relationship.
The story revolves around Ben and Andy. Fox skilfully ramps up the tension while focussing on the tenuous relationship that starts to form between the two outside of the one they are pretending to have. Part of that tension is knowing that at some point that first scene will play out and Andy and Ben will be discovered. At the same time, Fox digs into Andy’s past to reveal how she became who she was and the dangerous relationship she has developed with Tony. All of which builds to a satisfyingly explosive ending (these are firefighters after all).
Devil’s Kitchen is Candice Fox staying at the top of her game. It is an effortless thriller in which tension builds and releases in a way that almost demands that the pages keep turning.
June 1, 2024
This story focuses on a small fire fighter unit with a big secret. They use their job to steal from others, even if it means burning buildings down along the way. When one of its members decides to give up on this lifestyle, in search of his missing girlfriend and her child, all hell breaks loose.
This book had quite an engaging beginning, but did lose some momentum along the way. I would’ve liked to have seen it continue the pace and not slow down so much, but it was still an enjoyable read.
The narrator was also engaging and brought life to the book.
Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and MacMillan Audio for this Arc in exchange for an honest review.
This book had quite an engaging beginning, but did lose some momentum along the way. I would’ve liked to have seen it continue the pace and not slow down so much, but it was still an enjoyable read.
The narrator was also engaging and brought life to the book.
Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and MacMillan Audio for this Arc in exchange for an honest review.
June 7, 2024
This was my first book by Candice Fox, and I loved it! It was such a unique plot, and the delivery was *chef's kiss*! This book was so entertaining and had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. I enjoyed how unique it was, and the author's suspense building had me engrossed and needing to know what was going to happen. The characters were so true to NY. Being a NJ native, I enjoyed how authentic the characters and their dialogue was to the setting of the book. The characters were so well-developed and the plot was fleshed out perfectly. The tension built up right up until the very end. I loved everything about this book. Candice Fox has herself a new fan!
The narrator, Kirsten Potter, was so good! She was engaging and used the right intonations at the right times. She made the suspense building even more intense as I was listening.
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.
The narrator, Kirsten Potter, was so good! She was engaging and used the right intonations at the right times. She made the suspense building even more intense as I was listening.
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.
June 2, 2024
Great thriller. I also really liked the ending as realistic for not everyone to live
June 4, 2024
******Happy Publishing Day!!!!********
There are so many things to say about this book. There are so many things going on, so many different characters, and at the end of the book, I honestly don't know if I could or would root for any one of them.
Going into this book I did not know that this was a book about firefighters as well as corruption and a missing person story. Throughout the book I honestly did not know who I could trust, who was a "good guy" and who was the most devious of them all.
This book gets 4.5 stars from me. I really enjoyed the ride of the story, getting to know the characters, and trying to find out what really happened in the end. The only reason it isn't getting the full 5 stars, is there were a couple places in the book where I felt like there was just too much of everything, but also not enough. I am sure that doesn't really make sense.
If you enjoy a little bit of corruption, greed, intrigue, calamity, and firefighters, this is the book for you!
I am thankful for the privilege I had to read this book, so I want to thank #Netgalley and #Macmillan Audio for the advanced copy of this audiobook. My opinions are all my own.
There are so many things to say about this book. There are so many things going on, so many different characters, and at the end of the book, I honestly don't know if I could or would root for any one of them.
Going into this book I did not know that this was a book about firefighters as well as corruption and a missing person story. Throughout the book I honestly did not know who I could trust, who was a "good guy" and who was the most devious of them all.
This book gets 4.5 stars from me. I really enjoyed the ride of the story, getting to know the characters, and trying to find out what really happened in the end. The only reason it isn't getting the full 5 stars, is there were a couple places in the book where I felt like there was just too much of everything, but also not enough. I am sure that doesn't really make sense.
If you enjoy a little bit of corruption, greed, intrigue, calamity, and firefighters, this is the book for you!
I am thankful for the privilege I had to read this book, so I want to thank #Netgalley and #Macmillan Audio for the advanced copy of this audiobook. My opinions are all my own.
July 7, 2024
First time trader of Candice Fox and it got me. Loved it. Not the predictable outcome and while I do love a happily ever after this was not the outcome but I’m here for it!
May 6, 2024
3.5⭐️ rounded up to 4 ⭐️
I loved Candice Fox ‘Crimson Lake’ series so was looking forward to reading her new book.
Her attention to detail and investigative work on her books is excellent, almost Karin Slaughter like.
This book was probably a bit too long but very good nonetheless. I enjoyed both main characters, Ben and Andy as they were both flawed. Andy was essentially a troubled but good person (most of the time). Ben’s troubled youth saw him grapple with doing the right thing but unavoidably getting tangled in theft and murder. Despite this I felt he was deep down a decent kind of person who fell into the wrong crowd. I guess we were supposed to hate Matt and Engo and the author did a good job of convincing us of this. I felt for Jake as he was under immense pressure and bullying from Matt and Engo throughout, as was Ben.
The plot was interesting albeit dragging in places. Despite it being a long book the end felt a little rushed and confusing in parts. I had to re-read some parts twice to put the pieces together.
The ending was open for Andy to return in perhaps another story.
A good read.
I loved Candice Fox ‘Crimson Lake’ series so was looking forward to reading her new book.
Her attention to detail and investigative work on her books is excellent, almost Karin Slaughter like.
This book was probably a bit too long but very good nonetheless. I enjoyed both main characters, Ben and Andy as they were both flawed. Andy was essentially a troubled but good person (most of the time). Ben’s troubled youth saw him grapple with doing the right thing but unavoidably getting tangled in theft and murder. Despite this I felt he was deep down a decent kind of person who fell into the wrong crowd. I guess we were supposed to hate Matt and Engo and the author did a good job of convincing us of this. I felt for Jake as he was under immense pressure and bullying from Matt and Engo throughout, as was Ben.
The plot was interesting albeit dragging in places. Despite it being a long book the end felt a little rushed and confusing in parts. I had to re-read some parts twice to put the pieces together.
The ending was open for Andy to return in perhaps another story.
A good read.
May 4, 2024
2.5 I honestly don’t know why but I was just not invested in the slightest.
June 29, 2024
For her latest novel, DEVIL’S KITCHEN, Australian thriller/crime writer Candice Fox spent time interviewing firefighting crews in both New York as well as Sydney. She also spent time with those who were present during 9/11. The resulting novel shows an intimate knowledge of the inner working of fire departments and her coverage of NYC is so spot on it is difficult to realize she lives Down Under.
While firefighting may be the domain and setting for this novel, the story is a thriller for completely different reasons. It deals with a situation involving a deep cover agent who is assigned to a fire department that is suspected of a long-running crime spree that has also caused the murder of a police officer. Andrea ‘Andy’ Nearland is the newest member of Engine 99 and so deep inside a highly volatile and dangerous situation it will call to mind films like “Donnie Brasco” and “Goodfellas”, which each provided heavy thrills based on the lead characters that are risking their lives around people who will kill them without thinking twice should they be outed.
This is why the first scene in DEVIL’S KITCHN is so effective. It shows Andy tied up with tape over her mouth being grilled by other members of her fire fighting squad as she attempts to beg for her life. We then jump three months prior to the start of the story, knowing that that early scene will eventually take place. Andy begins her cover operation by singling out Ben Haig from the department at a bar. When she goes back to his place, she reveals that she is there on an operation and needs his help. Yes, he will definitely face some jail time for his participation in their criminal endeavors, but the reason why he was her ‘in’ is because he has desperately been searching for his girlfriend Luna and her young son Gabe, who disappeared months earlier. Ben feels members of his own squad may have had a hand in that disappearance and he trusts Andy when she tells him that she is there to not only bring everyone to justice for their crimes but to also find the missing people.
The other members of the squad is the leader Matt, veteran Engo, and their young apprentice Jake. Andy has a fake employment jacket indicating she is a transfer from a bad situation in San Diego. Matt reluctantly lets her in, but only if she does not get romantically involved with team member Ben. The team all buys that he had a one-night stand with her after the meeting at the bar. The chapters are told from the varying perspectives of both Andy and Ben.
Andy has a handler on this assignment, but pretty much operates as a lone wolf and is more of an independent contractor than a member of the CIA or other agency. There are plenty of intensely written scenes, like a party at Matt’s Long Island house where the team, minus Andy who was spending time with Matt’s wife, plan out their final and biggest heist yet. Ben is a pivotal character in this story because of how torn he is and not knowing who he can trust. Even so, he plays along with his part on the upcoming heist knowing that Andy will stop it and hopefully locate Luna and Gabriel for him.
Matt is a real psycho of a character with a huge chip on his shoulder about his role on 9/11. Engo is a misogynistic type claiming to have mastery of karate, and young Jake has both substance abuse and gambling issues that makes him eager for the next big score. Knowing that three months into this cover job, Andy and Ben will be under fire as seen in the first chapter makes for a very unsettling read as you quietly await the moment when things go badly wrong. DEVIL’S KITCHEN delivers on this premise and provides unique characters like Andy Nearland that keep you guessing about their motivations right up until the fiery ending.
Reviewed by Ray Palen for Book Reporter
While firefighting may be the domain and setting for this novel, the story is a thriller for completely different reasons. It deals with a situation involving a deep cover agent who is assigned to a fire department that is suspected of a long-running crime spree that has also caused the murder of a police officer. Andrea ‘Andy’ Nearland is the newest member of Engine 99 and so deep inside a highly volatile and dangerous situation it will call to mind films like “Donnie Brasco” and “Goodfellas”, which each provided heavy thrills based on the lead characters that are risking their lives around people who will kill them without thinking twice should they be outed.
This is why the first scene in DEVIL’S KITCHN is so effective. It shows Andy tied up with tape over her mouth being grilled by other members of her fire fighting squad as she attempts to beg for her life. We then jump three months prior to the start of the story, knowing that that early scene will eventually take place. Andy begins her cover operation by singling out Ben Haig from the department at a bar. When she goes back to his place, she reveals that she is there on an operation and needs his help. Yes, he will definitely face some jail time for his participation in their criminal endeavors, but the reason why he was her ‘in’ is because he has desperately been searching for his girlfriend Luna and her young son Gabe, who disappeared months earlier. Ben feels members of his own squad may have had a hand in that disappearance and he trusts Andy when she tells him that she is there to not only bring everyone to justice for their crimes but to also find the missing people.
The other members of the squad is the leader Matt, veteran Engo, and their young apprentice Jake. Andy has a fake employment jacket indicating she is a transfer from a bad situation in San Diego. Matt reluctantly lets her in, but only if she does not get romantically involved with team member Ben. The team all buys that he had a one-night stand with her after the meeting at the bar. The chapters are told from the varying perspectives of both Andy and Ben.
Andy has a handler on this assignment, but pretty much operates as a lone wolf and is more of an independent contractor than a member of the CIA or other agency. There are plenty of intensely written scenes, like a party at Matt’s Long Island house where the team, minus Andy who was spending time with Matt’s wife, plan out their final and biggest heist yet. Ben is a pivotal character in this story because of how torn he is and not knowing who he can trust. Even so, he plays along with his part on the upcoming heist knowing that Andy will stop it and hopefully locate Luna and Gabriel for him.
Matt is a real psycho of a character with a huge chip on his shoulder about his role on 9/11. Engo is a misogynistic type claiming to have mastery of karate, and young Jake has both substance abuse and gambling issues that makes him eager for the next big score. Knowing that three months into this cover job, Andy and Ben will be under fire as seen in the first chapter makes for a very unsettling read as you quietly await the moment when things go badly wrong. DEVIL’S KITCHEN delivers on this premise and provides unique characters like Andy Nearland that keep you guessing about their motivations right up until the fiery ending.
Reviewed by Ray Palen for Book Reporter
June 17, 2024
Well this was an interesting read.
A group of firefighters in New York are literally playing with fire, as they deliberately set and put out fires all over the city while at the same time robbing and looting the areas they target, creating a supervillain-esque plot that seems almost too crazy to work, and yet it does.
The star of the book is Andy, an undercover undercover agent who works as a freelance investigator, but which goes so much further than just typical FBI shtick. She forges entire lives and relationships, lying about her identity, her background, her accent, her appearance, her training, all in order to infiltrate this group of criminal fire fighters, and though her character may seem a little too ingenious, she does manage to have enough flaws and problems to make her more realistic.
I was curious to see if Candice Fox, Australian author, would write with either American English or Australian English, and unsurprisingly, it was mostly all American. As a linguist I always wonder what leads to choosing certain dialects versus others, and, despite a few instances of very non-American usages(like the spelling for oesophagus), it reads very American.
The problems that I have with the novel happens to be one of the big baddies in the story, and his motivations for being a criminal. Matt, the squad leader of the criminal fire fighter empire, is a rugged, ruthless, and doggedly stubborn individual, who not only gets what he wants, but does everything his way. He's also a 9/11 first responder. This is a major character development in his touchiness regarding the subject of 9/11, but, personally, I'm kind of taken off guard to believe that such a horrifically traumatic experience didn't put him into a different and less virulent mindset, but I suppose it's just something I can look past to some degree.
An interesting crime thriller.
A group of firefighters in New York are literally playing with fire, as they deliberately set and put out fires all over the city while at the same time robbing and looting the areas they target, creating a supervillain-esque plot that seems almost too crazy to work, and yet it does.
The star of the book is Andy, an undercover undercover agent who works as a freelance investigator, but which goes so much further than just typical FBI shtick. She forges entire lives and relationships, lying about her identity, her background, her accent, her appearance, her training, all in order to infiltrate this group of criminal fire fighters, and though her character may seem a little too ingenious, she does manage to have enough flaws and problems to make her more realistic.
I was curious to see if Candice Fox, Australian author, would write with either American English or Australian English, and unsurprisingly, it was mostly all American. As a linguist I always wonder what leads to choosing certain dialects versus others, and, despite a few instances of very non-American usages(like the spelling for oesophagus), it reads very American.
The problems that I have with the novel happens to be one of the big baddies in the story, and his motivations for being a criminal. Matt, the squad leader of the criminal fire fighter empire, is a rugged, ruthless, and doggedly stubborn individual, who not only gets what he wants, but does everything his way. He's also a 9/11 first responder. This is a major character development in his touchiness regarding the subject of 9/11, but, personally, I'm kind of taken off guard to believe that such a horrifically traumatic experience didn't put him into a different and less virulent mindset, but I suppose it's just something I can look past to some degree.
An interesting crime thriller.
June 13, 2024
Chapters are titled with whose perspective it is from which keeps everything organized. Flashbacks were in italics so you didn’t lose what time you were in. The way Candice writes flows so nicely and easy to read. This was a story like no other I’ve read, the storyline really captured my attention. Undercover operations always get my heart racing because I am just always so nervous about it, tv shows, movies and books alike. The last few chapters where it was ping ponging back and forth between Ben and Andy was my favorite. You needed to know what was going to happen in each of their stories. Candice did a brilliant job of leaving you hanging but in the end everything is tied up nicely. Even left some room for the female lead to continue with future storylines of her undercover work. Looking forward to reading more of Candice’s work! #goodreadsgiveaway
April 22, 2024
4.5 stars.
A team of firefighters turned thieves prepare for one final heist in this explosive thriller. Candice Fox is one of my favourite authors for a reason. Her work is always original, with fully fleshed out characters and deeply immersive plots. I honestly don't even read the synopsis anymore before buying her books. I love going in blind.
This one took a little while to get into but once I did I was hooked. She has a way of making you feel something for each character, whether they are good or bad. I was rooting for all of them by the end. I finished this within twenty four hours. Hope there's a sequel.
A team of firefighters turned thieves prepare for one final heist in this explosive thriller. Candice Fox is one of my favourite authors for a reason. Her work is always original, with fully fleshed out characters and deeply immersive plots. I honestly don't even read the synopsis anymore before buying her books. I love going in blind.
This one took a little while to get into but once I did I was hooked. She has a way of making you feel something for each character, whether they are good or bad. I was rooting for all of them by the end. I finished this within twenty four hours. Hope there's a sequel.
May 29, 2024
Thanks to Macmillan Audio for the gifted audiobook.
4.5 rounded to 5 stars
DEVIL’S KITCHEN is my seventh Candice Fox book and man, I loved it. I can’t think of another author out there today that’s writing thrillers this intense, emotional, engaging, and unique. I love not knowing what’s going to happen when I pick up her books… the only guarantee is there won’t be anything else like it.
I love the author’s engaging style of writing. She builds characters that are interesting enough that I enjoy the journey rather than rushing through the book to unravel the mystery. Usually, her pacing is spot on, though it was a tiny bit slower than I would have liked in this one. It’s still well worth a read if you like thrillers.
Audio: Devil’s Kitchen is narrated by Kirsten Potter (Station Eleven, Little Secrets, The Couple Next Door). She’s an emotive narrator and performed with the appropriate emotion and pacing for the scene. 5/5 for narration!
TL;DR - I loved it, it gave me a serious book hangover, and I’m already counting down the days until her next book comes out.
4.5 rounded to 5 stars
DEVIL’S KITCHEN is my seventh Candice Fox book and man, I loved it. I can’t think of another author out there today that’s writing thrillers this intense, emotional, engaging, and unique. I love not knowing what’s going to happen when I pick up her books… the only guarantee is there won’t be anything else like it.
I love the author’s engaging style of writing. She builds characters that are interesting enough that I enjoy the journey rather than rushing through the book to unravel the mystery. Usually, her pacing is spot on, though it was a tiny bit slower than I would have liked in this one. It’s still well worth a read if you like thrillers.
Audio: Devil’s Kitchen is narrated by Kirsten Potter (Station Eleven, Little Secrets, The Couple Next Door). She’s an emotive narrator and performed with the appropriate emotion and pacing for the scene. 5/5 for narration!
TL;DR - I loved it, it gave me a serious book hangover, and I’m already counting down the days until her next book comes out.
May 12, 2024
Candice Fox is an outstanding writer. I’ve never read anything like Devil’s Kitchen, and I loved it.
I fell in love with ‘Andy’ so quickly & stayed in love with her for the whole book. The plotline was riveting and full of the right amount of twists & turns.
The only reason I haven’t given this 5 stars, is because I didn’t find the book ‘unputdownable’. Otherwise, I absolutely loved it.
I fell in love with ‘Andy’ so quickly & stayed in love with her for the whole book. The plotline was riveting and full of the right amount of twists & turns.
The only reason I haven’t given this 5 stars, is because I didn’t find the book ‘unputdownable’. Otherwise, I absolutely loved it.
May 24, 2024
In typical Candice Fox fashion, this was one hell of a wild ride that I thoroughly enjoyed. While this one did leave me a bit puzzled with some plot points that weren’t super flushed out, it didn’t detract too much from my overall enjoyment.
May 8, 2024
Great author, great book! Lots of twists and turns and left with a few questions.
June 2, 2024
Fast paced, action packed, I always enjoy a Candice Fox novel.
August 5, 2024
Loved this plot and hope this becomes a Dahlia series!
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