Book Review: Devil’s Kitchen | Candice Fox

Compelling characters and a fast-paced plot kept me hooked by Candice Fox’s, Devil’s Kitchen.

What is Devil’s Kitchen about?

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.

What did I think?

The premise of this book was one I couldn’t resist from the moment I saw it pop up on my radar. Fire fighters have always been upheld as heroes in my eyes. Particularly in the wake of 9/11, the New York City Fire Department is upheld for their bravery. In the novel, a tight-knit crew called Ladder 51 aren’t just heroic public servants, they’re brilliant and ruthless thieves. Ben, Jakey, Matt, and Engo use their extensive knowledge of buildings and architecture to plan their heists, and have stolen millions from banks, jewelry stores, and galleries. Their chosen career path is the perfect alibi—who would think a group of New York City firefighters could possibly be behind the string of heists?

A woman who is new to the team, Andy Nearland, is our narrator. As the book opens, Andy is on her knees being accused of being an undercover cop, right alongside fellow team member Ben. Three months earlier, Ben is thinking about how wrong everything has gotten. His girlfriend and his son have disappeared. He joined Ladder 51 when he was young, and has looked up to Matt as a father-figure, but now he suspects Matt may have something to do with their disappearances. In a spiral to discover the truth, Ben contacted the police about the crew and eventually Andy enters the scene.

Andy is a freelance investigator who has a knack for going undercover. Andy partners with the FBI, and her handler Tony is pushing to put the four-man crew away for the robberies. Andy is more interested in helping to find Ben’s missing family. She makes her way onto the crew, hoping to find out what is really going on. But nothing goes as planned and secrets are revealed.

The characters make Devil’s Kitchen stand out, even more than the story. From the first chapter they are well-defined, interesting, and somewhat elusive. What are each of their motivations to operate in this immoral space? This is an edge-of-your-seat thriller, entertaining from start to finish. There is no slow build here, the book drew me in from the first chapter. It has a cinematic feel to it, and it’s hard to imagine this won’t get picked up for a television adaptation.

Tense and compelling, I had no clue where this would end but I was along for the ride!

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for my copy. Opinions are my own.