
Member Reviews

Devil's Kitchen by Candice Fox is a pulse-pounding, fast-paced thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. In this gripping novel, a tight-knit unit of elite fire fighters has been doubling as a highly successful heist crew, using their expert skills and specialized equipment to pull off daring robberies across the East Coast. Their next target is New York's largest private storage facility, a treasure trove filled with priceless items belonging to the rich and famous.
Andy Nearland, the newest recruit to the team, finds herself in a dangerous position. She’s not just a member of the crew—she’s an undercover operative, tasked with gathering intelligence on the crew’s illegal activities. As the heist day approaches, Andy struggles to keep her true motives hidden while growing increasingly entangled in the criminal world she’s been sent to expose. Her mission becomes more precarious with each passing moment, as loyalties are tested and the stakes continue to rise.
Fox delivers a thrilling blend of crime, suspense, and deception, with expertly crafted characters and high-stakes action that propels the plot forward at breakneck speed. The tension between Andy's duty and her growing connections with the crew adds an emotional layer to the story, making it as compelling as it is thrilling. Devil’s Kitchen is a must-read for fans of crime fiction, heist stories, and high-octane thrillers.

I had a hard time getting into this book and this wasn't really my jam. I feel like this was a me problem and not an author or writing problem. I will give Candice Fox another shot in the future.

A group of fire fighters who have an elaborate burglary scheme. One of the fire fighters has a partner who has gone missing along with her child and he reaches out to an investigative reporter, Andy. Andy goes undercover and she goes deep and even though it gets very dangerous she is finds she is on target to figuring it out.

Candice Fox is an author to follow. Her books take readers into the story and drag them along at warp speed to a gasping induced ending. This plot is original and thrilling, the narration added a third element that made the book so much better. I didn't think Fox's books could get better, but now I know to listen to them at the same time. WOW!

I don’t read a lot of this type of Thriller anymore, mostly because the bulk of them just aren’t very good. So I was really surprised by what a truly good book this was. It’s smart, original, and intense while still employing some sly humor.
I was really impressed by how complex this story was despite the fact that the bones of it are relatively simple. It’s a heist novel at its heart, but a lot of this is more about when going crooked goes very, very wrong, as well as about how difficult it sometimes becomes to know who the good guys are, especially when the person in question might be yourself.
I’ll be honest and say that there were a few things I didn’t love about how this ended, though credit to Fox for giving what is likely the ending you’d really get as opposed to the fictional one you want. And I felt she did all her characters appropriate justice, which is no small feat when you have created a really nuanced and intricately drawn group of people. No cardboard heroes (or villains) here.
In all, this was so smart and original compared to most of what hits the Thriller market these days. Looking forward to reading more from Candice Fox in the future.

Holy smokes! (No pun intended.) This was the BEST book I've read in a while. The opening grabs you by the throat and doesn't let go. I don't think there was a chapter without intense action and emotions and the woven threads of the story were beautiful to behold. I despise series, but I'd read this one!

This could really happen. A thriller that could have been based off of a true story.
Andy is hired by the cops to be off the books. She inverts herself into a crew of firefighters that are causing fires to do heists. The whistle bower of the group had his family go missing and is desperate to find them. Even if it causes him to go to jail.
This books has lots of ups and downs. At some places you think it’s does it’s over. The cover is blown. But somehow Andy saves herself.
Andy may have solved the case but it was not the happy ending she was wanting.

It was difficult to actually feel anything for the characters in Candice Fox's new book. They felt one dimensional and unlikeable. The narrator was very good, but it was still difficult to keep my attention on the plot.

This was my very first Candice Fox book and if I'm being honest, I chose it solely based on the title. When I first started it I almost thought I was going to DNF it, but I got an hour into it and I was HOOKED! Right out of the gate it started out hot - both literally and figuratively. It was intense, engaging and kept me guessing the entire way through. I am SO glad that I didn't abandon it based on my first thoughts.
The character development, plot building and the pace were perfect. The narration was great too. Overall, this was an edge of your seat thriller that you won't regret picking up! After finishing Devil's Kitchen, I found myself looking for my next Candice Fox fix. This was a great book and I can't wait to delve into another one by this author.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC audio of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This was my first Candice Fox book and I really enjoyed it! What an original idea for a heist story - having a crew of emergency fire workers working undercover to pull off big heists and having their newest member also being an undercover detective trying to catch them! Suspenseful, fast-paced and great on audio. Highly recommended! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

Compelling characters and a fast-paced plot kept me hooked!
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.

Absolutely loved it!!! The characters, the action, the atmosphere, the narration.... ALL OF IT!!! I think I found myself a new author to explore. The audiobook narration is so well done, I felt the raw emotions and heartbeats of the characters. The story has a Karin Slaughter's universe vibe, at times I was so into it that I had to remind myself that this Andy chick is not the same Andrea from Pieces of Her and Gone, Forgotten :)
Highly recommend!
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the audio ARC

Audiobooks are great for me because the investment or buy in of the time and effort is not as great as the potential reward of enjoying a book versus physically reading a print/digital book. It's also has been a great way for me to enjoy genres outside of fantasy that I probably normally would never read, such as this lovely thriller, crime.
Summary: Devil's Kitchen is about a FDNY team that uses their job to pull heists, stealing things, that sort of stuff. However, things start going differently when a team member's girlfriend and her kid go missing. In comes the FMC who is a rogue consultant of the FBI who works with this heartbroken MMC on the search for his loved ones. There are other players in the game, such as the different dynamic members of the FDNY firehouse that all have their own strong personalities and motives, and the FMC's contact in the FBI.
Devil's Kitchen is fast paced. It's got a splash of mild spice. There's a twist in it - gotta loves those, especially one that I was a bit thrown off on. I enjoyed the dual POV, and the interlacing of the FMC's background. It all melded really well together for me. I think it's great that there was also a female and male voice over actor. Maybe I do enjoy real crime fiction, and I just don't want to admit to myself. 1
Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for allowing me to read this book for a review.
I will be posting this review to Instagram, Goodreads, and Storygraph.

This was he first audiobook I have listened to by Candace Fox. I really enjoyed the narrator Kirsten Potter. I felt like her voice was really good. Unfortunately this book fell flat for me. I don't know if it was just my mood or it just wasn't my style of book. I thought it was slow passed and struggled to stay focused. I thought the story had a great concept but I just couldn't get into it. I will say Andy was a strong main character.
I would still recommend this book because it's my opinion and someone else might love it. I see there are great reviews on here so please give this a try. I would still love to read another book by Candace. I will say Andy was a strong main character.
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for allowing me to listen to this ARC for my honest opinion.

This book did not stop for a second. Loved it! The narrator kept pace and kept the tension going. Absolutely a voice actor. I will definitely recommend this book and will flag the author and narrator as a must read. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy. No surprise that Forge put this out, Tor and affiliates don’t disappoint.

In the book Devil's Kitchen, author Candice Fox follows Andy Nearland, the newest member of a close-nit fire fighting crew. But is she really who she appears to be? And is this close group of firefighters really just firefighters? Why all the secrets? This is a good fast paced mystery. I would recommend this book. The audio-book narration was very good. I received a copy of this audio-book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.
“Devil’s Kitchen” by Candice Fox, narrated by Kirsten Potter, is a gripping audiobook that plunges listeners into a high-stakes world of crime and deception. The novel follows a tight-knit, four-person unit known for their heroic firefighting efforts, but beneath their veneer of public service, they operate as the East Coast’s most successful heist crew. With a blend of suspense and action, Fox crafts a narrative that is thrilling and thought-provoking.
Kirsten Potter’s narration is a standout feature, bringing the characters to life with her emotive performance. Her pacing is impeccable, capturing the tension and urgency of the plot while also providing nuanced portrayals of each character. The result is an immersive experience that enhances the written word, making it a must-listen for fans of the thriller genre.
The story’s protagonist, Andy Nearland, is the newest member of the crew and an undercover operative. Her dual role creates a complex web of loyalties and lies that she must navigate as the crew prepares for their biggest heist yet. Fox excels in developing Andy’s character, presenting her with moral dilemmas that challenge both her and the listener’s sense of right and wrong.
“Devil’s Kitchen” is a testament to Candice Fox’s ability to weave a compelling tale that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The novel’s intricate plot, combined with Potter’s dynamic narration, makes for an unforgettable audiobook experience. It not only entertains but it delves into the psyche of its characters, exploring themes of trust, greed, and the lengths people will go to protect their secrets.
“Devil’s Kitchen” is a thrilling addition to Candice Fox’s repertoire, and Kirsten Potter’s narration is the cherry on top. It earns a solid 5 stars for its storytelling prowess and audio execution. Whether you’re a long-time fan of Fox or new to her work, this audiobook is a journey worth taking. Highly recommended for those who love a good heist story with a side of moral ambiguity.

Wow! Where do they come up with these ideas?? I honestly have no idea, but Wow! What a terrific story!!
Andy is undercover. She’s some type of investigator…but I don’t think we ever truly find out who she really is!
We open up with Ben and Andy being held (against their will) on the verge of being killed!
We then jump back several months and the story opens up with Ben, and his then girlfriend (and her son). Ben seems to fall for her immediately…and as the story builds up, the characters all begin to come into play…
Ben is a firefighter and he is with a tight group of guys. They are all well known and have been working together for some time. They all have each others backs…(or do they?) As time goes on we see that they are not always doing things above board… But they are always working together.
As we delve into their lives we see some small cracks, and some big ones. We see who are the bosses, and who are the underlings. And we see that sometimes promises may be made and then broken…
As Andy gets deeper and deeper into the group, we see some shady stuff with her too. Can any of them be trusted? Only time will tell!
This was a very quick paced, twisty, thriller. The scenes kept changing and just when you think you have the bad guys all figured out, you find out you are wrong!
Crazy stuff! Lots of characters. Good guys and bad guys…Lots of twists…
And, I thought the author’s name seemed familiar…and it is! She is a co-writer with James Patterson…who I love!
If you have the opportunity, pick this one up! I don’t think you’ll be disappointed!
Thanks to #NetGalley and #MacmillanAudio for an ARC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
PUBLICATION DAY IS TODAY, JUNE 4, 2024!
#Devil’sKitchen by #CandiceFox and narrated beautifully by #KirstenPotter.
I’m hoping that this might be the beginning of a series as she kind of left the ending open…🙏🏼🙏🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 for me, rounded up to 5!
Feel free to like, follow and friend me on: Goodreads,
IG @BookReviews_with_emsr or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine.
Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends!! 📚⭐️

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!

Action packed and full of twists. Who can you trust? No one, really. The narrator was great. I do wish Ben had his own narrator to help keep track of the characters but that’s just me being picky.
This is one of those books that reads like a TV show (and this would make a GOOD one). A combination of thriller and heist story that keeps the adrenaline pumping and theories swirling.