Bad Luck and Trouble (Jack Reacher) by Lee Child
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Book Reviews of Bad Luck and Trouble (Jack Reacher)
Book Review: grinding
Summary: 3 Stars
I might be on the brink of reader tolerance for Jack Reacher's cartoon-like vengeance on the meany-mean bad guys that writer Lee Child concocts. Or maybe this style of reading entertainment is just not suited for me. Either way I didn't enjoy this story as much as the previous "The Hard Way" but the writing chops is still good enough to have me looking for another outing from the talented Mr. Child. Book Review: Fiction character goes politically correct?
Summary: 2 Stars
I have enjoyed reading the fantasy world of the fictional character Jack Reacher; ex-military cop tough guy & investigator. To my knowledge I have read all of the sequels to date. This latest book was a bit of a disappointment (and likely my last purchase) as the author chose to add to this fictional character a seemingly unnecessary hostile attitude toward anything biblical as well as adding plugs for the controversial PETA organization (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals). For this reader the series is fantasy entertainment only - the politically correct content was a surprise and disappointment.Book Review: I'm a Reacher Creature
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a great series of books. Bad Luck & Trouble is the most current one. I can hardly wait for the next one.Book Review: Another Excellent Reacher Novel
Summary: 5 Stars
"You do not mess with the special investigators."
If you have read Lee Child's Jack Reacher novels (and this is the 11th in the series), you know that Jack Reacher was a member of an elite investigation unit in the Army. While previous novels have touched on this unit, this is the first time that Child has brought them all together, about ten years after they left the service.
A former member of Reacher's old unit is found dead. Forensics show that the man was probably pushed out of a helicopter, from about 3,000 feet. Usually off the grid, Reacher uses his ATM card (he not only has an ATM card, but he also has a passport) to withdraw some cash for his next bus trip out of town. Interesting that he finds more cash in his account than he expected. The deposit is a coded message that there is trouble with the old unit. Thus begins Back Luck and Trouble, a reunion with the remaining members of Reacher's old squad - one of their own ends up dead (several are missing) and it is up to the others to sort out the clues and bring the people to justice. Special Investigator's version of justice. :-)
This novel is not like the other Reacher books. The level of death and mayhem is not the same but the level of mystery is ratcheted up. Also, Child spends more time with the remaining members of Reacher's old squad, providing a lot of back story, fleshing out the characters more than in any of his previous novels. You discover that Reacher is something of a numbers man, he can see patterns in numbers, as if they are talking to him. Thus, the meaning behind the coded deposit in his account. All of them are fiercely loyal to each other. Further, there is more mystery and old fashioned police work in this novel (the squad runs down leads, interview people, and revise their conclusions).
It is hard to imagine that Child has 11 Reacher novels under his belt. One would think that after that many books, the character would be getting stale, predictable. With Bad Luck and Trouble, nothing could be further from the truth. While keeping a lot of what makes Reacher "Reacher," he infuses the novel with his old Army buddies, changing the dynamic and adding more to the characters. A very satisfying novel with an excellent ending. The end notes tell you that he is already at work on Reacher #12, and I cannot wait.
Book Review: Disappointing at best
Summary: 1 Stars
Clunky and borderline boring. Very predictable.
Child shows quite a bit of political bias as well.
Somehow I can't see Reacher being a big supporter of PETA as he appears in this story. And what's this bit about Orange County Republicans supporting law breakers because they're so in love with guns and the 2nd Amendment. (Lots of folks in the his UK probably wish they HAD a 2nd Amendment.) Finally, why take on the LAPD? His contention that all retirees from LAPD are crooks and bad guys leaves a bad taste.
Too political and not very entertaining.