The Enemy (Jack Reacher, No. 8) by Lee Child
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Book Reviews of The Enemy (Jack Reacher, No. 8)
Book Review: I'M HOOKED!
Summary: 5 Stars
Readers of Lee Child already know this, but to those just discovering him let me start with a warning: don't pick up a Lee Child novel if you have other things to do. He'll blow you away, you'll spend hours turning pages wondering where your daily dose of sleep went.
Such a sheer delight to discover a writer one just can't get enough of. After John Grisham, Harlan Coben, Janet Evanovich, he is the first I've come across who smooshes all the punch you can expect from riveting thrillers -- tight plots, punchy dialogue, wry intelligent humor, solid pace devoid of irrelevant digressions, and above all, endearing characters.
I'm not much into military yarns (Tom Clancy's tomes are hardly my bag) but The Enemy does a superlative job of keeping it accessible. It fires off with a two-star army general found dead on New Year's eve. Simple misfortune it seems, cardiac arrest in a compromising position, but police procedure reveals his wife clobbered to death and a couple of grotesque murders that seem loosely connected. To fan the flame, the army's upper echelons want it all hushed up.
The political/forensic drama that follows is impeccably timed. Had me awake for nights. The twists are unpredictable. Child does an outstanding job of getting into the mind of our detective protagonist - Jack Reacher, to the extent that we solve the crime along with him.
More than the plot and its twists, I'm impressed with Child's economy of language, yet the ease with which he paints his vivid setups. If this were to inspire a movie the screenplay would pretty much write itself.
Looking for a mystery fix? Get The Enemy, or among others by the same author, One Shot or Persuader. Truly satisfying reads all and highly, highly recommended. I bet you'll be buying the next Lee Child novel before you're done with your first.
Book Review: Prequel that hasn't become a soap opera (yet)
Summary: 5 Stars
This story is set in 1990, just after the fall of the Berlin wall, so is about a young Reacher and a time before email, cell phones, DNA testing... It discloses the tough guy's personal history (a sure sign of impending soap-opera-ness. I hope Child doesn't go that route) and how his character's analytical mind works.
There's certainly a lot of numerical analysis and military procedure, but it's not written with an eye toward an easy revision into a screen play. Child's restraint against writing screen-play-masquerading-as-novel (such as Michael Crichton's recent oeuvre) is especially laudable because the author did indeed write TV scripts. However, as the plot unfolds into the second half of the book, it lapses into straight narrative to review for the reader the twists and turns, instead of unveiling the plot for the reader to 'see.' This is a weakness.
The characters, main as well as secondary, have more facets than in earlier novels and there's a very dry humor. Whether it's authentic military humor, I don't know, but I do giggle every few pages, especially over the terse dialog. I wish I could treat my colleagues like that without inviting deadly office politics. Best of all, I learn from the intentionally insubordinate Reacher how not to be intimidated by superior officers. I love this tough guy.
Book Review: I'll Keep Reaching for Child's Books
Summary: 5 Stars
Lee Child is hands down the best thriller writer out there right now. This is my fourth Lee Child book, and I become more sold on his writing with each one. While I agree somewhat with other reviewers' comments that the book drags a bit more than his others, I still enjoyed every bit of it. I thought actually that the police procedural work was reminiscent of Lawrence Sanders' "Deadly Sins" Series. Furthermore, it was nice to see Jack Reacher's older brother, Joe, who first made a brief appearance in Child's first and stunning effort, "The Killing Floor." It was also good to see Reacher's military background illuminated.
Child's skill at characterization is first-rate, as we get to know this flawed but fascinating hero better with each book. Not only does Reacher come to life in each new book, but Child creates some truly heinous villains who he delights in serving their comeuppance. Furthermore, this author's pacing, suspense, and knack for witty, winning dialogue all seal the deal for me. (I am wondering where Hollywood has been on all of this...)
Although I have not read them in order, I will be soon seeking out the Reacher novels I've missed for more vicarious thrills. Kep 'em coming, Mr. Child!
Book Review: Lee Child is Spot on in this Book
Summary: 5 Stars
I have read 7 of the Reacher series books and I liked this one as one the best; they are all great, but this one was well thought out and the pacing was quick, the plot points were believable, the character of Reacher was developed more and he started to become a rounder character. There was good use of military proceedures without being obnoxious about the acronyms or the military jargon.
This prequel to the other Reacher novels gives a great background on who Jack Reacher is. I love when Child writes in the first person, and he has done that in a couple of other books, but it was especially good here as we get to sit next to Jack and listen to him as he narrates the story to us, creating a sense drama, and showing us Reacher as a human character.
For me the better parts of the book was the previously untold relationship Jack had with his mother and his brother. The scenes of when he is in Paris visiting his mother were heartfelt and poingnent.
A very well conceived book, if you only want to choose one, start here. You will be hooked on Jack Reacher.
Book Review: Loved it
Summary: 5 Stars
Oh, Jack Reacher - if only you were real!
Jack Reacher is one of my all time favorite fictional characters. He's competent without being arrogant, intelligent without being cerebral, tough without being vicious, snarky without being a pain in the a** and calm without being boring. Basically, he's the type of guy you wish is on YOUR side. Because you do not want to anger Jack Reacher. Not a good idea, folks. The man will disarm you or kill you or just plain kick your butt without remotely breaking a sweat.
I agree with the other readers who enjoyed the dialogue: the way Reacher calmly makes his moronic and rude superiors look stupid is just hilarious. (Reacher actually does have superiors in this book, as it takes place back when he was still in the Army and his brother Joe is still alive)
I actually find myself taking note of the techniques he uses when fighting someone. Great self defense ideas!
Lee Child is brilliant and he has hit another home run with this book. It's an excellent prequel and a must read for Reacher fans.