In this latest edition of the Jack Reacher series, the action and storytelling downshifts to less thrilling mode.
Jack Reacher wakes up in pain, handcuffed to a table and with an injured right arm. How did he get there? After neatly overcoming the man guarding him, Reacher attempts to leave the house where he’s being held, only to be stopped by a stranger named Ivan Vidic. According to Vidic, Reacher was the passenger in a car crash that killed the FBI agent who was driving. Vidic and his three associates, Fletcher, Kane, and Paris, then pulled Reacher out of the wreck. Vidic is anxious to find out why Reacher was in the car, suspecting he’s a colleague to the dead driver.
But Reacher can’t recall anything about the wreck nor the man driving, but suspects his habitual hitchhiking simply put him in the wrong place at the wrong time. Reacher’s curiosity, however, is piqued by Vidic’s strange behaviour and he demands to know why he was removed from the crash site and restrained. Vidic explains that he and Paris are planning to double-cross Fletcher and Kane, the real bad guys. If Reacher agrees to help them, Vidic promises him half of a $2.2 million loot. Reacher agrees, not for the money, but to give himself more time to investigate Vidic’s story and whether the crash was truly an accident. In the process, he uncovers a complicated plot involving art forgery, theft, and corporate blackmail.
This 29th instalment of the Jack Reacher series is the first one primarily written by Andrew Child, Lee’s brother.
It’s entertaining enough, but the story feels basic compared to Reacher’s previous complex and complicated adventures.
But it stays true to the essence of what makes these novels so compelling – a blend of action, suspense, and a protagonist who never backs down.
Andrew’s involvement brings some fresh elements to the storytelling, while still maintaining the grit and fast-paced style that fans love and expect.
The narrative keeps a tight grip on the suspense, always pushing forward with just enough clues to keep the reader guessing without giving too much away. The pacing is relentless, with each chapter adding a new layer to the intrigue.
Reacher is, as always, a compelling figure – tough, resourceful, and guided by his own moral code. In this instalment, there’s a slightly different focus on his character.
There are moments where Reacher is a bit more reflective than usual, giving readers a glimpse into his thought processes and the toll that constant danger can take.
The other characters in the novel, while mostly secondary, play their parts well in creating a sense of tension and uncertainty. There’s a mix of allies and adversaries, though their motivations aren’t always immediately clear, which adds to the suspense. The villains, in particular, are suitably menacing, though they might not have the same level of development as Reacher himself. Still, their presence helps raise the stakes and keeps the plot moving.
The slightly deeper look into his character this time around adds an interesting twist, especially for those who have been following the series for a while. Still, a good read.