Book Review: Die Trying

Reviewed By: Carl Brookins - RAM

Die Trying     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon UK PB Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Lee Child
Class/Genre:   Mystery
Series: Jack Reacher # 2
1998, Jove

Lee Child spins a terrific yarn; entertaining, fast-paced and spiced with enough character delineation to keep modern readers interested. Die Trying is a rollercoaster of a suspense novel and if the reader has to work a little harder in spots to buy the action, the pace will sustain.

Jack Reacher is ex-army, ex-military police. He was a decorated, upstanding officer who slipped through the downsizing cracks of the peace-time military establishment. Reacher is going no place fast now he's in civvies, but that isn't to imply he's become a bum, far from it. Because of his long service career and extensive overseas assignments, Reacher is taking his time and exploring civilian options. He's becoming acquainted with his country. That puts him in sudden jeopardy.

In the wrong place at the wrong time, he's kidnapped with an FBI agent named Holly Johnson. In a fine twist, Reacher and the reader begin to suspect some unseen dimensions to this woman. That thread carries through for a good part of the novel and adds interesting dimensions to the main plot.

In some fascinating ways, Jack Reacher is a throwback to the hard- bitten, stalwart, stand-up heroes of an earlier time. It will be interesting to see this author develop and to follow Jack Reacher's adventures, because he's likely to have many, if author Child continues his strong and attractive ways.

Carl Brookins - RAM

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Carl Brookins - RAM

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