Book Review: Persuader

Reviewed By: Ruth Jordan - RAM

Persuader     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon UK PB Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Lee Child
Class/Genre:   Mystery
Series: Jack Reacher # 7
UK- Bantam Press - April 2003

Jack Reacher is a man who lives by his own code. As written by Lee Child Reacher has become more Wyatt Earp than Wyatt. The man doesn’t even have a Doc Holiday. After six books I thought I knew Mr. Reacher pretty well. The opening of PERSUADER therefore made me sit up and take notice. There’s a decidedly un-Reacher like moment and then... aha. If Reacher says that someone is the most evil man he ever knew where do you go with that? I for one want him to fix the problem. Reacher fashion of course.

PERSUADER is a kick-ass thriller. Child has outdone himself. Moving from the third to the first person in this latest outing was a brilliant idea on his part. So too is the setting. Maine might be what Reacher would call a “one- night state” but I for one am glad circumstance forced him to spend the amount of time there he does in PERSUADER. He draws the state very well.

Side characters are great in this outing; a rogue F.B.I. cell, two very evil guys and a family to rival the Corleones in dysfunctional. A compound on the coast with no way out. Oh that’s right ... he’s Reacher. Beware the undertow in this book, after it sucks you under you will not be able to breathe.

Ruth Jordan - RAM

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Ruth Jordan - RAM