Brajesh's Review : Echo Burning

It’s a bitter sweet feeling reading the last book in any series. Since starting the Lee Child - Jack Reacher series in September 2012, I have patiently savoured 17 out of 19 of his books. I also decided long back that I will skip “One Shot” as I had watched the movie and didn’t quite like it. So finally in May this year I closed the franchise by reading the 5th book of the series.

“Echo Burning” was a perfect finale to my love affair and all the elements of a great Reacher book. Damsel in distress, burly bad boys in a haunting backdrop of an American small-town and nature providing the dramatic final piece of the puzzle.

The beautiful feeling of ending of series was strangely conflicted with what next ?? So friends I need ideas. You all know my taste by now, any suggestion of good light-on-the-brain fiction series with a minimum of 6 book are welcome.

Rating : 4 / 5

Brajesh's Review : Nothing to Lose

The standard Jack Reacher formula : one lonely man on a highway finds himself between two towns named “Hope” and “Despair”. There is an empathetic female police officer, a megalomaniacal mysterious business man and a bunch of dysfunctional muscle-men as the key characters.

The story moves at a strong pace, and the suspense is tight without being suffocating. As I reach the end of my Jack Reacher series, I thought of also summarizing the entire series in one table. The rating scores in the table will give you a good idea of my favourites and the books are listed in plot sequence, so if you want to experience this magic, you know how to go about it.

I now only have “Echo Burning” left in the series, which has been patiently waiting on my shelf for 6 months. After a three year love affair, I think I am just scared of a situation where I have no more Jack Reacher books to look-forward to. Or maybe its just an excuse for my lazy book reading this year.

I have now targeted to carry “Echo Burning” as my in-flight read to the US holiday this week-end.

Rating : 3.5 / 5

Brajesh's Review : Personal

Personal by Lee Child is a simple story of identity crisis , turned into a cross country thriller across London, Paris and America. This is the magic of Lee Child. As I reach the end of my Lee Child collection, I really relish every new novel and thank God that he came up with Personal.

The story has all the usual components of Jack Reacher except the love angle, which simmers but never explodes. The story is fast and holds well across the 3 countries with a large amount of time spent in London.

Personal contrasts US and British lifestyle well and this is an added bonus of this book. Story ends with Jack Reacher in Austin, Texas - presumably the setting for his next book. And I just realized that I have only 2 books left in the series, hopefully Lee Child comes through with the next one soon.

Rating : 3.5 / 5

Brajesh's Review : Never Go Back

The first half of "Never Go Back" explodes at breakneck speed. Jack Reacher comes back to his old “100th MP Special Investigation Unit”. As soon as he enters through the gates of his old office, things go totally out of control, with the new leader of 110th behind bars, government agencies drumming-up court cases against Jack Reacher and plainclothes agents turn-up as street thugs.

The journey of Jack Reacher along with Major Turner over a multi-city chase is riveting, in Lee Child's usual edge of seat kind of stuff. Unfortunately all the great stuff goes South in the last quarter of the book and the unveil of the mystery is quite weak.

This is the last JR novel which has been released. As I wait for the next release, titled “Personal”, I will finish the 2 pending ones in the series.

There is always a great joy in finishing a book series, but only if you have another pile of books waiting for you.

Rating : 3 / 5

Brajesh's Review : A Wanted Man

"Wanted Man" begins where “Worth Dying For” ends, as Jack Reacher gets a ride in a car with 2 men and a woman.

One can sense some interesting times ahead, but what unveils is a lot of stretch and starts to border of fantasy in many ways.

A Wanted Man is one of the weakest novels in the series and can easily be skipped. One gets a feel that Lee Child just plugged this one in to create some action in JR’s journey from Nebraska to Viginia where the next book “Never Go Back” is set.

This one moves from simple murder to covert CIA , FBI and DOJ operations, to the really crazy land of money laundering terrorists. Overall an avoidable read.

Rating : 3 / 5

Brajesh's Review : Worth Dying For

One of the best Jack Reacher’s of the lot. The passion with which he takes on the cause of justice in a godforsaken Nebraska village is quite engaging.

The characters are extremely ordinary, and the setting is a barren village. With a very limited cast of characters and no landscape to provide the meat, it is amazing to see how Lee Child constructs a story which is full of twists.

Simple people living a simple life are caught in the middle of something murky and shadowy. While the real horrors are only revealed towards the last few pages, the passion of Jack Reacher keeps the reader engaged and that is the uniqueness of this book.

The villagers are caught in the evil grip of a local family clan. The only other characters besides the clan members are the hired goons, a doctor, motel owner & housekeeper. Even with such a limited cast the human emotions and twists are rich in detail.

"Worth Dying For" is a completely standalone book, which does not draw much on the past of Jack Reacher. I personally liked this unusual storytelling approach.

The book ends with Jack Reacher with a broken nose and waiting to hitchhike en-route to Virginia, exactly where the next novel “A Wanted Man” starts.

Rating : 4 / 5

Brajesh's Review : Tripwire

I was going over my book-lists of the last few years and realized that every Summer I seem to need a Jack Reacher rush. This year, it happened in June and I read 3 of this series back-to-back.

Tripwire, starts with Reacher sculpturing his tank like body, by digging swimming pools - a seemingly innocuous act which plays a very significant role at the end of the book. He then gets called back by his now dead mentor to unravel the mystery of a missing Nam soldier. He also meets his long term love fantasy Jodie (daughter of Col Leon Garber).

The book links extensively with many of his past novels, but also remains a stand-alone pure thriller. This one is best enjoyed once you are truly addicted to JR. Through the book, the reader is hooked on by the standard dose of chase and action. The mandatory twist at the end is also quite smart.

Rating : 3.5 / 5

Brajesh's Review : Die Trying

Militia planning independence, kidnapping of US president’s god-daughter, rogue and corrupt FBI agents, a truck full of dynamite and Jack Reacher is right in the middle of it all. If you are a JR fan like me, this book will disappoint you as it adds nothing new and seems formulaic for the most parts.

However if you aren’t familiar with JR or just starting to read on him, this is another interesting thriller. This has been the lowest rated JR for me. I also feel that I am getting over the JR craze which made me read 9 of his books this year though I will pass the final judgement on this after finishing “Tripwire” which is next on my list.

Rating : 2.5 / 5

Brajesh's Review : Gone Tomorrow

"Gone Tomorrow" is one of the best Lee Child's I have read. It starts from a simple trip on a subway and very soon you are in the middle of a complex Al-Quaeda plot involving secret meetings between a US Delta Major and Osama Bin Laden.

1983 Afghanistan is the source of the story line which is one of the most fast paced I have read in a very long time. Since this book has been written in first person, it gives you a unique insight into Jack Reachers motivations, drivers and personality. If you can't sustain a series of Jack Reacher and want to read just one Lee Child to sample, I would recommend this one.

Rating : 4.5 / 5

Brajesh's Review : 61 Hours

"61 Hours" has a different construction of plot. The story starts 61 hours before the big action and clocks down. I have never really been able to ever find a fault in a Jack Reacher book, except that I find it incredulous how accidentally he finds himself in the middle of hardcore action.

This book is no different, where an accident of in the bus he is traveling in, puts him in the middle of a manhunt for an assassin targeting a drug exchange witness.

The fact that an underground WWII bunker full of meth in the middle of US landscape worth multiple billions might sound impossible on its own, the book justifies it very well. One can never find an obvious logical flaw in a Lee Child book and this isn't any different. Overall standard Jack Reacher thriller which will keep you wanting more.

Rating : 4 / 5

Brajesh's Review : The Enemy

My 8th Jack Reacher in under a year - Yes! my addiction is now totally confirmed. Lee Child's - "The Enemy" was spicy and wholesome. It uncovers a lot of Reacher's past, including his demotion to a Captain and his mother's death in Paris.

The story of the US army going nuts in expectation of a reduction in manpower, post the Berlin Wall collapse is a smart backdrop which weaves well into the murder mystery. Although the novel is loaded with army references, it didn't overwhelm someone like me with limited interest in army details.

I recommend that you read this after you are well and truly into the Jack Reacher franchise to enjoy the unraveling of his past, while you are aware of his present.

The book ends with Jack Reacher stating that he would do what others tell him, as he is in army. This gives a peek into his future rebellion and nomadic life, which is primarily driven by the need to be free of order and orders.

Rating : 4 / 5

Brajesh's Review: Bad Luck & Trouble

 Finally I broke my rule. The first Lee Child which disappointed me - to give a sub 4 score. While the plot unites Jack Reacher with his 7 MIs from the army days and has an explosive start with a lot of potential, the story just never takes-off.

The number sequence suspense promised lots but fizzled halfway through. The action built-up well but never boiled over. The romance teased but never blossomed..... In the end the book felt like a half cooked delicacy. Since I have read a lot of Jack Reacher (7 before this) I am now picking ones which have got acclaim of some kind (source Wiki) , since this one failed that test , I am going back to trusting my intuition and awaiting the arrival of "Enemy"

Rating : 3.5 / 5

Brajesh's Review: Without Fail

Another Lee Child, another Jack Reacher, another page turner, another thriller, another US landscape explored, another satisfying read.

Being a Jack Reacher fan, "Without Fail" is totally wholesome and will not disappoint. For a change Jack Reacher is working WITH a law enforcement agency, secret service in this case. He also collaborates with the FBI to stop the Vice-President elect's assassination plot......

And I have already given away enough (you will realize when you read the book). I recommend reading "Without Fail", irrespective of your past non-association with Jack Reacher, as its a great stand alone book.

Rating : 4 / 5

Read my Other Reviews of Lee Child / Jack Reacher

Brajesh's Review : The Visitor

Finally a Jack Reacher that gets 4.5. I broke my own record of giving 4 to all Jack Reacher books. Well I was forced by the plot of this page turner to give "The Visitor" a higher rating.. I HAD to finish this, over a 3 day break (read it at every possible opportunity I got) This one has all the ingredients of a thriller - Serial Killer, Murder Mystery, FBI - Army conflict, Length and breadth of US, Romance, Flings etc.etc.

This is the Perfect Book  if anyone wants to take the Jack Reacher/Lee Child franchise past the first Hollywood attempt with "Perfect Shot". Classic Whodunit with clues sprayed around for you to figure, but done very smartly. I had my own theory on "How" it was done and it turned out to be true , but not before I reached the last 10 pages and the "Who" part was a classic straight from whodunit 101. Must read for every Reacher fan, as this is the only time that he is actually anchored with a house-car-girlfriend in his life, though not for long. If I write anymore in this review, it would need spoiler alerts so I will stop.

Rating : 4.5 / 5

Brajesh's Review : Persuader

After "Persuader", I plan to stop rating Lee Child :) It always gets a 4/5 from me. Although on this one, I really debated a 4.5, but in the name of consistency I stuck to 4.

I'm not sure if the concept of “comfort book” like “comfort food” exists. But if it did, Jack Reacher would be my “comfort food/book”.

"Persuader" connects heavily to the past of Reacher. A villain returns on page one, but gets his first dialogue after 400 pages ... What an interesting construction of story.

This book also introduces us to his first serious love affair from the past, so obviously its a must read for every Jack Reacher / Lee Child fan.

Rating : 4 / 5

Brajesh's Review: The Hard Way

I have totally turned into a Jack Reacher Junkie ;) I need a Lee Child book every month to get my fix :). So the next two have also been ordered and are ready to be ODed on ;).

The Jack Reacher movie just didn't live up to my expectations - as a result One Shot will probably lie on our shelf unread :(). Jack Reacher in my minds eye (as imagined from the book description) is blond, bigger and beefier. More like Arnold Schwarzenegger than Tom Cruise.

The appeal of the books for me is the insight into Jack Reachers mind and the understanding of how it works. Obviously, the movie couldn't do justice to this aspect.

Hard Way is another standard Jack Reacher in every way - unexpected beginning, seemingly simple yet complex plot, parallel options at every turn, pretty women in bed with Jack Reacher, surprise turn of events and gun fight to end the novel. So for a Jack Reacher junkie, "The Hard Way" is the right balanced dose.

Rating : 4 / 5

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Brajesh's Review: Killing Floor

As I continue my exploration of Lee Child's - Jack Reacher, I'm kind of becoming a fan. In Killing Floor, Jack Reacher loses his brother and it is an important incident, in the overall narrative.

The way Lee opens up US towns is truly amazing and I am sure anyone who has traveled extensively within the US will find Jack Reacher even more interesting. While reading Killing Floor, I felt that it was perfect for a movie - the plot is fantastic, the setting picturesque, the story intriguing and the ending is daring and magnificent.

Rating: 4 / 5

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Brajesh's Review: The Affair

I picked this book up, after I saw the trailer of the latest Tom Hanks movie where he plays Jack Reacher (releasing in December). I must say I was pleasantly happy with the book, since I don't read thrillers regularly.

The flowing style, lovely setting descriptions and great situation building kept me involved. Story line is good but nothing unusual and the suspense is average. But those are not the reasons you should read Jack Reacher. It is the beautiful character portrayal along with the voice and the thoughts of Jack which keeps you turning the pages.

This book is set 6 months prior to "Killing Floor", the first Jack Reacher book and he hasn't yet turned into a drifter and works for the army as a captain. If you are looking for a new franchise to dive into or if you are a thriller fan - go right ahead and order a Jack Reacher book .

I am going to order either "Killing Fields "or "61" very soon

Rating : 3.5 / 5 

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