JR 21 : Night School

The usual, no-nonsense, no-bullshit Reacher from the start to end. A prequel of sorts set way back in 1996 when still Reacher was a Major not a drifter. The Reacher we were introduced to, but it is the same Reacher, essentially.I think the Reacher books, with being "Same but different," as Lee Child himself puts, there is an underlying classification, left unsaid, which is they come in two types: One, the usual Reacher thrillers, with people in trouble, something wrong happening, and Reacher solving the mystery and avenging for the wrongdoings (They are also called, by Lee Child, as Revenge novels). These have just normal, civilian people, gangsters, bad people, doing bad things. Make Me and The Hard Way are the two I can pick from what I read. Two, the army novels. The military novels. Which are somehow connected to the Reacher's Army days, or to the U.S. Army itself, or set in the Reacher's Army Service days itself. This one is the latter. Set in the Army Days. Just like The Affair, and there is The Enemy (which is set way back in 1991, and the one I haven't read yet).But, all the Reacher books have a simple classification of two types, in terms of flow and narration and story: One, where the story is ballistic, with twists and turns and brilliant suspense and plot throughout. Two, with not so great story or plot or excitement, but Reacher in full-swing, carrying on his shoulders.This one again is somewhere in between. It has a brilliant story, with the suspense through narrative, but halfway through the excitement drops and it just goes on, to get I over with. That is not saying it is bad novel. It was an entertaining read, highly. But, somehow the punch was missing. Or was less than usual. Over Make Me, this is a less entertaining in all aspects, but on its own, this is amazing.Coming to the story and plot, Lee Child took us on similar journeys before, plot-wise, in 61 Hours, and Tripwire too, to some extent. Some secret related to the army, someone cashing in on it today, around which the central problem of the story revolves.Same but different.Different setup, different characters, different country, and different approach. It comes down to the same. But different. In the usual Lee Child way.If you're a Jack Reacher fan, you'll love this, as, obviously, you're a fan. If you're not a fan and have not read many books in the series, still you might like it. Assuming that this is your third or fourth book. Which will play a part in becoming a fan and read more Reacher, or just plain entertain you. If it did not entertain you, then you simply cannot read Reacher. You cannot become a fan.

Some crazy idea during World War 2... whether it will help the new terrorist or the old time terrorist ? Whether a 100 million deal will trigger international anti terror units ? Usual Reacher who goes with his intuition and twist what we wont expect...

Same old friendly , yet powerful, courageous Jack Reacher!

Great read. Builds up slowly & the suspense is maintained. gradual ratcheting up of tension leading to the climax. If you're a Jack Reacher fan(like me) this is a must read!!

Not as absorbing as Killing Floor or Worth Dying For, the complicated plot dragging the plot. But diehard Reacher fans will find something to keep them turning the pages!

Good typically jack reacher

It is a typical action packed Jack Reacher novel.

Well, everytime I read a new Reacher and think this is the pinnacle I get to change my opinion on the next publication. This one is right up there with 61 hours or tripwire, i.e. Reacher cult classics. Edge of the seat tension, cold logical deduction and above all Jack Reacher in his finest form; that too as an army mp officer. A surefire page turner which moat will want to finish in a single reading session.

Not the style of the Reacher books I have come to love. Sorry but this was actually a bit boring. It picked up a bit at the end but wasn't a patch on the other stories. Reacher is a man of action - this book had him doing too little. Hope this isn't a sign of things to come. Very disappointed having been waiting for this book to come out.

I'm a recent "recruit" to Jack Reacher novels, but I've now read every one. I don't think that this was one of Lee Child's best. To my mind, this effort bears all the hallmarks of writing a book with the intention of it hopefully being bought up for the big screen.1. A European city for location (not the back of beyond in USA), and involvement in a global incident2. Sex scenes. Not Lee's writing strength at all in my opinion, but a requisite element of most Hollywood films these days. And gives an good director a chance to show off his artistic skills. In earlier books, I don't recall him always bedding a woman. In the later books, it has become a certainty, like James Bond.3. Uneccesary bestiality scene. I'm no prude, but it seemed to be there to add some Hollywood shock factor, rather than be an integral part of the story.4. A large group of key players, giving the chance to assemble a stellar cast.5. Reacher as self-imposed judge, jury, and executioner. Yes, Reacher kills, but this time his murders seem almost gratuitous, and somewhat out of character. Far better when he badly hurts the transgressors. In this book, I felt he was little better than the "baddies" from a moral standpoint.I'm not sure how I felt about him working as part of a team that he wasn't in charge of. In some ways it highlights his maverick nature, which I like, but I suspect it was necessary to create a situation where he could be involved in such a potentially global incident.For a book hoping to be turned into a film, there was surprisingly little "action" for Reacher. I'm sure this was a disappointment for many readers.I didn't find the plot as boring as some reviewers, nor as riveting as others.Overall, I would put this on a par with other thriller novels I have read, whereas the best Reacher novels stand head and shoulders above the rest, with a twist or development to every chapter end that makes you want to move on to the next. This wasn't the case for me with this book.One final point. I know Lee Child has defended the choice of Tom Cruise as Jack Reacher, and has even gone so far as to say that it isn't easy to find an actor that fits his stature. One thing's for sure. Tom Cruise is the antithesis of Jack Reacher, whatever his acting abilities. I refuse to believe that there isn't a decent actor out there, who would be a better fit, physically.

I've read every one of Lee Child's books and mostly thoroughly enjoyed them, especially the early ones. But this one was nowhere near the same standard, so much so that I struggled to get half way through before thinking life's too short to persevere with such a tedious book. I got to the stage where I didn't care what happened. The plot was weak, it plodded at a snail's pace and got bogged down in repetition and minor detail. A few times I got lost in the long passages of dialogue, often having to reread to make sense of who said what. So for the first time in any LC novel I've given up half way through as I was bored of it. Unfortunately I think Reacher has had a good run and should now retire. Anyone who has loved Child/Reacher but has had enough, I can suggest the following which I've found gripping. They are more military in subject matter and gory in parts but the pace is great, the stories strong, and the characters interesting.Tom Cain's Samuel CarverWill Jordan's Ryan DrakeAndy McNab's Nick StoneChris Ryan's Danny BlackTom Wood's Victor the assassin

Yes 2 stars ! I’m really 100% a Jack Reacher fan and had read 20 books before this one. I started off being delighted that it was a story from his army days. Sergeant Neagle is with him and it’s going to be a great story. Except it isn’t . The writing is laboured and boring. You can’t just throw in a couple of fights and a bit of sex to make it a good Jack Reacher story. It is full of stereotypes and unnecessary sex scenes including a near pornographic one set in a German night club. Did Lee Child really write this ? I assume he did so it’s the end of the road for me . That will be the last one I read .

Did not grab my interest as much as some Jack Reacher books. Agree with previous comments. Bestiality scenes totally unnecessary best left out. The thread was disjointed. Not in usual Lee Childs style (I've read them all). Good tale but too much description, not enough action, and like Tom Cruise, it's not really Jack Reacher.