Helpful Score: 12
This is actually the 7th of the Reacher series. HOWEVER, if you have not started this series yet, I would recommend beginning with this one. This book is a flashback from Jack Reacher's military career and gives us great insight & understanding into who Jack Reacher is and why he has chosen such a "loner" lifestyle.
My husband had already read this book (reading the entire series in order)before I ever got started on the series. He recommended that I read this one first and I am very glad I did.
Speaking of the Reacher series - I find them to be thrilling, exciting and very quick reads. Jack Reacher is exactly the kind of person one would want backing them up in any situation. Sometimes the plot may seem a little contrived - but this is fiction, after all, so no real concerns there. The character development is always good, the dialog is never forced and the plot developments have twists in them that will catch the reader completely off guard!
Be warned ... some of the books are very bloody. The bad guys are very, very bad with no moral scruples at all. If you like gritty, bloody, action books ... this is the series for you.
My husband had already read this book (reading the entire series in order)before I ever got started on the series. He recommended that I read this one first and I am very glad I did.
Speaking of the Reacher series - I find them to be thrilling, exciting and very quick reads. Jack Reacher is exactly the kind of person one would want backing them up in any situation. Sometimes the plot may seem a little contrived - but this is fiction, after all, so no real concerns there. The character development is always good, the dialog is never forced and the plot developments have twists in them that will catch the reader completely off guard!
Be warned ... some of the books are very bloody. The bad guys are very, very bad with no moral scruples at all. If you like gritty, bloody, action books ... this is the series for you.
Helpful Score: 8
Lee Child just gets better and better. This was a bit different than the other novels. It's set when Reacher is still in the Army, and is told in the first person. He's got 3 murders to solve, and is being told not to investigate. Reacher doesn't like being told what to do. The tension squeezes and sqeezes until you think you can't take it anymore. He's the kind of guy who does the right thing, even when it's the wrong thing, and makes no apology for it.
The story is fantastic, and the ride doesn't end until the book does. Once again, a fabulous Reacher novel.
The story is fantastic, and the ride doesn't end until the book does. Once again, a fabulous Reacher novel.
Helpful Score: 5
Another fast paced, page turner from Lee Child. I didn't think I would like this type of book about Jach Reacher and the military, but from the first page Lee Child grabs your attention. I found it hard to put the book down and am a big fan now of the Jack Reacher series books.
Helpful Score: 4
This is my 2nd Jack Reacher book. It's great! I love Reacher's personality and values. He lives his beliefs. He's smart. The author conveys so much with so few words. The suspense is taut. The action powerful. Great story! I've ordered 3 more books in this series!
Helpful Score: 4
I've been into military thrillers lately. I'd never read any Lee Child books before and was only aware that "Jack Reacher" was an on-going character because I'd noted that this particular book was listed as #8. At first I thought that it was going to be the "one and only" for me, because the pace seemed slow in comparison to most of my other genre-related reads. But I kept thinking about a man I know who is in the military and about how he doesn't just see things differently than those of us in civilian life do, but he moves differently and talks differently - he sort of has his own pace - and then I realized that this book did, too. Once I relaxed and became willing to go along for the ride, I had a great time.
There was absolutely no way that I could ever have figured out the end. I'm not certain if that's because this is the first "Jack Reacher" book I've read, if it's because I don't think like people in the military do, or if I was just being dense (it happens *s*). At any rate, because I had no clue how it was going to play out, I was intrigued to the last page.
I don't think that I've missed anything by starting with #8, instead of #1. Information was passed along as part of the current plot without making me feel like there was a lot of time being wasted in review, which I appreciated. Then again, until I read more of these books, I can't really know for sure, can I?
Bottom line is that I ended up liking it enough to go looking for more Lee Child/Jack Reacher books, which pretty much says it all.
There was absolutely no way that I could ever have figured out the end. I'm not certain if that's because this is the first "Jack Reacher" book I've read, if it's because I don't think like people in the military do, or if I was just being dense (it happens *s*). At any rate, because I had no clue how it was going to play out, I was intrigued to the last page.
I don't think that I've missed anything by starting with #8, instead of #1. Information was passed along as part of the current plot without making me feel like there was a lot of time being wasted in review, which I appreciated. Then again, until I read more of these books, I can't really know for sure, can I?
Bottom line is that I ended up liking it enough to go looking for more Lee Child/Jack Reacher books, which pretty much says it all.
Helpful Score: 2
Maybe not the best Reacher book but it kept my attention. The plot was incredibly complicated so I never came close to figuring it out. Reacher continues to be a fantastic hero and Child is a masterful story teller. I am amazed again by the depth of knowledge Child has. He doesn't bore the reader with it but weaves it into the story.
Helpful Score: 2
Another great entry in the Reacher series. This one is actually a prequel to all of the previous Reacher stories. It takes place about 10 years earlier, in 1990 when Reacher is still an MP. It is during the time-period of the fall of Communism in the USSR and Eastern Europe and the different divisions of the army are scrambling to see how the new army will pan out and what division will stay on top. One of these divisions goes to great lengths including murder to keep the status quo. Reacher's commander wanted the murders covered up but of course this doesn't fit in with Reacher's code of fair play. Overall, another high recommendation for the 8th in the Reacher series. "One Shot" is next in line and I'm looking forward to getting into it sometime soon.
Helpful Score: 2
"The Enemy" is one of the earliest of the Reacher series. He doesn't come across quite as confident as he does in his later adventures. Reading this offers the reader insight into the man he will become in the next few years. His fierce loyalty and quiet 'in your face' demeanor is developed in his being presented with case where he investigates his beloved army. Despite this being a period piece there is enough snap and direction change to keep a reader thoroughly entertained.
Helpful Score: 2
I would not discourage anyone from reading a Jack Reacher book but be warned--this one gets very long and drawn out and things are repeated over and over and over, I finally just started skipping and skimming to find the parts I needed and tried to get past all the repeated parts, but Jack Reacher is character to keep up with.
Helpful Score: 1
great read,love Jack Reacher. Can't wait to read more
Helpful Score: 1
This book was great. It's the second Reacher novel that I've read and I enjoyed it tremendously, could hardly put it down. The plot is engaging but not too complex. I will be back for more of Reacher
Helpful Score: 1
The "Jack Reacher" series is excellent! If you've never read Lee Child (or if you're eager for the latest installment here), you're in for a treat!
A very good read. Good characters and plot twists.
great story -Jack Reacher is the hero an MP and soldier
Jack Reacher an all-american hero. From the first words I was hooked on this book Loved it another great Lee Child thriller.
Another great Jack Reacher novel! As a military MP Jack is assigned to control the situation when a two-star general is found dead in a dump of a hotel room. Great reading!
Love Jack Reacher but this was not my favorite. Still worth the time just to see Jack operate!
A Jack Reacher book. Nothing more needs to be said
A nice change of pace Reacher novel. This is a flashback to his early days as an MP in the military. If you've read the 7 prior Lee Child books, it's a lot of fun to see the anti-authority, carefree Jack living in a structured, disciplined world. Solid mystery - a few clues, a few twists.
3 stars out of 5
3 stars out of 5
First of Child's books I've read. Very entertaining.
Lee Child is such a great story teller!!! Reacher in a prequel that kept me going way into the night. MP procedures are protrayed fairly accurately here too. That says a lot for a Brit. I wish Reacher were made into a series of made for TV movies. But I don't think a director could do Child's series justice. So I guess we will just have to use our imagination. My praise is not just for this book involving MP investigations of murder, but for the entire Reacher franchise. All I can say is - MORE Reacher!!!
As always a great read.
As always, another Jack Reacher story that will rivet you. It'll pull you right into the story. Lee Child is a genius.
This book is 8th in the Jack Reacher series (a prequel). A fast-paced, military/CSI type thriller. Very good mystery.
A delighful mystery/thriller. One of my favorites. Pick this book up, you will enjoy reading it.
I've read a lot of Jack Reacher novels, but I think this has to be the best one. If you have read Jack Reacher before and wondered about his mother, your answer is in this book.
It drove me crazy the use of I, she or he Said Nothing. If I had the digital version, I'd search to see how many there were. I would bet hundreds. Shouldn't an editor have told him to cut them out or change them to the thousands or so other ways to communicate? He chose not to reply. I remained stoically silent. I opened my mouth to comment, and changed my mind. That's just off the top of my head. I don't understand how everyone who reads this book isn't driven bonkers by his poor verb choices, and EXTREMELY short sentences.
Also, the plot was unbelievable. I mean, truly couldn't happen in the real military. I read to the end only because I wanted to see "who done it". But, the book was so bloated with unnecessary passages and pages that I wished I'd skipped to the end from around 30%. He could have left out 100 or more pages and not lost anything in the story.
I loved One Shot - the movie that is. I read this book in chronological order because of the movie. I'm going to read one more Jack Reacher books, but if it's this bad, I won't finish it and I'll be done with the series.
Also, the plot was unbelievable. I mean, truly couldn't happen in the real military. I read to the end only because I wanted to see "who done it". But, the book was so bloated with unnecessary passages and pages that I wished I'd skipped to the end from around 30%. He could have left out 100 or more pages and not lost anything in the story.
I loved One Shot - the movie that is. I read this book in chronological order because of the movie. I'm going to read one more Jack Reacher books, but if it's this bad, I won't finish it and I'll be done with the series.
Though this is the 9th in the Jack Reacher series, it's the first one I read. Then I read it again. Then I read them all. Twice.
Not as good as the later books, but still good.
One of Lee Child's best! Hard hitting and realistic. Difficult to stop reading.
Just couldn't get into this one. Stared out good, but then took a turn towards corniness!
The Enemy - Lee Child in top form. One of Child's best Jack Reacher books. Fast paced with action that comes on like a tornado. Reacher gets a late night call to respond to a 2-star general who's found dead at a local motel. Reacher responds and all hell begins to unfold - the generals wife is found dead the next day and this is just the beginning for Reacher as he becomes the odd man out on a military base that wants to let everything roll along as usual and for Reacher to find something else to occupy his time. But Jack play along and he soon finds that his career and life is about to change - for the worst.
Enjoyed it . . . kept me awake to finish it!
The Enemy was written out of sequence, placing Jack Reacher at the end of his military career. I think this book is the best of the Reacher series that I've read (and I've read and enjoyed most of them). I don't know why Child chose to go back into the character's history, but it certainly helps the reader to make sense of many of Reacher's quirks!
Jack Reacher is the penultimate protagonist.
I'm not sure I was really pulled into the twists in this book, but I'm willing to give Reacher another try. I jumped into the middle of the series; perhaps it would have been better to have gotten to know Reacher from the beginning.
Let me start off by saying, I love the Jack Reacher series and I really liked this book. Having said that I only gave it 3 stars because I found the book to be disconcerting. This book should have been Book 1. I like to read books in order. Finally when I got to Page 75, I could stand it no more. I went to Lee Child's website to see if I read the book out of order but no it actually is Book 8! I also looked at all the PBS reviews and noted others mentioning it should have been Book 1. Confusing I know, suffice it to say this book gives you Jack's history and helps you understand why he is the way he is. Once I got it squared away in my mind I really did enjoy the book and if you are a Reacher/Child fan, I think you will too!
This novel in the Jack Reacher series finds our hero trying to control a situation: a two-star general has been found dead in a hotel room, presumably from a heart attack but his briefcase and its contents are missing. Then the general's wife turns up dead. Reacher is being set up as the fall guy in a conspiracy. Child's characterizations hit home, with Reacher as both lover (to his girl du jour, Summer) and fighter (as he discovers who set him up and why). I found "Echo Burning" to be a little bland, but this book kept me turning the pages for hours.
Amazing plot
I enjoyed this book very much as I havce all of the Reacher series. Reccommend it for good reading to all the Jack Reacher fans. Dale
Slow start,but great read.
Excellent book, I really enjoy the Jack Reacher series because you never know what is going to happen and you do not have to read them in order.
Great read, good book. Kept me interested the entire way. Bestseller.
All of Lee Child's book are good!
I enjoyed this book as I love all the Jack Reacher books. This one he is still in the military and I found it went into too much detail about the going-ons of the military. I think this Jack Reacher book is more of a guys book as they will enjoy the story line and all the info about the military.
What a wonderful character Jack Reacher is! Kind of a modern-day superhero, flawed & fallible as all of us, with a bag of tricks McGyver could only have dreamt of...
Every Lee Child book is an excellent read.
Good one, its because of this bookthat I've read the rest of the Jack Reacher novels.
Jack Reacher is my absolute favorite character in any book series. Not Lee Child's best, but still a great read.
I enjoy the Jack Reacher series. Each book could be a stand alone so if you're looking for an interesting lead character and action try any in this series.
A Jack Reacher novel where the army sets him up as a fall guy. Another great Lee Child book/
In this novel Jack Reacher is still in the army. An elite military cop, he was one of the army's brightest stars. But in every cop's life there is one case that changes everything. For Reacher, this is that case....
Good solid mystery. Gritty, military angle to it.
"An Unforgettable Hero...May be the Best Reacher Book Yet."
- Newsweek
- Newsweek
Good read!
I love the Jack Reacher series. This one takes you back to when he was still in the military.
An excellent read
Interesting mystery with a military setting. Part of a series with the main character Jack Reacher. I enjoyed it as a beach read-
Another Jack Reacher novel, pretty good and gives background to previous novels.
Great author! Great book!
"Lee Child is a thriller writer you should know about if you don't already....a page-turner"
CBS News Sunday Morning
CBS News Sunday Morning
The Enemy is without question Reacher's finest hour, and Lee Child's masterpiece.
Everything we love about Reacher is here: his stoicism, his realism, his (almost) complete control of the world around him, with some violence and sex and Wild West justice thrown in to a terrific whodunnit.
Everything we love about Reacher is here: his stoicism, his realism, his (almost) complete control of the world around him, with some violence and sex and Wild West justice thrown in to a terrific whodunnit.
1990 2-Star General found dead in a motel and his briefcase is missing. Reacher is called on to control the situation, then the general's wife is murdered and the game is on.
I have read all of these books and enjoyed them very much--though they are somewhat violent.
New Year's Day, 1990. In a North Carolina motel, a two-star general is found dead. His briefcase is missing. Nobody knows what was in it. Within minutes Jack Reacher has his orders" Control the situation. Within hours the general's wife is murdered. Then the dominoes really start to fall..
This is one of my favorite series. Reacher is definitely a one of a kind guy! This one is not as action packed as some of the others, but it does give us a little back-story as to why Reacher is the way he is.
Jack Reacher is a great series!!
Review
"A fabulously suspenseful prequel.... [Lee Child's] best so far."
--Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review
"Textured, swift, and told in Reacher's inimitably tough voice ... Child has few peers in thrillerdom."
--Publishers Weekly, starred review
"The best showcase of Child's talent to date. .... one of the best thriller writers at work."
--Rocky Mountain News
"THE ENEMY sizzles with suspense and action. Child sets a breathless pace."
--Orlando Sentinel
"A rip-roaring read from the first page to the last ."
--St. Petersburg Times
"[Jack Reacher is]. . .the thinking reader's action hero a surprisingly tender combination of chess master and G.I. Joe."
--Seattle Times
"Will keep you guessing until the final page."
--Playboy
From the Hardcover edition.
Book Description
Jack Reacher. Hero. Loner. Soldier. Soldier's son. An elite military cop, he was one of the army's brightest stars. But in every cop's life there is a turning point. One case. One messy, tangled case that can shatter a career. Turn a lawman into a renegade. And make him question words like honor, valor, and duty. For Jack Reacher, this is that case.
New Year's Day, 1990. The Berlin Wall is coming down. The world is changing. And in a North Carolina "hot-sheets" motel, a two-star general is found dead. His briefcase is missing. Nobody knows what was in it. Within minutes Jack Reacher has his orders: Control the situation. But this situation can't be controlled. Within hours the general's wife is murdered hundreds of miles away. Then the dominoes really start to fall.
Two Special Forces soldiers-the toughest of the tough-are taken down, one at a time. Top military commanders are moved from place to place in a bizarre game of chess. And somewhere inside the vast worldwide fortress that is the U.S. Army, Jack Reacher-an ordinarily untouchable investigator for the 110th Special Unit-is being set up as a fall guy with the worst enemies a man can have.
But Reacher won't quit. He's fighting a new kind of war. And he's taking a young female lieutenant with him on a deadly hunt that leads them from the ragged edges of a rural army post to the winding streets of Paris to a confrontation with an enemy he didn't know he had. With his French-born mother dying-and divulging to her son one last, stunning secret-Reacher is forced to question everything he once believed...about his family, his career, his loyalties-and himself. Because this soldier's son is on his way into the darkness, where he finds a tangled drama of desperate desires and violent death-and a conspiracy more chilling, ingenious, and treacherous than anyone could have guessed.
From the Hardcover edition.
"A fabulously suspenseful prequel.... [Lee Child's] best so far."
--Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review
"Textured, swift, and told in Reacher's inimitably tough voice ... Child has few peers in thrillerdom."
--Publishers Weekly, starred review
"The best showcase of Child's talent to date. .... one of the best thriller writers at work."
--Rocky Mountain News
"THE ENEMY sizzles with suspense and action. Child sets a breathless pace."
--Orlando Sentinel
"A rip-roaring read from the first page to the last ."
--St. Petersburg Times
"[Jack Reacher is]. . .the thinking reader's action hero a surprisingly tender combination of chess master and G.I. Joe."
--Seattle Times
"Will keep you guessing until the final page."
--Playboy
From the Hardcover edition.
Book Description
Jack Reacher. Hero. Loner. Soldier. Soldier's son. An elite military cop, he was one of the army's brightest stars. But in every cop's life there is a turning point. One case. One messy, tangled case that can shatter a career. Turn a lawman into a renegade. And make him question words like honor, valor, and duty. For Jack Reacher, this is that case.
New Year's Day, 1990. The Berlin Wall is coming down. The world is changing. And in a North Carolina "hot-sheets" motel, a two-star general is found dead. His briefcase is missing. Nobody knows what was in it. Within minutes Jack Reacher has his orders: Control the situation. But this situation can't be controlled. Within hours the general's wife is murdered hundreds of miles away. Then the dominoes really start to fall.
Two Special Forces soldiers-the toughest of the tough-are taken down, one at a time. Top military commanders are moved from place to place in a bizarre game of chess. And somewhere inside the vast worldwide fortress that is the U.S. Army, Jack Reacher-an ordinarily untouchable investigator for the 110th Special Unit-is being set up as a fall guy with the worst enemies a man can have.
But Reacher won't quit. He's fighting a new kind of war. And he's taking a young female lieutenant with him on a deadly hunt that leads them from the ragged edges of a rural army post to the winding streets of Paris to a confrontation with an enemy he didn't know he had. With his French-born mother dying-and divulging to her son one last, stunning secret-Reacher is forced to question everything he once believed...about his family, his career, his loyalties-and himself. Because this soldier's son is on his way into the darkness, where he finds a tangled drama of desperate desires and violent death-and a conspiracy more chilling, ingenious, and treacherous than anyone could have guessed.
From the Hardcover edition.
Another excellent read.
The best Reacher book I've read. Continuous non-stop excitement.
Great read!! Grabbed me fron page one!!
I've enjoyed all the Jack Reacher novels--very well written suspense.
Like the loner aspect of Reacher. Great storytelling
another great Jack Reacher!!
This is another great Jack Reacher book -- a look at him while still in the Army. Super!
A two star general is found dead & his briefcase missing with some very high level information inside. Jack Reacher is assigned to control the situation, but then the generals wife is found dead. He bogins to uncover a US Army conspiracy going all the way to the top. This beek grabs you from the beginning and holds on.
Another great "Reacher" mystery.
Not the best Reacher book I've read. He is still in military, solving murders and finding army traitors.
I really enjoy all the Reacher books and this is no exception. Pretty fast moving, multiple killings and suspects. It has the added interest of giving some personal information about Jack Reacher and his past. It takes place near the end of Reacher's military career before his drifter days.
Enojyed it.
From the back cover:
New Years Day, 1990. In a North Carolina motel, a two-star general is found dead. His briefcase is missing. Nobody knows what was in it. Within minutes Jack Reacher has his orders: Control the situation. Within hours the general's wife is murdered. Then the dominoes really start to fall. . .
Somewhere inside the vast worldwide fortress that is the U.S. Army, Reacher is being set up as a fall guy with the worst enemies a man can have. But Reacher won't quit. He's fighting a new kind of war--against an enemy he didn't know he had. And against a conspiracy more chilling, ingenious, and treacherous than anyone could have guessed.
New Years Day, 1990. In a North Carolina motel, a two-star general is found dead. His briefcase is missing. Nobody knows what was in it. Within minutes Jack Reacher has his orders: Control the situation. Within hours the general's wife is murdered. Then the dominoes really start to fall. . .
Somewhere inside the vast worldwide fortress that is the U.S. Army, Reacher is being set up as a fall guy with the worst enemies a man can have. But Reacher won't quit. He's fighting a new kind of war--against an enemy he didn't know he had. And against a conspiracy more chilling, ingenious, and treacherous than anyone could have guessed.
Jack Reacher. Hero. Loner. Soldier. Soldier's son. An elite military cop, he was one of the army's brightest stars. But in every cop's life there is one case that changes everything. For Jack Reacher, this is that case...
New Years Day, 1990. In a North Carolina motel, a two-star general is found dead. His briefcase is missing. Nobody knows what was in it. Within minutes Jack Reacher has his orders: Control the situatuion. Within hours the generals wife is murdered. Then the dominoes start to fall...
Somewhere inside the vast worldwide fortress that is the U.S. Army, Reacher is being set up as the fall guy with the worst enemies a guy can have. But Reacher won't quit. He's fighting a new kind of war-against an enemy he didn't know he had. And against a conspiracy more chilling, ingenius, and treacherous than anyone could have guessed.
New Years Day, 1990. In a North Carolina motel, a two-star general is found dead. His briefcase is missing. Nobody knows what was in it. Within minutes Jack Reacher has his orders: Control the situatuion. Within hours the generals wife is murdered. Then the dominoes start to fall...
Somewhere inside the vast worldwide fortress that is the U.S. Army, Reacher is being set up as the fall guy with the worst enemies a guy can have. But Reacher won't quit. He's fighting a new kind of war-against an enemy he didn't know he had. And against a conspiracy more chilling, ingenius, and treacherous than anyone could have guessed.
The Berlin Wall has just come crashing down, marking an end to the Cold War, and as a result, the U.S. Army is facing a massive restructuring of purpose and personnel. During this turbulent time, 29-year-old Reacher, an MP major stationed to a base in North Carolina, is called on to investigate the death of a two-star general found dead in a seedy motel. More deaths follow and the new commander at the base trys to stop Reacher from futher investigating. Of course Reacher doesn't listen. Another good Reacher book for all those fans out there.
This one goes back and fills in some important and intrigueing Jack Reacher history. You could even start here, then go back and read all the rest! Four solid stars. --Jim
I just can't get enough of the "Jack Reacher" series. This is yet another page-turner, from when Jack was still in the Army.
Jack never fails to keep the action going and remain true to his principals - even though to has to kill a few enemies along the way. He is always "in trouble"; usually finds a nice woman to be in love for awhile but they can never remain lovers. Exciting reading.
engrossing!!
Good reading, very involved,interesting plot. Murder mystery.
This was my favorite Reacher so far. I can't wait to find my next favorite in the series!
This goes back to Reacher's military life. A bit of a different tack.
A Jack Reacher story. Totally different type of detective. Really complex plot. A lot of fun to read.
If the "star" rating had more than 5 stars, this one would certainly get it. I've read several of the Reacher books, but this one is by far the best. It was as intense of a book as I've ever read, as well as emotional. I actually had to fight the tears on certain parts of it.
What a great book!
What a great book!
Read for our book club and found it to be a good book, just not my cup of tea as far as interest.
