Jonathan S. (nocomplaints) - reviewed on 11/21/2014

Helpful Score: 1

The first of the Jack Reacher series gives you a glimpse of the writing skills of this author. It was doubly insightful for me as I had started reading Lee Child beginning with a book closer to the eighth or ninth in the series. As with so many authors in this genre, the inclusion of detailed descriptions (of varied degrees) of the sexual activities of characters in the book seem to, either by the author or someone who has the author's ear, hold to the belief it is a requisite for selling books. The book in the middle of the series is light on those details compared to Killing Floor and suffers not in any way, as upon completing it I could not wait to read them all in order. Lee Child writes so well, that while I had difficulty finding a used copy of Killing FloorIng I ended up reading half of book two before obtaining book one. While it is true that those details of one's bedroom activities sells books, there are whole genres to prove it, Lee Child proves it is not a requisite. We all have different tastes but I personally am thankful Lee Child believes so. Jack Reacher is a bear of a man, and for those of us men who walk in the atmospheric region six feet and under, Reacher's size is part of what makes him a man's man. While not a saint, Reacher has a set of mores acceptable to the realists in society. If you mess with women, children, or the weak you will live, or maybe not, to regret it. Reacher's desire for anonymity while trying to see and experience all of the states of the U.S.A. make him an endearing character, (who doesn't want to tell the government to take a hike when it comes to personal privacy and rights.) Reacher is believable as one of the best of investigators (because he needs help and makes mistakes while eventually getting to the truth) and an action hero (who never stays around for the fame or glory or the tough questions the authorities will inevitability want to ask). It is on to the next adventure. Let's hope there are many more to come. Well done Lee Child.

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