The last time I bought a book on opening day, it was the long awaited seventh installment of the Harry Potter series. I love to own books, but I try to only buy books that I have read and immensely enjoyed so I don't have shelves full of mediocre books that I will never read again. The exception- besides Harry Potter- is Lee Child's newest book which came out on Tuesday. I picked it up on release day and read it that evening...and I was not disappointed!
Lee Child's 61 Hours is the latest installment in the Jack Reacher series. Reacher is an ex-military cop who drifts from town to town with only the clothes on his back, a foldable toothbrush and an expired passport. He is homeless by choice, used to his military upbringing and career in which he moved constantly. He feels restless when he is in one place for too long, so he drifts all over the United States, buying clothes as he needs them (even carrying a small bag makes him feel tied down) and always in search of the perfect cup of coffee. Reacher is a giant- he is 6'5 and he weighs about 250 pounds. His battle scars from the military and his many misadventures add to his imposing looks. He is not looking for trouble as he drifts from town to town, but trouble always finds him. He will operate outside the law when his sense of justice warrants it. Whether he's protecting an innocent or it's self-defense, or whether he's punishing someone for a ghastly crime, Reacher's violence is always justifiable. He is reluctant at times to get involved in other people's concerns, but once in he will do his best to help and protect others. Reacher is the ultimate hero, and can always be relied upon to save the day.
It is not just the unusual and very likeable hero that makes these novels so great. Lee Child is a master at creating suspense. He writes in a straightforward, sparse style, never using a word he doesn't need. This builds up and creates suspense, so these books are hard to put down.
In 61 Hours, Reacher finds himself stranded in a town in South Dakota during a bitterly cold blizzard. He is soon helping the police to protect an old woman-and key witness- and to hunt down an unknown killer. He soon learns that there is a greater conspiracy at work, and that the corruption may have spread to the police force. The police must abandon the town during a riot at the nearby prison, leaving Reacher as the woman's only hope. Will he be able to keep the both of them alive? The suspense picks up throughout the book until the unforgettable conclusion- let's just say that I'll be buying the next installment, which will be released in October.
If you decide to read the Jack Reacher books, there are thirteen other novels. I would recommend reading 61 Hours last, or at least after you've read a few other ones. These are not books that must be read in order, but the first novel is The Killing Floor. I read them out of order, and each book is a story of its own- you'll pick up details of Reacher's early life and personality as you go.
In short, if you want novels with an unforgettable hero and pulse-racing suspense, try Lee Child's Jack Reacher series. You will not be disappointed!
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