Die Trying (Jack Reacher, 2)

Rating:
Summary: This author just gained a new fan!
Review: This is the first Lee Child book I've read, and it grabbed my attention from the very start. It has an evolving plot that keeps you wondering what the next page will bring. The involvement of the FBI and the Miltary shouldn't be looked at too critically or unrealistically as some readers may tend to do. This story, having as it's plot,a militia, lead by a charismatic,dangerous wacko who wants to form his own separate world in the wilds of Montana. When he instigates the kidnapping of an FBI agent,he unknowingly involves an innocent bystander who turns out to be Jack Reacher, a very skilled and highly decorated former member of the Military. This spells trouble for the militia's plans involving the agent and their sinister plans for their celebration of Independence Day. I look forward to catching up with past Reacher books,as I really enjoyed this one.

Rating:
Summary: 2nd complicated Jack Reacher thriller is a pleaser !
Review: We were hardly the first to become enamored with Lee Child's new thriller hero Jack Reacher, an ex-military police investigator extraordinaire who beat all odds in his debut in "Killing Floor". He's back in his sophomore outing, and every bit as tough, smart, and determined to save the day as before. This time he's just being a Good Samaritan to an injured woman struggling with her dry cleaning when the two of them are captured by what turns out to be one of those fanatical Montana freedom-or-die militia outfits. The woman, Holly Johnson, a sophisticated FBI agent specializing in white collar crime soon turns out to be almost as gritty as Jack as they are forced to ride for days in a dark panel truck to some unknown destination, held captive each night. That Holly is the daughter of the Joint Chief of Staff seems to be the hostage taker's motive, and before it's over, the FBI, the Marines, and Jack's good ol' ex-boss General Garber are all in on the militia attack. Who will have the final say in life or death is never much in doubt, but there were several times where our leading characters could have been offed, contributing to the non-stop suspense we already expect of Child. We'll also forgive some romantic hijinks 'tween Jack and Holly, although even that development matured to a surprising outcome

With rapidly turning pages and a complicated plot til nearly the last page, we were thoroughly entertained and engaged. Our only quibble might be that Reacher might be like a cat and get "9 lives", but it seems he used every one of them in this tale. We can't wait to dig into the rest of the Child/Reacher series!