Running Blind (Jack Reacher)

Currently #4 of 29 Jack Reacher novels, Lee Child keeps the action pounding and Jack on the move as he handles a serial killer targeting ex-military women who brought sexual charges against their abusers and then left the service. The FBI is involved in the case, but they are attacking it according to their own agenda - and Jack thinks they are wrong about motive. They are pretty sure this crime is being committed by someone exactly like Jack.

I have loved the series of movies and TV shows that feature Jack Reacher, and have read various of Lee Child's Jack Reacher books over the years, but my daughter and I decided to spend early summer reading the series intact, in order. And it's got us both neglecting the gardens, the housework, the cooking. I didn't know what we were missing! My advice to you all is to just go for it. We already adored Jack - now we know him better and love him more.

One of the many things that I like about the Lee Child’s Jack Reacher series is that you can start reading the series with any of the books and enjoy it fully. Although it is a series, Lee writes each of the books in such a manner that they can be read and enjoyed as a standalone thriller. That is why Lee is an award-winning author with books on all the major bestseller lists.

If you have never read any of Lee Child’s Jack Reacher books, you are in for a real treat. Running Blind. Running Blind is an adrenaline-fueled, roller-coaster thrill ride from the first page to the last page. A tale with more twists and turns than a sidewinder leaves in the desert sand. A tale that will keep you glued to your seat, burning through the pages until you have read the last page. At over 350 pages, this is a long read, so be prepared for a long night. Most thrillers are either plot driven, or character driven, but Child’s Reacher stories are equally plot and character driven, and that is a winning combination.

If you are searching for an author and a book series that you can binge on, read Lee Child and his Jack Reacher series. Both Lee and his character are worthies to ride the river with.

If you enjoy suspense novels and haven't met Jack Reacher, you really need to give Lee Child's creation a try. Ex Military Police, part hobo, all-around good guy, Reacher takes on bad guys wherever he meets them with cunning, strength and devil may care attitude. OK, enough background. This novel, the fourth in a series, has Reacher involved in a case containing four murdered ex-army women, paint-filled bathtubs, no identifiable cause of death and he under suspicion by the FBI as the perpetrator. If that is enough to get your interest, jump aboard to follow the twists and turns that bring you to a surprising conclusion. And be prepared to become a Jack Reacher fan.

The movie with Tom Cruise deserves discussion--haven't seen it, but just bought a sweet 'smart' TV and signed up for Netflix streaming, so I may watch it eventually. I'll just say here that, regarding the movie, and despite Mr Cruise's pathological delusions about what passes for 'real life'...I confess that I'm a fan. TC's (usually) fun to watch on screen.

But casting him as Jake Reacher...what were they thinking?

Reacher graduated West Point, served honorably and heroically for 15 years, including 'Nam, as an Army MP. He was awarded a Silver Star for digging out and rescuing Marines from the rubble of the terrorist bombing of their barracks in Lebenon. Everyone who knew him in the Army speaks highly of him, not a few with reverence. He's also, at 6' 5," 220 lbs, a highly-trained killer, and as a civilian, he continues to kill...the very, very bad guys he encounters. Meanwhile, the elfin Mr Cruise, when standing ramrod straight and executing a last-second (surreptitious) tippy-toe move just before the camera clix, is, at best, 5'5"--a foot shorter than Reacher... in a narrative where Reacher's investigative skills AND his physical size and prowess are essential. His appearance alone makes him intimidating, a crucial element in the reader's ability to suspend disbelief.

In any case, the series is good, good stuff. Solid writing. (Don't be put off by the Hemingwayesque shite, at the beginning of first Reacher novel. The writing gets better, so good you don't notice it.) I've just ordered #5...gotta be ready to follow Jack Reacher and his exploits when I'm done with #4. Good plots, good stories, great character/hero. Having read the first 3, I can tell you they're the proverbial page-turner. Maybe not quite as good as the wizard himself, Elmore Leonard, but close enough. There's nothing not to like about the character and the writing gets better and better with each book...did I mention that a good series such as this is a godsend, a blessing, frickin' welcome, big time, anytime. Sorry, gotta finish #4.

Jack Reacher, for the time being, has officially taken over my brain.

I chose a 4 rating instead of a 5 because I almost quit reading it. I couldn't imagine the author's brain going there, and the story seemed like criminal porn of a terrifying nature.

I like reading about Reacher's eccentric ways and even the over the top administration of well-deserved justice, and how he thinks through things to solve problems, making me think he is never going to get away with whatever fix he is in.

I HAD to continue reading though, and I'm glad I did. However I feel like I have to wash my brain to remove the taint of reading about the methods of the evil killer, because every day since I finished reading it, the disgusting, surreal self-talk of the killer haunts me so bad I have to say a protective mantra to make the words go away.

Read it if you dare, ladies.

Lee Child can weave an interesting tale about Jack Reacher but may drive readers who are familiar with proper sentence structure and use of punctuation to the brink. I know that’s the case for me. I purchased the entire Jack Reacher series of books after seeing the first season of the series. I never would have read so many of his books if I hadn’t already paid for them. I have often wondered why, with all the money that Lee Child must have brought in from his writing, he can’t seem to afford a staff who will proofread and correct the many mistakes throughout his books. Same goes for his publisher. I held onto hope with each successive book that he might learn something about writing and make his books easier to read. I hoped, with the addition of his brother on the last couple, that the books would improve but seemed to get only worse. Sometimes, 2 whole pages of back-and-forth banter are written with nothing to occasionally let you know who is speaking, so multiple readings may be needed at times to sort it out. I think almost all, if not all, of the pages have sentences with commas where none are needed, periods where commas are needed, clauses used as sentences, and a new paragraph starting from a clause that belongs in the previous sentence of the preceding paragraph. As I said, hard to read if you understand basic sentence structure. There are often times where I wish Lee had done one iota of research to get facts right. I refer to passages in the stories where it was apparent that Lee Child had no experience or knowledge; I guess, more or less, the writing is off the top of his head. Some problems are: 1: He thinks the flashing emergency lights of vehicles in the western states are the same as in much of the New England states (blue on fire trucks and red on police). 2: He didn’t know what the average shoe size in America is actually 10 ½ (stating it as 9) 3: He thinks a large man like Jack Reacher would have what Lee evidently thinks of as a large foot size of 11, instead of something closer to 14 or 15 (I am 6’1” and wear a 13.) I assume Lee has a small foot. 4: Lee has never been near a fast-moving train, thinking there is violent ground movement when the train is even over a mile away and hurricane force winds near one traveling 60 mph. 5: He seems to think that all gas stations and quick marts sell khaki pants and various shirts, packs of socks, and underwear. 6: Jack Reacher can knock anyone unconscious and very often dead with one punch. I can remember only a couple times when it took two. 7: He thinks face bones will “shatter” from a Jack Reacher punch and can knock out a gorilla or even an elephant. Jack also never has injuries to his hand or elbow from such amazing blows. 8: Jack Reacher’s hands are said to be as large as a dinner plate and his fists as large as Thanksgiving turkeys…really? Yes, his books are hard to read for these and other reasons caused by lack of oversight by his publisher and lack of staff. Please, I hope never to find out he has a staff that lets this stuff through. Good storyteller, other than the lack of research on details and no idea as to sentence/paragraph structure..

Rating would be five for the story. Won't buy future books