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Jack Reacher #19.5
Small Wars
A young lieutenant colonel, in a stylish handmade uniform, roars through the damp woods of Georgia in her new silver Porsche - until she meets a very tall soldier with a broken-down car.
What could connect a cold-blooded off-post shooting with Reacher, his elder brother Joe, and a secretive unit of pointy-heads from the Pentagon?
What could connect a cold-blooded off-post shooting with Reacher, his elder brother Joe, and a secretive unit of pointy-heads from the Pentagon?
44 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 18, 2015
1043 people are currently reading
12396 people want to read
About the author
Lee Child
442 books34.2k followersLee Child was born October 29th, 1954 in Coventry, England, but spent his formative years in the nearby city of Birmingham. By coincidence he won a scholarship to the same high school that JRR Tolkien had attended. He went to law school in Sheffield, England, and after part-time work in the theater he joined Granada Television in Manchester for what turned out to be an eighteen-year career as a presentation director during British TV's "golden age." During his tenure his company made Brideshead Revisited, The Jewel in the Crown, Prime Suspect, and Cracker. But he was fired in 1995 at the age of 40 as a result of corporate restructuring. Always a voracious reader, he decided to see an opportunity where others might have seen a crisis and bought six dollars' worth of paper and pencils and sat down to write a book, Killing Floor, the first in the Jack Reacher series.
Killing Floor was an immediate success and launched the series which has grown in sales and impact with every new installment. The first Jack Reacher movie, based on the novel One Shot and starring Tom Cruise and Rosamund Pike, was released in December 2012.
Lee has three homes—an apartment in Manhattan, a country house in the south of France, and whatever airplane cabin he happens to be in while traveling between the two. In the US he drives a supercharged Jaguar, which was built in Jaguar's Browns Lane plant, thirty yards from the hospital in which he was born.
Lee spends his spare time reading, listening to music, and watching the Yankees, Aston Villa, or Marseilles soccer. He is married with a grown-up daughter. He is tall and slim, despite an appalling diet and a refusal to exercise.
Killing Floor was an immediate success and launched the series which has grown in sales and impact with every new installment. The first Jack Reacher movie, based on the novel One Shot and starring Tom Cruise and Rosamund Pike, was released in December 2012.
Lee has three homes—an apartment in Manhattan, a country house in the south of France, and whatever airplane cabin he happens to be in while traveling between the two. In the US he drives a supercharged Jaguar, which was built in Jaguar's Browns Lane plant, thirty yards from the hospital in which he was born.
Lee spends his spare time reading, listening to music, and watching the Yankees, Aston Villa, or Marseilles soccer. He is married with a grown-up daughter. He is tall and slim, despite an appalling diet and a refusal to exercise.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 822 reviews
March 12, 2025
This is the fourth, and according to the Jack Reacher chronological series order, the last prequel. It’s a really short story (less than an hour for the audiobook) about Jack’s time back in the military (circa 1989). The book summary says it all. There’s not much to the story other than confirming that Jack is a great investigator. Although, it does provide some interesting character development of the Reacher brothers. Finally onto a full installment.
August 31, 2015
Okay, a bit better than the last novella ....book #16,5 ...that I read..but nothing special.
I am not going to read any more of this "in-between" little books anymore...I waste of my time and money. I can't see the reason for these novellas....
What made it a bit more interesting was that we get to meet Jack Reacher's brother again.....but again...we have someone doing some underhand things to sell US secrets to the enemy....okay..enough of this...let me just wait for the next full-length Jack Reacher book!!!!
I am not going to read any more of this "in-between" little books anymore...I waste of my time and money. I can't see the reason for these novellas....
What made it a bit more interesting was that we get to meet Jack Reacher's brother again.....but again...we have someone doing some underhand things to sell US secrets to the enemy....okay..enough of this...let me just wait for the next full-length Jack Reacher book!!!!
September 8, 2023
"She drove right up to him, with her window open. Would she do that, for some weird six foot seven inch [tall] stranger she had never seen before? With a broken-down pickup truck? I'm sure she saw all of those movies with the chainsaws and banjo music." -- Major Jack Reacher, U.S. Army criminal investigator, discussing angles of a homicide case with his reliable staff sergeant Neagley
The short story Small Wars is a flashback to Jack Reacher's waning days during his active military service in the late 1980's, when he was assigned to an unusual and politically-sensitive murder inquiry involving a young and newly-promoted rising star female colonel shortly after her arrival at a rural armed services outpost. Just like the previous two chronological Reacher novels that I've read it also featured a solid initial set-up and investigatory sections - the scenes of Reacher and his tough-as-nails de facto adjutant Frances Neagley (previously mentioned or featured in his other books) attempting to discern a motive were the best moments - but then faltered a bit on the conclusion.
The short story Small Wars is a flashback to Jack Reacher's waning days during his active military service in the late 1980's, when he was assigned to an unusual and politically-sensitive murder inquiry involving a young and newly-promoted rising star female colonel shortly after her arrival at a rural armed services outpost. Just like the previous two chronological Reacher novels that I've read it also featured a solid initial set-up and investigatory sections - the scenes of Reacher and his tough-as-nails de facto adjutant Frances Neagley (previously mentioned or featured in his other books) attempting to discern a motive were the best moments - but then faltered a bit on the conclusion.
November 30, 2015
With the motor vehicle accident putting the person in charge on the sidelines, Major Jack Reacher was requested to take his place. Along with Neagley, they were tasked to investigate the suspicious death of Caroline Crawford, a young lieutenant colonel who had met a grisly end in her brand new Porsche on the side of a deserted road in Georgia. But Reacher’s methodical and meticulous approach meant there were soon more questions than answers. And then the State Police found a suspect who ticked all their boxes…
Small Wars by Lee Child is a short story which also ticks all the boxes. A fast paced investigative story, it contains all the intrigue and Reacher charm that we’re used to in the full length novels. I thoroughly enjoyed it and have no hesitation in recommending Small Wars, especially to Reacher lovers.
Small Wars by Lee Child is a short story which also ticks all the boxes. A fast paced investigative story, it contains all the intrigue and Reacher charm that we’re used to in the full length novels. I thoroughly enjoyed it and have no hesitation in recommending Small Wars, especially to Reacher lovers.
December 12, 2023
Book 19.5 in the Jack Reacher series, and this is probably going to be a favourite in the short story collection, mainly because we see some of Joe Reacher's, which is rare.
It's nice to see the brother together, if only for a few pages.
Three stars.
It's nice to see the brother together, if only for a few pages.
Three stars.
February 4, 2016
I have read all the Jack Reacher novels by Lee Child so it is no surprise that I decided to read this novella.
I am a big fan of this action packed series and consider it my 'guilty pleasure'. The books are not particularly literary classics but they are great fun.
This novella is set in 1989 when Reacher was still Army. A Lt. Col. has been shot and killed so Reacher investigates and suspects that what appears to be a straightforward case is not what it appears. Jack Reacher believes that the man arrested is innocent.
An entertaining quick read.
I am a big fan of this action packed series and consider it my 'guilty pleasure'. The books are not particularly literary classics but they are great fun.
This novella is set in 1989 when Reacher was still Army. A Lt. Col. has been shot and killed so Reacher investigates and suspects that what appears to be a straightforward case is not what it appears. Jack Reacher believes that the man arrested is innocent.
An entertaining quick read.
October 23, 2018
Another enjoyable novella focusing on Reachers past.
1989 and still in the military, Reacher is sent to investigate a cold-blooded murder of a young officer in Georgia.
As Reacher starts to deduce all the clues, it soon becomes apparent who the killer is.
This was a really effective short story.
With the reader already knowing the identity of the culprit, Child cleverly shows the reader how Reachers mind works to solve the case.
It’s so effective and highlights how great this series can be.
1989 and still in the military, Reacher is sent to investigate a cold-blooded murder of a young officer in Georgia.
As Reacher starts to deduce all the clues, it soon becomes apparent who the killer is.
This was a really effective short story.
With the reader already knowing the identity of the culprit, Child cleverly shows the reader how Reachers mind works to solve the case.
It’s so effective and highlights how great this series can be.
October 27, 2025
An excellent short, concise, and captivating Reacher mystery featuring Neagley and his brother Joe.
December 29, 2018
Well always enjoy a Lee Childs book.
This is a very short story of 44 pages. So always hard to review, but four stars.
This is a story from Jack Reacher past when in the military, a clever little story, showing how skilled he was at his role.
One of the wealthiest and highest ranking officers in the military is killed, Jack Reacher job to find the killer, her does...
Four stars
Now finished book number 67 this year.
This is a very short story of 44 pages. So always hard to review, but four stars.
This is a story from Jack Reacher past when in the military, a clever little story, showing how skilled he was at his role.
One of the wealthiest and highest ranking officers in the military is killed, Jack Reacher job to find the killer, her does...
Four stars
Now finished book number 67 this year.
July 27, 2016
Another Reacher book, short story from circa 1989 with brother Joe and his ever faithful NCO Neagley in tow. Such fun.
This reminds me again how mad I get at Hollywood's choice of the on-screen Reacher :(
This reminds me again how mad I get at Hollywood's choice of the on-screen Reacher :(
June 9, 2016
This was fabulous. Succinct, and spot on Jack Reacher. The only thing better than Jack is adding Joe and Frances. And Lee Child did it.
This retrospect back history short story gives us ultimate insight to the Reacher brothers and at the same time has more quotable 7 to 10 word sentences than Shakespeare. HUH, you say!
Well, that's my opinion. And the Army nomenclature is 6 star. Excellent, excellent story about how young Jack has a temporary dish with the pointy-heads. How satisfying.
This was on my Kindle for a week and it was in the wrong form- so I had to return it and then get the Kindle version reloaded on a library based feed. Otherwise it would never have been sitting so long. Read in less than an hour. Will enjoy the points of view it brings to mind, quite a bit longer. Much longer.
This retrospect back history short story gives us ultimate insight to the Reacher brothers and at the same time has more quotable 7 to 10 word sentences than Shakespeare. HUH, you say!
Well, that's my opinion. And the Army nomenclature is 6 star. Excellent, excellent story about how young Jack has a temporary dish with the pointy-heads. How satisfying.
This was on my Kindle for a week and it was in the wrong form- so I had to return it and then get the Kindle version reloaded on a library based feed. Otherwise it would never have been sitting so long. Read in less than an hour. Will enjoy the points of view it brings to mind, quite a bit longer. Much longer.
September 6, 2015
In another throwback Reacher story, Child reminds his fans just how versatile his writing can be. When a female lieutenant colonel is killed off base, Jack Reacher is sent in to investigate on behalf of the US Military. Learning a little of Caroline Crawford's backstory, Reacher discovers that she is working on a highly classified project within the Pentagon. Piecing together some clues, Reacher realises that she was murdered in an apparent carjacking of sorts, but many of the findings at the scene leave more questions than answers. Liaising with his brother, Joe, Reacher begins to get a better idea of what is going on, while county and state officials juggle responsibility for the homicide. Further investigation permits Reacher to weave together the final pieces of the puzzle, which explains the entire event, though the reader had an inkling all along. A great bridge novella for those waiting for the annual Reacher full-length submission.
Some criticise Child for making these stories, shorter and less interesting than the full-length novels. It is quite obvious that character and story development are stilted when 35 pages replaces a full 300+ page submission, though it is how Child can tell the story and keep the flow that makes these pieces wonderful. Their succinct nature, along with the usual inquisitive and sarcastic sides to Reacher that fans expect is harder to do, while also pushing a full mystery into such a short space. Child is masterful in this and those who bemoan it need only realise what they signed on for in the beginning. I love spending a rainy afternoon getting my Jack Reacher fix, which Child provided me, and I encourage anyone with an hour free to pick this up and delve into the wonderful world of Jack Reacher before he went off the grid.
Kudos, Mr. Child for this great short piece. Nothing replaces a full novel, but this will tide me over.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Some criticise Child for making these stories, shorter and less interesting than the full-length novels. It is quite obvious that character and story development are stilted when 35 pages replaces a full 300+ page submission, though it is how Child can tell the story and keep the flow that makes these pieces wonderful. Their succinct nature, along with the usual inquisitive and sarcastic sides to Reacher that fans expect is harder to do, while also pushing a full mystery into such a short space. Child is masterful in this and those who bemoan it need only realise what they signed on for in the beginning. I love spending a rainy afternoon getting my Jack Reacher fix, which Child provided me, and I encourage anyone with an hour free to pick this up and delve into the wonderful world of Jack Reacher before he went off the grid.
Kudos, Mr. Child for this great short piece. Nothing replaces a full novel, but this will tide me over.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
February 27, 2021
44 pages - 1 hour to read.
A nice Short Kindle story, set in 1989, Jack Reacher’s is a US military police (MP) officer.
A young “lieutenant” colonel, is cornered & shot in backwoods in damp woods of Georgia in her new Porsche.
Another Lee Child book able to “drop clues” as our hero roams the United States taking challenging missions, investigating the suspicious in dangerous situations.
In this book, Reacher meets a “Mysterious” soldier then a Damaged car & woman.
Reacher & his brother Joe, investigation is outside of Pentagon’s permission...do they have the right soldier/person responsible for the murder.
Reacher once again solves crime correctly & then walking to his next assignment...
A nice Short Kindle story, set in 1989, Jack Reacher’s is a US military police (MP) officer.
A young “lieutenant” colonel, is cornered & shot in backwoods in damp woods of Georgia in her new Porsche.
Another Lee Child book able to “drop clues” as our hero roams the United States taking challenging missions, investigating the suspicious in dangerous situations.
In this book, Reacher meets a “Mysterious” soldier then a Damaged car & woman.
Reacher & his brother Joe, investigation is outside of Pentagon’s permission...do they have the right soldier/person responsible for the murder.
Reacher once again solves crime correctly & then walking to his next assignment...
January 13, 2016
I love when the brothers are in a story together. Their interactions are always brilliant. This one was late eighties, and Neagley makes an appearance too, she's a great character. All business, no bull! A lot like Reacher. I could read these forever!
June 2, 2018
4-stars but too short
The best of the Reacher short stories, and also the first time we see Neagle (chronologically)
I still don't know how or where they met.
The best of the Reacher short stories, and also the first time we see Neagle (chronologically)
I still don't know how or where they met.
May 7, 2020
Wish this one was full length. Very good with Joe Reacher and love Dick Hill's voice as Reacher.
August 21, 2015
I've always enjoyed Lee Child's Jack Reacher novels, but have found his Reacher short stories to be less than exciting. So I approached Small Wars with low expectations & found it to be the best short story he has written by a long way! It's great when an author can still surprise.
January 3, 2022
It seems straightforward. Joe Reacher has killed, executed, a young lieutenant colonel.
Or did he?
And why? Why would he kill her?
If he is being framed, who would do that? And why frame Joe?
Yikes.
Or did he?
And why? Why would he kill her?
If he is being framed, who would do that? And why frame Joe?
Yikes.
September 28, 2024
More of Joe and Reacher... please?!
February 10, 2017
This short story is 0.75 in the prequel chronology and 19.5 publication-wise in the Reacher thriller series revolving around Jack Reacher, a very perceptive military policeman. The story takes place between Forts Benning and Smith.
My Take
Yep, sure is nice to have family money. And Crawford is ambitious, as you'll discover a few pages in.
It cracked me up how much arguing went on and all the "fine" points examined over whose jurisdiction the shooting fell in. More laughter ensued when I read that Neagley is in charge of security for special forces command. I dunno, I can't imagine special forces needs a lot of mollycoddling, that they can protect themselves pretty well. Must've been a pretty cushy posting, lol.
Oh, lord, it's just one of the many things I adore about Jack Reacher:
The sad part is how quickly the state police latched onto an easy suspect. And how little they paid attention to justice.
The Story
It's an assassination. One that gets passed up the line until a scapegoat is found.
The Characters
Jack Reacher, an MP, is an emergency fill-in. Sergeant Frances Neagley is transferred in to help shape things up.
Fort Benning, Georgia, is…
…where Reacher is temporarily based. The sergeant in the MP office is out of shape in so many ways. Major David Noble, an MP, was newly placed in charge of criminal investigations throughout the southeastern military districts. Until, that is.
Fort Smith, Arkansas, is…
…where the special operations school is located. Lieutenant Colonel Caroline Crawford, the new War Plans soldier, celebrated her promotion with a silver Porsche. Mr. H and Mrs. R Crawford are her paranoid parents. Captain Ellsbury is the local MP commander.
The suspect is a too-tall, weird-looking black guy who fits the specs.
Colonel Joe Reacher is Jack's older brother and has just been given a new counterintelligence command.
The Cover and Title
The cover is explosive with the red rays fanning out from the center of the background and a great contrast for the white outlined and embossed yellow font for the author's name and the title in a black outlined white tucked behind Child's name. The promo next to the author's name and the series info slipped in between the title flip the colors.
The title is the concerned focus, "Small Wars" that could be compromised.
My Take
Yep, sure is nice to have family money. And Crawford is ambitious, as you'll discover a few pages in.
It cracked me up how much arguing went on and all the "fine" points examined over whose jurisdiction the shooting fell in. More laughter ensued when I read that Neagley is in charge of security for special forces command. I dunno, I can't imagine special forces needs a lot of mollycoddling, that they can protect themselves pretty well. Must've been a pretty cushy posting, lol.
Oh, lord, it's just one of the many things I adore about Jack Reacher:
There is some useful information for would-be assassins in here."'Were you out sick the day they taught thinking?'
'Now you're being unpleasant.'
'Not yet,' Reacher said. 'You'll notice the difference.'"
"He wanted expert bureaucrats, but he didn't want them to be in love with bureaucracy."There's a fun bit in here with Frances taking out a snarky lookie-loo of a local deputy.
The sad part is how quickly the state police latched onto an easy suspect. And how little they paid attention to justice.
The Story
It's an assassination. One that gets passed up the line until a scapegoat is found.
The Characters
Jack Reacher, an MP, is an emergency fill-in. Sergeant Frances Neagley is transferred in to help shape things up.
Fort Benning, Georgia, is…
…where Reacher is temporarily based. The sergeant in the MP office is out of shape in so many ways. Major David Noble, an MP, was newly placed in charge of criminal investigations throughout the southeastern military districts. Until, that is.
Fort Smith, Arkansas, is…
…where the special operations school is located. Lieutenant Colonel Caroline Crawford, the new War Plans soldier, celebrated her promotion with a silver Porsche. Mr. H and Mrs. R Crawford are her paranoid parents. Captain Ellsbury is the local MP commander.
The suspect is a too-tall, weird-looking black guy who fits the specs.
Colonel Joe Reacher is Jack's older brother and has just been given a new counterintelligence command.
The Cover and Title
The cover is explosive with the red rays fanning out from the center of the background and a great contrast for the white outlined and embossed yellow font for the author's name and the title in a black outlined white tucked behind Child's name. The promo next to the author's name and the series info slipped in between the title flip the colors.
The title is the concerned focus, "Small Wars" that could be compromised.
August 20, 2017
3.5 stars
A very satisfying Jack Reacher short story - if you're a fan this is a great story. If not it's not a great introduction to the series.
A very satisfying Jack Reacher short story - if you're a fan this is a great story. If not it's not a great introduction to the series.
June 7, 2021
Another quick to the point, fast paced, and especially well plotted Reacher. No unnecessary characters, no excess verbiage. How about Joe? The quiet, studious, and intellectual brother, but here he's just as much a bad dude as younger brother. Probably only suitable for readers already familiar with Jack and Joe. Lee Child knows to write short fiction: he’s implicitly a master of Elmore Leonard’s 10 Rules of Writing. All Reacher short fictions are good, and this is among the very best.
September 8, 2017
Small Wars (Jack Reacher, #19.5),is another short story by Lee Child. It has all the same mystery of a full story in speedy form, with all my favorite characters Jacks brother Joe and NCO Neagley.
August 30, 2021
This started out unbelievably, which makes it pretty mysterious. But it all makes sense in the end.
August 18, 2015
This Jack Reacher short was a great filler while I waited for Make me to be released in September, it also contains the first chapter of the new book to wet your whistle.
The year is 1989. A meteoric rising star in the office of war planning just got a promotion and with the promotion a new billet in Fort Smith, Georgia, Oh and let's not forget the new silver Porsche.
The fans of the series will be interested to know that this is one of those rare family tales. We rarely get to read about Jack and his brother Joe in action together and this one has a twist I did not see coming and should be a surprise to the fans.
An unexpected event has Jack pulled from overseas to cover a new position in the south, at the same time an execution occurs. The jurisdiction is somewhat murky given the location of the crime but is eventually taken by the State Police with the Army regulated to more or less spectators.
A run in with local State Police and Reacher's bit bull Francis Neagley, results in a bruised ego and broken bones. In the end justice is served, just not how you'd expect.
Fans of the series will enjoy it and even if you've never read any of the books, this is a great primer into the world of Jack Reacher.
The year is 1989. A meteoric rising star in the office of war planning just got a promotion and with the promotion a new billet in Fort Smith, Georgia, Oh and let's not forget the new silver Porsche.
The fans of the series will be interested to know that this is one of those rare family tales. We rarely get to read about Jack and his brother Joe in action together and this one has a twist I did not see coming and should be a surprise to the fans.
An unexpected event has Jack pulled from overseas to cover a new position in the south, at the same time an execution occurs. The jurisdiction is somewhat murky given the location of the crime but is eventually taken by the State Police with the Army regulated to more or less spectators.
A run in with local State Police and Reacher's bit bull Francis Neagley, results in a bruised ego and broken bones. In the end justice is served, just not how you'd expect.
Fans of the series will enjoy it and even if you've never read any of the books, this is a great primer into the world of Jack Reacher.
August 19, 2015
It's Reacher vs. Reacher somewhat in this game-of-wits short story which is a 1989 prequel to the regular Reacher novels and has Jack Reacher investigating a homicide in the Army. Reacher's favourite NCO Francis Neagley (Bad Luck and Trouble, Without Fail, The Affair) also makes a guest appearance.
I thought this was quite an excellent Reacher short story. Some of the short stories have been disappointing, but this one was quite excellent probably because it highlights an investigation and has good cameos of favourite Reacher characters.
I thought this was quite an excellent Reacher short story. Some of the short stories have been disappointing, but this one was quite excellent probably because it highlights an investigation and has good cameos of favourite Reacher characters.
October 13, 2015
I've read all the Jack Reacher short stories & have enjoyed them all, but in my opinion this one's the best. We go back in time to 1989 when Reacher was still in the Army & a Lt. Col. has been shot & killed off post ending her meteoric rise through the ranks. Reacher investigates & realizes there's more going on than meets the eye, & believes the man that local PD have arrested to be innocent. It's a fast paced story & highly entertaining. I've read some other reviews in which people think that Reacher acts out of character after he solves the case,...I disagree because as a rule Reacher doesn't really care about the law, he only cares about what's right. If you've never read a Reacher novel or short story then here's a good place to start & see if you might enjoy since it's only a $1.99 on kindle & being just a short story you won't have much time invested either. Highly recommend!
August 18, 2015
Lee Child finally got serious about writing a Reacher short story. This is the best, and it's not even close. It involves the murder of a military officer on a backwoods road in Georgia. The state police have a man in custody, but it falls to Reacher and Neagley to find the truth.
No spoilers, but the opening scene is unexpected, to say the least. It’ll make you want to keep reading, for sure. As always, Reacher takes an analytical approach with his investigation—and as always, it puts him in the path of a figurative oncoming train.
It’s a short story, but it has all the elements that make Reacher such a compelling fictional hero in Lee Child’s novels. It’s an emphatic 5 stars and I highly recommend it to Reacher and thriller fans.
No spoilers, but the opening scene is unexpected, to say the least. It’ll make you want to keep reading, for sure. As always, Reacher takes an analytical approach with his investigation—and as always, it puts him in the path of a figurative oncoming train.
It’s a short story, but it has all the elements that make Reacher such a compelling fictional hero in Lee Child’s novels. It’s an emphatic 5 stars and I highly recommend it to Reacher and thriller fans.
October 12, 2015
This is a novella that is one and half hours long. It was great to have a story about Reacher’s military days. In 1989 Lt. Colonel Caroline Crawford of the Pentagon’s War Plans Department is executed, military style, in the Georgia backwoods near Fort Smith. Major Jack Reacher is called to investigate. Reacher’s brother Joe Reacher makes an appearance in the story.
The book is unfortunately too short; it is sort of like an appetizer. The story is well written and very fast paced; the plot and character development lacks depth. I understand that the story was released only in e-book and audiobook formats. I am a Reacher fan and will gladly read even a short novella. I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. Dick Hill does his usual great job narrating the story.
The book is unfortunately too short; it is sort of like an appetizer. The story is well written and very fast paced; the plot and character development lacks depth. I understand that the story was released only in e-book and audiobook formats. I am a Reacher fan and will gladly read even a short novella. I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. Dick Hill does his usual great job narrating the story.
January 23, 2018
This is a short story about Jack Reacher, set back in his Army days. The story itself is great: rich army officer murdered, and Reacher uses his brain (and a little violence) to figure out who the killer is. Important addition to his back story (the main line of books, for those not familiar, take place after he laves the army). However, in the end less than satisfying to me--it felt like a set up for a political point, not a stand alone story...and the point is just silly.
Still, its Reacher in all his glory, so if you've read a bunch of the regular series and need a half hour of diversion, this is for you. But it is not the place to start.
Still, its Reacher in all his glory, so if you've read a bunch of the regular series and need a half hour of diversion, this is for you. But it is not the place to start.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 822 reviews