Interesting plots so far.
So far, I like the premise, the locale, and the plot line of this series.
Struggling with the cavalier treatment of the female characters and the “locker room talk” regarding their appearance/value/overall purpose in the story. Lots of screaming/making poor choices/inability to serve a purpose seems to be the theme for any female in this writer’s cast of characters.
Even the female FBI agent is characterized as lacking in ability/intelligence and overall usefulness to the storyline.
I’ve also noticed the number of material highlighted by other readers is mainly regarding armament/gear which tells me that the readership is currently skewing younger & male.
Here’s the thing: 60% of Lee Child’s Jack Reacher series readership is comprised of women.
That may be a consideration moving forward for this author…or maybe not. Who can say. I will say this series isn’t lacking in action and the MC isn’t incapable, even if he is characterized as a braggart with very little strategic or critical thinking ability.
Smart is just as sexy as competence.
Complaining about “needing to deploy the troops” one week after his current situationship is post op from a massive injury (I won’t spoil her plot evolution) is bordering on intolerable and was a particular low for a main character that must become beloved for the series to grab a female demographic (if this author wants to make serious money/Netflix deals.)
Everyone loves a good operator but this character is no Reacher or Bond. I’m hoping he will evolve into a more complex being with nuanced dialogue that will match his operating abilities and moral compass which are already on point as an interesting leading man. The female characters are going to need to be more fleshed out and made to seem valued for something other than their appearance, waitressing abilities, and usefulness as sexual partners.
Reacher has Neagley. Bond had M in Goldeneye.
So far, there are no female characters for this MC to trust, respect, cooperate with that provide a foundation to offset the expected philandering that is usual and customary for this type of genre/character. Without sounding like the plot of the Barbie movie, we like our action Heroes to kick a$$ while ALSO having the ability to respect and co-work with capable women, otherwise it’s just becomes a penthouse forum story with lots of guns. I look forward to reading more from this author in hopes of improvement with the things I found missing.
It’s not like the storylines are at all boring but it does somehow feel like empty calories without the satisfaction factor. If every female character is going to be typecast as helpless/incompetent/vindictive/manipulative/there only for sexy time…
it will become tedious before long. It won’t kill this writer to toss in some baddies like every other successful action hero series. It would actually add to the standing of the main character.