A Wanted Man
ISBN: 9780593065730
Description
When you're as big and rough as Jack Reacher - and you have a badly-set, freshly-busted nose, patched with silver duct tape - it isn't easy to hitch a ride. But Reacher has some unfinished business in Virginia, so he doesn't quit. And at last, he's picked up by three strangers - two men and a woman.
But within minutes it becomes clear they're all lying about everything - and then they run into a police roadblock on the highway. There has been an incident, and the cops are looking for the bad guys ...
Reviewed on 5th September 2012
This is the first Jack Reacher novel I've read at publication, having finally caught up with the series. It's another great tale about the former military policeman as he randomly explores America, and follows on directly from the book before last (Worth Dying For) although the plot is entirely distinct. This time Reacher is hitch-hiking when he's picked up by some suspicious characters.
What I really liked about this novel was the simplicity of the set-up and a significant portion of the narrative. It gives Child another opportunity to explore the depths of his character without missing out any of the tension and action we're used to. I did find the shift in tone towards the end of the book a little disappointing as I was liking what came before so much but can't really fault it.
This book makes a really nice contrast to The Affair - the previous book - and this continues to show that Child is much more than just a run of the mill thriller writer. The character has grown a lot in the 15 years between the settings of the novels and Child easily switches back to third- from first-person to present the story in the most appropriate way.
I've really enjoyed this book and indeed the series so far as a whole, and am only disappointed that I've now got to wait until the next book is published.
