Lee Child – Never Go Back (Bantam Press, 2013)

Same Old, Same Old – Like your shower in the morning, your first coffee of the day. Not just refreshing, but necessary somehow.  Jack Reacher has found a nook in the lives of his fans. Lee Child’s latest novel treads the same well worn groove – comfortable, predictable even, yet hugely enjoyable.
In ‘Never Go Back’ Reacher returns to his old unit, the 110th Special Unit. It is here he is confronted with a sinister conspiracy and hooks up with its current commanding officer, Major Susan Turner. The size XS brunette with the mischievous twinkling eyes finds herself in a spot of bother and entices Reacher to give up his solitary state – for a while.  With her help he investigates a conspiracy that reaches into the highest levels of the military. What is the connection with those serving in Afghanistan? What could possibly be so profitable as to cause so much hostility towards those poking around? Will this be Reacher’s last case or will his ingenuity, ruthlessness and single mindedness once again carry the day?
As usual,  Jack Reacher’s poking around involves considerable physicality. This time some of the big man’s athletic feats take place in the air. There is something disturbingly satisfying about Reacher breaking someone’s arms in the middle of a plane full of passengers. Intriguingly, the baddie on the receiving end of this less than gentle treatment is called Ronald David Baldacci. A snarky tribute perhaps to a fellow crime writer? Lee Child isn’t competitive by any chance?
Over the years Jack Reacher has become a friend to many. Dependable, loyal, never shy about kicking ass, he stands up for us weaker mortals and leaves us with the illusion that justice can prevail.  We know better than to expect the ending to involve a house in the suburbs, two cars and a Golden Retriever. But will our hero of the American myth (who is nothing like Tom Cruise btw) defeat his evil enemies, kiss his girl goodbye and ride the next bus out of town?
[Indiana Brown]

Comments

  1. Just finished this book myself and agree entirely with your comments apart with a little unease at the extreme violence Reacher uses at times. Is this really necessary or am I getting soft in my old age ?

    Although the book follows the same type of plot as previous Lee Child novels it is still strangely addictive. I read the book in record time which must be one of the greatest compliments you can pay an author.

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