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Jack Reacher #6
Without Fail
Skilled, cautious, and anonymous, Jack Reacher is perfect for the job: to assassinate the vice president of the United States. Theoretically, of course. A female Secret Service agent wants Reacher to find the holes in her system, and fast - because a covert group already has the vice president in their sights. They've planned well. There's just one thing they didn't plan on: Reacher.
14 pages, Audiobook
First published May 13, 2002
About the author
Lee Child
312 books31.7k 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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April 21, 2022
Without Fail (Jack Reacher #6), Lee Child
Without Fail is the sixth book in the Jack Reacher series written by Lee Child. It was published by Putnam in 2002. It is written in the third person.
Jack Reacher arrives in Atlantic City, New Jersey from California after hitching a ride with a couple of aging musicians. He is approached there by M.E. (Mary Ellen) Froelich, a beautiful agent from the United States Secret Service who has managed to track him down. She has a special request for him. Someone is sending threatening letters to the Vice-President-Elect. She wants Reacher to speculate on how he would go about killing him. Countering those methods would help her considerably in her job of protecting the Vice-President-Elect. Reacher accepts the challenge and enlists old Army colleague Frances Neagley to help carry out the mission. Together, they attempt to find the ones responsible before they can carry out the assassination. ...
تاریخ نخستین خوانش: روز سی ام ماه ژوئن سال2016میلادی
عنوان: سوء قصد (بدون شکست) - کتاب ششم - از سری جک ریچر؛ نویسنده: لی چایلد؛ مترجم: محمد عباس آبادی؛ تهران، تندیس، سال1394؛ در540ص؛ شابک9786001821585؛ موضوع: داستانهای نویسندگان بریتانیایی - سده21م
در کتاب ششم، از سری کتاب‌های «جک ریچر»، نوشته ی: «لی چایلد»، که نخستین بار در سال2002میلادی، منتشر شد، خانم جوانی که به تازگی به سِمت فرماندهیِ سرویسِ امنیتیِ معاونِ رئیس‌ِ جمهور، منصوب شده، از «جک ریچر» می‌خواهد، نفوذپذیریِ تیم امنیتی را، مورد آزمایش قرار دهد؛ پس از گذشت چند روز، «ریچر» به یاریِ یکی از همکارانِ پیشینِ خویش، کاستیهایی می‌یابد، که باعثِ نگرانیشان می‌شود؛ ماجرایِ نامه هایِ تهدیدآمیزی که به تازگی، رویِ میزِ «معاونِ رئیس‌ِ جمهور»، قرار می‌گیرد را، با او در میان می‌گذارند، و آرزومند همکاری و مشاوره یِ او هستند؛ «ریچر» با پذیرشِ پیشنهاد آن‌ها، به جنگِ آدمکشانی می‌رود، که برای ترورِ «معاونِ رئیس‌ِ جمهور»، از ارتکابِ هیچ جنایتی، فروگذار نمی‌کنند
تاریخ بهنگام رسانی 15/04/1400هجری خورشیدی؛ 31/01/1401هجری خورشیدی؛ ا. شربیانی
Without Fail is the sixth book in the Jack Reacher series written by Lee Child. It was published by Putnam in 2002. It is written in the third person.
Jack Reacher arrives in Atlantic City, New Jersey from California after hitching a ride with a couple of aging musicians. He is approached there by M.E. (Mary Ellen) Froelich, a beautiful agent from the United States Secret Service who has managed to track him down. She has a special request for him. Someone is sending threatening letters to the Vice-President-Elect. She wants Reacher to speculate on how he would go about killing him. Countering those methods would help her considerably in her job of protecting the Vice-President-Elect. Reacher accepts the challenge and enlists old Army colleague Frances Neagley to help carry out the mission. Together, they attempt to find the ones responsible before they can carry out the assassination. ...
تاریخ نخستین خوانش: روز سی ام ماه ژوئن سال2016میلادی
عنوان: سوء قصد (بدون شکست) - کتاب ششم - از سری جک ریچر؛ نویسنده: لی چایلد؛ مترجم: محمد عباس آبادی؛ تهران، تندیس، سال1394؛ در540ص؛ شابک9786001821585؛ موضوع: داستانهای نویسندگان بریتانیایی - سده21م
در کتاب ششم، از سری کتاب‌های «جک ریچر»، نوشته ی: «لی چایلد»، که نخستین بار در سال2002میلادی، منتشر شد، خانم جوانی که به تازگی به سِمت فرماندهیِ سرویسِ امنیتیِ معاونِ رئیس‌ِ جمهور، منصوب شده، از «جک ریچر» می‌خواهد، نفوذپذیریِ تیم امنیتی را، مورد آزمایش قرار دهد؛ پس از گذشت چند روز، «ریچر» به یاریِ یکی از همکارانِ پیشینِ خویش، کاستیهایی می‌یابد، که باعثِ نگرانیشان می‌شود؛ ماجرایِ نامه هایِ تهدیدآمیزی که به تازگی، رویِ میزِ «معاونِ رئیس‌ِ جمهور»، قرار می‌گیرد را، با او در میان می‌گذارند، و آرزومند همکاری و مشاوره یِ او هستند؛ «ریچر» با پذیرشِ پیشنهاد آن‌ها، به جنگِ آدمکشانی می‌رود، که برای ترورِ «معاونِ رئیس‌ِ جمهور»، از ارتکابِ هیچ جنایتی، فروگذار نمی‌کنند
تاریخ بهنگام رسانی 15/04/1400هجری خورشیدی؛ 31/01/1401هجری خورشیدی؛ ا. شربیانی
March 24, 2013
I like Reacher. I really do. But Lee Child creates the most flawed scenarios and it drives me batty sometimes. Reacher has been recruited to help deflect an attempt to assassinate the new VP.
Now, if we are to believe this story, the Secret Service is employing idiots. For example, Reacher specifies a church tower that could be used by a shooter. Does the SS put a man in the tower to prevent the possible use by an assassin. Or even to be able to see any other possible danger. No. The lead SS agent says she "hopes someone checked out the tower." Really?
Just one of many scenarios that make the entire tension seem fake to me. Just a little bit of realism is necessary for me to buy into the plot. And having the Secret Service make mistakes that I, with none of the necessary skills/experience to do this job, could plan for, is ludicrous.
Further, if you manage to become the lead on VP's secret service team, you are not wimpy, scared, easily intimidated woman. In fact, you are probably more of a tough, than most men in the position because you have more to prove. The secret service lead, and current Reacher Lover, is about as easily defeated emotionally and mentally as a house of cards.
Child clearly wants to be a liberal minded man about women, but he's stuck in making all of Reacher's love interests the weak girl who needs to be rescued. I wouldn't even mind that, except you don't make a woman who leads a secret service detail into that character. It just doesn't fit. In fact it grates on you - because it just doesn't fit.
Now, if we are to believe this story, the Secret Service is employing idiots. For example, Reacher specifies a church tower that could be used by a shooter. Does the SS put a man in the tower to prevent the possible use by an assassin. Or even to be able to see any other possible danger. No. The lead SS agent says she "hopes someone checked out the tower." Really?
Just one of many scenarios that make the entire tension seem fake to me. Just a little bit of realism is necessary for me to buy into the plot. And having the Secret Service make mistakes that I, with none of the necessary skills/experience to do this job, could plan for, is ludicrous.
Further, if you manage to become the lead on VP's secret service team, you are not wimpy, scared, easily intimidated woman. In fact, you are probably more of a tough, than most men in the position because you have more to prove. The secret service lead, and current Reacher Lover, is about as easily defeated emotionally and mentally as a house of cards.
Child clearly wants to be a liberal minded man about women, but he's stuck in making all of Reacher's love interests the weak girl who needs to be rescued. I wouldn't even mind that, except you don't make a woman who leads a secret service detail into that character. It just doesn't fit. In fact it grates on you - because it just doesn't fit.
March 8, 2020
The sixth Jack Reacher novel opens when a woman named M. E. Froelich, who is the Secret Service agent in charge of security for Vice President-Elect Brook Armstrong, asks Reacher to assassinate Armstrong--in theory, of course. Someone has been sending death threats to Armstrong, which have been intercepted by the Secret Service, and Froelich wants Reacher to test the security arrangements that they have designed for the VP-Elect.
Reacher recruits his ex-army sergeant Frances Neagley, and together they demonstrate that a determined, skilled assassin could easily get through the safety net that the Service has erected around Armstrong and kill him with no trouble at all. Properly chagrined, Froelich and her boss then hire Reacher and Neagley to help protect Armstrong and track down the potential assassins.
Reacher's task is complicated by the fact that Froelich was the ex-lover of Reacher's brother, Joe. As readers of the series will remember, Joe Reacher, who worked in the Treasury Department, was killed at the very beginning of the series. Froelich still has unresolved feelings for Joe--she still has his suits hanging in her closet--and some of these feelings may be transferred to Jack.
It's quickly apparent that the would-be assassins are clever and resourceful and that they may be more than a match for Reacher, even with Neagley's help and that of the entire Secret Service. It's a chess match on a large scale, and one that moves like a rocket. There are a lot of great scenes in the book that keep the reader turning the pages rapidly, and it covers a lot of ground, geographically and otherwise. All in all, this may be one of the best books in this series.
Reacher recruits his ex-army sergeant Frances Neagley, and together they demonstrate that a determined, skilled assassin could easily get through the safety net that the Service has erected around Armstrong and kill him with no trouble at all. Properly chagrined, Froelich and her boss then hire Reacher and Neagley to help protect Armstrong and track down the potential assassins.
Reacher's task is complicated by the fact that Froelich was the ex-lover of Reacher's brother, Joe. As readers of the series will remember, Joe Reacher, who worked in the Treasury Department, was killed at the very beginning of the series. Froelich still has unresolved feelings for Joe--she still has his suits hanging in her closet--and some of these feelings may be transferred to Jack.
It's quickly apparent that the would-be assassins are clever and resourceful and that they may be more than a match for Reacher, even with Neagley's help and that of the entire Secret Service. It's a chess match on a large scale, and one that moves like a rocket. There are a lot of great scenes in the book that keep the reader turning the pages rapidly, and it covers a lot of ground, geographically and otherwise. All in all, this may be one of the best books in this series.
November 30, 2016
4.75/5
“Why look for trouble?”
“I'm not looking for trouble. I don't see it as trouble.”
Alright, Lee Child had me glued to the pages in his engrossing suspense/thriller once again. I couldn't put this book down even for a minute!
Jack Reacher is amazing as always and I admire him even more in this book. Man, he’s freaking clever! Thankfully, Neagley helped him with this investigation; otherwise things might turn out differently from what I expected. I can tell I really enjoyed seeing them working together. He needed her to watch his back, and vice versa. Together, they made a great team!
“Yes,” she said. “I'm pretty good.”
“No, you're not,” Reacher said. “You're the best. The absolute best there has ever been. You're so damn good it's unbelievable.”
“That's how you've got to think,” Neagley said. “Pump yourself up. Get to the point where it's impossible to imagine that these jerky guys with their silly notes are going to get within a million miles of you.”
Froelich smiled, briefly. “Is this military-style training?”
“For me it was,” Neagley said. “Reacher was born thinking that way.”
There’s nothing more exciting and stunning than finding out the way Reacher managed the situation near the end of the book. I must admit he completely took me off guard and the ending wasn’t what I expected. Let’s just say, I never saw it coming.
By the way, this was such an enthralling read. It grabbed me from the very start and it not only kept me totally on the edge of my seat, but also kept me guessing right up until the end. I’m very happy I picked this one up.
“I'm saying we're all good at something. And that's what I'm good at. Maybe it's the only thing I'm good at. I'm not proud of it, and I'm not ashamed of it, either. It's just there. I can't help it. I'm genetically programmed to win, is all. Several consecutive generations.”
“Why look for trouble?”
“I'm not looking for trouble. I don't see it as trouble.”
Alright, Lee Child had me glued to the pages in his engrossing suspense/thriller once again. I couldn't put this book down even for a minute!
Jack Reacher is amazing as always and I admire him even more in this book. Man, he’s freaking clever! Thankfully, Neagley helped him with this investigation; otherwise things might turn out differently from what I expected. I can tell I really enjoyed seeing them working together. He needed her to watch his back, and vice versa. Together, they made a great team!
“Yes,” she said. “I'm pretty good.”
“No, you're not,” Reacher said. “You're the best. The absolute best there has ever been. You're so damn good it's unbelievable.”
“That's how you've got to think,” Neagley said. “Pump yourself up. Get to the point where it's impossible to imagine that these jerky guys with their silly notes are going to get within a million miles of you.”
Froelich smiled, briefly. “Is this military-style training?”
“For me it was,” Neagley said. “Reacher was born thinking that way.”
There’s nothing more exciting and stunning than finding out the way Reacher managed the situation near the end of the book. I must admit he completely took me off guard and the ending wasn’t what I expected. Let’s just say, I never saw it coming.
By the way, this was such an enthralling read. It grabbed me from the very start and it not only kept me totally on the edge of my seat, but also kept me guessing right up until the end. I’m very happy I picked this one up.
“I'm saying we're all good at something. And that's what I'm good at. Maybe it's the only thing I'm good at. I'm not proud of it, and I'm not ashamed of it, either. It's just there. I can't help it. I'm genetically programmed to win, is all. Several consecutive generations.”
March 6, 2013
I was pretty disappointed with the 6th book in the Jack Reacher series. The first few were brilliant - fast, furious and somewhat believable despite the larger than life protagonist and plot lines.
Without Fail lacked most of the drama that we have come to expect from Lee Child's thrillers. The plot didn't tie up (I won't spoil it, but the antagonists had a very poor motive for killing the VP).
There is also one massive plot hole that doesn't add up. It was to do with the 'messages' and one particular message that the bad guys sent the VP that would have given the game away right off the 'bat'. Completely out of character for them as they do such a good job of attempting not to be identified the whole way through.
Froleich was an awful character! Supposedly a strong and professional woman and yet going round and round in circles about an ex from years ago; At one point pretty much a full chapter was made from her blaming Reacher over her ex's death - it drove me insane and could have been completely skipped - not great at all!!!
In fact, a fair amount of this book could have been skipped over.
I did love Neagley as a character however, and I loved the relationship she has with Reacher - a full set of Reacher-style thrillers could probably be made from her and I would definitely pick them up.
I have given this book 2 stars simply because it is a Jack Reacher book - and that in itself makes it worth them. Reacher is still a fantastic character and I still wish he was real, and I still wish he wasn't Tom Cruise on the big screen, and I will still be reading through the rest of the series!!!
Without Fail lacked most of the drama that we have come to expect from Lee Child's thrillers. The plot didn't tie up (I won't spoil it, but the antagonists had a very poor motive for killing the VP).
There is also one massive plot hole that doesn't add up. It was to do with the 'messages' and one particular message that the bad guys sent the VP that would have given the game away right off the 'bat'. Completely out of character for them as they do such a good job of attempting not to be identified the whole way through.
Froleich was an awful character! Supposedly a strong and professional woman and yet going round and round in circles about an ex from years ago; At one point pretty much a full chapter was made from her blaming Reacher over her ex's death - it drove me insane and could have been completely skipped - not great at all!!!
In fact, a fair amount of this book could have been skipped over.
I did love Neagley as a character however, and I loved the relationship she has with Reacher - a full set of Reacher-style thrillers could probably be made from her and I would definitely pick them up.
I have given this book 2 stars simply because it is a Jack Reacher book - and that in itself makes it worth them. Reacher is still a fantastic character and I still wish he was real, and I still wish he wasn't Tom Cruise on the big screen, and I will still be reading through the rest of the series!!!
September 24, 2021
Another enjoyable instalment: I think the audio format really suits me; I love to listen on my (mostly) daily walk after work. This one’s storyline was a little different, I enjoyed reading about a colleague of Jack’s came in to help him protect the Vice President and show the FBI where their safety measures were lacking, and to save him from a deadly assassin.
Of course, Jack was perfect for this. In a good choice of plot, Jack was approached by his brother’s ex-girlfriend for this work to be carried out. This was a good Segway into learning a little more about his deceased brother Joe, their brotherly relationship and some more about their parents, albeit briefly.
I was surprised we hadn’t heard about the Military pal Francis Neagley in prior instalments, but their dynamic was super fun as a woman joined him in the rough and tumble of catching the baddies. It will be great to meet her again down the track.
Again, coming from sunny Australia, I read about snowy and wintery locations and I don’t know how they do it! Makes me cold just thinking about it. They always seem to cope well; my circulation would cause all manner of problems!
A little romance, and little reflection from Jack regarding his brother. All in all, another fun read and brilliantly executed by the narrator, Jeff Harding. What I absolutely love is that his pace increases in the action sequences, the tempo rises and reaches the crescendo. This guy can never put a foot wrong, and of course, neither can Mister Child.
Of course, Jack was perfect for this. In a good choice of plot, Jack was approached by his brother’s ex-girlfriend for this work to be carried out. This was a good Segway into learning a little more about his deceased brother Joe, their brotherly relationship and some more about their parents, albeit briefly.
I was surprised we hadn’t heard about the Military pal Francis Neagley in prior instalments, but their dynamic was super fun as a woman joined him in the rough and tumble of catching the baddies. It will be great to meet her again down the track.
Again, coming from sunny Australia, I read about snowy and wintery locations and I don’t know how they do it! Makes me cold just thinking about it. They always seem to cope well; my circulation would cause all manner of problems!
A little romance, and little reflection from Jack regarding his brother. All in all, another fun read and brilliantly executed by the narrator, Jeff Harding. What I absolutely love is that his pace increases in the action sequences, the tempo rises and reaches the crescendo. This guy can never put a foot wrong, and of course, neither can Mister Child.
May 3, 2021
This is an important Reacher book. Don't skip it.
An extra whole-star for the important and interesting character background here. Even though the pacing is often slow with plot holes, and there is sometimes excessive detail (a sad flaw of Child, too often), because of the spectacular scenes and backstory, I give the book 4.5-stars.
1. This book is perhaps the single best book showing Reacher and Neagley working as a team as investigators and thinkers, as an action duo and as friends.
2. It shows how Neagley is "the female Reacher" in many ways. Dialogue between them is almost like Reacher talking to Reacher.
3. It gives important background to Jack's brother, Joe Reacher, his character, his flaws, his motivations, his differences from his brother, and the last few years of his life. How Jack and Froelich deal with this is believable and poignant.
4. The book shows the deep personal commitment Reacher and Neagley have for each other, and the poignant tension of Neagley's touch-phobia in their relationship. Child handles this masterfully, and there is a lovely scene between them near the end of the book. Very sweet.
One thing that strikes me about this book is that I'm jealous they actually have a real President and Vice President. 😥
The story unfolds with Reacher and Neagley "auditing" the protection of the Vice President. There’s a good picture of how the Secret Service works to protect individuals, although there's far too much detail and repetitive information. After the audit, Reacher and Neagley are brought in as internal investigators.
M.E. Froelich was the close girlfriend of Joe Reacher for several years, but he broke off the relationship badly about a year before his death. I thought this might be due his desire to protect her from his undercover work, which we see in book #1. But perhaps not. I think we are unlikely to know his reasons via any future book.
M.E. is both attracted to the very-similar Jack Reacher, and angry at him for his brother's fate. This adds a complexity to their working and personal relationship. Very poignant when it ends.
The mystery of the identity of the bad guys is developed nicely, and Reacher's resolution-plan is done well.
I feel this book is a turning point in Reacher's character.
A moment of intimacy that I want to remember between a Reacher and Neagley. A reminder for those who've already read this book. Beautiful.
Notes and quotes -
Böker Ceramic folding knife,
invisible to metal detectors
Full size image
JFK and Bobbie assassinations? I'm on the fence:
"It's always going to be a team," Reacher said. "There are no lone men." He saw an ironic half-smile reflected in the glass.
"So you don't believe the Warren Report?" she asked.
He shook his head. "Neither do you," he said. "No professional ever will."
M.E. Froelich's SIG-Sauer P226
Full size image
Bad guy's silenced Heckler & Koch MP5SD6
Full size image
The spare rounds in their pockets jingled, loudly. Battle rattle, Neagley called it.
The pre-climax arsenal of Reacher and Neagley:
Two nine-millimetre Steyr GBs, a Heckler & Koch MP5 un-silenced machine gun, an M16 rifle and lots of ammo
Steyr GB
Full size image
Heckler & Koch MP5
Full size image
M16 rifle
Full size image
.
An extra whole-star for the important and interesting character background here. Even though the pacing is often slow with plot holes, and there is sometimes excessive detail (a sad flaw of Child, too often), because of the spectacular scenes and backstory, I give the book 4.5-stars.
1. This book is perhaps the single best book showing Reacher and Neagley working as a team as investigators and thinkers, as an action duo and as friends.
2. It shows how Neagley is "the female Reacher" in many ways. Dialogue between them is almost like Reacher talking to Reacher.
3. It gives important background to Jack's brother, Joe Reacher, his character, his flaws, his motivations, his differences from his brother, and the last few years of his life. How Jack and Froelich deal with this is believable and poignant.
4. The book shows the deep personal commitment Reacher and Neagley have for each other, and the poignant tension of Neagley's touch-phobia in their relationship. Child handles this masterfully, and there is a lovely scene between them near the end of the book. Very sweet.
One thing that strikes me about this book is that I'm jealous they actually have a real President and Vice President. 😥
The story unfolds with Reacher and Neagley "auditing" the protection of the Vice President. There’s a good picture of how the Secret Service works to protect individuals, although there's far too much detail and repetitive information. After the audit, Reacher and Neagley are brought in as internal investigators.
M.E. Froelich was the close girlfriend of Joe Reacher for several years, but he broke off the relationship badly about a year before his death. I thought this might be due his desire to protect her from his undercover work, which we see in book #1. But perhaps not. I think we are unlikely to know his reasons via any future book.
M.E. is both attracted to the very-similar Jack Reacher, and angry at him for his brother's fate. This adds a complexity to their working and personal relationship. Very poignant when it ends.
The mystery of the identity of the bad guys is developed nicely, and Reacher's resolution-plan is done well.
I feel this book is a turning point in Reacher's character.
A moment of intimacy that I want to remember between a Reacher and Neagley. A reminder for those who've already read this book. Beautiful.
Notes and quotes -
Böker Ceramic folding knife,
invisible to metal detectors
Full size image
JFK and Bobbie assassinations? I'm on the fence:
"It's always going to be a team," Reacher said. "There are no lone men." He saw an ironic half-smile reflected in the glass.
"So you don't believe the Warren Report?" she asked.
He shook his head. "Neither do you," he said. "No professional ever will."
M.E. Froelich's SIG-Sauer P226
Full size image
Bad guy's silenced Heckler & Koch MP5SD6
Full size image
The spare rounds in their pockets jingled, loudly. Battle rattle, Neagley called it.
The pre-climax arsenal of Reacher and Neagley:
Two nine-millimetre Steyr GBs, a Heckler & Koch MP5 un-silenced machine gun, an M16 rifle and lots of ammo
Steyr GB
Full size image
Heckler & Koch MP5
Full size image
M16 rifle
Full size image
.
August 17, 2023
Unique character in JR who deals vigilante justice to all bad people in his path.
Read
September 1, 2022I mean, it's a Jack Reacher book. There's a legal requirement to read one per holiday. This Jack Reacher book does the Jack Reacher thing in an admirably Jack Reacher way, what more do you want?
February 17, 2021
Popsugar Challenge 2021 - A Book in a different format than what you normally read
Book 6 in the Jack Reacher series and I'm here for the ride. Arguably in a series you can almost lose the edge of the seat dramatics because you know in a 25 plus book series that your man is going to survive but Lee Child still gets my heart thumping with doubt.
There's someone out to assassinate the Vice President Elect of the United States and Reacher finds himself drafted by the Secret Service to investigate.
I loved the back story in this one regarding Joe, Jack's older deceased brother, or in Jack's words 'i was the younger brother but now I'm older'. I really enjoyed Jack's vulnerability and the conversations regarding sibling rivalry.
Another awesome book by Lee Child which I throughly enjoyed and will forever be thinking about sharks every time I touch my nose.
5 gold stars for my favourite fictional character.
Book 6 in the Jack Reacher series and I'm here for the ride. Arguably in a series you can almost lose the edge of the seat dramatics because you know in a 25 plus book series that your man is going to survive but Lee Child still gets my heart thumping with doubt.
There's someone out to assassinate the Vice President Elect of the United States and Reacher finds himself drafted by the Secret Service to investigate.
I loved the back story in this one regarding Joe, Jack's older deceased brother, or in Jack's words 'i was the younger brother but now I'm older'. I really enjoyed Jack's vulnerability and the conversations regarding sibling rivalry.
Another awesome book by Lee Child which I throughly enjoyed and will forever be thinking about sharks every time I touch my nose.
5 gold stars for my favourite fictional character.
April 11, 2021
Okay, another good read. Jack is what some may call an "odd duck"...sorry for the technical terminology. I mean he refuses to use or have anything that puts him on "the grid". He travels around looking like a huge homeless giant, he throws clothes away rather than wash them, no one can find him... Yet he keeps ending up working with (untrustworthy and corrupt) government agencies and agents.
It has to do with him being an incorruptible and bad-ass MP and in this case that his (late) brother was an incorruptible and intelligent Secret Service agent (sadly unlike Reacher he wasn't a bad-ass).
Any way...Reacher gets called in by his brother's old lover (who clearly wants [Jack] Reacher to be his brother) who's newly promoted in the Secret Service and has the VP's detail. There is of course a credible threat from "someone or someones" who are willing to kill innocents to make a point.
Enjoy.
It has to do with him being an incorruptible and bad-ass MP and in this case that his (late) brother was an incorruptible and intelligent Secret Service agent (sadly unlike Reacher he wasn't a bad-ass).
Any way...Reacher gets called in by his brother's old lover (who clearly wants [Jack] Reacher to be his brother) who's newly promoted in the Secret Service and has the VP's detail. There is of course a credible threat from "someone or someones" who are willing to kill innocents to make a point.
Enjoy.
September 1, 2020
PLEASE NOTE: THIS REVIEW RELATES TO AN ABRIDGED AUDIOBOOK - I DIDN'T KNOW THAT WHEN I LISTENED TO IT OR WROTE THIS REVIEW.
This is a bare-bones thriller, a puzzle played-out in blood and death, with almost no emotional involvement.
Jack Reacher stands at the centre, almost more puzzling than the mystery he is trying to solve. He has insights that stretch credibility, based on a hyper-aware level of observation, remarkable recall and a willingness to run with intuition when logic can't get him there. Yet, the man who sees everything, seems to have no desire to engage with the world unless it is to exact revenge. He likes strong, beautiful women, but not enough to stick around with any of them. He has no home, no luggage, no particular aim in life other than to roam around the US, acting as a lightning rod for storms of violence.
In "Without Fail" Reacher is helping the American Secret Service to protect the life of the Vicepresident elect. Yeah, right. He even has a partner, a slightly shorter, female version of himself: fit, good-looking, no social skills and absolutely deadly.
The love interest is a paint-by-numbers set-up, designed to give Jack something to lose and someone to revenge.
There's some fun procedural stuff, giving an insider's view of the Secret Service and some deductive reasoning that makes Reacher into a fierce, combat-seasoned, sniper-trained version of Sherlock Holmes.
When Reacher finally works out the puzzle that has defeated the Secret Service and the FBI, the rationale for the hell that has been let loose is so unlikely that, at first, I thought it was a red herring.
The book ends rather suddenly. It felt like Child lost interest once the puzzle was solved but felt obliged to have Reacher show his predator side and tidy away all the loose ends at the same time.
It's not a bad book. It passes the time. It has some good twists. It has guns with all the technical specs explained and many of the sentences are short. Very short.
This one is for the Jack Reacher fans. I wrote this review as soon as I finished the book because, a week from now, I'm sure most of it will have slipped from my memory and all that will be left is a silhouette of Jack Reacher with the words "No one messes with me or mine" written underneath.
This is a bare-bones thriller, a puzzle played-out in blood and death, with almost no emotional involvement.
Jack Reacher stands at the centre, almost more puzzling than the mystery he is trying to solve. He has insights that stretch credibility, based on a hyper-aware level of observation, remarkable recall and a willingness to run with intuition when logic can't get him there. Yet, the man who sees everything, seems to have no desire to engage with the world unless it is to exact revenge. He likes strong, beautiful women, but not enough to stick around with any of them. He has no home, no luggage, no particular aim in life other than to roam around the US, acting as a lightning rod for storms of violence.
In "Without Fail" Reacher is helping the American Secret Service to protect the life of the Vicepresident elect. Yeah, right. He even has a partner, a slightly shorter, female version of himself: fit, good-looking, no social skills and absolutely deadly.
The love interest is a paint-by-numbers set-up, designed to give Jack something to lose and someone to revenge.
There's some fun procedural stuff, giving an insider's view of the Secret Service and some deductive reasoning that makes Reacher into a fierce, combat-seasoned, sniper-trained version of Sherlock Holmes.
When Reacher finally works out the puzzle that has defeated the Secret Service and the FBI, the rationale for the hell that has been let loose is so unlikely that, at first, I thought it was a red herring.
The book ends rather suddenly. It felt like Child lost interest once the puzzle was solved but felt obliged to have Reacher show his predator side and tidy away all the loose ends at the same time.
It's not a bad book. It passes the time. It has some good twists. It has guns with all the technical specs explained and many of the sentences are short. Very short.
This one is for the Jack Reacher fans. I wrote this review as soon as I finished the book because, a week from now, I'm sure most of it will have slipped from my memory and all that will be left is a silhouette of Jack Reacher with the words "No one messes with me or mine" written underneath.
November 19, 2022
Reacher - thriller with the indestructible “x-military” officer & drifter takes another dangerous project. The US Vice President Brook Armstrong threaten by “incredible assassins”.
Secret Service agent Mary Ellen Froelich - approaches him with the assassination project. A lover of Reacher’s dead brother, Joe.
Frances Neagley - Joins Reacher, former Army 110th MP Company friend.
US VP Armstrong says when he was a teenager his father brutally beat two “bullies” with a baseball bat. The “bullies” family & friends planned the dramatic assassination revenge.
“Bullies” exposed & killed!! Mary shot & dying says “I love you, Joe” growing closer in Reacher’s arms. Attacks from the “bullies” family as they appear & all killed...
Ending - Neagley leaves on a plane & as usual Reacher drifts to his next random town.....
Not many characters making the book nice to read - Reacher, Froelich, Neagley & Armstrong.
Secret Service agent Mary Ellen Froelich - approaches him with the assassination project. A lover of Reacher’s dead brother, Joe.
Frances Neagley - Joins Reacher, former Army 110th MP Company friend.
US VP Armstrong says when he was a teenager his father brutally beat two “bullies” with a baseball bat. The “bullies” family & friends planned the dramatic assassination revenge.
“Bullies” exposed & killed!! Mary shot & dying says “I love you, Joe” growing closer in Reacher’s arms. Attacks from the “bullies” family as they appear & all killed...
Ending - Neagley leaves on a plane & as usual Reacher drifts to his next random town.....
Not many characters making the book nice to read - Reacher, Froelich, Neagley & Armstrong.
Tom Cruise as Jack Reacher
March 22, 2023
Ο Jack Reacher αυτή τη φορά τίθεται στην υπηρεσία του νόμου. Αλλά φυσικά το κάνει με το δικό του τρόπο. Όχι μόνο πηδάει την πρώην του πεθαμένου αδερφού του που δουλεύει στις μυστικές υπηρεσίες, αλλά είναι τόσο άντρας που εκείνη πεθαίνει κοιτώντας τον και λέγοντας "σ' αγαπώ".
Ο Τζακ Ρίτσερ βάζει τα γυαλιά στο FBI και τη μυστική υπηρεσία που προσπαθούν να ανακαλύψουν ποιος προσπαθεί να εκτελέσει τον επόμενο αντιπρόεδρο των ηνωμένων πολιτειών και στην πορεία μαθαίνει χρήσιμα πράγματα όπως ότι μία ουσία που υπάρχει στο συκώτι των καρχαριών είναι πανομοιότυπη με τη λίγδα στο πλάι της μύτης σας. Σκεφτείτε το λίγο.
Ο Τζακ Ρίτσερ είναι πιο αποτελεσματικός και από ελβετικό σουγιά ποτισμένο με αμφεταμίνες. Μπορεί να δει ένα βίντεο από κλειστό κύκλωμα τηλεόρασης και να διαπιστώσει αν έχει πειραχτεί από το μήκος των μαλλιών αυτών που μαγνητοσκοπούνται.
Για να μην πολυλογούμε, δύο πολύ κακοί τύποι έχουν βαλθεί να σκοτώσουν τον επόμενο αντιπρόεδρο των ηνωμένων πολιτειών και να ξεφτιλίσουν FBI, μυστικές υπηρεσίες, CIA, NRA, NCAA, NBA, ABBA, a capella και ό,τι άλλο βοηθάει τους νομοταγείς πολίτες να κοιμούνται ήσυχοι.
Αφού λοιπόν ο Gasparov των βαρβάρων (ή ο Conan των σκακιστών) Jack Reacher κάνει μία κατά το ήμισυ διαλεύκανση μιας απόπειρας κατά του μέλλοντο�� αντιπροέδρου, όπως θα περίμενε ο αναγνώστης, περνάει στην αντεπίθεση. Και πρώτα από όλα πάει για ψώνια. Αλλά όταν ο Τζακ Ρίτσερ πάει για ψώνια, δεν αγοράζει οδοντόβουρτσα, οδοντόπαστα, οδοντικό νήμα και ενυδατική κρέμα για μετά το ξυρισμα, όπως εσύ φλώρε, θηλυπρεπή, γυναικωτέ "λίλε" αναγνώστη. Όταν ο Τζακ ρίτσερ πάει για ψώνια, αγοράζει κανόνια με σκανδάλη και δύο κοντέινερ σφαίρες.
Έτσι, αφότου τα περιττώματα έχουν χτυπήσει τον ανεμιστήρα όπως λένε οι φίλοι μας οι αγγλοσάξονες, ο Τζακ Ρίτσερ βρίσκεται στο παγωμένο Wyoming μαζί με μία σούπερ γκόμενα (δεν υπ��ρχουν άσχημες γυναίκες στο σύμπαν του Τζακ Ρίτσερ) που δεν της αρέσει να την αγγίζουν εξαιτίας κάποιου ομιχλώδους γεγονότος στο παρελθόν της και είναι έτοιμος να μοιράσει, σαν κρουπιέρης του θανάτου, σφαίρες, πόνο και νεκρική ακαμψία στους κακούς. Γιατί στο σύμπαν του Τζακ ρίτσερ δεν υπάρχουν φλώρικες έννοιες όπως απονομή δικαιοσύνης, τακτική δικάσιμος, ποινικό, σωφρονισμός, αυτά είναι για ντιγκιντανγκες με γαλβανισμένα από την τριβή οπίσθια. Στο βιβλίο του Τζακ Ρίτσερ, η Θεωρία Δικαίου (όχι του Τζον Ρολς) είναι χαράκωμα με κεραμικό χασαποραμπομαχαιρο, σφαίρα στο δόξα Πατρί και πάμε για άλλες πολιτείες (των ΗΠΑ, πάντως).
Στο απόλυτα βαρετό και προβλέψιμο φινάλε, ο Jack reacher όταν τον σημαδεύουν με όπλο είναι ικανός να πείσει τον αντίπαλο να αλλάξει όπλο μέχρι να βρεθεί να το�� σημαδεύουν με το όπλο της αρεσκείας του και μετά παίζοντας blackjack με το θάνατο τραβάει από 20, παίζει ρουλέτα με το χάρο και ποντάρει στο... 34 και κερδίζει.
ΣΟΥΜΑ ΜΕ ΣΠΟΊΛΕΡ
Βαρετό και ανούσιο, υπερβολικά φλύαρο, με δύο πραγματικά "ηλίθιους" κακούς, οι οποίοι προσπαθούν να σκοτώσουν τον αντιπρόεδρο όχι για πολιτικούς ή οικονομικούς λόγους, αλλά επειδή πριν από 30 χρόνια ο πατέρας του τους έκανε βαβά, όταν ήταν δύο παραβατικα τσογλάνια στην εφηβεία.
Ο Τζακ Ρίτσερ βάζει τα γυαλιά στο FBI και τη μυστική υπηρεσία που προσπαθούν να ανακαλύψουν ποιος προσπαθεί να εκτελέσει τον επόμενο αντιπρόεδρο των ηνωμένων πολιτειών και στην πορεία μαθαίνει χρήσιμα πράγματα όπως ότι μία ουσία που υπάρχει στο συκώτι των καρχαριών είναι πανομοιότυπη με τη λίγδα στο πλάι της μύτης σας. Σκεφτείτε το λίγο.
Ο Τζακ Ρίτσερ είναι πιο αποτελεσματικός και από ελβετικό σουγιά ποτισμένο με αμφεταμίνες. Μπορεί να δει ένα βίντεο από κλειστό κύκλωμα τηλεόρασης και να διαπιστώσει αν έχει πειραχτεί από το μήκος των μαλλιών αυτών που μαγνητοσκοπούνται.
Για να μην πολυλογούμε, δύο πολύ κακοί τύποι έχουν βαλθεί να σκοτώσουν τον επόμενο αντιπρόεδρο των ηνωμένων πολιτειών και να ξεφτιλίσουν FBI, μυστικές υπηρεσίες, CIA, NRA, NCAA, NBA, ABBA, a capella και ό,τι άλλο βοηθάει τους νομοταγείς πολίτες να κοιμούνται ήσυχοι.
Αφού λοιπόν ο Gasparov των βαρβάρων (ή ο Conan των σκακιστών) Jack Reacher κάνει μία κατά το ήμισυ διαλεύκανση μιας απόπειρας κατά του μέλλοντο�� αντιπροέδρου, όπως θα περίμενε ο αναγνώστης, περνάει στην αντεπίθεση. Και πρώτα από όλα πάει για ψώνια. Αλλά όταν ο Τζακ Ρίτσερ πάει για ψώνια, δεν αγοράζει οδοντόβουρτσα, οδοντόπαστα, οδοντικό νήμα και ενυδατική κρέμα για μετά το ξυρισμα, όπως εσύ φλώρε, θηλυπρεπή, γυναικωτέ "λίλε" αναγνώστη. Όταν ο Τζακ ρίτσερ πάει για ψώνια, αγοράζει κανόνια με σκανδάλη και δύο κοντέινερ σφαίρες.
Έτσι, αφότου τα περιττώματα έχουν χτυπήσει τον ανεμιστήρα όπως λένε οι φίλοι μας οι αγγλοσάξονες, ο Τζακ Ρίτσερ βρίσκεται στο παγωμένο Wyoming μαζί με μία σούπερ γκόμενα (δεν υπ��ρχουν άσχημες γυναίκες στο σύμπαν του Τζακ Ρίτσερ) που δεν της αρέσει να την αγγίζουν εξαιτίας κάποιου ομιχλώδους γεγονότος στο παρελθόν της και είναι έτοιμος να μοιράσει, σαν κρουπιέρης του θανάτου, σφαίρες, πόνο και νεκρική ακαμψία στους κακούς. Γιατί στο σύμπαν του Τζακ ρίτσερ δεν υπάρχουν φλώρικες έννοιες όπως απονομή δικαιοσύνης, τακτική δικάσιμος, ποινικό, σωφρονισμός, αυτά είναι για ντιγκιντανγκες με γαλβανισμένα από την τριβή οπίσθια. Στο βιβλίο του Τζακ Ρίτσερ, η Θεωρία Δικαίου (όχι του Τζον Ρολς) είναι χαράκωμα με κεραμικό χασαποραμπομαχαιρο, σφαίρα στο δόξα Πατρί και πάμε για άλλες πολιτείες (των ΗΠΑ, πάντως).
Στο απόλυτα βαρετό και προβλέψιμο φινάλε, ο Jack reacher όταν τον σημαδεύουν με όπλο είναι ικανός να πείσει τον αντίπαλο να αλλάξει όπλο μέχρι να βρεθεί να το�� σημαδεύουν με το όπλο της αρεσκείας του και μετά παίζοντας blackjack με το θάνατο τραβάει από 20, παίζει ρουλέτα με το χάρο και ποντάρει στο... 34 και κερδίζει.
ΣΟΥΜΑ ΜΕ ΣΠΟΊΛΕΡ
Βαρετό και ανούσιο, υπερβολικά φλύαρο, με δύο πραγματικά "ηλίθιους" κακούς, οι οποίοι προσπαθούν να σκοτώσουν τον αντιπρόεδρο όχι για πολιτικούς ή οικονομικούς λόγους, αλλά επειδή πριν από 30 χρόνια ο πατέρας του τους έκανε βαβά, όταν ήταν δύο παραβατικα τσογλάνια στην εφηβεία.
February 1, 2018
Number 6 in the Reacher series.
A bit disappointed in Without Fail I found it a bit on the slow side in places. Lots of, what I would call, irrelevant information.
I found the plot a bit unbelievable, the secret service couldn't protect the Vice President without Jack Reacher's help??
At the beginning when Jack was brought in to do a independent audit for the S.S., this sounded like it was feasible. But when Jack found gaping holes in the S.S's procedures Jack was invited to help protect the V.P.
The reason why the V.P's life was in danger was also a bit hard to believe.
This is not to say that the book was a complete drag, there were times the story line took off and it was a complete page turner. But all in all I would have to say this has been my least favorite Jack Reacher to date.
Recommended for Reacher fans. Sorry but 3 stars was the best I could do.
A bit disappointed in Without Fail I found it a bit on the slow side in places. Lots of, what I would call, irrelevant information.
I found the plot a bit unbelievable, the secret service couldn't protect the Vice President without Jack Reacher's help??
At the beginning when Jack was brought in to do a independent audit for the S.S., this sounded like it was feasible. But when Jack found gaping holes in the S.S's procedures Jack was invited to help protect the V.P.
The reason why the V.P's life was in danger was also a bit hard to believe.
This is not to say that the book was a complete drag, there were times the story line took off and it was a complete page turner. But all in all I would have to say this has been my least favorite Jack Reacher to date.
Recommended for Reacher fans. Sorry but 3 stars was the best I could do.
April 28, 2018
6/10
It seems this type of book works well in audio, even more so when it is abridged as it cuts out any extra waffle or character development which is needless in an action romp where the characters tend to be in it for one book only.
Reacher is hired to kill someone of minor importance, the Vice President of the US. Why would he take such a job? Well it’s more like an audit of the internal security detail but with a hidden motive.
Things move quickly as they should in this type of book. There are a few unexpected occurrences along the way but things work as you’d imagine. The narrators voice for Reacher was a little grating after a while as it was like he was trying to be Clint Eastwood. Other than that the narration was good and made the characters distinct enough and a good pace.
I’d listen to more in this series like this as a nice pallet/ear cleanser between more intense audiobooks. Not too shabby.
It seems this type of book works well in audio, even more so when it is abridged as it cuts out any extra waffle or character development which is needless in an action romp where the characters tend to be in it for one book only.
Reacher is hired to kill someone of minor importance, the Vice President of the US. Why would he take such a job? Well it’s more like an audit of the internal security detail but with a hidden motive.
Things move quickly as they should in this type of book. There are a few unexpected occurrences along the way but things work as you’d imagine. The narrators voice for Reacher was a little grating after a while as it was like he was trying to be Clint Eastwood. Other than that the narration was good and made the characters distinct enough and a good pace.
I’d listen to more in this series like this as a nice pallet/ear cleanser between more intense audiobooks. Not too shabby.
March 30, 2019
Without Fail is not going to disappoint fans of Jack Reacher. Lee Child comes up with a new setting for Reacher's persuasive combination of detailed analytical thinking and overwhelming violence. Actually the latter is fairly understated in this story, and our hero does not end up taking on two, four or six mindless heavies in a brawl, which seems to be the fairly normal scenario.
This time round there is a plot to assassinate the vice president elect, and Reacher and his female associate from the Army, Neagley are co-opted in by the Secret Service who are clearly struggling to bottom out the threat. As a novelty, and for the first time I can remember post his army days, Reacher is actually employed in gainful employment as opposed to drifting around, righting wrongs in his own inimitable fashion. Of course, we have the usual romantic attachment which surprisingly is not Neagley.
This is certainly a book which keeps you turning over the pages and whilst I normally end up rating Reacher stories at Four or Five Stars, this is, in my opinion, at the higher end. If I had a criticism of the plot it is only that I found the motivation of the would be assassins rather improbable, but maybe that's just me and in any case it does not detract from the tale which I thoroughly enjoyed.
This time round there is a plot to assassinate the vice president elect, and Reacher and his female associate from the Army, Neagley are co-opted in by the Secret Service who are clearly struggling to bottom out the threat. As a novelty, and for the first time I can remember post his army days, Reacher is actually employed in gainful employment as opposed to drifting around, righting wrongs in his own inimitable fashion. Of course, we have the usual romantic attachment which surprisingly is not Neagley.
This is certainly a book which keeps you turning over the pages and whilst I normally end up rating Reacher stories at Four or Five Stars, this is, in my opinion, at the higher end. If I had a criticism of the plot it is only that I found the motivation of the would be assassins rather improbable, but maybe that's just me and in any case it does not detract from the tale which I thoroughly enjoyed.
April 30, 2016
Old reviews went missing. How does save not working?
Great series; I love Reacher books.
Great series; I love Reacher books.
May 16, 2023
Acțiunea volumului se mută în lumea celor din serviciul secret, în cadrul căreia a lucrat fratele lui Reacher. Personajul nu mai e atât de dur și chiar are îndoieli și melancolii vis-a-vis de relația cu fratele lui mort. Totuși volumul a avut o notă forțată la final.
June 24, 2023
They say Lee Child writes like Grisham, but I see him much more like Jeffery Deaver; the same scrupulousness, the same amount of technical details, the same type of skilled felons. The characters are strong and somehow strange: Reacher is jobless, homeless and on the run, Neagley hates to be touched. The plot develops like a parade-riposte and makes you think about next steps. So, we have a magnificent book until the last twenty pages, when you give over the MOST UNPLEASANT pattern in thrillers like that: the bad guys, clever and cold until then, catch the "heroes" and could easily kill them, but move to the talkative mood and finish dead...
March 10, 2009
If you haven't read any Jack Reacher novels. This is a great place to start. The only thing that stopped this book from getting 5 stars was Child's appalling lack of knowledge about Wyoming.
Near the end of the novel the protagonist, Jack Reacher and a colleague Frances Neagley, are on his way to the fictional town of Grace, Wyoming which is a couple hours north of Casper – a town I lived in for two years. Reacher and Neagley take a plane to Denver and decide to drive to Grace.
Child describes the drive as thus:
They entered Wyoming after dark, driving north on I-25. They turned left on Cheyenne and picked up I-80. They rolled west to Laramie and headed north. The town called Grace was still five hours away, well beyond Casper. The map showed it nestled in the middle of nowhere between towering mountains on one side and infinite grasslands on the other.
“We’ll stop in Medicine Bow,” Reacher said. “Sounds like a cool place. We’ll aim to get to Grace at dawn tomorrow.”
Here’s the problem with the above section. I’ve done the drive from Denver to Casper dozens of times. There is no logical reason to take that route. The fastest way to Casper and areas north is to stay on I-25. Any map as well as freeway signs will bear that out. There are plenty of small towns along I-25 that Reacher could have stopped at if he was too tired to make it to Casper. And the next day Reacher and Neagley drive thought Casper and get back on I-25 anyway. And it wasn’t like the page or two of text about their stay in Medicine Bow was vital to the story. It could have just as easily taken place in Wheatland, Douglas, or any of the other small towns along I-25.
I don’t know what Child was trying to accomplish with this but that above section really ruined the last 60 or so pages what was a very exciting novel. All I could think about was that if he didn’t know the fastest way from Denver to Casper, what else in the book did he not adequately research.
Near the end of the novel the protagonist, Jack Reacher and a colleague Frances Neagley, are on his way to the fictional town of Grace, Wyoming which is a couple hours north of Casper – a town I lived in for two years. Reacher and Neagley take a plane to Denver and decide to drive to Grace.
Child describes the drive as thus:
They entered Wyoming after dark, driving north on I-25. They turned left on Cheyenne and picked up I-80. They rolled west to Laramie and headed north. The town called Grace was still five hours away, well beyond Casper. The map showed it nestled in the middle of nowhere between towering mountains on one side and infinite grasslands on the other.
“We’ll stop in Medicine Bow,” Reacher said. “Sounds like a cool place. We’ll aim to get to Grace at dawn tomorrow.”
Here’s the problem with the above section. I’ve done the drive from Denver to Casper dozens of times. There is no logical reason to take that route. The fastest way to Casper and areas north is to stay on I-25. Any map as well as freeway signs will bear that out. There are plenty of small towns along I-25 that Reacher could have stopped at if he was too tired to make it to Casper. And the next day Reacher and Neagley drive thought Casper and get back on I-25 anyway. And it wasn’t like the page or two of text about their stay in Medicine Bow was vital to the story. It could have just as easily taken place in Wheatland, Douglas, or any of the other small towns along I-25.
I don’t know what Child was trying to accomplish with this but that above section really ruined the last 60 or so pages what was a very exciting novel. All I could think about was that if he didn’t know the fastest way from Denver to Casper, what else in the book did he not adequately research.
April 19, 2017
So far, Without Fail has been among my favorite books in the Reacher series mostly we got to know more about Joe, and Reacher's feelings after his death. Reacher keeps everything in the vest and like a tough guy, he doesn't dwell too much on things he can't change but you would think that what happened with Joe would leave consequences. In this book, we got to know what he thought and felt. Note: This book has spoilers for Killing Floor.
The action was as usual - exciting if crazy improbable. I couldn't believe the villains would be so good, specially once you found out who they were. Unlike past books, Reacher had a partner that helped him take the bad guys down. I really liked Neagley and I hope to see her in future books. And for a change, Reacher was wearing more than one set of clothes during the whole book. I know he always showers but I always keep thinking how stinking those clothes must be with him shooting people and running all over the place.
I've gotten used to Dick Hill's narration so I'll keep enjoying the series in audio. Definitely looking forward to the rest of the series.
The action was as usual - exciting if crazy improbable. I couldn't believe the villains would be so good, specially once you found out who they were. Unlike past books, Reacher had a partner that helped him take the bad guys down. I really liked Neagley and I hope to see her in future books. And for a change, Reacher was wearing more than one set of clothes during the whole book. I know he always showers but I always keep thinking how stinking those clothes must be with him shooting people and running all over the place.
I've gotten used to Dick Hill's narration so I'll keep enjoying the series in audio. Definitely looking forward to the rest of the series.
October 28, 2008
I bought this book when Cody's - historic, tragic Cody's as anyone in the Bay Area knows - was going out of business. It was 40% percent off, and I was casting about for the type of book that would magically unlock the keys to moving plot forward and making pages turn since, ahem, I was having some slight trouble in that regard. I don't know if I learned anything in the craft dept other than that Jack Reacher is an awesome badass, stone-cold professional, crafty and smart hero who actually made me care about the sights on sniper guns. I'm not sure I will go out and read more of his righteous mayhem unless I am laid up with a broken leg or somehow get a vacation, but I would recommend this for good, clean riproaring fun. Actually, I was in awe of what I imagine is fairly basic in thriller land - the mastery of arcane detail and handling tons of exposition in a fast-paced manner, managing plot twists, not to mention all the research that must have gone into it. Plus, I couldn't believe I was pulling for a character who's almost a complete cipher. Ah, but he's a badass cipher.
October 29, 2020
این هم قسمت ششم جک ریچر مشهور و محبوب.
خیلی خوب بود و فقط یک جای داستان تو ذوقم زد. راستش خیلی خوب خودش رو حفظ کرد و اصلاً نمیشد حدس زد ضدقهرمان داستان کیه. آدم به همه جا شک می‌کرد. اینکه حالا ریچر هم مرتکب اشتباهاتی شد، به جذابیت داستان اضافه کرد. دیگه خبری از اون تیزهوشی غیرممکن و استنتاج‌های دور از ذهن با حداقل سرنخ در حد کمتر از ممکن خبری نیست و این باعث میشه باورپذیرتر بشه.... اما جایی که ضدقهرمان معرفی شد، اون هم توسط آرمسترانگ، توی ذوق میزد. به نظرم انگیزه قوی‌ای برای همچین چالش و زحمت بزرگی نبود. اینکه چند سال پیش توی تب و تاب جوانی توسط بابای طرف تحقیر شده باشه، برای اقدام به ترور سیاسی و کشتن چند تا آدم، اون هم با این همه زحمت و دردسر .... منطقی به نظر نمی‌رسید.
ترجمه مثل همیشه خوب بود.
خیلی خوب بود و فقط یک جای داستان تو ذوقم زد. راستش خیلی خوب خودش رو حفظ کرد و اصلاً نمیشد حدس زد ضدقهرمان داستان کیه. آدم به همه جا شک می‌کرد. اینکه حالا ریچر هم مرتکب اشتباهاتی شد، به جذابیت داستان اضافه کرد. دیگه خبری از اون تیزهوشی غیرممکن و استنتاج‌های دور از ذهن با حداقل سرنخ در حد کمتر از ممکن خبری نیست و این باعث میشه باورپذیرتر بشه.... اما جایی که ضدقهرمان معرفی شد، اون هم توسط آرمسترانگ، توی ذوق میزد. به نظرم انگیزه قوی‌ای برای همچین چالش و زحمت بزرگی نبود. اینکه چند سال پیش توی تب و تاب جوانی توسط بابای طرف تحقیر شده باشه، برای اقدام به ترور سیاسی و کشتن چند تا آدم، اون هم با این همه زحمت و دردسر .... منطقی به نظر نمی‌رسید.
ترجمه مثل همیشه خوب بود.
July 28, 2019
اینم کتاب ششم جک ریچر
یه جورایی معتاد شدم به خوندنش و خوب راستش رو بخواید حال می ده
بین کتاب های جدی بالاخره یه چیزی هم لازمه محض اینکه آدم توی بی خوابی و بی حوصلگی بخونه
خوش خوان باشه و هی��ان انگیز
این یه ن��ونه بارز برای همین قضیه ست
این کتاب ششم توی فضای حفاظت شخصیت و ترور سیر می کنه و نسبت به پنج تا کتاب قبل فضای خیلی جدیدی داره
خلاصه که اگر پلیسی دوست دارید بخونید
البته که من فارسی می خونم ، چاپ کتابسرای تندیس ولی اینجا نبود و خودم هم حوصل نداشتم اد کنم که زیر انگلیسیش کامنت گذاشتم
یه جورایی معتاد شدم به خوندنش و خوب راستش رو بخواید حال می ده
بین کتاب های جدی بالاخره یه چیزی هم لازمه محض اینکه آدم توی بی خوابی و بی حوصلگی بخونه
خوش خوان باشه و هی��ان انگیز
این یه ن��ونه بارز برای همین قضیه ست
این کتاب ششم توی فضای حفاظت شخصیت و ترور سیر می کنه و نسبت به پنج تا کتاب قبل فضای خیلی جدیدی داره
خلاصه که اگر پلیسی دوست دارید بخونید
البته که من فارسی می خونم ، چاپ کتابسرای تندیس ولی اینجا نبود و خودم هم حوصل نداشتم اد کنم که زیر انگلیسیش کامنت گذاشتم
July 26, 2021
Another "Reacher" reread because of friends deciding to read "The Classics," they didn't pay attention to while in school, well, Lee Child's work is classic too...Reacher is pulled into the Secret Service & their duty to protect the Vice-President by an ex-girlfriend of his brother Joe...Great Read like all "Reachers!"
July 8, 2018
Without Fail is probably so far, my most favorite Reacher adventure yet! I've enjoyed all the other ones I've read so far, and not a bad one among them, but this one so far in my opinion is the best!
Jack Reacher is approached by US Secret Service Agent M.E. (Mary Ellen) Froelich, who had been assigned to protect Brook Armstrong, the Vice-President elect. Froelich has approached Reacher because someone is sending threatening messages to the VP, and she wants Reacher to speculate on how he would kill him if he wanted to. Reacher accepts, whilst enlisting the help of his old friend and Army colleague Frances Neagley, and also as it turns out, Reacher discovers that Froelich is the former lover of his deceased brother Joe, and Reacher and Froelich slowly start a relationship while also protecting the VP and searching for the culprits.
Entertaining from beginning to end, a must read for Child/Reacher fans!!
Jack Reacher is approached by US Secret Service Agent M.E. (Mary Ellen) Froelich, who had been assigned to protect Brook Armstrong, the Vice-President elect. Froelich has approached Reacher because someone is sending threatening messages to the VP, and she wants Reacher to speculate on how he would kill him if he wanted to. Reacher accepts, whilst enlisting the help of his old friend and Army colleague Frances Neagley, and also as it turns out, Reacher discovers that Froelich is the former lover of his deceased brother Joe, and Reacher and Froelich slowly start a relationship while also protecting the VP and searching for the culprits.
Entertaining from beginning to end, a must read for Child/Reacher fans!!
August 27, 2019
This one will hold your attention cover-to-cover! It unfolds at neck-break speed - a race against the clock to figure out who is trying to assassinate a candidate for vice president of the United States...and why? Is it political? Personal? I never tire of following the thought process of Jack Reacher as he takes on a case and/or villain. There are some great support characters in this one and several intense scenes. I just couldn't put this book down until I finished. Another fantastic addition to great series!
January 13, 2013
Hi
I really enjoy the Jack Reacher books, so far, with the Reacher books read, this is my second favourite behind One Shot. Although nice to see a regular character helping and returning in this book to work with Reacher.
Always readable, gripping.
As always he is the ladies man.
very enjoyable
regards
Sean
I really enjoy the Jack Reacher books, so far, with the Reacher books read, this is my second favourite behind One Shot. Although nice to see a regular character helping and returning in this book to work with Reacher.
Always readable, gripping.
As always he is the ladies man.
very enjoyable
regards
Sean
August 8, 2013
Unfortunately, Reacher spends his time on defense for practically the whole story. As a result, we are left with tedium of guesses and what ifs that often leaves the reader or listener frustrated and drained throughout this chase. 4 of 10 stars
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