I reread this as a lark(actually I had forgotten most it) over Christmas Break, as relief from finishing a much more demanding novel. Like all of Child's books, this pulled me in right from the start, with a sniper shooting six people as them come out of a building. It seems an easy case, as the shooter is identified by obvious things he has left behind. And his house has the gun, the shells, everything to convict him except he says he's innocent and one other thing, "Get me Jack Reacher." This begins the tale, as Reacher just happens to get a call from the alleged shooter's lawyer and he comes north to Indiana. He befriends the lawyer, a young, attractive female, who is also the daughter of the prosecutor, complicating the case. Only the alleged victim's sister believes in his innocence but gradually, Reacher digs up enough evidence to prove the sister's correct and he ends up uncovering a plot that involves not only the Russian mafia but also the police. Reacher, of course, ends up doing away with about six skilled henchmen, with only a knife, and wins the day but not the girl this time. I liked the opening, as the case develops, as we get to know the characters. But the climaxes of Child's novels are too much the same, and too unbelievable. Not even Tom Cruise could kill four or five guys with only a knife and come out with the girl.
My sister, Ellen, strongly advised me against seeing the movie, as she disliked it so much, especially the casting of Tom Cruise as Reacher. I agree with her about the casting, but it was a Hollywood decision, to sell the movie because of the star. Only Reacher fans will hate it. I will wait for the DVD.
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