Status
Available
Call number
Series
Genres
Collection
Publication
Corgi (2021), Edition: 01
Description
"It is close to midnight on a Saturday night when Jack Reacher gets off a bus at the Greyhound station in Nashville. Reacher is in no hurry. He has no appointments to keep. No people to see. No scores to settle. Not yet anyway. But in the early morning hours, under particular circumstances, a familiar thought will be snaking through his sharp, instinctual lizard brain: A voice in his head telling him to walk away. Of course, this wouldn't be the first time he listened to his gut instead. Meanwhile, seventy-five miles south and west of Music City is a sleepy little town where a recently-fired guy nurses a grudge that will fester into fury--and a desire for payback. But who is watching him, standing guard over a long-buried secret, ready to strike before it can be revealed? If you don't have a sense of the danger you're in, then it's best to have Reacher"--… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member Hardboiled
Over the span of the Jack Reacher novels I came to a point where I wanted change. I thought Jack was getting a little stale as a character account of the cookie cutter approach of the novels. I always wondered why Jack didn't grow/mature as a character. That question was answered by Child himself
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when I had a chance to hear him speak in person and was asked that very question. His answer was that Jack wasn't going to change because he, Child, was writing for the avid readers who followed Reacher's cause and had definite expectations. I accepted that at the time but was intrigued when I read his newest book was going to be a joint venture with his brother and Reacher's character would reflect some changes moving forward. The problem, however, is that this novel is like a time-tested recipe where the cook altered some of the ingredients without thinking about the final product. All, or most of the ingredients of the previous Reacher novels are present in some form or fashion in the Sentinel; however, it's like the cook, or in this case the writers, forgot to mix them in the right proportion to produce a product that was still appetizing to the reader. The plot wanders aimlessly through a series of "Reacher" confrontations loosely driven by any number of nefarious bad guys ranging from Russians to Nazis ... somewhat explained but never really developed in terms the underlying issues faced by Rutherford's character. I struggled to get through this one. There simply was nothing that compelled me as a reader to take a stake in what was going on. Sadly, if more attention had been taken to flesh out the narrative with Reacher's character as the driving force it always has been this novel could have knocked it out of the park. Show Less
LibraryThing member Romonko
Yes, he's different and I'm not sure I'm quite on board with the new cerebral Jack Reacher. I knew when i saw that Lee Child (pen name) was co-authoring with his younger brother that it would be different, but after 24 books (this is number 25), maybe it would be a nice change. The ghost of the old
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Jack Reacher is there, but the essence of Jack Reacher is gone. I kept looking for him, but couldn't find it. Since when would Jack Reacher ever text? When would he ever look at different options when contemplating how to get out of a jam? When would he ever think about non-violent ways to get out of that jam? The pace was different too and maybe that was slowed down by all the thinking (?) that Jack did throughout. Lee Child always used short, spare sentences which moved the pace along at a fast clip. The sentences in this book were long and well-constructed. Sorry. This is not my Jack Reacher. I read the whole book looking for the essence of Jack, but didn't find it. The plot was well-constructed, and the bad guys were horrific, but Jack seemed to just swagger his way through the book, and didn't seem to get involved mentally or emotionally engaged. I gave it an effort, but I found the book wanting. I may have come to the end of the road for one of my favourite anti-heroes. That list has been depleted lately with changes authors have made to their plotting and storyline. Show Less
LibraryThing member waldhaus1
It starts with Reacher rescuing a man in trouble because of a ransom Ware attack. Then a clandestine group trying to get some of the information on a server encrypted by the ransomware.
Reacher weaves his way through many entertaining challenges.
Reacher weaves his way through many entertaining challenges.
LibraryThing member Carol420
I have been a huge fan of the Jack Reacher series for many years. I've read and enjoyed every single one of them. Jack is a character with…well, character. He is really and truly one of the good guys. He always said what needed saying and knew when to just listen. He was steadfast and dependable
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to a fault. Now we are presented with a somewhat “different animal”. I knew that Lee Child was going to be joining efforts with his brother Andrew Childs (Grant)…a noteworthy author himself …and that the writing was going to be a combined effort by these two good writers. Since I had read and enjoyed Andrew Grant’s books before, I wasn’t too concerned about this change. The book is good but it does have some slight “first time” hiccups. Jack isn’t quite his old self. He talks way more than usual…the story contains more description that is really needed to set the scene...Jack gets off fewer of those great one-liners…he isn’t as “surprising” in his actions as he once was, except to the bad guys that still underestimate him… and he’s become more social. A “social” Jack Reacher is a scary thing. Did I dislike the change in the character or the book? Absolutely not!! I will just wait for the two authors to decide if readers will want the old tried and true Jack back or welcome this “new and improved” version. Either way…I hope this series goes on for a long, long time. Show Less
LibraryThing member labdaddy4
A strong addition to the “Reacher” library - fast moving plot, twists and turns, but ultimately surprise surprise Reacher Wins !! The new writing duo of the Child brothers seems to be seamlessly continuing the saga. A great brief escape from these crazy times.
LibraryThing member hcnewton
This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
---
"...Someone’s got to [help him]."
"And that someone’s you?”
"I guess so.”
“Why is that?”
Reacher shrugged again. “I’m the one who’s here.”
WHAT'S THE SENTINEL ABOUT?
After a quick (and only slightly violent) stop in
After he's released, Reacher meets the man he rescued and they start to talk. His name is Rusty and he's the freshly dismissed IT manager for the city. He was fired because the city was hit by a ransomware attack, which is crippling the city government and causing problems throughout Pleasantville. With only one or two exceptions, the entire populace hates him because of this, convinced that he had a role in the attack. Rusty's determined to prove he had nothing to do with it, and if the city leaders had just listened to him, it all could be avoided. He just doesn't have it all worked out about how he'll do that.
Reacher, on the other hand, thinks more is going on. The people who tried to abduct Rusty aren't disgruntled citizens, they were professionals. Why would professionals care about this? Reacher determines he has to stick around and get to the bottom of it.
Explosions, gunfire, and fisticuffs ensue as Reacher gets closer and closer to discovering what really went on, and hopefully clearing Rusty's name.
A TREND THAT NEEDS TO END
Reacher's no Luddite, he just doesn't care about technology/computers/the Internet/etc. When he has to, he can use them a little, but relying on them is just not in his makeup.
But last year's Blue Moon, and this year's The Sentinel hinge on cybercrimes (at least after a fashion). Which makes sense, this is what thrillers are about right now. But Reacher doesn't belong in this world. He can get by—especially if he has help—but readers need a break from cybercrimes. We need a book or three of Reacher not needing to depend on someone and their laptop.
THE THING EVERYONE'S TALKING ABOUT
Unless you've been living under a rock (which seems like a smart move in 2020, to be honest), you know that Lee Child has started backing away from writing and is handing over the reins to his brother Andrew. As part of that, the two co-wrote this book, a first for both (I believe).
So automatically you know (or at least you should), this is going to feel different than a typical Reacher novel (although, Lee Child's been good about changing the flavor to one degree or another in each book). And it does—Reacher's a bit talkier than we're used to (although he still says nothing fairly often); the prose isn't as sharp, as punchy; and so on. It's not bad, it's just not Lee Child (which ought to be patently obvious).
While it's not strictly a Lee Child book, with his style, it's still good. The plotting is as good as Child at his prime, the fights are as well choreographed and violent, and Reacher's essence is unchanged. At the end of the day, Lee Child picked his successor (unlike Robert B. Parker, Ian Fleming, etc.), if he's satisfied, I can get used to this new style (while Andrew Child catches his stride)
SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT THE SENTINEL?
Reacher’s general approach to driving was to find someone else to do it. He was capable of operating a vehicle, in a technical sense, The army had provided thorough training. He’d never killed anyone with a car. At least not by accident. He’d never had any collisions, Not unintentional ones. His problem was mainly one of temperament, Good driving called for a balance of action and reaction, speed and restraint, measurement and control. A middle ground, stable and sustained. Reacher on the other hand was built for extremes. His default was to move extremely slow or extremely fast. One moment he could appear languid, lazy, almost comatose. The next he could erupt into a frenzy of action, furious, relentless, for as long as necessary, then relapse into serene stillness until the next threat presented itself.
The Sentinel has all the things you need in a Reacher novel—an individual in need of help, a physical challenge (actually, one of the toughest I can remember for him), a truly evil antagonist (you'll have multiple reasons to root against this guy), and plenty of justice for Reacher to mete out.
Is it Reacher at his best? No. But he hasn't been at his best for a couple of years anyway. Is it Reacher that provides solid adventure? Yup. Even a mediocre Reacher is entertaining (and this isn't at that point), it's going to take Andrew a little bit to fit into his brother's mold (or as close to it as he wants to go), I'm willing to let him figure out how to do that, and will jump back for #26 as soon as I can.
---
"...Someone’s got to [help him]."
"And that someone’s you?”
"I guess so.”
“Why is that?”
Reacher shrugged again. “I’m the one who’s here.”
WHAT'S THE SENTINEL ABOUT?
After a quick (and only slightly violent) stop in
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Nashville, Reacher finds himself in a smaller city, Pleasantville. Before he can even get a cup of coffee, Reacher sees a group of people act as if they're about to abduct a man on the street. He stops it from happening and then finds himself arrested.After he's released, Reacher meets the man he rescued and they start to talk. His name is Rusty and he's the freshly dismissed IT manager for the city. He was fired because the city was hit by a ransomware attack, which is crippling the city government and causing problems throughout Pleasantville. With only one or two exceptions, the entire populace hates him because of this, convinced that he had a role in the attack. Rusty's determined to prove he had nothing to do with it, and if the city leaders had just listened to him, it all could be avoided. He just doesn't have it all worked out about how he'll do that.
Reacher, on the other hand, thinks more is going on. The people who tried to abduct Rusty aren't disgruntled citizens, they were professionals. Why would professionals care about this? Reacher determines he has to stick around and get to the bottom of it.
Explosions, gunfire, and fisticuffs ensue as Reacher gets closer and closer to discovering what really went on, and hopefully clearing Rusty's name.
A TREND THAT NEEDS TO END
Reacher's no Luddite, he just doesn't care about technology/computers/the Internet/etc. When he has to, he can use them a little, but relying on them is just not in his makeup.
But last year's Blue Moon, and this year's The Sentinel hinge on cybercrimes (at least after a fashion). Which makes sense, this is what thrillers are about right now. But Reacher doesn't belong in this world. He can get by—especially if he has help—but readers need a break from cybercrimes. We need a book or three of Reacher not needing to depend on someone and their laptop.
THE THING EVERYONE'S TALKING ABOUT
Unless you've been living under a rock (which seems like a smart move in 2020, to be honest), you know that Lee Child has started backing away from writing and is handing over the reins to his brother Andrew. As part of that, the two co-wrote this book, a first for both (I believe).
So automatically you know (or at least you should), this is going to feel different than a typical Reacher novel (although, Lee Child's been good about changing the flavor to one degree or another in each book). And it does—Reacher's a bit talkier than we're used to (although he still says nothing fairly often); the prose isn't as sharp, as punchy; and so on. It's not bad, it's just not Lee Child (which ought to be patently obvious).
While it's not strictly a Lee Child book, with his style, it's still good. The plotting is as good as Child at his prime, the fights are as well choreographed and violent, and Reacher's essence is unchanged. At the end of the day, Lee Child picked his successor (unlike Robert B. Parker, Ian Fleming, etc.), if he's satisfied, I can get used to this new style (while Andrew Child catches his stride)
SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT THE SENTINEL?
Reacher’s general approach to driving was to find someone else to do it. He was capable of operating a vehicle, in a technical sense, The army had provided thorough training. He’d never killed anyone with a car. At least not by accident. He’d never had any collisions, Not unintentional ones. His problem was mainly one of temperament, Good driving called for a balance of action and reaction, speed and restraint, measurement and control. A middle ground, stable and sustained. Reacher on the other hand was built for extremes. His default was to move extremely slow or extremely fast. One moment he could appear languid, lazy, almost comatose. The next he could erupt into a frenzy of action, furious, relentless, for as long as necessary, then relapse into serene stillness until the next threat presented itself.
The Sentinel has all the things you need in a Reacher novel—an individual in need of help, a physical challenge (actually, one of the toughest I can remember for him), a truly evil antagonist (you'll have multiple reasons to root against this guy), and plenty of justice for Reacher to mete out.
Is it Reacher at his best? No. But he hasn't been at his best for a couple of years anyway. Is it Reacher that provides solid adventure? Yup. Even a mediocre Reacher is entertaining (and this isn't at that point), it's going to take Andrew a little bit to fit into his brother's mold (or as close to it as he wants to go), I'm willing to let him figure out how to do that, and will jump back for #26 as soon as I can.
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LibraryThing member norinrad10
Normally if I was reveiwing a Lee Child book I'd be reviewing a Jack Reacher tale. Well this one is only 50% Child, the other 50 being written by his brother, and less then 10% Reacher.
Don't get me wrong, the protagonist in this tale is a character named Jack Reacher, but other than his size, he
This Reacher talks to much, thinks to much, and is much more arrogant than the hero readers have become familiar with. The character is so off that it makes it impossible for a reader familiar with Child's work to become immersed in the tale.
The tale itself ain't bad, though i's a little pedestrian, containing both Russians and Nazi's. It's likely that without expectation, the story would be better received. As it is, this maybe the most disappointing read of the year.
I'd rather that the character had been killed off then to sit through this muck knowing that the future will only bring more.
Don't get me wrong, the protagonist in this tale is a character named Jack Reacher, but other than his size, he
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bares little resemblance to the popular character of Lee Child's previous novels. This Reacher talks to much, thinks to much, and is much more arrogant than the hero readers have become familiar with. The character is so off that it makes it impossible for a reader familiar with Child's work to become immersed in the tale.
The tale itself ain't bad, though i's a little pedestrian, containing both Russians and Nazi's. It's likely that without expectation, the story would be better received. As it is, this maybe the most disappointing read of the year.
I'd rather that the character had been killed off then to sit through this muck knowing that the future will only bring more.
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LibraryThing member jfe16
Jack Reacher’s arrival in a small Tennessee town is fortuitous for Rusty Rutherford who, as Jack comes on the scene, is about to be kidnapped. Reacher, of course, foils the attempt and hangs around to keep Rusty safe.
Fired from his position as the town’s IT manager and blamed for the
But someone is keeping secrets. There’s a conspiracy and a cover-up. There’s been a murder. Can Jack Reacher keep Rusty alive long enough to find out exactly what’s going on in this quiet little town?
The twenty-fifth in the Jack Reacher series, there’s a lot of action here despite a plot that seems woefully thin and far too political for a Jack Reacher saga. Sadly, readers are likely to find the Jack Reacher in this tale is a bit “off,” not quite the character so many have come to admire. The biggest problem with the story [aside from the politics . . . enough already] is that Jack simply isn’t himself.
Here’s hoping the real Jack Reacher will surface before the next book shows up in the bookstores.
Fired from his position as the town’s IT manager and blamed for the
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cyberattack currently locking up the town, Rutherford, who tried to get the town to upgrade its systems, has no plan to leave town; he wants to clear his name. He’d be safer, Jack counters, but Rutherford is having no part of it. It’s his home town, and he’s staying put. But someone is keeping secrets. There’s a conspiracy and a cover-up. There’s been a murder. Can Jack Reacher keep Rusty alive long enough to find out exactly what’s going on in this quiet little town?
The twenty-fifth in the Jack Reacher series, there’s a lot of action here despite a plot that seems woefully thin and far too political for a Jack Reacher saga. Sadly, readers are likely to find the Jack Reacher in this tale is a bit “off,” not quite the character so many have come to admire. The biggest problem with the story [aside from the politics . . . enough already] is that Jack simply isn’t himself.
Here’s hoping the real Jack Reacher will surface before the next book shows up in the bookstores.
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LibraryThing member MikeBruscellSr
In my library I have a copy of every book published by Lee Child. I'm especially fond of the Jack Reacher stories.... except for the most recent, "The Sentinel" I don't know whether my displeasure with this book is a result of the collaborative work between Lee and his brother, Andrew, or some
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other reason, but it just didn't have that special quality I've grown to expect from Lee Child. I found too much unnecessary descriptive information of places and rooms, etc., that added nothing of value to the narrative. It isn't a bad read, but neither is it of caliber I've come to expect from the Child brand. Show Less
LibraryThing member infjsarah
I was disappointed in this Jack Reacher book. Normally I pick it up and 100 pages are gone in no time and you want to pick it up to carry on. I found this one a struggle and was looking at the page no to see where I was (and it's a short book). I was bored - yes, Reacher beats up people but in this
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one it was just one person after the next - the plot was weird and I was skimming paragraphs to get to the end. Hope this is not a sign of the new writer being the main input.............. Not sure "modernising" the series by boring the reader is quite what LC had in mind. Show Less
LibraryThing member thewanderingjew
The Sentinel, Lee Child and Andrew Child, authors, Scott Brick, narrator
A power failure in a small town rocks the equilibrium of its citizens. Phones fail, computers freeze, information is lost. It was at this time that Jack Reacher had fortuitously hitchhiked there from Nashville. He had just
It turns out that Rusty was the IT expert in town. He was being blamed for being unable to prevent, or repair, a Ransom Ware attack that had shut down all communication services. The sheriff was only too happy to put him in jail. Everyone in town had turned their backs on him even though he had tried, unsuccessfully, to get the town to upgrade their technology before this attack.
There is a powerful man with a hidden malignant past, who is behind this attack. His contacts are foreign agents who use barbaric methods to extract the information they need. They need something from Rusty, but he has no idea what they want.
What is the Sentinel. What is Cerberus? Can either be effective tools to prevent or reverse a cyber warfare attack of devastating proportions? Who has those programs? Who wants them? What could an enemy do with a weapon that could destroy communication if there was no antidote for the virus, but the one they controlled? Which enemies would like to gain control of such technology? What lengths would they go to, and what people would they employ to achieve such power. That is the real threat that Jack Reacher stumbles upon when he rescues Rusty. Rusty is persona non grata, and now, so is Jack Reacher. He has been told, not politely, to leave town or face the consequences.
The FBI, Russia, Germany and heinous political philosophies are at play. Evil people want to accomplish great evil, and it is up to Reacher to stop it. Always exciting and full of adventure, Jack Reacher does not disappoint, but the novel is less than perfect and may leave the reader a little confused as to the plot. Nevertheless, the story captures the reader’s attention, regardless of the confusion, since there is always the hope that the morass will clear.
A power failure in a small town rocks the equilibrium of its citizens. Phones fail, computers freeze, information is lost. It was at this time that Jack Reacher had fortuitously hitchhiked there from Nashville. He had just
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solved a problem for a pair of musicians who didn’t get paid when he fell into another kettle of fish. He spied a young man in what looked like a predicament, and, on the spot, he decided to intervene to prevent Rusty Rutherford from being kidnapped. Instead of being praised for the effort to save this stranger, Reacher and Rusty were arrested and thrown in jail. The thugs escaped. It turns out that Rusty was the IT expert in town. He was being blamed for being unable to prevent, or repair, a Ransom Ware attack that had shut down all communication services. The sheriff was only too happy to put him in jail. Everyone in town had turned their backs on him even though he had tried, unsuccessfully, to get the town to upgrade their technology before this attack.
There is a powerful man with a hidden malignant past, who is behind this attack. His contacts are foreign agents who use barbaric methods to extract the information they need. They need something from Rusty, but he has no idea what they want.
What is the Sentinel. What is Cerberus? Can either be effective tools to prevent or reverse a cyber warfare attack of devastating proportions? Who has those programs? Who wants them? What could an enemy do with a weapon that could destroy communication if there was no antidote for the virus, but the one they controlled? Which enemies would like to gain control of such technology? What lengths would they go to, and what people would they employ to achieve such power. That is the real threat that Jack Reacher stumbles upon when he rescues Rusty. Rusty is persona non grata, and now, so is Jack Reacher. He has been told, not politely, to leave town or face the consequences.
The FBI, Russia, Germany and heinous political philosophies are at play. Evil people want to accomplish great evil, and it is up to Reacher to stop it. Always exciting and full of adventure, Jack Reacher does not disappoint, but the novel is less than perfect and may leave the reader a little confused as to the plot. Nevertheless, the story captures the reader’s attention, regardless of the confusion, since there is always the hope that the morass will clear.
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LibraryThing member Twink
I had fallen a few books behind in Lee Child's Jack Reacher series, but when I read that he was passing the reins to his brother Andrew Child, I thought I would catch up with the latest (#25) - The Sentinel. Going forward it will be Andrew Child only.
Reacher does what he does best - just travelling
I think that's what we all love about Reacher - he's the guy that will stick up for the underdog and right a wrong - in Jack Reacher style. And that style includes some great dialogue before the fists fly. "Rule one: if you don’t know the trouble you’re in, keep Reacher by your side."
This latest book has a fairly intricate plot bringing in a US Intelligence Agency, Nazis, Russians and more. Take that grain of salt and just enjoy a great escapist read.
Now, I am sure Jack Reacher purists will find some fault with someone new. Inevitable. (I noticed he talked a little more and used some technology) But for me, I was entertained and engaged with the book. And that's all I'm asking for - and The Sentinel delivered.
I chose to listen to The Sentinel. I was thrilled to see that the narrator had changed from previous novels and Scott Brick (a favorite of mine) was the new voice. He has the most expressive voice, easy to understand and great to listen to. He interprets the book very well and showcases the book fantastically. The action, tension and more are effortlessly presented for the listener.
Reacher does what he does best - just travelling
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across the country. His latest ride lets him off in Pleasantville, Tennessee. And true to form, he finds trouble when he see injustice and steps in to even the odds. Told to leave town, he digs his heels in even deeper.I think that's what we all love about Reacher - he's the guy that will stick up for the underdog and right a wrong - in Jack Reacher style. And that style includes some great dialogue before the fists fly. "Rule one: if you don’t know the trouble you’re in, keep Reacher by your side."
This latest book has a fairly intricate plot bringing in a US Intelligence Agency, Nazis, Russians and more. Take that grain of salt and just enjoy a great escapist read.
Now, I am sure Jack Reacher purists will find some fault with someone new. Inevitable. (I noticed he talked a little more and used some technology) But for me, I was entertained and engaged with the book. And that's all I'm asking for - and The Sentinel delivered.
I chose to listen to The Sentinel. I was thrilled to see that the narrator had changed from previous novels and Scott Brick (a favorite of mine) was the new voice. He has the most expressive voice, easy to understand and great to listen to. He interprets the book very well and showcases the book fantastically. The action, tension and more are effortlessly presented for the listener.
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LibraryThing member TomDonaghey
The Sentinel (2020) (Reacher #25) by Lee Child.
I find it hard to write about his book without telling you of the major league spoiler that will be found in the next paragraph. The revelation doesn’t come until about half way into the book, but it is upon this that the entire story revolves.
The Sentinel is a super secret computer program that was designed to safeguard America’s voting process. It works very well. To some foreign agencies, Russia in particular, it works too well. They want it and will stop at almost nothing to procure it.
Something to think about after the last two elections.
Reacher solves a small problem for a band he happened to hear in a club in Nashville. Heading out of town he gets a ride with an insurance executive heading out to a small town to help solve a problem. The town’s computers are being held for ransom. The former IT director for the town has been blamed for the breach and is now an outcast. And, upon entering the small town, he is the first person reacher notices.
It is hard to miss when a man, absent-mindedly walking down the street, is being grabbed by several people and tossed into the back of a car. Reacher, being who he is, sees the set-up unfolding and steps in to lend a hand, or rather a fist or two.
Later, in a coffee shop, Reacher hears the man’s tale and decides there is more going on than just some hatred for the ex-town official. A lot more.
Events seem to spiral as they usually do in a Lee Child novel. While the pace is slow to begin with it ramps up fairly quickly until the final burst of action.
Mr. Child wrote this book with his son, Andrew Child. The younger Child is an accomplished author in his own right and he brings a subtle newness to the series.
I find it hard to write about his book without telling you of the major league spoiler that will be found in the next paragraph. The revelation doesn’t come until about half way into the book, but it is upon this that the entire story revolves.
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Don’t blame me if you continue to read and then get upset. You have no one to blame but yourself!!!The Sentinel is a super secret computer program that was designed to safeguard America’s voting process. It works very well. To some foreign agencies, Russia in particular, it works too well. They want it and will stop at almost nothing to procure it.
Something to think about after the last two elections.
Reacher solves a small problem for a band he happened to hear in a club in Nashville. Heading out of town he gets a ride with an insurance executive heading out to a small town to help solve a problem. The town’s computers are being held for ransom. The former IT director for the town has been blamed for the breach and is now an outcast. And, upon entering the small town, he is the first person reacher notices.
It is hard to miss when a man, absent-mindedly walking down the street, is being grabbed by several people and tossed into the back of a car. Reacher, being who he is, sees the set-up unfolding and steps in to lend a hand, or rather a fist or two.
Later, in a coffee shop, Reacher hears the man’s tale and decides there is more going on than just some hatred for the ex-town official. A lot more.
Events seem to spiral as they usually do in a Lee Child novel. While the pace is slow to begin with it ramps up fairly quickly until the final burst of action.
Mr. Child wrote this book with his son, Andrew Child. The younger Child is an accomplished author in his own right and he brings a subtle newness to the series.
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LibraryThing member susandennis
While I love Jack Reacher to bits and will read any book he's in, I have, in some, gotten bored in the middle. Not this time. This latest was excellent - Reacher at his best. Thanks, Andrew
LibraryThing member Brumby18
NOt the bight of the usual. bit less biff and a bit more story.
LibraryThing member brakketh
I read a review that suggested the addition of Andrew Child to the authorship of the novel made a perceptible impact. Not for me, continues to be enjoyable brain-candy for me.
LibraryThing member Tatoosh
Following the publication of “Blue Moon,” the twenty-fourth book in the Jack Reacher series, Lee Child announced his intention to pass the series to his brother, Andrew. Given that, I used the occasion to reflect on the entire Jack Reacher series in my review of “Blue Moon.” Number
Reacher hitches a ride into a “sleepy little town,” and immediately notices a crew moving in to kidnap an unsuspecting man who is ambling down the street. Reacher intervenes, dispatches the five-person crew, and learns that Rusty Rutherford is the recently fired IT manager of Pleasantville, Tennessee. The city is the victim of a ransomware attack and Rusty is the scapegoat. Rusty’s health, if not his life, is in danger, but he refuses to let the ruffians drive him out of town. Reacher decides to play guardian angel for a few days, and he soon learns that the culprits are not after money. Their goal is to prevent the discovery of critical information housed in the city archives.
The lassitude I noted in my review of “Blue Moon” is even more pronounced in “The Sentinel.” The story is pedestrian, and even the multiple instances of Reacher against a gang becomes boring. Number 26 is already out, and I presume the series will struggle on so long as fans continue to buy the books. I’m not sure how long I will stick with it, though. The series is in desperate need of fresh ideas.
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twenty-five in the series, “The Sentinel,” is the first of two (so far) Reacher books authored jointly by the brothers. Reacher hitches a ride into a “sleepy little town,” and immediately notices a crew moving in to kidnap an unsuspecting man who is ambling down the street. Reacher intervenes, dispatches the five-person crew, and learns that Rusty Rutherford is the recently fired IT manager of Pleasantville, Tennessee. The city is the victim of a ransomware attack and Rusty is the scapegoat. Rusty’s health, if not his life, is in danger, but he refuses to let the ruffians drive him out of town. Reacher decides to play guardian angel for a few days, and he soon learns that the culprits are not after money. Their goal is to prevent the discovery of critical information housed in the city archives.
The lassitude I noted in my review of “Blue Moon” is even more pronounced in “The Sentinel.” The story is pedestrian, and even the multiple instances of Reacher against a gang becomes boring. Number 26 is already out, and I presume the series will struggle on so long as fans continue to buy the books. I’m not sure how long I will stick with it, though. The series is in desperate need of fresh ideas.
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LibraryThing member reading_fox
Simultaneously both better an worse than many of the recent Reacher novels - you can tell it's been jointly written by his brother, because none of it actually feels like Lee Child's writing, but at the same time it does very well at harking back to the earliest Reacher stories and picking out his
Jack rolls into town and stumbles upon an unsuspecting IT guy about to kidnapped, so despite missing his cup of coffee he intervenes. The rest pretty much follows the standard pattern, there's pretty female FBI officer, various assorted foreign toughs, a few bosses trying to be clever, and Jack relying on instinct and hitting things. In many places it still feels forced with the addition of old habits like the singing songs in his head etc, or being afraid of enclosed spaces. I do wonder if the brother has read any of the later books at all before embarking on this project. It claims in an extended interview in the back that Lee co-wrote it, but I think perhaps is more directed than wrote as few of the passages have his deft touch.
The plot is good if cliched with the old favourites Nazi and Russian opponents rather than gangs, but somehow the writing isn't quite up to scratch. Apparently the next is mostly written already, again as a join effort.
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mannerisms that have dropped away lately, and that make him a more rounded character.Jack rolls into town and stumbles upon an unsuspecting IT guy about to kidnapped, so despite missing his cup of coffee he intervenes. The rest pretty much follows the standard pattern, there's pretty female FBI officer, various assorted foreign toughs, a few bosses trying to be clever, and Jack relying on instinct and hitting things. In many places it still feels forced with the addition of old habits like the singing songs in his head etc, or being afraid of enclosed spaces. I do wonder if the brother has read any of the later books at all before embarking on this project. It claims in an extended interview in the back that Lee co-wrote it, but I think perhaps is more directed than wrote as few of the passages have his deft touch.
The plot is good if cliched with the old favourites Nazi and Russian opponents rather than gangs, but somehow the writing isn't quite up to scratch. Apparently the next is mostly written already, again as a join effort.
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LibraryThing member edwardsgt
A Reacher with all the usual ingredients, but also incorporating some contemporary themes, such as election fraud and ransomware. As usual, trouble follows Reacher when he arrives in a small Tennessee town and he finds someone who needs his help, but doesn't realise it!
LibraryThing member write-review
Jack Reacher Aging Out
Is Jack Reacher getting old or is it that the reader has just read the same chasing about and bashing heads once too much? Whichever, Reacher has become a less satisfying retreat from reality with each of his recent outings. Only the most diehard fans will like this one,
For this 25th edition of Jack Reacher, Lee Child has brought on his younger novelist brother Andrew Child (née Grant) to lend a hand. As a result, readers will notice a significant change in tone. Under Lee Child alone, especially in the earlier novels, Reacher, as well as the descriptions, jumped off the page in staccato fashion, like machine-gun fire. This tone has always, at least for this reader, been an integral part of the Reacher persona. Sad to say, it has been lost, and, thus, the novel loses one of its great appeals. Reacher is an imposing individual physically, but without his snarky, rapid-fire patter, well, he just seems like the same lovable hunk of deadly beef. Further, the machinations here ring all too familiar; that is, lots of dashing here and there to fill out the requisite 350 pages (readers surely have noticed that all Reacher novels run the same length, give or take a page or two). Fortunately, while Reacher exhibits his same brand of self-righteousness and street justice, at least he is not nearly as cruel as he had become in his last couple of outings.
That all said, this Reacher novel remains better than most of this ilk, so even this disappointment will not stop this reader from picking up Reacher 26, with the hope Jack will by then have given the Childs a good talking to and returned to the tried and true 10-word sentence formula. Those new to Reacher are recommended to start at the beginning of the series.
Is Jack Reacher getting old or is it that the reader has just read the same chasing about and bashing heads once too much? Whichever, Reacher has become a less satisfying retreat from reality with each of his recent outings. Only the most diehard fans will like this one,
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wherein Reacher lands in a small Tennessee town, where he discovers Russian agents skulking about in an effort to interfere with U.S. elections and neo-Nazis dreaming of those good old Nuremberg rally days.For this 25th edition of Jack Reacher, Lee Child has brought on his younger novelist brother Andrew Child (née Grant) to lend a hand. As a result, readers will notice a significant change in tone. Under Lee Child alone, especially in the earlier novels, Reacher, as well as the descriptions, jumped off the page in staccato fashion, like machine-gun fire. This tone has always, at least for this reader, been an integral part of the Reacher persona. Sad to say, it has been lost, and, thus, the novel loses one of its great appeals. Reacher is an imposing individual physically, but without his snarky, rapid-fire patter, well, he just seems like the same lovable hunk of deadly beef. Further, the machinations here ring all too familiar; that is, lots of dashing here and there to fill out the requisite 350 pages (readers surely have noticed that all Reacher novels run the same length, give or take a page or two). Fortunately, while Reacher exhibits his same brand of self-righteousness and street justice, at least he is not nearly as cruel as he had become in his last couple of outings.
That all said, this Reacher novel remains better than most of this ilk, so even this disappointment will not stop this reader from picking up Reacher 26, with the hope Jack will by then have given the Childs a good talking to and returned to the tried and true 10-word sentence formula. Those new to Reacher are recommended to start at the beginning of the series.
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LibraryThing member phoenixcomet
So much fun. Rusty Rutherford is a hapless IT guy who gets fired for a situation he didn't create, bringing down all the local servers and affecting the town's infrastructure. When Reacher realizes he is about to be ambushed, he intervenes and saves Rusty. But there's no convincing Rutherford to
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leave town until further notice, so Reacher stays around. Who exactly is trying to kidnap Rusty? What do they really want? Why does a journalist researching an archives project end up brutally murdered? As always, fun and engaging. Lee Child working with his brother Andrew who is taking over the Reacher series, ends up being a winning combination. Show Less
LibraryThing member lbswiener
The Sentinel is a good Jack Reacher story. It keeps its pace from beginning to end. There was not a lot of gore which was a nice change. The electronic recycling business was interesting to learn about. Like the other Reacher stories, there are many breathtaking situations that Jack Reacher finds
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himself in to which he has to improvise to escape. The Sentinel is a good read and consequently earned four stars in this review. Show Less
LibraryThing member ritaer
Didn't finish, just lost interest.
LibraryThing member JPodlaski
The Sentinal reads much differently as compared to the other Jack Reacher novels. It took a while for me to find out what happened, what they were looking for, who was the enemy, and why Reacher was so talkative and passionate in protecting the IT guy. In every fight scene, The author had Reacher
This story kept me engaged from the beginning, but it just didn't seem as exciting as the previous stories. At least it didn't force me to stay up later and continue reading to find out what happened next. It moved along on a slower pace with less anticipation.
I'm a diehard Jack Reacher fan and enjoyed all his stories...it's just like something is 'different' in the latest stories that doesn't match the earlier novels. Perhaps, it's because of a co-author. I'd still recommend this story to all interested in reading about a one-man hero who can't lose.
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thinking about what his opponent should do to get the better of him in a fight and then has him do something completely different so Reacher could easily counter and then defeat that person.This story kept me engaged from the beginning, but it just didn't seem as exciting as the previous stories. At least it didn't force me to stay up later and continue reading to find out what happened next. It moved along on a slower pace with less anticipation.
I'm a diehard Jack Reacher fan and enjoyed all his stories...it's just like something is 'different' in the latest stories that doesn't match the earlier novels. Perhaps, it's because of a co-author. I'd still recommend this story to all interested in reading about a one-man hero who can't lose.
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LibraryThing member ChazziFrazz
This is the first of the Jack Reacher series I’ve read. Wasn’t sure what to expect, but I found it entertaining.
Reacher finds himself in a small town in Tennessee. It’s nothing special, but when he witnesses an attempted ambush on an insuspecting citizen, he finds himself tangled into a
Rust Rutherford has just been fired from his IT job, after a cyber-attack has shut down the town’s computer systems. It wasn’t his fault, so why would someone want to kidnap him?
Reacher finds out it is more than simple small town problems. It is conspiracy, history, murder and more. The people behind it have grand plans tied to past history and are hell-bent to accomplish them.
I enjoyed the way Reacher approaches and handles problems. Methodical and pretty well thought out, with the physical powers to handle most matters. The only matter than gives him difficulty is Rutherford and his determination to stay and solve the mystery, regardless of the danger that is coming after him.
There is humour that tempers the action and violence, which takes the edge off but doesn’t dull the telling.
Reacher finds himself in a small town in Tennessee. It’s nothing special, but when he witnesses an attempted ambush on an insuspecting citizen, he finds himself tangled into a
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strange case.Rust Rutherford has just been fired from his IT job, after a cyber-attack has shut down the town’s computer systems. It wasn’t his fault, so why would someone want to kidnap him?
Reacher finds out it is more than simple small town problems. It is conspiracy, history, murder and more. The people behind it have grand plans tied to past history and are hell-bent to accomplish them.
I enjoyed the way Reacher approaches and handles problems. Methodical and pretty well thought out, with the physical powers to handle most matters. The only matter than gives him difficulty is Rutherford and his determination to stay and solve the mystery, regardless of the danger that is coming after him.
There is humour that tempers the action and violence, which takes the edge off but doesn’t dull the telling.
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Awards
Audie Award (Finalist — Thriller/Suspense — 2021)
The British Book Industry Awards (Shortlist — 2021)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2020-10-27
Physical description
7.8 inches
ISBN
0552177423 / 9780552177429
DDC/MDS
| 813.54 |