Publication
London : Bantam, 2011.
Collection
Call number
Fiction C
Physical description
555 p.; 20 cm
Status
Available
Call number
Description
Fiction. Suspense. Thriller. HTML:Jack Reacher takes aim at the White House in the sixth novel in Lee Child�??s New York Times bestselling series. 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 pl
Series
Genres
User reviews
LibraryThing member Bookmarque
Not quite a review focused on this book, but on the series as a whole -
So for years I’ve heard about this series written by Lee Child (aka Jim Grant) about a guy named Jack Reacher. I heard he was one badass loner, but didn’t have time for another series so I didn’t look into it. You know how
Ok, so these aren’t high art or “literature” in the snooty “I only read authors you’ve never heard of and who have been dead for 100 years” way. They’re pulp in the purest sense and I love them. They’re suspenseful not in the sense that will Reacher get out of whatever mess he’s gotten into, but how. It’s like watching MacGuyver; there’s no doubt he will survive to next week’s episode, but you watch to see what he’ll do, what crazy tricks he’ll employ and for comeuppance of the crooks. Those looking for strict plausibility need not apply.
And that’s what makes Reacher so much fun. Being 6’5” and 250lbs with a military police background, plus intelligent, crafty and compassionate in the mix, you never know what you’re going to get, but you can be sure it will kick some bad guy ass. I’m a little bit in love with Jack Reacher.
For such a larger than life character, Child has given Reacher amazing depth. The strong, silent type hasn’t been done so well since Chandler’s Marlowe. Reacher’s resemblance to Marlowe is pronounced in a few ways. They’re both lone operators. One has a definite fixed address and the other doesn’t, but neither have sidekicks or backup. They’re both men driven by conscience and will go a fair bit out of their way to right a wrong. They’re both smart, but don’t have to show it off all the time; men of quiet confidence are much more interesting than a tough blowhard. Neither is a patronizing, misogynistic asshole toward women. Reacher is perhaps more susceptible to them (or maybe he just gives in more), but both love women as people not as objects. Both kick ass when the chips are down. What’s not to love?
Another aspect that feeds the crush I have on Reacher is the fantasy of leaving our middle-class existence in our nice suburb and breaking out. Reacher travels with what he stands up in. He goes from place to place getting in adventures, like Cain on Kung Fu. No car. No credit cards. No cell phone. Complete autonomy and freedom. He rejects everything about the American norm and we love him for it.
Of course this is the very device that feeds the plots of the novels in the series. One has to just accept the huge coincidence triggering whatever situation Reacher gets involved in. If you can do that, you’ll enjoy these. If not, you’ll be picking apart every preposterous little detail that springs up. Not that there’s a ton of them, but it’s what keeps the action moving.
For the most part, Child gets a lot of the ordinance, strategy and tactical aspects correct (I check a lot of it with my former handgun instructor and all around gun-expert husband). Sure, there are a few gaffes like when Reacher put a Desert Eagle in his pocket and then moved about with ease and nonchalance. And the time he looked down into a box of cartridges and noted the firing pins. And every once in a while Reacher says or thinks something distinctly British despite being a hard-boiled American steeped in the US Military. That could be chalked up to Reacher’s well-traveled past during his military service if you wanted to excuse it. On the whole though, Child gets the American nuances right.
I recommend not only the series, but the audio versions as well. Dick Hill is Jack Reacher for me. Oh sure, he can characterize other folks in the books, but in general those voices are all the same ones, just applied to new characters. His women all sound the same as to his southerners or whatever. But he seems to get into Reacher and I think he enjoys his time in the booth. He probably has a tiny crush on him, too.
So for years I’ve heard about this series written by Lee Child (aka Jim Grant) about a guy named Jack Reacher. I heard he was one badass loner, but didn’t have time for another series so I didn’t look into it. You know how
Show More
it is; too many books, too little time. Then I got an audible.com account and needed something to download. Yeah I’m weird…series I follow in print I generally don’t follow in audio. So there was a void so to speak and I downloaded the first Jack Reacher novel. Why had I been waiting so long??!! I should have known I’d like these for a couple of simple reasons; they’re guy books and reviews by most women decry them as violent, simplistic and macho. Ding, ding! We have a winner.Ok, so these aren’t high art or “literature” in the snooty “I only read authors you’ve never heard of and who have been dead for 100 years” way. They’re pulp in the purest sense and I love them. They’re suspenseful not in the sense that will Reacher get out of whatever mess he’s gotten into, but how. It’s like watching MacGuyver; there’s no doubt he will survive to next week’s episode, but you watch to see what he’ll do, what crazy tricks he’ll employ and for comeuppance of the crooks. Those looking for strict plausibility need not apply.
And that’s what makes Reacher so much fun. Being 6’5” and 250lbs with a military police background, plus intelligent, crafty and compassionate in the mix, you never know what you’re going to get, but you can be sure it will kick some bad guy ass. I’m a little bit in love with Jack Reacher.
For such a larger than life character, Child has given Reacher amazing depth. The strong, silent type hasn’t been done so well since Chandler’s Marlowe. Reacher’s resemblance to Marlowe is pronounced in a few ways. They’re both lone operators. One has a definite fixed address and the other doesn’t, but neither have sidekicks or backup. They’re both men driven by conscience and will go a fair bit out of their way to right a wrong. They’re both smart, but don’t have to show it off all the time; men of quiet confidence are much more interesting than a tough blowhard. Neither is a patronizing, misogynistic asshole toward women. Reacher is perhaps more susceptible to them (or maybe he just gives in more), but both love women as people not as objects. Both kick ass when the chips are down. What’s not to love?
Another aspect that feeds the crush I have on Reacher is the fantasy of leaving our middle-class existence in our nice suburb and breaking out. Reacher travels with what he stands up in. He goes from place to place getting in adventures, like Cain on Kung Fu. No car. No credit cards. No cell phone. Complete autonomy and freedom. He rejects everything about the American norm and we love him for it.
Of course this is the very device that feeds the plots of the novels in the series. One has to just accept the huge coincidence triggering whatever situation Reacher gets involved in. If you can do that, you’ll enjoy these. If not, you’ll be picking apart every preposterous little detail that springs up. Not that there’s a ton of them, but it’s what keeps the action moving.
For the most part, Child gets a lot of the ordinance, strategy and tactical aspects correct (I check a lot of it with my former handgun instructor and all around gun-expert husband). Sure, there are a few gaffes like when Reacher put a Desert Eagle in his pocket and then moved about with ease and nonchalance. And the time he looked down into a box of cartridges and noted the firing pins. And every once in a while Reacher says or thinks something distinctly British despite being a hard-boiled American steeped in the US Military. That could be chalked up to Reacher’s well-traveled past during his military service if you wanted to excuse it. On the whole though, Child gets the American nuances right.
I recommend not only the series, but the audio versions as well. Dick Hill is Jack Reacher for me. Oh sure, he can characterize other folks in the books, but in general those voices are all the same ones, just applied to new characters. His women all sound the same as to his southerners or whatever. But he seems to get into Reacher and I think he enjoys his time in the booth. He probably has a tiny crush on him, too.
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LibraryThing member dchamp
I listened to 1/2 of this audiobook. I don't understand how it was rated so high. The main character, a female secret service agent in charge of guarding the vice president, was a joke. Weak, unsure, taking direction from Jack Reacher? She hires him then gets involved with him? How professional is
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that? Unbelievable and this book does not shine a kind light on women. Show Less
LibraryThing member amberwitch
Reacher gets involved in the protection of the new Vice President elect when the Secret Security agent in charge of protecting him - an old girlfriend of Reachers dead brother - begins to receive deaththreats to her charge.
The usual Reacher action story where everything happens at break neck
The usual Reacher action story where everything happens at break neck
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speed. The villains in the story are unlikely, but so is Reacher and his adventures. Show Less
LibraryThing member MSWallack
I've read the first six Jack Reacher novels straight through (only taking time out to read the last Harry Potter novel). Without Fail is neither the best nor the worst of the Reacher books. I found the plot to be mostly compelling; however, there were very few opportunities for Reacher to be ...
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well ... Reacher. The story, despite being grounded as a thriller, was in many ways more of a straight-forward police procedural novel (which I've never been a big fan of). The actual mystery was inventive but I did guess some of the twists fairly early. Nevertheless, while I may not have loved Without Fail, I thoroughly enjoy the character of Jack Reacher and have every intention of reading the rest of the series (although I'm taking another "time out", this time to read Sandworms of Dune). Show Less
LibraryThing member dougwood57
Lee Child's Jack Reacher stories came to me highly recommended from a respected source. I tried The Enemy (Jack Reacher Novels) and decided that was not the place to start (it tells Reacher's back story). Without Fail, on the other hand, is simply a great bit of fun reading. Some violence, some
Reacher is brought in to test the Secret Service's security for VP-elect. He finds holes, but, hey protecting the VP is a tough job. And then, of course, he is told there is more going on behind the scenes and he really gets to work. You'll need to suspend disbelief now and again, but you'll get over it.
Without Fail will entertain without putting a strain on your brain. Lee Child is not John Le Carre, but this is a great airport/beach read. A real blast.
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sex, some conspiracy, some mystery. Excellent pacing. Reacher is brought in to test the Secret Service's security for VP-elect. He finds holes, but, hey protecting the VP is a tough job. And then, of course, he is told there is more going on behind the scenes and he really gets to work. You'll need to suspend disbelief now and again, but you'll get over it.
Without Fail will entertain without putting a strain on your brain. Lee Child is not John Le Carre, but this is a great airport/beach read. A real blast.
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LibraryThing member edwardsgt
Another excellent Jack Reacher, made all the more topical as he is pulled in by his brother's ex-girlfriend to help defend the Vice President Elect. There is what seems to be a very authentic sounding section about Presidential and Vice Presidential security as well as the issues around the
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transition from President to another. Recommended. Show Less
LibraryThing member soubrette
I've loved the whole Jack Reacher series so far, but this book just didn't do it for me. Too much like a generic thriller and not like a good mystery. Reacher has not one, but two partners for this book, and it's two too many for me.
I like these books with less police investigation and more ....
I like these books with less police investigation and more ....
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vigilante. Show Less
LibraryThing member Michaenite
This is an excellent thriller about religious nuts, the Iraq War and corporate profits. Child is excellent at creating a sense of place, creating interesting characters and probing into the American mind. The protagonist is a loner who can observe society from a distance and act accordingly. It is
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modestly paced and takes time to present and observe the importance of small details and how they relate to culture and culture, social policy, religion and human relations. Show Less
LibraryThing member crazybatcow
Number 6 of the Reacher books. One of the better ones too - it's a nice crisp "save the XXX" by dint of superior brain power, muscle power and determination. While Reacher is part of a team this time, he's still smarter and faster and stronger than everyone else.
More women in it than usual; less
You won't be left wondering if the "good guys" win, or if Reacher will save the day. But it's satisfying to not be surprised by the ending. (And the book is 6th in a series but there is no need to have read any of the other books in order to be able to follow this one.)
More women in it than usual; less
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kicking butt... Reacher almost turns legit in this novel. This is a bit of a departure from the lone renegade in the other 5 novels, but it doesn't make it any less interesting.You won't be left wondering if the "good guys" win, or if Reacher will save the day. But it's satisfying to not be surprised by the ending. (And the book is 6th in a series but there is no need to have read any of the other books in order to be able to follow this one.)
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LibraryThing member Reacherfan
What a great ride! Early on the Secret Service finds Jack Reacher, and asks him a simple question/favor. "I want to hire you to assassinate the Vice President of the United States." It seems that the VP has had several death threats, and the Secret Service wants Reacher to find their weak points in
There's a bit more to the plot of this, but I don't want to give it away. I want the reader to have the same fun in discovering things as I did. If you start this book, I can promise you won't be sorry. How can you go wrong with a Reacher novel? Simple truth, you can't.
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their security, and make the security better fro the VP. Reacher can't do it alone, so he finds his female counterpart, Frances Neagley who was an MP with Reacher. Neagley is the "female" Reacher. She's every bit as tough as Reacher. As the plot unfolds, Reacher discovers that there is a real threat to kill the VP, not just empty threats. The assassins have every little detail planned out, everything that is, but a guy named Jack Reacher.There's a bit more to the plot of this, but I don't want to give it away. I want the reader to have the same fun in discovering things as I did. If you start this book, I can promise you won't be sorry. How can you go wrong with a Reacher novel? Simple truth, you can't.
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LibraryThing member meroof30
Assassination attempts on the Vice President, provide Jack Reacher with an opportunity to work in Washington DC. He finally figures out who and why the VP is a target and manages to eliminate the threat. Along the way he has an affair with an Special Agent named Froelich. She is killed attempting
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to save the VP making Jack all the more determined to get even. Show Less
LibraryThing member gogglemiss
This is the second book I have read of Jack Reacher and his adventures and it did help an awful lot to read up about him, beforehand, to understand the kind of guy he is.
Very good story, lots of action and lots of talking which towards the end, I was getting impatient for the conclusion, as it was
Very good story, lots of action and lots of talking which towards the end, I was getting impatient for the conclusion, as it was
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just a tad too long. Show Less
LibraryThing member mattbuis
My least favorite Reacher book yet.
LibraryThing member abhidd1687
read 3 books of Jack Reacher series consecutively and with every book the interest in the series dips down a bit low...i guess that i should keep my hands off from the Jack Reacher series fr a while.
for this book..nt mch of a fun to read..evrything was predictible n u can see it comin if u have
for this book..nt mch of a fun to read..evrything was predictible n u can see it comin if u have
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read some books of this series..all in all an Average Read. Show Less
LibraryThing member reading_fox
Jack Reacher's on form again.
The book opens with one of the world's better pick-up lines from a women to a man - I'd like you assinate the Vice-President of the United States.
Jack is drifting through Washington shepparding a blues singer till the management pay her dues, because he likes the blues
Classic Jack Reacher, fairly tight prose just flies along, no obvious major plotholes no superheoric strength or villains who can't hit a barndoor. Very clever plot, somewhat contrived clues, but plausable if not likely. Enjoyable fast paced fun.
The book opens with one of the world's better pick-up lines from a women to a man - I'd like you assinate the Vice-President of the United States.
Jack is drifting through Washington shepparding a blues singer till the management pay her dues, because he likes the blues
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and he can. While he's there his late brother's ex-girlfriend in the Secret Service tracks him down and asks him to run a "penetration operation" and check how tight her security is around the new "vic president elect". Jack finds a few holes, and discovers its not just an academic threat. Can he suceed in tracking down the bad guys where all the resources of the FBI and the secret service have failed?Classic Jack Reacher, fairly tight prose just flies along, no obvious major plotholes no superheoric strength or villains who can't hit a barndoor. Very clever plot, somewhat contrived clues, but plausable if not likely. Enjoyable fast paced fun.
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LibraryThing member edwardsgt
Another Jack Reacher story I'd read in paperback, but couldn't remember the plot lines, so worth reading again.
LibraryThing member Kathy89
There's something about Jack Reacher that makes so fascinating. He's confident, callous, cold-blooded and hunts and kills without a bit remorse for his own code. He's a vigilante but it does make for exciting reading. This time he's approached by a secret service agent who knew his brother to do an
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external audit of the protection of the vice president-elect. He doesn't believe the audit and thinks there a real threat against the VP-elect. He gets Frances Neagley, a former MP he knows, to help him. Lots of twists and turns until the big shoot-out at the end. Show Less
LibraryThing member SunnySD
Not just everyone can find Reacher. But when the head of the incoming Vice-President's secret service detail tracks him down, Reacher decides to help her out. Not because he's feeling particularly charitable, but because she used to date his brother Joe. At first, the job's just a job - assess how
Secrets, lies and politics - not strange bedfellows at all. And Reacher wears a suit - actually, several. Fun.
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difficult it would be to get to the VP. And then the threat turns out to be real.Secrets, lies and politics - not strange bedfellows at all. And Reacher wears a suit - actually, several. Fun.
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LibraryThing member EricKibler
I'm gradually reading the Jack Reacher books in order, and this is the sixth. After making it through nearly half the extant books, I'd have to say that the other Jack series (Repairman Jack by F. Paul Wilson) is the more consistently entertaining, that is if you don't ...mind a little supernatural
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horror with your vigilante action. The previous Jack Reacher outing, Echo Burning, was a superb Texas gothic tale. But this one strains credibility in a couple of ways. First, I don't buy the motivation of the villains. Second, if they're as competent as everyone in the story believes them to be, there's no way they'd telegraph their crimes the way they did. I'm going to leave it at that so as not to spoil the story. And Jack. Dude! You know how to use every weapon known to man! Please, please, please learn to operate a washing machine! Show Less
LibraryThing member infjsarah
It's Jack Reacher so you know what to expect - lots of bad guys and fights. This is slightly unusual in that Jack is kinda employed officially and not under the radar and a character is unexpectedly killed.
Another easy, enjoyable read.
Another easy, enjoyable read.
LibraryThing member JenW1
Fairly typical Jack Reacher, but this one did have a lot of back story of Reacher and his brother. I enjoyed that. I also thought this one was less violent than a couple of the other Jack Reacher books I've read. Enjoyable but not stay-up-all-night worthy or life-changing.
LibraryThing member piersanti
Another great book in the series.
LibraryThing member blatherlikeme
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
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
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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.
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LibraryThing member terrygraap
Another excellent book in the jack Reacher series by Lee Child. Reacher finds two killers who are attempting to assassinate the Vice President Elect.
LibraryThing member sixslug
The Vice President needs protection against a mysterious assailant. The Secret Service enlists the help of ex-military tough guy “Reacher” to find out why. My dad told me this book was great. I’m telling you it’s great only if you like government thrillers and lots of talk about guns. I’m
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telling most of you this book was OK. Show Less
Awards
Crime Writers' Association Awards (Shortlist — 2002)
Barry Award (Nominee — Novel — 2003)
Dilys Award (Nominee — 2003)
Language
Original publication date
2002-05-13
ISBN
9780857500090