Status
Available
Call number
Series
Genres
Collection
Publication
Delacorte Press (2012), Edition: 1st, 416 pages
Description
Four people in a car, hoping to make Chicago by morning. One man driving, eyes on the road. Another man next to him, telling stories that don't add up. A woman in the back, silent and worried. And next to her, a huge man with a broken nose, hitching a ride east to Virginia. An hour behind them, a man lies stabbed to death in an old pumping station. He was seen going in with two others, but he never came out. He has been executed, the knife work professional, the killers vanished. Within minutes, the police are notified. Within hours, the FBI descends, laying claim to the victim without ever saying who he was or why he was there. All Reacher wanted was a ride to Virginia. All he did was stick out his thumb. But he soon discovers he has hitched more than a ride. He has tied himself to a massive conspiracy that makes him a threat to both sides at once.… (more)
Media reviews
The New York Times
“The truth about Reacher gets better and better.”
User reviews
LibraryThing member RidgewayGirl
This is the seventeenth book about things happening to Jack Reacher, ex military policeman and current drifter, through no fault of his own. Sure, a few of the books involve things that happened because he used to be an MP, or while he was an MP, but mostly he has a great skill at stumbling into
In this case, Reacher was just hitch-hiking his way to Virginia when he's picked up somewhere in Nebraska by a group of three office workers on their way home from what Reacher assumes was a team building exercise. A few miles and a roadblock later, he's rethinking that assumption. Meanwhile, back in Nebraska, the local sheriff calls in the FBI when a murder is observed in an old pumping station. Soon thereafter the only witness disappears and a local cocktail waitress goes missing.
As usual, the plot of the novel races along with plenty of twists, turns and bullets. As usual, the plot is ridiculously over the top, but told in such a logical way that you just kind of go along for the ride. And typically enough, there's no breathing room given at all. One change in this book is that Reacher talks quite a bit more than he has before, being downright chatty for much of the book. And he's gotten cranky, which I hope is only due to the broken nose he sports throughout the book. He's ruder here, willing to gratuitously insult the poor people who are just going about their daily lives. I very much hope that this is only because he just found out who's playing him in the movie version and that in the next installment he'll be back to being his usual taciturn, but even-tempered self.
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violent conspiracies.In this case, Reacher was just hitch-hiking his way to Virginia when he's picked up somewhere in Nebraska by a group of three office workers on their way home from what Reacher assumes was a team building exercise. A few miles and a roadblock later, he's rethinking that assumption. Meanwhile, back in Nebraska, the local sheriff calls in the FBI when a murder is observed in an old pumping station. Soon thereafter the only witness disappears and a local cocktail waitress goes missing.
As usual, the plot of the novel races along with plenty of twists, turns and bullets. As usual, the plot is ridiculously over the top, but told in such a logical way that you just kind of go along for the ride. And typically enough, there's no breathing room given at all. One change in this book is that Reacher talks quite a bit more than he has before, being downright chatty for much of the book. And he's gotten cranky, which I hope is only due to the broken nose he sports throughout the book. He's ruder here, willing to gratuitously insult the poor people who are just going about their daily lives. I very much hope that this is only because he just found out who's playing him in the movie version and that in the next installment he'll be back to being his usual taciturn, but even-tempered self.
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LibraryThing member jnwelch
Lee Child's new Jack Reacher novel, called A Wanted Man, was another delicious bag of chips. I do have a couple of non-chip comments as to why I didn't think it was one of his best. I don't think these are Spoilers, but feel free to ignore them.
First, the plot seems overwrought. A number of
For example: As they near Marshall, Missouri: "Reacher knew his American history. That particular field had seen a nine-hour duel. The Kings of Battle. With observers. And crude incendiary rounds. The Confederate gunners had heated their cannonballs in fires, hoping to set things ablaze. The Union gunners had worn red stripes on their pants." I can just see the author looking all this up. And Reacher comes up with this same kind of information for a number of places they go. Even his running buddy in this one, an FBI agent named Sorenson, can do it. As they're trying to figure out how to find a suspect farm, she says, "There are just over two million individual farms in the United States, working almost a billion acres, for an average farm size of close to five hundred acres. Statistics. We find them useful." Statistics. The author likes them. Figuring out how to gracefully introduce them, not so much.
I suppose this is a bit like complaining the dip for your favorite chips wasn't quite up to the tasty standards of the last party. Reacher gets picked up hitchhiking and quickly finds himself in the middle of three people with very different agendas, all of them capable of leaving him six feet under. How he manages to improvise his way through this, like Houdini chained upside down in a tank of water, is great fun, and the book eventually features another classic Reacher face-off against way too many bad guys. Toward the end of the story he gives a simple and compelling reason why he has to behave the way he does, and his fans will all say, "Of course". Then they'll join me in eagerly waiting for the next one to come out.
First, the plot seems overwrought. A number of
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characters turn out not to be who they seem to be, and it feels like a plot device. There also are middle of nowhere sideshows that for me went beyond the suspension of disbelief endemic to this genre (in particular, one in a re-purposed motel). Maybe Lee Child wanted to set himself a difficult puzzle and see it through, but I found it pulled me out of the story when all I wanted was to stay in it. Second, Jack Reacher is a wonderful character, living as a homeless bum while exceptional both mentally and physically, but in this one his mortar of insightful knowledge seems troweled onto the story's bricks with an inartful hand (much like that metaphor?)For example: As they near Marshall, Missouri: "Reacher knew his American history. That particular field had seen a nine-hour duel. The Kings of Battle. With observers. And crude incendiary rounds. The Confederate gunners had heated their cannonballs in fires, hoping to set things ablaze. The Union gunners had worn red stripes on their pants." I can just see the author looking all this up. And Reacher comes up with this same kind of information for a number of places they go. Even his running buddy in this one, an FBI agent named Sorenson, can do it. As they're trying to figure out how to find a suspect farm, she says, "There are just over two million individual farms in the United States, working almost a billion acres, for an average farm size of close to five hundred acres. Statistics. We find them useful." Statistics. The author likes them. Figuring out how to gracefully introduce them, not so much.
I suppose this is a bit like complaining the dip for your favorite chips wasn't quite up to the tasty standards of the last party. Reacher gets picked up hitchhiking and quickly finds himself in the middle of three people with very different agendas, all of them capable of leaving him six feet under. How he manages to improvise his way through this, like Houdini chained upside down in a tank of water, is great fun, and the book eventually features another classic Reacher face-off against way too many bad guys. Toward the end of the story he gives a simple and compelling reason why he has to behave the way he does, and his fans will all say, "Of course". Then they'll join me in eagerly waiting for the next one to come out.
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LibraryThing member jamespurcell
Another good entry in this violent but enthralling series. Good throwback view of a Cold War installation that is the locale for his confrontation with a couple of dozen bad guys.
LibraryThing member mikedraper
Dealing with a health issue I wanted to get a story I could listen to.
"A Wanted Man," written by Lee Child and read by Dick Hall, was a disappointment.
Someone has been murdered and the killers pick up Jack Reacher who was trying to hitch a ride to Virginia. They need him in case there are
Dick Hall does the reading and unfortunately, Reacher has had his nose broken so we spend the time listening to a nasally impaired character. The interpretation of the nasal sound seems as if Reacher had just escaped from an institution.
In the story there is little suspense. Much of the action is unimaginative and unexciting. With four characters in the car, the woman is trying to communicate with Reacher while he looks in the rear view mirror and she blinks her eyes rapidly in Morse code. This goes on for lengthy periods and is monotonous.
Finally, the ending is implausible.
I'm a fan of Lee Child but was very disappointed with this novel.
"A Wanted Man," written by Lee Child and read by Dick Hall, was a disappointment.
Someone has been murdered and the killers pick up Jack Reacher who was trying to hitch a ride to Virginia. They need him in case there are
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roadblocks looking for three people in a car.Dick Hall does the reading and unfortunately, Reacher has had his nose broken so we spend the time listening to a nasally impaired character. The interpretation of the nasal sound seems as if Reacher had just escaped from an institution.
In the story there is little suspense. Much of the action is unimaginative and unexciting. With four characters in the car, the woman is trying to communicate with Reacher while he looks in the rear view mirror and she blinks her eyes rapidly in Morse code. This goes on for lengthy periods and is monotonous.
Finally, the ending is implausible.
I'm a fan of Lee Child but was very disappointed with this novel.
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LibraryThing member JPodlaski
I've been a Jack Reacher fan for years - enjoying each and every book by Lee Child. I'm sorry to say that "Wanted Man" is somewhat of an exception. I found the first half of the book a challenge to read - more than half is comprised of discussions between a hitchhiker, Jack Reacher, and three
The second half of the book starts rolling when Reacher is shot at by one of the passengers - leaving him for dead while the trio make their escape from this nosy passenger. The story gains momentum here and the picture becomes clearer. This portion of the story is much more enjoyable to read, written in the typical Reacher fashion of past novels...Jack must out-think,out-smart and overpower the enemy in swift calculated movements if he is to survive. I could not put the book down from this point on. Now I'm looking forward to the next story to see if Reacher ever makes it to Virginia to meet the female who's voice captivated him in the previous story.
I did also learn something from "Wanted Man" that will guarantee me win some wagers at the bar - I can now talk for over a minute without using the letter "A" in any of my words.
John Podlaski, author
"Cherries - A Vietnam War Novel
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characters who pick him up in Nebraska. Something is not quite right as they travel toward Chicago - stopping twice en route to be questioned at two different state police roadblocks. The book trailer states that nobody is telling the truth and nothing is as it seems. A true statement, which makes the story hard to follow.The second half of the book starts rolling when Reacher is shot at by one of the passengers - leaving him for dead while the trio make their escape from this nosy passenger. The story gains momentum here and the picture becomes clearer. This portion of the story is much more enjoyable to read, written in the typical Reacher fashion of past novels...Jack must out-think,out-smart and overpower the enemy in swift calculated movements if he is to survive. I could not put the book down from this point on. Now I'm looking forward to the next story to see if Reacher ever makes it to Virginia to meet the female who's voice captivated him in the previous story.
I did also learn something from "Wanted Man" that will guarantee me win some wagers at the bar - I can now talk for over a minute without using the letter "A" in any of my words.
John Podlaski, author
"Cherries - A Vietnam War Novel
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LibraryThing member annie.michelle
Reacher, Reacher, Reacher, Let me tell you how I met my man…
It all started with “The Killing Floor”. We met at a Bookstore, you know those brick and mortar places they used to have? He was large and slightly rumpled, we went for a ride and as he folded himself into my car, I couldn't help but
I don’t know what it is about this character that knocks me sideways…. Maybe somehow I know I would be safe with a guy like him at my side. A large, ex-military, slightly rumpled, slightly handsome “every man” kinda guy who carries a toothbrush in his pocket, Unless you get in his way that is.
Reacher roams from town to town hitchhiking across the country & we get snippets of his past and present life up until now and some how this is enough but, we never really know where he is going or why, all I know is I Would follow Reacher… to any town. Anywhere. Anytime.
This is the 17th book in this series and I can honestly say this book is just as thrilling, page turning, and “heart-swooning” as the first one!
We start out with two men in black suits following slightly behind a man in a green coat who goes into a concrete bunker, those two men come out but, the man in the green coat never does make it out…alive. And so starts the manhunt for the killers.
Reacher is on a freezing cold Nebraska highway hitching a ride to Virginia with a broken nose well into the night when he eventually gets picked up by a car with two men in front and a woman in back, and Reacher has yet again, unwittingly stumbled into trouble. With the help of special agent Julia Sorenson who has been called in on the case they eventually find and thrillingly punish the bad guys.
Let go of the Tom Cruise thing people! Lee had nothing to do with who plays his character in his books. Look, there is just no one in all of Hollywood land who could ever play my man so, get over it…:)
It all started with “The Killing Floor”. We met at a Bookstore, you know those brick and mortar places they used to have? He was large and slightly rumpled, we went for a ride and as he folded himself into my car, I couldn't help but
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wonder…who was this guy & can I have more some please? I don’t know what it is about this character that knocks me sideways…. Maybe somehow I know I would be safe with a guy like him at my side. A large, ex-military, slightly rumpled, slightly handsome “every man” kinda guy who carries a toothbrush in his pocket, Unless you get in his way that is.
Reacher roams from town to town hitchhiking across the country & we get snippets of his past and present life up until now and some how this is enough but, we never really know where he is going or why, all I know is I Would follow Reacher… to any town. Anywhere. Anytime.
This is the 17th book in this series and I can honestly say this book is just as thrilling, page turning, and “heart-swooning” as the first one!
We start out with two men in black suits following slightly behind a man in a green coat who goes into a concrete bunker, those two men come out but, the man in the green coat never does make it out…alive. And so starts the manhunt for the killers.
Reacher is on a freezing cold Nebraska highway hitching a ride to Virginia with a broken nose well into the night when he eventually gets picked up by a car with two men in front and a woman in back, and Reacher has yet again, unwittingly stumbled into trouble. With the help of special agent Julia Sorenson who has been called in on the case they eventually find and thrillingly punish the bad guys.
Let go of the Tom Cruise thing people! Lee had nothing to do with who plays his character in his books. Look, there is just no one in all of Hollywood land who could ever play my man so, get over it…:)
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LibraryThing member MSWallack
I liked this book quite a bit (with an exception that I'll discuss in a moment). The tempo and tenor of the first half of the story was quite different from most Jack Reacher stories, but the slow build in tension (becuase, after all, this is a Reacher book and we know what's coming) was well done
Now, Mr. Child: Please let Reacher get to Virginia. Please.
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and kept me glued to the page. And in the end, the actual details of the villains' plot turned out to be somewhat surprising (not to mention the constant who's who that the book plays with several characters). Child does a nice job of not assuming the reader is stupid when he makes shifts in who various characters might be; nor does he presume that readers won't be able to make certain presumptions and thus spares unnecessary "shock" at certain turns of events. (Sorry for being so vague, but I hate spoilers...) My one criticism involves the climax of the story. Yes, we know that Reacher is a bad ass and really, really good at taking out bad guys. That's part of the fun. But the climax of this particular story was just a little too "one man army" for me. But that doesn't really detract too much from an otherwise really good story.Now, Mr. Child: Please let Reacher get to Virginia. Please.
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LibraryThing member Kathy89
I think this is my least favorite Jack Reacher novel. It was over the top implausible on every level. Why would FBI agents just let Jack take over the running their operation? The homeless angle, buying new clothes every three days, traveling on with just a toothbrush is done. This time Jack has a
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broken bloody nose and is having trouble hitching a ride until he’s picked up by two men and a woman. Before long he’s thinking it’s a carjacking. It’s just another mess that Reacher’s gotten himself involved in. Show Less
LibraryThing member dekan
this part of the jack reacher series is a bit different that you would expect. however i liked it very much. you have to remember at this point we've taken a step back to get a history of the guy and how he became who he is. he kept it a bit vague and if i didn't know where he was going to end up i
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dont know if it wouldve totally held my attention as raptly as it did but it's a definite read. can't wait for the next one. Show Less
LibraryThing member everfresh1
Not the worst Jack Reacher novel. It was actually quite good, and if it would be my first Reacher book I would say that it's great. Of course, at this point after reading so much of Jack Reacher, any pretense to reality has disappeared and Reacher is just some kind of fairy tale - which,
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unfortunately, affects negatively my perception of this novel. Otherwise, fast read, well written, good plot. Show Less
LibraryThing member Romonko
I couldn't believe what I read with some of these reviews. I was expecting to be disappointed, but I truly wasn't. I love Jack Reacher, and I think Reacher did what Reacher does so well in this book as he has in all the other preceeding ones. I liked the idea of the action taking place on the
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highways and biways in the prairie states-Kansas, Iowa, Arkansas. I've always felt that a nighttime road trip thriller would be ideal-intimate but at the same time unexpected and scary. That is what this book is. I did feel the pace was a little slower than usual for the first part of the book, but that just enhanced the intimacy of this particular road trip. The action does pick up though about half-way through and its a bit of a wild ride after that. I particularly enjoyed the last few chapters when Reacher storms a stronghold all by himself. And the book keeps you guessing as to who the good guys and the bad guys are all the way through. Nothing is really like it seems. And the ending is explosive and very satisfying for us die-hard Reacher fans. So don't believe everything you read in reviews. You need to read the book yourself and make your own assessments. I'm glad I did. Show Less
LibraryThing member YogiABB
Gottatellya, I love the Jack Reacher books by Lee Child. They are way beyond brain candy. Jack Reacher is like this 6' 6" ex Military Policeman who roams the country on foot with nothing but the clothes on his back, a toothbrush, and an ATM card. He buys a new clothes ever three days and throws the
He doesn't take any crap from anybody either. In this book one of the character says something like "You don't like to be pushed around, do you?" Jack says "I don't know, I've never been pushed around. If I do, I'll let you know if I like it or not." He had lots better experiences as a high school freshmen than some of us did is all I have to say.
In this book Jack is hitchhiking in the midwest on his way to to Virginia to meet a woman he has never met. He gets picked up by two men and a woman who are wearing identical shirts. At first he figures they are part of some sort of corporate team building group but as they travel on he figures out differently. In the meantime a man is brutally murdered and a cocktail waitress is abducted bringing in the FBI in the form of a semi hot Agent named Julia Sorenson.
Well before this book is out Jack Reacher has to deal with not only the FBI, the CIA, Homeland Security, and a bunch of Syrians he also gets to cop a feel of Agent Sorenson's wrist that almost makes him swoon.
So does Jack deal with all this and still get his unseen woman in Virginia, or does Agent Sorenson or the Syrians, or the CIA dissuade him? Does he finally get pushed around? Read the book to find out.
I love Jack Reacher, I give this book four stars out of five.
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old ones away. WhattaGuy!!He doesn't take any crap from anybody either. In this book one of the character says something like "You don't like to be pushed around, do you?" Jack says "I don't know, I've never been pushed around. If I do, I'll let you know if I like it or not." He had lots better experiences as a high school freshmen than some of us did is all I have to say.
In this book Jack is hitchhiking in the midwest on his way to to Virginia to meet a woman he has never met. He gets picked up by two men and a woman who are wearing identical shirts. At first he figures they are part of some sort of corporate team building group but as they travel on he figures out differently. In the meantime a man is brutally murdered and a cocktail waitress is abducted bringing in the FBI in the form of a semi hot Agent named Julia Sorenson.
Well before this book is out Jack Reacher has to deal with not only the FBI, the CIA, Homeland Security, and a bunch of Syrians he also gets to cop a feel of Agent Sorenson's wrist that almost makes him swoon.
So does Jack deal with all this and still get his unseen woman in Virginia, or does Agent Sorenson or the Syrians, or the CIA dissuade him? Does he finally get pushed around? Read the book to find out.
I love Jack Reacher, I give this book four stars out of five.
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LibraryThing member norinrad10
The Reacher series had begun to show a little wear on the tires. What had started off as one of the best series in fiction had become predictable and staid. Well I'm happy to report that the predictions of its demise where premature. In the Wanted Man, Lee Child has written a taut thriller that
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fits in with the best of this series. This time around Reacher becomes wrapped up in a case of homeland terrorism. Sure there's a few holes in the plot and some of the supporting characters are undeveloped but still Child has written an adventures that will pull you in and keep you. Not mention having you wondering again, how does Tom Cruise intend to play Jack Reacher in a movie? Show Less
LibraryThing member golfjr
This book was a disappointment. It was like Lee Child paid someone else to write it; the style was so different. And so boring. The bad guys game was lame and more than improbable, downright silly.
And missing is,And Reacher said nothing." I can't remember seeing it once. Please Lee try a bit harder.
And missing is,And Reacher said nothing." I can't remember seeing it once. Please Lee try a bit harder.
LibraryThing member sberson
Good reading, but not one of the best Reacher novels.
LibraryThing member phoenixcomet
Love Jack Reacher. Love the fact that Lee Child seldom writes a Reacher novel that sucks. This time Jack is hitch-hiking, on his way to Virginia for personal reasons. However, he gets picked up in Nebraska by 2 men and a woman who are not what they seem. The woman indicates surreptitiously that
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she's been kidnapped. And so the game is on... Show Less
LibraryThing member Twink
Jack Reacher returns in the A Wanted Man - the 17th entry in this series by Lee Child. And did I mention - one of my favourite characters and series!
Reacher is former military police. These days he criss-crosses the country, going where the wind blows, no home and no baggage. But trouble? Well, it
This time he's hitch hiking in Nebraska. No one is stopping for him -the busted up face and the sheer mass of him puts people off. But then someone does stop and it looks like he's got a ride to Virginia with the two men and the woman in the car. (faithful readers will remember the voice on the other end of the phone that he wants to meet....) But Reacher's radar is alerted - something just doesn't seem quite right in the car....and what about the two roadblocks they drive through......
The first third of A Wanted Man is slower than previous novels. I liked how Reacher came his conclusion that something was wrong in the car. I enjoyed being privy to his thoughts on how and what he was going to do. There's not as much physical action in this book as previous books, although the run up to the end is good and fulfills the kick ass Reacher quotient. Child inserts a good twist, just to keep us on our toes....and makes you wonder about the alphabet agencies and their agendas.
Lee Child has created a character that appeals to all readers, men and women. He's the quintessential hard boiled hero. No backing down, his own set of morals and tough as nails. He has a firm moral compass, carefully delineated lines on what's right and wrong, but has no problem using questionable methods to get to the bottom of things. He's big, strong, smart and....well.... kinda sexy too.
There have been quite a few readers who really truly disliked this book. I'm not one of them. It's different, but for me it was still a really good read.
Reacher Creatures can rejoice - the 18th book is in the works and to quote Child....
.... "I have started work on next year's installment, titled "Never Go Back" Reacher finally makes it to Virginia and meets Susan Turner...but as you might imagine, he also runs into a world of trouble there. Let's hope he survives."
Reacher is former military police. These days he criss-crosses the country, going where the wind blows, no home and no baggage. But trouble? Well, it
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seems to find Reacher no matter where he is. And with his unerring moral compass, he can't help it - he steps up and steps in....This time he's hitch hiking in Nebraska. No one is stopping for him -the busted up face and the sheer mass of him puts people off. But then someone does stop and it looks like he's got a ride to Virginia with the two men and the woman in the car. (faithful readers will remember the voice on the other end of the phone that he wants to meet....) But Reacher's radar is alerted - something just doesn't seem quite right in the car....and what about the two roadblocks they drive through......
The first third of A Wanted Man is slower than previous novels. I liked how Reacher came his conclusion that something was wrong in the car. I enjoyed being privy to his thoughts on how and what he was going to do. There's not as much physical action in this book as previous books, although the run up to the end is good and fulfills the kick ass Reacher quotient. Child inserts a good twist, just to keep us on our toes....and makes you wonder about the alphabet agencies and their agendas.
Lee Child has created a character that appeals to all readers, men and women. He's the quintessential hard boiled hero. No backing down, his own set of morals and tough as nails. He has a firm moral compass, carefully delineated lines on what's right and wrong, but has no problem using questionable methods to get to the bottom of things. He's big, strong, smart and....well.... kinda sexy too.
There have been quite a few readers who really truly disliked this book. I'm not one of them. It's different, but for me it was still a really good read.
Reacher Creatures can rejoice - the 18th book is in the works and to quote Child....
.... "I have started work on next year's installment, titled "Never Go Back" Reacher finally makes it to Virginia and meets Susan Turner...but as you might imagine, he also runs into a world of trouble there. Let's hope he survives."
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LibraryThing member ruthiekro
Hey Lee Child, You phoned this one in. If I'd started with this Reacher book, I wouldn't read another one. Good thing I have faith you can do soooo much better.
LibraryThing member ewhatley
The Jack Reacher series is still consistently a winner, even at number 17. Reacher once again finds himself involved in a intricate plot with an interesting cast of supporting characters and lots of suspense. Highly recommend.
LibraryThing member R0BIN
I absolutely couldn't put this book down. I have looked at some of the other reviews and feel like I should be reviewing the reviews instead of the book. One review didn't like the reader of the recorded book. OK, whatever. I can't listen to books so I don't care who reads it or how badly. Someone
The book is only slow if you need to follow the words with your finger and move your lips when you read.
To be continued...
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else complained about Tom Cruise which has less than nothing to do with this book. As a matter of fact, I think I detected an anti-Tom Cruise thing going on in this book. Instead of one detailed physical description of Reacher as gorilla, there were at least three as well as other reminders that Reacher is no Tom Thumb. The book is only slow if you need to follow the words with your finger and move your lips when you read.
To be continued...
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LibraryThing member Brian55
A great read. It deals with current geo-political issues and the threat of another domestic terroist attack. Jack Reacher is a very intriguing and mysterious character. He really keeps the story moving along. I had not read any Lee Child before, but this one was recommended on a booklist. I'm going
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back to read the first Jack Reacher novel. I hope it's as good. Show Less
LibraryThing member nbmars
Spoiler Alert! Why is what I'm about to say spoilery? Because just by the very fact that Lee Child has written another Jack Reacher novel, readers of his previous novels already know: (1) after mouthing several witty macho bon mots, Jack Reacher will get into one or more fist fights, which he will
Super Spoiler Alert--Do not read the following paragraph if you want to be surprised!!
Jack takes a shower AND applies deodorant.
End of Super Spoiler.
The rest of the book is pretty much a reprise of the themes outlined in the first paragraph of this review with action involving terrorists, a murder, and a kidnapping. I won’t spoil your reading by disclosing any more specific about the plot, but rest assured it is enjoyable, largely because of Child’s masterful execution of themes (1), (6), and (7) above.
Evaluation: I read all 533 pages of the paperback version in two days, but you may wish to finish it in one. A perfect airplane book for a cross-continental flight: it’s fast-paced, fun, and is the perfect adult analogue to a young kid’s comic book.
(JAB)
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win handily; (2) Jack (unlike Joe Nesbo’s Harry Hole) is unlikely to get hurt badly; (3) Jack will brush his teeth, at least once, anyway; (4) there will be bad guys who have no socially redeeming characteristics; (5) the bad guys will come to an unpleasant end, administered by Jack; (6) action will move very quickly; (7) most of the numerous chapters will end with a sentence that will make the reader start the next chapter; (8) the women in the story will overcome their initial repulsion towards Jack and end up liking him, maybe even having sex with him; (9) Jack will not purchase any real estate; and (10) Jack will quote numerous statistical factoids like a particular city’s population or the depth of its largest lake.Super Spoiler Alert--Do not read the following paragraph if you want to be surprised!!
Jack takes a shower AND applies deodorant.
End of Super Spoiler.
The rest of the book is pretty much a reprise of the themes outlined in the first paragraph of this review with action involving terrorists, a murder, and a kidnapping. I won’t spoil your reading by disclosing any more specific about the plot, but rest assured it is enjoyable, largely because of Child’s masterful execution of themes (1), (6), and (7) above.
Evaluation: I read all 533 pages of the paperback version in two days, but you may wish to finish it in one. A perfect airplane book for a cross-continental flight: it’s fast-paced, fun, and is the perfect adult analogue to a young kid’s comic book.
(JAB)
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LibraryThing member infjsarah
Enjoyed this one a lot. Although not being American, I found the geography confusing (a map would have been useful). A quick, light escapist read.
LibraryThing member crazybatcow
Another great installment. Reacher might be aging a bit since the Killing Floor, but he still kicks a bit of butt, and saves the day in the end.
I wouldn't recommend starting the series with this book because half the joy in reading about Reacher's escapades is knowing where he came from and why
Not much I can say about the story - it is a typical Reacher story written in Child's usual voice (i.e. calm cool and collected, short and to the point sentences... kinda/almost mathematical).
If you liked any of the other Reacher books, you'll like this one as much. If you are looking for a read-alike, try Barry Eisler's Rain series.
I wouldn't recommend starting the series with this book because half the joy in reading about Reacher's escapades is knowing where he came from and why
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he's here at this point. Not much I can say about the story - it is a typical Reacher story written in Child's usual voice (i.e. calm cool and collected, short and to the point sentences... kinda/almost mathematical).
If you liked any of the other Reacher books, you'll like this one as much. If you are looking for a read-alike, try Barry Eisler's Rain series.
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LibraryThing member ABVR
Long-time fans of Lee Child’s thrillers and his loner-hero Jack Reacher will likely smile at the opening chapters of A Wanted Man as they watch Child deploy familiar plot elements: Reacher, on his way from somewhere to somewhere else; a chance encounter with strangers on a trajectory of their
Long-time fans of the series may also feel – not without reason – that Child has done it better in other books. In part, this is an accident of timing. The Affair, Child’s previous book, was one the best in the series: a mystery plot accessible even to first-time readers, set well before the series proper and interwoven with the story of a pivotal event in Reacher’s past. Any follow-up effort was destined to pale in comparison. In part, however, A Wanted Man is likely to shine less brightly, for longtime fans, because so many elements from it will feel generically familiar from earlier Reacher stories. Without going into plot-spoiling details, there are situations and character types (though not characters) here from Persuader, Nothing to Lose, and Gone Tomorrow . . . even (to a lesser extent) the duology of 61 Hours and Worth Dying For, which preceded The Affair in publication order and ends (literally) moments before A Wanted Man begins, in story time. Seeing familiar events, characters and situations again, long-time readers are likely to guess some key plot twists before, strictly speaking, they “should.”
All that is unlikely to affect – or at least to affect as strongly – readers new to the series and the character. Child’s ability to generate tension and spin out a complex plot are still evident, and the book, like nearly all Reacher’s adventures, works well as both a mystery and a thriller. His attention to detail and his penchant for having Reacher know (or notice) things that most people wouldn’t is still in play, ranging across geography, human psychology, and oddly fascinating minutiae like the nature of highway interchanges and the layout of roadside motels. It provides some of the best moments in the book . . . even in the midst of a climactic shoot-out where, in the hands of a less talented writer, it would have dissipated the suspense rather than increasing it.
A Wanted Man is not Lee Child’s best work . . . but Lee Child’s version of “adequate” is better than a great many writers’ “best ever,” and well worth picking up.
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own; suggestions that all is not as it seems, and someone may be in mortal danger. Long-time fans will also know what’s coming: Reacher will be diverted from his path and drawn into the strangers’ world; he will bond with someone who is enmeshed in dangerous business and needs his help; and saving them will depend as much on his ex-cop powers of observation and quick thinking as on his impressive capacity for lethal violence. Child has been here and done this sixteen times before, and long-time fans will smile at the prospect of being along for the ride as he does it again.Long-time fans of the series may also feel – not without reason – that Child has done it better in other books. In part, this is an accident of timing. The Affair, Child’s previous book, was one the best in the series: a mystery plot accessible even to first-time readers, set well before the series proper and interwoven with the story of a pivotal event in Reacher’s past. Any follow-up effort was destined to pale in comparison. In part, however, A Wanted Man is likely to shine less brightly, for longtime fans, because so many elements from it will feel generically familiar from earlier Reacher stories. Without going into plot-spoiling details, there are situations and character types (though not characters) here from Persuader, Nothing to Lose, and Gone Tomorrow . . . even (to a lesser extent) the duology of 61 Hours and Worth Dying For, which preceded The Affair in publication order and ends (literally) moments before A Wanted Man begins, in story time. Seeing familiar events, characters and situations again, long-time readers are likely to guess some key plot twists before, strictly speaking, they “should.”
All that is unlikely to affect – or at least to affect as strongly – readers new to the series and the character. Child’s ability to generate tension and spin out a complex plot are still evident, and the book, like nearly all Reacher’s adventures, works well as both a mystery and a thriller. His attention to detail and his penchant for having Reacher know (or notice) things that most people wouldn’t is still in play, ranging across geography, human psychology, and oddly fascinating minutiae like the nature of highway interchanges and the layout of roadside motels. It provides some of the best moments in the book . . . even in the midst of a climactic shoot-out where, in the hands of a less talented writer, it would have dissipated the suspense rather than increasing it.
A Wanted Man is not Lee Child’s best work . . . but Lee Child’s version of “adequate” is better than a great many writers’ “best ever,” and well worth picking up.
Show Less
Awards
British Book Award (Winner — 2012)
Theakstons Old Peculier Prize (Longlist — 2014)
Original language
English
Original publication date
2012
Physical description
416 p.; 6.26 inches
ISBN
9780385344333