Echo Burning by Lee Child

Reacher suffers a temporary bout of self doubt as his gullibility is tested by a desperate Latina seeking his help.  Set in Texas, this book questions the savage prejudice and ponderous justice system in south Texas.

After having read so many Reacher books, it was somewhat refreshing for him to have a bit of self doubt, it humanized him.   This has the typical Reacher plot of his reluctant entry into a dangerous situation and settling it with his normal, physical justice metering.

Texas was not portrayed as a hospitable place in this novel.   One can only hope that the rampant prejudice and self serving corrupt local justice system has improved in the twelve years since the book was published.   Lee Child does not hesitate to attack and depict social issues with Jack Reacher as the proponent of harsh justice.  I'm not sure head butting is the best solution for social issues but aside from the resulting head ache, I suspect that many of us find a vicarious pleasure in physically dominating perceived villains. 

As in all the Jack Reacher books I have read so far, there is non-stop action and lots of violence.  

I enjoyed the book and I recommend the book.

Web Site: http://www.leechild.com/

 

 This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

Never Go Back by Lee Child

This Reacher is set in a more current environment.  Afghanistan and Home Land Security are part of the plot.  Reacher's attempt at hooking up with an appealing voice leads him once again up to his neck into a nefarious plot

There isn't a lot new to say about Reacher.   That isn't a bad thing, I certainly don't mind having pineapple upside down cake with absolutely no changes, again and again.   Child has a formula what works. 

One of the things I find particularly appealing in the Reacher books is the loyalty and camaraderie shown to Reacher and others in his former command.  One scene when Turner (main squeeze of the moment) decides that Reacher isn't just a mindless, anger managed animal due to his concern about others reinforces that the main character isn't just a shallow, testosterone driven hero but someone who cares and cares deeply about others.

This book also delved into some of the reasons why Reacher became who he is and why his motivation is to cannonball in where others fear to tread water. 

As in all the Jack Reacher books I have read so far, there is non-stop action and lots of violence.  

I enjoyed the book and I recommend the book.

  

Web Site: http://www.leechild.com/

           This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

Mrs. Poe by Lynn Cullen

 I have read a lot of Edgar Allan Poe but little or nothing about Edgar Allan Poe.   Poe's reputation was trashed by a rival and that nonsense has carried through for years and years.   This book addresses the life of Poe in a much more sympathetic manner.

Frances Osgood was the muse that drove Poe, possibly drove him mad.   She is portrayed as emotionally torn and faced with overwhelming circumstances based primarily on the social mores of the time.  

Ms. Cullen does an excellent job with showing the fragility of the marital institution in the mid-1800s.   Growing up in the era of bra burning and strong women it is sobering to think that over 50% of the population was relegated to second class citizenry.  Actually if you consider slavery the number of second class citizens was substantially higher than 50%. 

This story was somewhat tedious as was the life of Poe.   The emotional angst was suffocating.   I'm not much for the romantic novel but the historic aspect of this book as well as the cameos of so many famous literary figures.

I recommend it.

Web Site: http://lynncullen.com/

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

Without Fail by Lee Child

Reacher is as Reacher does.  That simply means, step on my toes, step on those I care about and assume the position.  The rest of the world can go on as normal but DO NOT mess with mine.  This book is standard Reacher, tons of action, loss of main characters and redemption.

A chance pickup as he hitch hiked led Reacher into the depths of Washington politics.   Little did he know that the old blues playing couple would lead to assassination attempts on the in coming Vice President.

Surprisingly Jack spends most of this book working with law enforcement sometimes very, very close to law enforcement.  As often in the case of politics, things are not always the way they seem.  

I don't know that I ever learn anything from the Reacher books unless new methods of wreaking mayhem count.  I don't think the books expand my mind.  I do know that they are highly entertaining.

As in all the Jack Reacher books I have read so far, there is non-stop action and lots of violence.  

I enjoyed the book and I recommend the book.

Web Site: http://www.leechild.com/

 This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

Robert the Bruce by Jack Whyte

 This is one book in a trilogy on Scottish heroes called the Guardians Trilogy.  This book depicts the coming of age of Robert The Bruce.   Keep in mind that in the time of the book, there were three Roberts all of whom at some point were The Bruce.

This is an excellent fictional rendition of  the Scottish independence movement.  Scotland's move from being an independent kingdom to an English vassal in reality and the fight to return to independence is touched on in this book.   I say touched on because the book is more of a biography of Rober the Bruce than an actual treatise on Scottish independence.

The author does an excellent job portraying an actual historic figure.  The life and daily mundane behaviors are in sufficient detail to appreciate both the difference and similarity to today's life and political realities.   The cot and camp stove mentioned early in the book brought home that this time period, although primitive by today's standards, still appreciated normal comforts.  The manipulative perfidy of the political environment would sadly fit into any contemporary country. 

I highly recommend the book and it reinforces me love of historic fiction.

Web site:

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.