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kathydavie's review against another edition
5.0
One of the short stories, it's technically 17.5 in the publication line-up, and I'm slotting it into the 0.2 chronological line-up in the Jack Reacher suspense series. This particular story is about Reacher when he's 16 in 1977.
My Take
It was the kid that was my first tip-off, and it seems Reacher has been the man we all know for years, even in 1977. Even at 16, he calculates the angles, the fight possibilities, and he is using that brain of his. It's brilliant!
Child easily makes you nervous for Reacher when he's standing in that coffee shop doorway and thinking about his current sexual experience. When it comes to the scene in Chrissie's car, I couldn't figure out if I would die of fear or crack up laughing as I read Reacher's assessment of events as he enjoyed "going to heaven", LOL.
Child does beautifully in integrating the events of that summer in 1977 into his story, including that reference to the Son of Sam killing spree; wait'll you read Reacher's analysis, spot on in seconds. Makes you wish there were a lot more real Reachers in the world.
It's classic Reacher; you'll love it as he saves a job and the day. Although, that finish was so not what I was expecting. I still have to read it over and over, and I still can't believe it.
The Story
Just off the bus from...South Korea...Reacher easily finds trouble when he rescues what he believes is a lady.
Only the mobster he stops wants to get back at Reacher. Lucky for that blackout, at just the right moment.
The Characters
Jack Reacher is a few months shy of his seventeenth birthday, and he's kicking up his heels with a trip to New York City. And we know the drifting started long before he quit the army. Cadet Joe Reacher is his brother and at West Point.
Jill Hemingway appears to be a damsel in distress in so many ways.
Chrissie is one of the Sarah Lawrence coeds Reacher meets, who's willing to go hear some music.
Croselli is a made man who is extremely annoyed.
The Cover
The cover is the flaming in oranges, reds, and yellows with the Brooklyn Bridge above and the New York City skyline in the background, simmering with heat.
The title is that High Heat summer of 1977 in New York City with blackouts and high temperatures of all sorts.
My Take
It was the kid that was my first tip-off, and it seems Reacher has been the man we all know for years, even in 1977. Even at 16, he calculates the angles, the fight possibilities, and he is using that brain of his. It's brilliant!
Child easily makes you nervous for Reacher when he's standing in that coffee shop doorway and thinking about his current sexual experience. When it comes to the scene in Chrissie's car, I couldn't figure out if I would die of fear or crack up laughing as I read Reacher's assessment of events as he enjoyed "going to heaven", LOL.
Child does beautifully in integrating the events of that summer in 1977 into his story, including that reference to the Son of Sam killing spree; wait'll you read Reacher's analysis, spot on in seconds. Makes you wish there were a lot more real Reachers in the world.
It's classic Reacher; you'll love it as he saves a job and the day. Although, that finish was so not what I was expecting. I still have to read it over and over, and I still can't believe it.
"Winning ain't enough. The other guy has to know he lost."
The Story
Just off the bus from...South Korea...Reacher easily finds trouble when he rescues what he believes is a lady.
Only the mobster he stops wants to get back at Reacher. Lucky for that blackout, at just the right moment.
The Characters
Jack Reacher is a few months shy of his seventeenth birthday, and he's kicking up his heels with a trip to New York City. And we know the drifting started long before he quit the army. Cadet Joe Reacher is his brother and at West Point.
Jill Hemingway appears to be a damsel in distress in so many ways.
Chrissie is one of the Sarah Lawrence coeds Reacher meets, who's willing to go hear some music.
Croselli is a made man who is extremely annoyed.
The Cover
The cover is the flaming in oranges, reds, and yellows with the Brooklyn Bridge above and the New York City skyline in the background, simmering with heat.
The title is that High Heat summer of 1977 in New York City with blackouts and high temperatures of all sorts.
wduckworth's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
isaacrm's review against another edition
4.0
Nice little story from Reacher's teenage years. Good to kill some time until the next Lee Child's book comes out Sept. 3rd.
duparker's review against another edition
3.0
Cock sure and a bit retro. That describes Reacher and this story. I might go 3.5, on this short story. It was a fun read, an interlude if you will. It wets your lips for something more to come.
The only draw back was the sex scene didn't seem right. Yes, young people get it on, but I'm nut sure I recall such a scene in other Reacher books. It felt out of place.
The only draw back was the sex scene didn't seem right. Yes, young people get it on, but I'm nut sure I recall such a scene in other Reacher books. It felt out of place.
gimpyknee's review against another edition
1.0
Two words immediately come to my mind after reading this short story - absurd and ludicrous. After a short pause you can throw in silly, riduclous, and unbelievable. A lone, positive note is it's a short read.
ogreart's review against another edition
4.0
This story of young Reacher is not really a mystery. It is more a straight suspense story. Set during the 1977 NY blackout, a 16-year-old Reacher takes a series of fearless steps. Reacher, it seems, was destined to be an investigator.
papidoc's review against another edition
3.0
A short novella of Reacher's teenage years. Not bad, except in his thought processes, physical description, and so forth, he might as well have been 40...he sure didn't sound or act or have the awkwardness of any teenager I ever knew! He encounters the Son of Sam, experiences a NYC blackout, and defeats a "made" Mafia goon. Mm hmm...
ylt's review against another edition
2.0
I like most of Lee Child's books, but I couldn't finish this one. I found it drug and did not keep my interest.