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One Shot is the ninth book in my biggest guilty pleasure series – Jack Reacher. Since picking up Killing Floor, I have been slowly working my way through the Jack Reacher books. I say slowly, but it’s more of an ebb and flow when it comes to my reading of the series. There was a couple of weeks between Killing Floor and Die Trying; three months between Die Trying and Tripwire; four months between Tripwire and Running Blind; five months between Running Blind and Echo Burning; a couple of days between Echo Burning and Without Fail; five months between Without Fail and Persuader; a month between Persuader and The Enemy; five months between The Enemy and One Shot. As you can see, it’s not a series where I jump in one after the other – I pick up the series when the mood strikes me, when the guilty pleasure comes calling. Nevertheless, it is a series I will continue to read.
Despite how I will continue to read the series, part of the reason for the gaps between my reading of each book is the fact that the books never really blow me away. I enjoy them all, but I have only given three four-star ratings (Die Trying, Without Fail, and Persuader) thus far. A third isn’t all that bad, but it means my desire to read the series is not the same as my desire to read other series.
I’ve said this before, it’s because of the storytelling. I enjoy the stories, but the storytelling leaves much to be desired. It is not the kind of literature I can read a lot of, the writing style being something I can deal with for short periods of time before I need something with insane prose that keep me glued to the page. These are telling it as it is kinds of stories, information without the extensive prose I prefer. I know many will enjoy this, but it’s not the kind of storytelling I lean towards. Hence, it always takes me a while to get into the story.
While One Shot was the story to be picked for the Jack Reacher movie, I’m not sure why. As with the prior books it was interesting, but it was rather average compared to some of the other stories we have had in the series. There was a nice bit of mystery going on throughout, but it wasn’t my favourite from the series. In fact, while I didn’t work out all the details, quite a few things were expected. It was mediocre, and not the Jack Reacher book I would have picked to make into a movie.
Overall, another fun guilty pleasure read. As this one did not blow my mind, it may well be a couple of months before I pick up another Jack Reacher novel.
Despite how I will continue to read the series, part of the reason for the gaps between my reading of each book is the fact that the books never really blow me away. I enjoy them all, but I have only given three four-star ratings (Die Trying, Without Fail, and Persuader) thus far. A third isn’t all that bad, but it means my desire to read the series is not the same as my desire to read other series.
I’ve said this before, it’s because of the storytelling. I enjoy the stories, but the storytelling leaves much to be desired. It is not the kind of literature I can read a lot of, the writing style being something I can deal with for short periods of time before I need something with insane prose that keep me glued to the page. These are telling it as it is kinds of stories, information without the extensive prose I prefer. I know many will enjoy this, but it’s not the kind of storytelling I lean towards. Hence, it always takes me a while to get into the story.
While One Shot was the story to be picked for the Jack Reacher movie, I’m not sure why. As with the prior books it was interesting, but it was rather average compared to some of the other stories we have had in the series. There was a nice bit of mystery going on throughout, but it wasn’t my favourite from the series. In fact, while I didn’t work out all the details, quite a few things were expected. It was mediocre, and not the Jack Reacher book I would have picked to make into a movie.
Overall, another fun guilty pleasure read. As this one did not blow my mind, it may well be a couple of months before I pick up another Jack Reacher novel.
I think I swore I was done with Reacher after the other cluster but I saw this is now a movie and couldn't help myself. Standard Reacher formula. What's more interesting is that Tom Cruise is cast as Reacher! A huge imposing tough ex-army MP? Can kill anyone instantly bare-handed? I wouldn't put Tom in the top 20 of male leads for that.
Eh... not my favorite Jack Reacher. Still good, just not great.
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
I was going to read this because my friend's mum lent it to me, but it was just SO boring. I think I can respect these books, though. Crime novels are not my thing, but I know a lot of people really enjoy them and if you do then this will be exactly you're cup of tea!
Another great Jack Reacher novel. The blurb for this one instantly intrigued me and it passed just as quickly as the other ones, building up suspense and having Reacher involved from the start.
In this one, a guy shoots four people in a seemingly random event downtown and when he was interviewed, all he would say was 'get Jack Reacher'. Jack Reacher has already heard the news and is on his way, but not for the reason people think. And then the bad guys get him involved and he's on the case.
This is everything I like about a Jack Reacher novel. A plot which twists and turns when you least expect it, Jack Reacher being very competent and already assessing what the villains are going to do. His own brand of vigilante justice which is only fun in fiction, a variety of side characters which are competent in their own ways and a plan which always ends up with the villains losing because they underestimated Jack Reacher.
I do love how we saw the villains predict how Reacher was going to react, only to see that he had already preempted them. I also love how Reacher only got fully involved when the villains killed someone completely innocent (and this same innocent person had gotten Reacher into trouble).
This was fast-paced and enjoyable. Not so much with the realism but that's not why I read this series.
4.5 stars!
In this one, a guy shoots four people in a seemingly random event downtown and when he was interviewed, all he would say was 'get Jack Reacher'. Jack Reacher has already heard the news and is on his way, but not for the reason people think. And then the bad guys get him involved and he's on the case.
This is everything I like about a Jack Reacher novel. A plot which twists and turns when you least expect it, Jack Reacher being very competent and already assessing what the villains are going to do. His own brand of vigilante justice which is only fun in fiction, a variety of side characters which are competent in their own ways and a plan which always ends up with the villains losing because they underestimated Jack Reacher.
I do love how we saw the villains predict how Reacher was going to react, only to see that he had already preempted them. I also love how Reacher only got fully involved when the villains killed someone completely innocent (and this same innocent person had gotten Reacher into trouble).
This was fast-paced and enjoyable. Not so much with the realism but that's not why I read this series.
4.5 stars!
I saw the film of this book before I ever read any Jack Reacher books, and I have to say I liked the film. Even though Tom Cruise is like the anti-Reacher, I think he did a good job in the film. It was nice to read the book though, and I really enjoyed it. The story is slightly different of course, but that is par for the course when they film a book. Looking forward to the next Reacher book!
This is the book which will be the basis of the Tom Cruise movie this month. Should be a good start for the franchise. Its your basic Reacher adventure, but it covers all the bases for the character. The pace is good and holds you to the end.