Scan barcode
laurapk's review against another edition
1.0
I only struggled to the end because I'm trying to familiarize myself with crime fiction publications discussing the opioid epidemic.
But oh my, did I find it poorly written. The fight details were the most annoying: slow-motion doesn't work well in print (rarely works well in cinema anyway). So I skipped every fight scene since we all know how it ends - the main character beats the other guys up, yey! Also, I wonder if the inordinate amount of details given was to pad up the book and reach a minimum word count (those damn one book a year contracts! they should be abolished). Otherwise, does the author really think I need to know that a person walked to the door, turned the knob and pushed it open? Because I know how to open a door, Mr Child.
Things I learned: technology talk ages poorly if you try to present it as cutting edge (Reacher's inability to use phones and GPS made him look dumb to a future reader, not edgy).
Another reason why the book aged poorly: the way Lee Child writes women. The sisters were beautiful, oh so beautiful, such a tragedy that the most beautiful woman in the army was maimed, oh but her beautiful sister is so beautiful that everyone always stops to gawk at her (even while they're being robbed at gun point). Come on! Also, the non-injured twin was described as 'the normal woman' (why not just the blond woman?). And ugh...(suppressing nausea)... the sex talk ... I'd like to take everything off?
First and last Reacher book for me.
But oh my, did I find it poorly written. The fight details were the most annoying: slow-motion doesn't work well in print (rarely works well in cinema anyway). So I skipped every fight scene since we all know how it ends - the main character beats the other guys up, yey! Also, I wonder if the inordinate amount of details given was to pad up the book and reach a minimum word count (those damn one book a year contracts! they should be abolished). Otherwise, does the author really think I need to know that a person walked to the door, turned the knob and pushed it open? Because I know how to open a door, Mr Child.
Things I learned: technology talk ages poorly if you try to present it as cutting edge (Reacher's inability to use phones and GPS made him look dumb to a future reader, not edgy).
Another reason why the book aged poorly: the way Lee Child writes women. The sisters were beautiful, oh so beautiful, such a tragedy that the most beautiful woman in the army was maimed, oh but her beautiful sister is so beautiful that everyone always stops to gawk at her (even while they're being robbed at gun point). Come on! Also, the non-injured twin was described as 'the normal woman' (why not just the blond woman?). And ugh...(suppressing nausea)... the sex talk ... I'd like to take everything off?
First and last Reacher book for me.
vinitneo's review against another edition
5.0
I enjoyed this Jack Reacher story more than his previous two entries. We see a much more grounded Reacher, with no agenda, trying to find someone because he's curious. There is less action and bravado but a more balanced storyline. Reacher acts like a cop, using his brains more than brawn. it is fast paced and satisfying. Looking forward to Jack Reacher's next adventure.
abitters's review against another edition
4.0
Classic Reacher. Good action, a little mystery, and some good old fashioned beat downs. One of the better Reacher books of the late additions.
reading_goat's review against another edition
4.0
excellent read. still don't see how Tom Cruise was cast for this part.
mafryc's review against another edition
2.0
My true rating of a book comes out about 2 weeks after the read date, when I've had time to ponder. Jack fell from a three to a two since in the end it was only an OK read. That being said, I give the series the benefit of the doubt because I picked up book #22 as opposed to #1, so maybe 2.5*.
The problem I have with Jack is that nothing is ever an issue for him. 18 guys vs him? No biggie. Breaking the law in front of the cops? They'll end up thanking him for it. Shoot out behind the trees? Jack won't even get scratched.
The book is just uncomplicated. One-dimensional characters and a very chronological structure. Hardly even a past recollection. It's forgettable, to say the least.
I'm the odd duck out once again since most everyone I know who has read Jack Reacher continues to read.
The problem I have with Jack is that nothing is ever an issue for him. 18 guys vs him? No biggie. Breaking the law in front of the cops? They'll end up thanking him for it. Shoot out behind the trees? Jack won't even get scratched.
The book is just uncomplicated. One-dimensional characters and a very chronological structure. Hardly even a past recollection. It's forgettable, to say the least.
I'm the odd duck out once again since most everyone I know who has read Jack Reacher continues to read.
cgcang's review against another edition
4.0
Well... This book has some of the usual Reacher charm, at least.
As I've said before, I humbly consider Make Me the last of the good Reacher novels. Starting with Night School, Lee Child's been making his way into retirement. Blue Moon was mediocre, after Andrew Grant stepped in, The Sentinel was mediocre but still nice, and Better Off Dead was... Well, not a very good book. So I had mixed feelings about finally reading The Midnight Line. Now that I have, I can safely say that it's still a good enough Reacher book with the classic Reacher feeling, especially in the first half. In the second half the book loses some serious steam and wanders into some weird places, but still ends up okay in my opinion.
Now I only have 2 Reacher books that I have left untouched: The Affair and A Wanted Man. I'm thinking of reading them back-to-back because binging books is always a good idea. And honestly I don't know how to feel about finally being about to run out of never-before-read Reacher books. Sure, there are still some that I have read and mostly forgotten about, like Personal. I have little to no recollection of what that book was even about. Or Without Fail. My memory about that is pretty vague, too. And I have never read One Shot, but watched the movie multiple times, so again, mixed feelings.
Yeah, so, The Midnight Line was interesting and not bad, you can safely check it out. It's not a good place to start reading Reacher books, though. As I said, it wanders into some weird places.
As I've said before, I humbly consider Make Me the last of the good Reacher novels. Starting with Night School, Lee Child's been making his way into retirement. Blue Moon was mediocre, after Andrew Grant stepped in, The Sentinel was mediocre but still nice, and Better Off Dead was... Well, not a very good book. So I had mixed feelings about finally reading The Midnight Line. Now that I have, I can safely say that it's still a good enough Reacher book with the classic Reacher feeling, especially in the first half. In the second half the book loses some serious steam and wanders into some weird places, but still ends up okay in my opinion.
Now I only have 2 Reacher books that I have left untouched: The Affair and A Wanted Man. I'm thinking of reading them back-to-back because binging books is always a good idea. And honestly I don't know how to feel about finally being about to run out of never-before-read Reacher books. Sure, there are still some that I have read and mostly forgotten about, like Personal. I have little to no recollection of what that book was even about. Or Without Fail. My memory about that is pretty vague, too. And I have never read One Shot, but watched the movie multiple times, so again, mixed feelings.
Yeah, so, The Midnight Line was interesting and not bad, you can safely check it out. It's not a good place to start reading Reacher books, though. As I said, it wanders into some weird places.
cfulton20's review against another edition
5.0
Love, love this series. I cannot get enough of Jack!!!
thedevonkelly95's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
carlg88's review against another edition
5.0
Another hit straight out the park for Lee Child. I would have liked to see more fighting in this book, just to utilise Reacher's unique set of skills.
lisanussd's review against another edition
5.0
I have read all of Reachers books. This one seemed milder, less fighting but still a page turner.