Friday, March 24, 2017

A Book Review: Worth Dying For by Lee Child (Jack Reacher #15)

It has been estimated, every 20 seconds, a novel featuring Jack Reacher is being sold somewhere in the world. The series' creator, Lee Child, is a publishing phenomenon. There is something enduring and unique about Jack Reacher; he has the brain and the brawn, he is Dirty Harry and Sherlock Holmes rolled into one. Reacher is the strong silent hero from the Western, who dispenses sweet justice where it is most needed. Oh yes, justice! In Worth Dying For, Lee Child dropped another story that will have you punch the air and screaming “yes!”, while Reacher dispenses those sweet sweet justice in a troubled little town.

Synopsis:

A woman stood in her living room and dialed the doctor's number. It was winter, her nose was busted and bleeding like a water tap. She lived in a corn county in Nebraska.

Dozens of minutes later came a knock on her door. In the doorway stood two men. She saw the familiar shape of her doctor. Besides the doctor walked a big man; six foot five, blond, and his blue eyes flaring on a rugged face like the cold fire.

The doctor looked at the woman's nose and told her that she will be fine. Then the big man, calling himself Jack Reacher, asked her about the injury. The woman let out more than she was willing. The answer – her husband.

Jack Reacher and the doctor drove to a diner. The place smelled of burgers and grilled steaks. Reacher found the woman's husband, punched him in the face and broke his nose. Little did Reacher know, the punch would put him on the track to exposing an ugly secret, twenty five years in the making.

It was time to right the wrong. The stakes were high, but Jack ain't gonna stop because he believed it was a cause worth dying for.

My thoughts on this book:

Worth Dying For returned Jack Reacher to solving crimes in a small town. The story started small. Jack Reacher was passing by and became involved in a case of domestic violence. From there, this tale unfolded in the most unexpected manner. This book will surprise you. Lee Child's writings, stylized and hardboiled, vividly portrayed the atmosphere and the emotions of the town's people, who were being terrorized and bullied by a local clan. Some readers have complained about Lee Child's prose. In my opinion, Jack Reacher books are westerns disguised as crime thrillers. Therefore, I think Lee Child's writings pitched a perfect tone for a story such as this one.

It is intriguing to read about Jack Reacher's thought process. How he solved the crime, and how he tackled his opponents strategically. While Jack Reacher took the centre stage in this book, but Lee Child also featured a small cast of richly depicted, supporting characters. The narratives were moving, laying bare these characters' pains and the fears. They were the little folks being bullied by the local gang. They had no hope. It was very rewarding to read, with Jack Reacher's help, these characters gradually built up their confidence and finally stood up against their tormentors. Justice did arrive, albeit too late.

Indeed, justice, is the best thing about this book. When the story revealed the final piece in the puzzle, and the dirty secret came into the light, I became furious at the villains. I felt a burning rage. The bad guys in this book were committing a crime so foul, so wrong, and so disgusting, I wanted to rip their throats out. But Jack Reacher did that for me, and I cheered and clapped my hands. I have never read a more satisfying ending than the one in Worth Dying For. This book's conclusion, while immensely satisfying, but it also tasted bitter and sweet.

Worth Dying For exemplifies the enduring power of Jack Reacher books. If you are wondering what is so compelling about Jack Reacher, then pick up this book and read it. I do not think you will regret it.





















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