Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Review: Gone Tomorrow by Lee Child

Suicide bombers are easy to spot. They give out all kinds of telltale signs. Mostly because they're nervous. By definition they are all first-timers. [first paragraph of Gone Tomorrow]


Gone Tomorrow by Lee Child
Dell, 2009
Crime Fiction; 576 pgs


Like John Sanford, Lee child is one of the authors I have wanted to try for a while now but never seemed to get around to reading. When Gone Tomorrow came my way, I couldn't resist--even if it meant jumping into a series 13 books in. Fortunately, Gone Tomorrow is one of those series books that stands alone just fine. Although, I have to admit that I'm even more curious about Jack Reacher's past now. Imagine living your life in such simplicity that you travel at will, have no home, no luggage, with just a toothbrush and your wallet in your pocket.

That's the way we first meet Jack Reacher in Gone Tomorrow. Ex-military, he is extremely skilled and observant. And so when he oberves a lone woman sitting in a subway car, meeting the criteria of a possible suicide bomber, Reacher has no choice but to take notice. After mulling the idea of what to do over in his head, he approaches the woman cautiously, not sure what to expect.

From that moment on, the story that unfolds is full of unexpected twists and turns and multi-layered. Reacher finds himself the target of both the bad and the good guys. The novel reminded me of a Greg Rucka novel, with the tough, no nonsense hero at its helm. It's purely entertaining even if not entirely believable--and that's okay. It was easy to fall into Jack Reacher's world for a short while and ride the subways of New York along with him. I was hooked from page one.

At this point, I am not really sure what I think of Jack Reacher himself. I would like to have seen a more vulnerable side to him, I think. There is no doubt he is intelligent. He does his own thing, no matter the consequences, wanting to get to the truth of a situation. He is just as likely to use his brain as his fist, and there's no shortage of good fight scenes in the book. He definitely isn't someone I would want to mess with--or necessarily invite over for lunch.

As much fun as I had reading Gone Tomorrow, I cannot say whether or not this will become a series I will love. I am eager to start with book one in the series, however. I have a feeling Jack will grow on me, and I hear those earlier books in the series are not to be missed.

Rating: * (Good +)

For more information about Lee Child and his books, visit the author's website.

Source: I entered a drawing and won to preview the paperback copy of Gone Tomorrow through Book Browse First Impressions.


© 2010, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved.If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

17 comments:

  1. I read Killing Floor, the first book of the Jack Reacher series because I want to know more about the hero before I jump into the series, even though I understand all his books can be read as stand alones. I really enjoyed reading Killing Floor, and I hope you'll enjoy it much better than this. :)

    PS: I'm slowly adding his other books to my wishlist! Gosh, there are lots, lol.

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  2. Reacher does have a gentle side when it comes to women and children, and generally underdogs. He also has weaknesses, but you have to read a few more books to see that. I love this character probably as much as any I have followed (although I do have to imagine that he is a little bit stinky...)

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  3. "a more vulnerable side" - ha ha, not Jack Reacher! But I agree with Sandy there are a few characteristics that could be defined as "weaknesses" - how about that he buys a toothbrush wherever he goes, but NOT DENTAL FLOSS?!!!

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  4. Jack isn't exactly believable, but somehow I always get so wrapped up in the action that I don't care!

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  5. I'm not a favorite of jumping in in the middle of a series, and really I'm not into this kind of book either. But I was curious to see what you had to say about it. :)

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  6. I've read a few now and have become a fan. I think some of the earlier ones were better, in that I saw more of his character and his motivations.

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  7. Sandy convinced me in one of her reviews to give the Reacher books a try, and although I haven't done it yet, I am looking forward to trying the first one out. I am glad to hear that you had such a good reaction to this book. It sounds like one I would like. Thanks for sharing this awesome review!

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  8. I really liked Reacher since reading the first book in the series and have almost completed the collection of the entire series. I love everything about the military and things or people associated with it, which is why Reacher has a very strong appeal to me. I hope you'll like him more and more! :D

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  9. I've read the first 4 and then stopped but I think I need to get back to it!!

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  10. Melody - I am looking forward to reading Killing Floor one of these days. I've learned that sometimes jumping in when opportunity knocks is sometimes the only way I'll be spurred to give an author a try I've been wanting to try, even if it means starting with the 13th book in the series.

    Sandy - I wasn't impressed with the minor romance in this one (although romance is the wrong word for it), but I don't doubt he has a soft spot for certain people. He definitely seems like someone you'd want on your side and I can see him fighting for the underdog. He'll probably grow on me in time.

    Rhapsody - LOL So true! Not buying dental floss is definitely a weakness. :-)

    Jenclair - The book was definitely entertaining and I flew right through it.

    Tribute Books Mama - You're welcome. :-)

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  11. Alyce - I appreciate you stopping by and commenting. :-)

    Shonna - I'm looking forward to going back and reading the earlier books. I read a little bit of Jack Reacher's bio on the author's website and it sounds like there are some interesting stories to look forward to.

    Heather - Hopefully you will enjoy the series when you give it a try. I had a lot of fun reading this one.

    Alice - Having a father who was in the military, I definitely see the appeal--and share in it.

    Staci - There are quite a few series I'm in the middle of that I need to catch up with. There never seems to be enough time, does there?

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  12. Sounds good!
    I see the library has them online so i could listen to alot of them.

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  13. I was just at the airport the other day and saw a ton of his books in the bookstore there. I've obviously been missing out on a good series!

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  14. Wonderful series you must read! I hope you start from the beginning because there so much more to learn into the story. Happy reading!

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  15. The first book of this series wasn't exactly what I expected, but like the Sandford series, I love the series and am happy that I'm only 4 books in so there are plenty more for me to read.

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  16. Carla - I hope you enjoy them! I definitely do want to go back and start from the beginning of the series to learn more about Reacher.

    Kathleen - His books seem like they'd make good flight time reading. :-)

    Julia - I do plan to go back and start from the beginning. Hopefully Reacher will grown on me. Glad you enjoy them!

    Stacy - I really enjoyed the Sanford book I read. Hopefully I'll grow more fond of this one as I go.

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