(2004)We are given some back story as Reacher is still an MP who has been mysteriously transferred to an army base in Virginia and tries to figure out a series of deaths following two Army VIPS across from Europe and as they are scheduled to go to a conference in California. Turns out these two were part of a cabal in the Army to prevent downsizing and restructuring of the service after collapse of Soviet Union in 1990. As usual very good. Booklist-Child's eighth Jack Reacher novel isn't a classic thriller in the mold of its predecessor, Persuader [BKL Mr 15 03], but it's just as compelling. This time Child sticks closer to the police-procedural formula, lavishing on investigatory detail and building suspense gradually rather than propelling the reader ever forward with high-octane thrills. The story, which hinges on the death of a general in a lowlife motel outside Fort Bird, North Carolina, moves back in time to the early nineties, when Reacher was an up-and-coming military policeman. Trying to recover the dead general's briefcase, which contains sensitive information regarding the army's post-cold war plans, takes Reacher and his partner, an African American female, deep into the treacherous heart of military bureaucracy--and into a tragic by-product of the "don't ask-don't tell" policy regarding gays in the armed forces. In a subplot involving Reacher's mother, ill with cancer, Child also incorporates some fascinating backstory regarding Reacher's childhood as an army brat. Known for his hold-your-breath action scenes, Child proves equally adept at portraying how a criminal investigation uses the smallest of building blocks (a yogurt container) to construct a compelling circumstantial case. Combine that with finely textured relationships--always an extra dimension in this series--and you have a novel that takes Child in a new direction (more Michael McGarrity than Stephen Hunter) but does so flawlessly.

Back to Reacher's army days. Superb. ( )

I am reading the Reacher series in chronological order so this was my first book read.Very interesting read and Reacher is an interesting character. The Wall has fallen in Berlin and there are changes going on within the US Army. There are those who want to get a jump on the changes and want to make sure the changes go their way. ( )

I love me some Jack Reacher, and this was an excellent story. The only thing that really bothered me was the unexplained flashback in Reachers life. How can the first seven (or whatever) books be about Reachers post army life, and then book number 8 is, an unexplained, flashback into his army days. At least explain why the flashback happens, or that this a prequel not a sequel or something. Otherwise, get work as usual. Excellent characters, great twists and turns, and even though it was unexplained, it was an interesting look at some of the Reacher backstory. ( )

Pic up almost book in Lee Child's Jack Reacher series and you'll be hooked. This book gives the reader a look at Reacher in the Army as it's written as a flash back. Reacher is a an army Major in his MP career stationed ay Ft. Bird, N.C. A two star general is found murdered in a cheap motel on New Year's Day. His briefcase is gone with the secret info inside. Soon afterward, the general'swife is found killed by Reacher. Some one in the Army hierarchy has set Reacher up which as usual is the wrong step to take. Reacher is ordered to cover the whole mess up. Instead he teams up with his aide, Lt. Summer as the battle their way to justice within the constraints of the military system. ( )