Those of you that have followed my blog are probably aware that Lee Child is one of my favorite authors. That in no small part is due to Child’s central character, Jack Reacher. Reacher is a retired U S Army Major whose service was as a Military Policeman.  Reacher travels the country with only a folding tooth brush. No luggage no nothing. When he needs clean clothes, he buys new ones and throws the old ones away. Reacher has no car and either rides buses, hitchhikes. walks or occasionally flies his way around the country. While the basic premise may seem a little far fetched there are probably some who live that way. What differentiates those others from Reacher is that he typically happens upon a troubling situation that he feels compelled to fix.

As an aside, there was recently a movie around Child’s central character, Jack Reacher. The casting choice for Reacher was either bizarre or borderline unbelievable. Bear in mind, Reacher is described in the books as six foot six and two hundred fifty pounds and the actor chosen to portray Reacher was Tom Cruise – someone about a foot shorter and a hundred pounds lighter! As you might imagine, I have not see the movie and intend to keep that record intact.

In the latest book, Never Go Back, which by the way is certainly one of Child’s best if not his best effort to date, Reacher comes to Washington DC to look up a woman with an intriguing voice he has never met. His only encounter was in a previous book, 61 Hours, where he only talked with her on the telephone. He arrives and finds that she has been arrested on what appear to be trumped up charges and then finds himself ordered back in the Army and in jail on other questionable charges. It turns out that Reacher and the woman, she because of her job in the Army and he because he was there to see her, become wrapped up in conspiracy that involves those in very high places. What follows is a completely enjoyable read as the characters unwind a very convoluted plot which cumulates in a totally unforeseen ending. As always  the character development and story lines are compelling. Highly recommended!