gamblin_man's Full Review: Lee Child - Bad Luck and Trouble Books
Let me start by saying this is my favorite Jack Reacher adventure since his first, Killing Floor. Lee Childs has filled in some of the blanks in the past of his imaginary super sleuth in this novel of international intrigue and multiple murders that takes place from the deserts of California to the glitter of Las Vegas.
For those not familiar with the character Jack Reacher that flows from the fertile and unusual mind of Lee Childs here is a primer. Jack Reacher grew up as a military brat and, not surprisingly, spent the early years of his adult life in the army as a Military Policeman. But he wasn’t just an MP. He was part of a very special squad of investigators that took on some pretty demanding operations. He actually built and led this group of very special MPs as a Major. Their motto; “You do not mess with the Special Investigators”. Since he never really had a home, when he was downsized and left the Army he drifted. His total possessions were the clothes on his back and a folding toothbrush. After several years he has finally succumbed and added an ATM card so he can get to his limited funds when he needs them.
This adventure starts in Portland, Oregon. Jack has to get some money since he had sprung for dinner the last two nights for the girl he was staying with. He was on his way out of town so he hit an ATM at the bus station. Jack has an uncanny way with numbers. He knows to the penny how much he should have in his account. The problem is there is exactly $1030.00 extra when he checks his account. Jack also has an uncanny, almost Sherlock Holmes level, way of getting meaning from the slimmest of information. He assumes this unexpected deposit is not a mistake but a message. In military parlance 10-30 mans an officer in trouble, needing help. With a phone call to his bank he deduces who is sending the message and after another call to Chicago heads for a plane to LA. The message is from one of the eight who made up the Special Investigations team.
I like action/adventure novels. I like serial characters that I can get to know in depth. This novel gives me all I want and more. The team is reconstituted. Although half of the team is dead, the other half is looking for the perps. As Jack says, they are dead men walking. Throw in a bad LA county officer, some weapons that are being sold to a terrorist that intends to use them in the US to down airplanes, and some ruthless ex-cops that plan to get rid of the rest of the team and there is enough action and mayhem for anyone.
If you like Jack Reacher you should get this one. If you like action/adventure and don’t yet know Jack and his creator Lee Childs, this is a good place to start. The other 11 novels will be waiting for you and can be read in any order. His twelfth is on the way.
From a helicopter high above the empty California desert, a man is sent free-falling into the night . In Chicago, a woman learns that an elite team of...More at Barnes & Noble.com
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