Litsy

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That was stunningly good. There are those who will insist I'm 'grading on a curve', comparing it to the preceding books in the series, rather than mysteries or novels in general, to come up with such a glowing statement, but I honestly think this was just a well written book, designed to effectively entertain and engross the reader.
The first book in the series I liked, the second book I didn't, this third book: I loved. 1/?

Robotswithpersonality 2/? Lee Child is consistent in delivering atmospheric descriptions, always taking a moment to provide an often poetic sense of place, regardless of how benign or undesirable the place may be.
He's consistent in providing a mystery (that I only got just before it was revealed, which is my perfect ideal in mystery books, and to me demonstrates skill on behalf of the writer, leading the reader) that will be methodically investigated; 7h

Robotswithpersonality 3/? this book did that even better than the first two did, and when it's done at the right pace that's something I really enjoy reading. Which leads into the first of two key differences that boosted this book in my estimation in comparison to its predecessors.
1) The pacing
2) The female characters
7h

Robotswithpersonality 4/? 1) How this story was divided up and bounced between following various people moving toward certain goals never felt like we were moving away from the action, even with what might be termed not the main players, it's not just that things were in a state of skillfully ratcheted tension, and you care about the characters because they are well written, complex motivations etc, it was that the plot was written in such a way that you want to go 7h

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Robotswithpersonality 5? along, see how it unfolds, if various people will succeed, and somehow it's written so even portions which others might argue are slowing down the action are worth reading.

2) I would be totally unsurprised if after the second Reacher book, Child got a buttload of negative feedback about how his female character(s?) were written. If so, he definitely took it to heart and did better here. 7h

Robotswithpersonality 6/? Yes, the threat of sexual violence against women looms large over a significant part of the narrative, increasing the repugnance of the villain(s), but it never actually becomes a part of the plot/on or off screen action. Yes, Marilyn and later Jodie are both objectified by bad men, but, and I recognize this is subjective, it didn't feel excessive or gratuitous within the context of the narrative. 7h

Robotswithpersonality 7/? Yes, for moments at a time Marilyn and Jodie fit within the parameters of damsels in distress, but they spend the vast majority of the story in partnership with male characters who are aided by them, who defer to them when circumstances require their skill, resources, expertise, equanimity. I'll even throw Mrs. Hobie into the mix, because she was a more vibrant physical presence of the two parents, and Crystal, 7h

Robotswithpersonality 8/? because for the little we saw of her at the beginning, I would gladly have had her as Reacher's partner for this book: exotic dancer exuding independence and confidence, enjoying her skills and resultant revenue with a beautiful car competently operated and under no illusions about Reacher's availability.
I get that readers will react differently to the age gap and background between Reacher and Jodie, but I think Child's framing is about as 7h

Robotswithpersonality 9/? unobjectionable as you can get given the circumstances.

On an unrelated note, and one I find harder to articulate, I admire how Child handled the discussion around the Vietnam War. Don't get me wrong, these books could easily win a 'pro-military/military propaganda' label. Given some characters consulted in pursuit of the mystery are serving military, the resentful manner in which they talk about the Vietnamese is not a shock, and also not 7h

Robotswithpersonality 10/? comfortable to read. The bias is evident, the reader is to empathize with American soldiers who lost their lives, not so much with the military brass who mis-handled the conflict, covered things up, tried to minimize news of deaths and deny culpability by leaving more MIAs than confirmed deaths on the record. The dual heartbreak of promising young men lost to violent death, many conscripted for such an end, and the later work of those who 7h

Robotswithpersonality 11/? struggle to identify remains. You can't help but sympathize with parents left without answers, with the righteous anger of those who recognize the tragic waste in the loss of life. Obviously a different book might not have that be such a one-sided criticism of the war, would also consider the POV of the Vietnamese, also fighting a foreign military force, which also caused great loss of life,and which media/pop culture (I'm not too informed on 7h

Robotswithpersonality 12/? the history) suggests often acted unethically during the conflict.

I think if there's one area that really shouts 'I was written in the late 90s!' it's the ableism prominent in a main villain having extensive burn scarring, an amputation and a prosthesis, a hook, of course, and how often those features are focused on to increase the sense of menace he exudes. There's no objective reason to fear someone who has traumatic injuries, who is 7h

Robotswithpersonality 13/? essentially a disabled war veteran, but Child wants the reader to associate this appearance, with his grotesque behaviour, make it ugly, as if one were a mirror for the other, the same kind of thing unenlightened horror films of earlier decades did (still do?). I sincerely hope it's the last time the author feels the need to aim for such a harmful and lazy shorthand. 7h

Robotswithpersonality 14/14I am curious where the series goes from here, as there are definitely 'putting down roots' potential offered at the end of this book that I didn't see in the last two, but considering how many books there are in the series, I'm just hoping nothing bad happens to any of the characters previously introduced to get him back on the road.
I'll definitely be picking up the next book, cross your fingers the writing quality endures, even improves! 7h

Robotswithpersonality ⚠️ violence, gore, ableism (edited) 7h

4 likes14 comments

JohnLAndBenji

Black Swan of Paris (Original) | Karen Robards

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This is a really dark, but really good world war 2 book. The Germans are ruthless, and she has to protect France with her comrades and find her mother. She has lovers and has to decide who to spend her life with. Genevieve has quality lovers and family, but the war makes her worry about losing them. She is not weak, but she isn‘t immortal. She is brave, but she also suffers. I loved this book.

2 likes

majkia

In a Dark, Dark Wood | Ruth Ware

I thought the whole book was weakened by the main character doing something she freely admits she normally wouldn't do - go to the hen party in the first place.
Other than that, the mystery was sufficiently twisty to confuse and surprise throughout.
The setting was the strongest part of the book, and well written.

#Roll100 @PuddleJumper

22 likes

Firestarter994

Reckless Girls: A Novel | Rachel Hawkins

# 42 and # 81 for June‘s #Roll100!!!

Not pictured: # 98 A Flicker in the Dark

PuddleJumper

1 like

OwenB

A Noise Downstairs | Linwood Barclay

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I picked up this book on a whim and it was an enjoyable read. I wasn‘t sure if this was a supernatural themed thriller or not until the end. Overall, it was a fun read with some good twists and turns. Wraps up nicely in the end.

JenlovesJT47

The Birds | Daphne Du Maurier, Derek Strange

From another favorite movie of mine, The Birds.

The flapping of wings,
trapped like a bird in a cage;
predator now prey.

#haikuhive #haikuaday #poetry #TheBirds #Hitchcock #TippiHedren

JenlovesJT47 @dabbe @TheSpineView @TheBookHippie @DebInHawaii @lil1inblue @Kristy_K @julieclair @BooksandCoffee4Me @bellabella @AnnCrystal @Eggs @Reggie @jdiehr @vivastory @CBee 2d

AmyG Such a great movie. 2d

JenlovesJT47 @AmyG the best! In my top 5 of all time. 💚💚💚 2d

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TheSpineView ❤️🎬❤️💛🐝💛 2d

AnnCrystal Captured brilliantly 👏🏼🐝👍🏼📞🐝💝. 2d

dabbe Powerful simile! 💛🐝🖤 2d

bellabella 💛 🐝 💛 💕 2d

Eggs Excellent 👌🏼 2d

lil1inblue This really captures the feeling I get watching the movie! Eek! 💛 🐝 💛 2d

43 likes9 comments

ReadingOver50

First Lie Wins: A Novel | Ashley Elston

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An interesting thriller book. Evie works for the mysterious Mr. Smith, going wherever he sends her and doing what he asks of her. As we discover what her current assignment is, we also get glimpses into her past assignments and aliases. Towards the middle of the book, things start to get crazy and the twists and turns happen rapidly. Evie is in trouble, and she needs to use all her abilities to make it out alive.

57 likes

SheReadsAndWrites

Villa | Rachel Hawkins

bailed

I LOVED the Heiress so I was bummed I didn't click with this one, but the narcissistic friend was too close to past experiences for me and the storyline got a tad too scattered. I love her writing though, and she is stellar at suspense.

29 likes