The Enemy (Jack Reacher Novels) [Mass Market Paperback]

With almost military precision, dramatic complications unfold, and Reacher soon finds himself facing two new deaths, one of which is a gruesome butchering which takes place on the base. Ordered by superiors to cover up the murder by calling it a "training accident," Reacher and his aide investigate surreptitiously, soon discovering that his MP XO counterparts at twenty more bases throughout the world have also been newly appointed to their positions, all of them on or around December 29. Obvious questions arise about who is pulling the strings, who has the power to transfer so many MPs to new posts, and why someone would want to do so.

Child is a meticulous writer whose plot follows a strict chronological order and moves at a breath-taking pace, with one dramatic scene following hard on the heels of another. Reacher and his aide Summer are not fully developed characters, but they do not need to be as they struggle to learn who is controlling the grisly chess game which has resulted in four deaths. The action is resolved in an extravagant grand finale, with twists and turns and spectacular surprises. Though the ending resolves the disparate threads, it may also be a disappointment to some readers, since the premise behind the plot and the motivation which led to the murders, when finally revealed, seems too unrealistic to justify the murderous extremes to which "the enemy" has gone. Though Child is brilliant in creating an exciting story packed with action, the final pages feel cynical and reveal a view of humanity that is grim. Mary Whipple

The action is fast paced and keeps you waiting for the end - which is, even if you guess part of it, surprising.

Thankfully we have the hero toned down slightly from the other books. The male reader no longer feels as inadequate as usual compared to the hero. What... you mean you never felt that way when reading the other books? LIAR!!! He is a man's action hero and a womans dream of the macho male persona.

The story concerns the imminent changes faced by the US Army following the fall of the Berlin Wall and the end of the Communist threat. We know that big changes are coming and that not everyone is happy. Would you be after a 30 year career to find that your territory and dominant position are challanged.

We follow Reacher and Lt Summer as they try to solve the death of a visiting General. Other murders take place that are connected but Reacher's new boss doesn't want them solved - just covered up.

Is their a conspiracy? If so, how far does it extend?

We see some family moments with his mother and brother and he gets to travel half the world in pursuit of the truth.

I recommend this to anyone. If you haven't met Reacher then this is an ideal starting point. He's big, bad and on the side of truth....