The Enemy (Child, Lee) (Hardcover)

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

Two minutes into the New Year, Military Intelligence Officer, Jack Reacher receives a phone call. He is told that a two star General, General Kramer, has been found dead in a squalid lay-by Motel in North Carolina. The cause of death is established as a heart attack. No reason for foul play is suspected until the body of his wife is discovered as a murder victim. The briefcase containing the Agenda for an important forthcoming Military Meeting is missing. This briefcase was last seen in the possession of General Kramer.

THE ENEMY- a prequel to the previous seven Jack Reacher novels, is set against the year of 1990. The year in which the Berlin wall is taken apart and the cold war ends. The whole recognised order of all U.S. Military Units is in the balance. Politics are rife. Against this background, in which supremacy between U.S. Military and Infantary Units and the establishments of Rock Creek and Fort Bird form, a contributary factor, Colonel Willard becomes Jack's new Commanding Officer. He has his own vested interest in the proceedings. He warns Jack from continuing the investigation, sets him up as being a suspect in the murder of Delta Unit member, Christopher Carbone. This enrages Delta Unit. They give Jack five days to clear his name. If not, he is a dead man.

Jack forms an alliance with shapley, attractive Lt., Summer. Together they endeavour to seek out the truth. Knowing that for the both of them, not just their careers but their very lives are at stake.

As in the previous Jack Reacher novels author, Lee Child writes with sure-fire accuracy. The details concerning the political unrest and information of the re-structuring of Military Units only strengthens the story, from which sub plots emerge as more bodies are disovered.

There are some poignant moments as well. A further insight into the personal life of Jack, as with his brother Joe, they travel to Paris, to meet for the last time their critically ill Mother.

Ultimately though, Jack never loses his appeal as being an action hero. And he proves this - big time - with the story culminating in a desert battle. Which, in the truest sense of the word, is exactly that. A battle!

THE ENEMY - is an excellent, investigative, full bloodied action thriller.