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lethaldose's review against another edition
3.0
So far this is not nearly as good as the previous two books, way too much romance in a series that has had little romance up to this point. I started to read this series because I was tired of those books that couldn't make up their mind whether they wanted to be action books or romance books. I am only a little over half way through so maybe it will get better.
The book did get better, the story came together nicely and was quite compelling, the book still is my least favorite of the series so far. it lacked the same amount of action as the previous books. And Reacher didn't project that same confident badass personality that exemplified the last two books. The ending was not exactly anti-climatic, but it was still a bit empty. The story was good though.
The book did get better, the story came together nicely and was quite compelling, the book still is my least favorite of the series so far. it lacked the same amount of action as the previous books. And Reacher didn't project that same confident badass personality that exemplified the last two books. The ending was not exactly anti-climatic, but it was still a bit empty. The story was good though.
trenton_ross's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.0
freckleduck's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I wanted to like this more but I found it formulaic. I did enjoy the twist at the end.
knittingchaos's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this book. It went along at a good clip and the mystery wasn't too obvious. However, I really didn't like the creepy love story... Reacher was obsessed with a 15 year old girl? Gross.
hirvimaki's review against another edition
3.0
Not my favourite in the series. It kind of stumbles around. And the plot - while at its core ( is interesting - is wrapped in too many circumstances of convenience/coincidences that it stretches suspension of disbelief to the breaking point. And the antagonist is a cartoon without much motivation that is understandable. The action-y pieces were entertaining but were interrupted by too many long stretches of da Vinci Code research shenanigans.
Spoiler
a stolen identitykathydavie's review against another edition
5.0
Third in the Jack Reacher thriller series revolving around a retired military policeman, checking out the country and fixing wrongs. The action starts in Key West, Florida, and veers toward the military thriller end of the spectrum.
My Take
I do love Child's writing. He grabs me and pulls me immediately into the story. The story's basic concept may be a bit of a cliché, but Child has a lovely way of twisting it into something so much more interesting, especially with a character who understands fear and tucks it away as we get to observe from inside Reacher's mind, discover how he dissects a situation and plans ahead. It's also full of tips in how not to be observed or tracked in our increasingly watched society.
Child does a very frustrating job intriguing us with Hobie's early warning system. Do be sure to read the Prologue---it's a tiny, but very useful set-up for your understanding later on in the story. A classic bait-and-switch in a new application.
I am rather frustrated about the receptionist's relationship with Hobie…? But not nearly as frustrated as Jack and Jodie were in the first part of the story!
Child provides a good bit of backstory on Reacher and his relationship to the general and Jodie; with Jodie's thoughts about Reacher while we careen around corners and bash through doors on their hunt for the truth to save Jodie's life and bring peace to a patriotic, yet unhappy old couple.
I love "watching" Jack in action. Whether it's the confrontation with Rutter, his reactions to the car crash, his now-civilian interactions with military personnel, or the denouement with Hobie. After the last two stories, it's rather fun to see Jack off his stride and slipping into Jodie's world. I do wonder if, with his emotions running so high, if he'll change his romantic routine and stick around this time. He's certainly different emotionally this time around.
The Story
It's the CEO who introduces us to Hook Hobie's services. He's also the one who further enlightens us as to the full extent of those services.
Meanwhile Jack is content to be digging pools by hand during the day and playing half-naked bouncer in a titty bar at night. At least until Costello shows up in Key West. Looking for Jack Reacher. It's enough to set off Reacher's curiosity. Who or what could be interested in his whereabouts?
It's the next group which comes looking for Reacher followed by murder that sets Reacher off, hunting for whoever is so very concerned with finding him.
It's a hunt that finds Reacher experiencing a great many emotions. General Leon Garber whom we first met in Die Trying and around whom a great deal of Tripwire revolves even if we never meet him in it. But it's Mr. and Mrs. Hobie whose distress about their son, MIA in Vietnam, that is the crucial point of the real drama. One that points to a much deeper secret, carefully held within the military.
The Characters
Jack Reacher didn't want to stay in a military police without any excitement and so he retired. Now, he's exploring the countryside, playing tourist, content not to settle in anywhere. Or, is he? He has certainly found that the tricks he learned as an MP come in extremely handy in civilian life.
Mrs. Jacob is also Jodie Garber. A dream from Reacher's past. One he had thought was unattainable. Now she's a financial lawyer with Spencer Gutman. And a lot older than the last time he saw her. General Garber was Jack's CO for years. CO and mentor. Almost a father figure to him.
Hook Hobie has a singular gift, not one that he utilizes for anyone's benefit but his own. Tony is his receptionist and obviously knee-deep in the important aspects of Hobie's life. But we never really discover their back history. General DeWitt has his particular memories of the chopper that went down while General Nash Newman came later with his own particular contribution.
Mr. and Mrs. Hobie want closure. They just know their son is still being held in Vietnam even though the war is long over. The man they hired, Rutter, even has proof. A proof that Reacher easily dispels.
The finance manager who leads the not-too-bright Chester Stone III, CEO, into this mess is important only in that he's the pivotal figure for Stone's downfall and I guess Child didn't figure he merited a name. Stone's company is in distress, bad enough that he'll accept help with few questions asked. It's too bad that his wife Marilyn wasn't in charge...she certainly takes over when it's necessary. A woman to admire. Sheryl is a realtor in Pound Ridge. A woman in the wrong place, but capable of playing a critical part. David Forster is the Stone's lawyer. A very capable man, but neither he nor ex-cop, now private detective William Curry, are too bright in the undercover department.
Officers O'Hallinan and Sark work the domestic abuse side in the police department. They're very good at detecting; not so good at communicating with their home base. A pity, that.
The Cover and Cover
The cover is greens and blues with a bar of barbed wire in front of what appears to be a bullet-ridden license plate.
The title is all about the alarms Hobie has set, several Tripwires to warn him.
My Take
I do love Child's writing. He grabs me and pulls me immediately into the story. The story's basic concept may be a bit of a cliché, but Child has a lovely way of twisting it into something so much more interesting, especially with a character who understands fear and tucks it away as we get to observe from inside Reacher's mind, discover how he dissects a situation and plans ahead. It's also full of tips in how not to be observed or tracked in our increasingly watched society.
Child does a very frustrating job intriguing us with Hobie's early warning system. Do be sure to read the Prologue---it's a tiny, but very useful set-up for your understanding later on in the story. A classic bait-and-switch in a new application.
I am rather frustrated about the receptionist's relationship with Hobie…? But not nearly as frustrated as Jack and Jodie were in the first part of the story!
Child provides a good bit of backstory on Reacher and his relationship to the general and Jodie; with Jodie's thoughts about Reacher while we careen around corners and bash through doors on their hunt for the truth to save Jodie's life and bring peace to a patriotic, yet unhappy old couple.
I love "watching" Jack in action. Whether it's the confrontation with Rutter, his reactions to the car crash, his now-civilian interactions with military personnel, or the denouement with Hobie. After the last two stories, it's rather fun to see Jack off his stride and slipping into Jodie's world. I do wonder if, with his emotions running so high, if he'll change his romantic routine and stick around this time. He's certainly different emotionally this time around.
The Story
It's the CEO who introduces us to Hook Hobie's services. He's also the one who further enlightens us as to the full extent of those services.
Meanwhile Jack is content to be digging pools by hand during the day and playing half-naked bouncer in a titty bar at night. At least until Costello shows up in Key West. Looking for Jack Reacher. It's enough to set off Reacher's curiosity. Who or what could be interested in his whereabouts?
It's the next group which comes looking for Reacher followed by murder that sets Reacher off, hunting for whoever is so very concerned with finding him.
It's a hunt that finds Reacher experiencing a great many emotions. General Leon Garber whom we first met in Die Trying and around whom a great deal of Tripwire revolves even if we never meet him in it. But it's Mr. and Mrs. Hobie whose distress about their son, MIA in Vietnam, that is the crucial point of the real drama. One that points to a much deeper secret, carefully held within the military.
The Characters
Jack Reacher didn't want to stay in a military police without any excitement and so he retired. Now, he's exploring the countryside, playing tourist, content not to settle in anywhere. Or, is he? He has certainly found that the tricks he learned as an MP come in extremely handy in civilian life.
Mrs. Jacob is also Jodie Garber. A dream from Reacher's past. One he had thought was unattainable. Now she's a financial lawyer with Spencer Gutman. And a lot older than the last time he saw her. General Garber was Jack's CO for years. CO and mentor. Almost a father figure to him.
Hook Hobie has a singular gift, not one that he utilizes for anyone's benefit but his own. Tony is his receptionist and obviously knee-deep in the important aspects of Hobie's life. But we never really discover their back history. General DeWitt has his particular memories of the chopper that went down while General Nash Newman came later with his own particular contribution.
Mr. and Mrs. Hobie want closure. They just know their son is still being held in Vietnam even though the war is long over. The man they hired, Rutter, even has proof. A proof that Reacher easily dispels.
The finance manager who leads the not-too-bright Chester Stone III, CEO, into this mess is important only in that he's the pivotal figure for Stone's downfall and I guess Child didn't figure he merited a name. Stone's company is in distress, bad enough that he'll accept help with few questions asked. It's too bad that his wife Marilyn wasn't in charge...she certainly takes over when it's necessary. A woman to admire. Sheryl is a realtor in Pound Ridge. A woman in the wrong place, but capable of playing a critical part. David Forster is the Stone's lawyer. A very capable man, but neither he nor ex-cop, now private detective William Curry, are too bright in the undercover department.
Officers O'Hallinan and Sark work the domestic abuse side in the police department. They're very good at detecting; not so good at communicating with their home base. A pity, that.
The Cover and Cover
The cover is greens and blues with a bar of barbed wire in front of what appears to be a bullet-ridden license plate.
The title is all about the alarms Hobie has set, several Tripwires to warn him.
jessicaswhirled's review against another edition
2.5
While I’ve generally enjoyed the uncomplicated action of these books, why oh why did they need to introduce a “they met at 15 and 24 and always were connected” element. Just gross.
bmlowry8's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
africhik's review against another edition
4.0
Might be my favorite Reacher book so far, but it was hard for me to get past 23yo Reacher lusting after a 15yo. "You weren't a child." YES SHE FREAKING WAS. I was tempted to take off another star after the 8th time emphasizing how tiny Jodie's waist was.