Die Trying
1998 • 374 pages
Ratings77
Average rating3.8
15
Ratings77
Average rating3.8
When a woman is kidnapped, Jack Reacher's in the wrong place at the wrong time. He's kidnapped with her. Now he has to save them both.
Series
28 primary books44 released booksJack Reacher is a 44-book series with 28 primary works first released in 1997 with contributions by Lee Child, Joseph Finder, and 3 others. The next book is scheduled for release on 10/22/2024.
Series
26 primary books39 released booksJack Reacher Chronological Order is a 39-book series with 26 primary works first released in 1997 with contributions by Lee Child, Joseph Finder, and 3 others.
Reviews with the most likes.
It's been a little while since I read the first Jack Reacher novel and after reading quite a few ‘girly' books I decided I'd have a bit of a change and try something a little grittier.
I found the book burst out of the starters gate getting immediately into lots of action with the kidnapping of FBI agent Holly Johnson and the innocent passerby Jack Reacher who gets embroiled in her seizure. The only problem is Reacher is no innocent passerby he's a highly trained military police man with nothing to lose. The start of this book was engaging as we follow Jack and Holly as they are transported across the country to an unknown location. We are given glimpses into their intended destination through cryptic chapters and we are also given glimpses into the FBI hunt for them. It's all high octane action and I was engrossed very quickly in the story.
From approximately half way through though it began to dip a little for me. After the big reveal of who was doing the kidnapping and why I just couldn't love it so much. It went from having an espionage feel to being very military and cultish. The action became a bit samey, I lost count of how many times Reacher escaped and was recaptured. I just began to find the group responsible a little unorganized and unbelievable.
It was all a bit confusing, too many FBI agents who might be rogue and not enough dialogue. By the time I got to Chapter 30 something I just wanted it to be over already. I didn't care how. I was skimming pages galore and praying for Reacher to just shoot them all already.
This was a great start let down by poor execution.
Exquisite, nonsensical, gun-loving, frequently absurd, testosterone-laden pulp.
I'm a harsh critic as a book reviewer as, being a huge movie fan, I often find it hard to be immersed in a book the same way I am a really good film. This book was a great action book, Jack Reacher gets a lot done with very little effort and, as with both Lee Child books I've read so far, there are always plenty of little twists to keep you going. Alongside these twists you learn a lot about weapons, tactics, how to be a spy and a lot of other really fascinating tips that Reacher has learned over the years that you really hope ring true. Solid book, solid storyline and will definitely continue this series, I'm just difficult to sell to!
