
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
In this, the first Lee Child book, Jack Reacher is born from a Greyhound bus into middle America, where he seems doomed to wander until Child gets bored. They're all easy to read, fast paced books, and if I were one to quibble at some fantastical coincidences of plot or paper thin supporting characters, I probably wouldn't have much good to say.
Even as a fan of these books, however, Killing Floor's female lead is exceptionally cringeworthy. She's the bold lady cop on the local force until Reacher shows up, at which point she reveals that all she wants is a man to protect her. Following a minor dustup at the police station, she even collapses into Reacher's arms, telling him to "just hold me." Oh please.
(The recurring character of 'strong woman who melts in Reacher's presence' is the most unsatisfying part of most Lee Child books. I haven't read Never Go Back, but I watched the movie and Cobie Smulders is refreshingly no-nonsense. Is that character from the text, or is that from a savvier Hollywood writing team?)
The action, on the other hand, brings a handful of memorable set pieces. Child's spare prose moves quickly and he evokes menace with simple images. How about: men getting out of a panel van at night, wearing plastic suits and carrying power tools.
It's a fun book, but don't make it your first Reacher. Read when you're already feeling indulgent in the franchise.
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