A real short story, included at the end of one of the other books I read. Interesting scene and setting, NYC, during the famous blackout and Son of Sam killings. Kind of silly, but fun. ( )

Read it once before. I can always read Reacher. Set in the great blackout of NYC, Reacher acts as typical Reacher: tough, solves problems, gets his heart broken a bit. As always, excellent Lee Child reading. ( )

I was a bit disappointed that this wasn't a full novel, but see that the next book is due to be released soon, I was hoping this was enough to fill my Reacher fix until then. This one jumps us back to when Reacher was 17 and on vacation in New York City. It is a pretty short read (for me) so I was a bit down about it (again). We know a little from his life growing up from one of the other novels, and short bits and pieces throughout the series, but I felt my credibility was stretched a bit with this one.

Reacher's 'fighting tactics' are pretty much the same as 20 years later. I understand he was raised as a Marine's son, and lived on bases around the globe, but though they aren't specified as military training, it seemed a bit ... overkill from a 17 year old. Granted, physical description stated he was basically the same build as the novels but still. The story, him helping out a suspended FBI agent, in dealing with a "mob boss" seemed sketchy as well, considering how it started (won't share and ruin it for you). But him single-handedly taking on said mob guy ... c'mon! And throw in the whole Son of Sam thing, too?! Now you're pulling on both legs.

In short, I was just disappointed with this short story. It just didn't feel like the other Lee Child novels. I liked the idea of the small fill-in on Reacher in his youth, but this was a bit too far-fetched for me. hoping the next novel will be better. ( )

Reacher, a fit and feisty 16, does NYC, during a blackout on his way to visit his brother at West Point. It is a very productive night as he thumps a drug dealer, spot "son of Sam, maybe and score with the ladies. A worthwhile early start to his knight errant persona. ( )

Reacher portrayed as 16-year-old and behaving like a 30-year-old.

Child is a terrible writer. His short, uneven sentences à la Dan Brown and his proneness for meticulously describing every simple physical motion, not to mention his readiness to begin almost every sentence in a row with the same word, really (almost) puts me off. I know, I know Lee Child is no Shakespeare, but somehow I can't help myself. Each time one of his books comes out I swear to myself I won't pick it up, but once again I couldn't resist. I've sinned again. After finishing "The Cuckoo's Calling" by J.K. Rowling late last night and after perusing my digital library I came across the latest Lee Child (not "Never Go Back", which comes out at the end of the month).

I just wanted to read the first pages and then stop reading and put it aside, but I kept on reading to see what happened next. When I got to the end of it I was beside myself, because I had needed to keep reading it. Voodoo book...?

Child is an terrible writer but a shrewd storyteller. After a while you forget how awful his prose is, because you become engrossed in the story and can't wait to see what happens next. Cheater...

I fear I will sin again when "Never Go Back" comes out..." ( )