Helpful Score: 4
I am a HUGE Jack Reacher fan and have read all of Lee Child's books up until this one! I wish Jack was real! I was dissapointed with this book though! I thought it wasn't as exciting and thrilling as his other books in the series! I read the whole book waiting for the big exciting part, but it never really came! I found myself starting to day dream while reading and that is sad because I love this series soooo much! It'll be in my collection but it won't be one I read again!!
Helpful Score: 4
I have read all of the preceding "Jack Reacher" books, and he has become one of my all-time favorite book series characters. The writing style draws you in immediately and the stories are always intriguing. I looked forward to this book so very much, because it had been at least a year since I read my last Reacher novel and I was feeling withdrawal symptoms! I have to say, though, that I was a bit disappointed in this story. On one hand, I couldn't put the book down; just having Reacher's activities back in my reading-brain was like a drug. On the other hand, the story itself was - do I dare say it - boring! The style of writing was as great as always, but it was like walking along side Reacher and watching him do mundane things like drink coffee, change his clothes, and do lots of driving over a period of a few days trying to drum up as much trouble as he could. I found this story lacking the excitement and adventure and twists(!) that has been such a staple in the Reacher novels I had read. Would I ever read another one? Absolutely. Would I recommend this story - well, yes with some reservations. If you need a Reacher fix, this one is adequate. If you're looking for a compelling story that will leave you wanting more, read "One Shot", "Bad Luck & Trouble", or "Killing Floor".
Helpful Score: 3
A little disappointing - one of the weaker books in the series. Not as much of a page turner as his past novels, and not nearly as clever. This book yo-yos over the same ground - Reacher goes looking for trouble. He finds it. He gets our of it. Repeat ad nauseum.
This is a little harsh - it's a perfectly fine read and you get to see the same old Jack Reacher you've grown to know and love.
2.5 stars out of 5
This is a little harsh - it's a perfectly fine read and you get to see the same old Jack Reacher you've grown to know and love.
2.5 stars out of 5
Concur that this is definitely in the weaker category of Reacher books. Maybe it is just me, but I thought that there was a lot left unexplained. Had really been looking forward to another great ride and felt completely let down. Hope Child puts more effort into the next one. Otherwise, for me, he will sink into authors that I avoid now like Cornwell and Grisham - they used to write such wonderful books but I feel they started to write too many too often and lost their way. Patterson is headed that way for me too.......
Helpful Score: 2
Pure Reacher mayhem -- lots of action. I would not say this was my absolute favorite Reacher novel, as at times, the plot line was a bit tedious -- from Hope to Despair to Hope to Despair ... (meaning will be evident when you read the novel). But IT'S WELL WORTH READING!
Helpful Score: 2
Okay, I love Lee Child books -- fast-paced with twists and turns and intrigue and interesting characters, and most of all the gritty Jack Reacher -- I love it all. I usually voraciously eat up these books, sometimes reading the whole book in one night.
But...I didn't like this one. I'm not sure what it was exactly. I think Mr. Child is trying so hard to push across his political point that the plot becomes plodding and the tone a bit sanctimonious. And, as another reviewer said, it was kind of boring.
But I'm not writing off the next installment of Jack Reacher -- the books are usually fabulous, and I will be looking forward to reading the next one...
But...I didn't like this one. I'm not sure what it was exactly. I think Mr. Child is trying so hard to push across his political point that the plot becomes plodding and the tone a bit sanctimonious. And, as another reviewer said, it was kind of boring.
But I'm not writing off the next installment of Jack Reacher -- the books are usually fabulous, and I will be looking forward to reading the next one...
Helpful Score: 1
Contemporary Thriller, by Lee Child, and the 12th tale about former MP, lone wanderer, Jack Reacher. Reacher stops in the town of Despair for a meal and cup of coffee, and is promptly escorted out of town, with prejudice. Left at the border between the towns of Hope and Despair, Reacher gets curious about what is going in, in Despair. So the tale begins. Good story.
Helpful Score: 1
hasn't lost his touch
Helpful Score: 1
I am a big Jack Reacher fan and looked forward to reading this book. Like the others in this series, I am interested in reading about a colorful character, a real man's man, who follows his own personal principles rather than one handed down by his government or some other organized entity. However, Child takes this opportunity to make some personal political statements that are wholly inappropriate for an escapist novel.
When Barbara Streisand started waxing on about politics in one of her concerts a brave audience member shouted, "Just shut up and sing, Barbara!" I wanted to shout something similar to Mr. Child when I finished reading this book.
When Barbara Streisand started waxing on about politics in one of her concerts a brave audience member shouted, "Just shut up and sing, Barbara!" I wanted to shout something similar to Mr. Child when I finished reading this book.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I read it cover-to-cover in 3 days - it's very compelling.
Jack finds himself ejected from the small town of Despair, Colorado. Luckily, he finds a warmer welcome in the neighbouring town of Hope. Although he's a drifter, he likes to decide when to leave for himself. The secrecy surrounding the township of Despair piques his curiosity...
If you enjoy Lee Child's other reacher novels, you'll love this.
Jack finds himself ejected from the small town of Despair, Colorado. Luckily, he finds a warmer welcome in the neighbouring town of Hope. Although he's a drifter, he likes to decide when to leave for himself. The secrecy surrounding the township of Despair piques his curiosity...
If you enjoy Lee Child's other reacher novels, you'll love this.
all Jack Reacher books are sooo good!
Readable, but far from the best in the series. It seemed an effort to justify a good idea for competing place names in a book --- Hope, CO. versus Despair, CO.
Jack Reacher has to get a clue about public transportation.
THIS BOOK IS A BETTER ONE OF THE JACK TRACHER BOOKS. KEEPS YOU HANGING ALL THE WAY TO THE END. GOOD BOOK.
ENJOY
ENJOY
One of Lee Child's best!
This is a good Jack Reacher (that rascal) story and will keep you up until the last page! Jack is just going across country and comes to the location of Despair Co. and they let him know he isn't welcome but that is the wrong way to treat Jack! So he is going to find out why,etc. Very good!
This is the first book I have read by Lee Child. I read it in a single weekend as it was a real page turner. Easy to read, good plot and a great lead character (Jack Reacher).
Another great Reacher Novel!
Lee Child has created one of the most fantastic heroes in Jack Reacher. Jack will do the right thing, but he's smart, he's confident, he's tough. A book you can't put down.
Typical Reacher story. Story was OK. He comes across a town called Despair and wants to find out its secrets.
I love this series and this did not disappoint. I highly recommend Lee Child's Jack Reacher novels if you have not indulged yourself yet. It would be best to start with #1 but if not, you can't go wrong with this man's man.
My first Reacher but not my last. So glad to see, from reading other reviews from fans, that this isn't his best work. The story itself is good but, as one reviewer mentioned, there's a lot of mundane details (almost like filler)...it's a wonder he could function considering all the coffee he drank through the course of the book LOL.
This was my first Jack Reacher novel, I got addicted to the series and Lee Child. Yet another awesome thriller.
A real good read, love the Jack Reacher series
ANOTHER GREAT BOOK BY LEE CHILD. I GOT HOOKED ON THESE JACK REACHER BOOKS AND PLAN ON READING THEM ALL.
Being a devoted fan of the Reacher series, I couldn't wait for the latest book. I have to admit to being slightly dissapointed. It fulfilled my hunger for a Reacher fix, but the action was a little tame compared to the previous books. One of the things I love about Jack Reacher is that he's not afraid to make and follow through on those decisions we all secretly wish we could make to even the score in the world's justice...or should I say injustice?...system. Jack holds true to his personality and beliefs, which gives me a sense of "everything's right with the world" after I read a Reacher novel. I adore the fact that our hero Jack doesn't sugarcoat the world's reality, like so many other authors do. Reacher tells it like it is and does it like it should be and if you don't like it, he tells you to go to hell. Bravo! No wonder there's such a big Lee Child following. And once again I sit patiently and wait for the next Reacher novel.
Good Read
GAIL L. (my2luvsemmyandmally) reviewed Nothing to Lose (Jack Reacher, Bk 12) on + 758 more book reviews
Very disappointed in this book.....just not what I have come to expect from a Lee Child "Jack Reacher" book!
Good book. Everything I would expect from Lee Child.
A little different than the usual Lee Child, but I liked the change.
another great read with Jack Reacher.
Another page turner. I just love Jack Reacher. He does everything you would not expect and expect!
This one was a little bit sub-par in my opinion for the Reacher series. As usual, Reacher is able to piece together exactly what is going on based on less than flimsy evidence. It starts out with Reacher stopping in a cafe in the small town of Despair for a cup of coffee and being denied service and then thrown out of town - not the best way to get on Reacher's good side! Of course he retaliates and discovers some ominous goings on in the small town including an End of Days Church and some secret recycling operations involving the military. Child takes a definite anti-Iraq war stance in this book which I felt detracted from his usual style. Overall, I would rate this as one of the weaker books in the series but it is still Reacher and I would still mildly recommend it.
Perplexing crazy plot.
Pretty standard fare for a Jack Reacher book--decent storyline and Jack is still a cool character--the ending turns out to be a little far fetched but still a good read.
I rated this 2.5 starts because I don't exactly hate it, and according to your expectations, it's an okay read. I normally like Child's character Reacher but this time around, I almost felt sorry for him and that's not good when it's your lead character. The story line is not that bad and if you haven't read any other Reacher book, you might even like it.
But for those of us who have higher expectation given Child's skill as a writer, it was a little disappointing.
But for those of us who have higher expectation given Child's skill as a writer, it was a little disappointing.
In perusing the new books list here at PBS, I've many times come across Child's Jack Reacher novels, and they sounded interesting. So I eventually got one, and discovered that 'sounded interesting' was a major understatement. Even starting at book 12 in a series, I got dragged in and didn't want to come out!
One lone, ex-serviceman traveling across country gets hassled by some over-zealous maybe-deputies in a rinky-dink town. This fellow believes in live-and-let-live, but he also believes in once-you-do-bother-me-you're-going-to-pay-for-it-BIG-TIME! So a lone man with only a single iffy ally decides to take on an entire hostile town and the rich man who owns it. Doesn't sound like a fair fight, does it? And it isn't---you'll see!
From back cover: Two small towns in the middle of nowhere: Hope and Despair. Between them, nothing but twelve miles of empty road. Jack Reacher can't find a ride, so he walks. All he wants is a cup of coffee. What he gets are four hostile locals, a vagrancy charge, and an order to move on.
They're picking on the wrong guy.
Jack Reacher is a hard man. No job, no addres, no baggage. Nothing at all, except hardheaded curiosity. What are the secrets that Despair seems so desperate to hide?
With just one ally---a mysterious woman cop from Hope---and many enemies, Reacher goes up against a whole town, hunting the rich man at its core, cracking open his terrifying agenda, asking the question: Who has the edge---a man with everything to gain, or a man with nothing to lose?
One lone, ex-serviceman traveling across country gets hassled by some over-zealous maybe-deputies in a rinky-dink town. This fellow believes in live-and-let-live, but he also believes in once-you-do-bother-me-you're-going-to-pay-for-it-BIG-TIME! So a lone man with only a single iffy ally decides to take on an entire hostile town and the rich man who owns it. Doesn't sound like a fair fight, does it? And it isn't---you'll see!
From back cover: Two small towns in the middle of nowhere: Hope and Despair. Between them, nothing but twelve miles of empty road. Jack Reacher can't find a ride, so he walks. All he wants is a cup of coffee. What he gets are four hostile locals, a vagrancy charge, and an order to move on.
They're picking on the wrong guy.
Jack Reacher is a hard man. No job, no addres, no baggage. Nothing at all, except hardheaded curiosity. What are the secrets that Despair seems so desperate to hide?
With just one ally---a mysterious woman cop from Hope---and many enemies, Reacher goes up against a whole town, hunting the rich man at its core, cracking open his terrifying agenda, asking the question: Who has the edge---a man with everything to gain, or a man with nothing to lose?
Very good. Very hard to put down.
Solid book.
Another fast paced action packed page turner Jack Reacher book! Don't let starting a series at book 12 concern you... You can read any of the Jack Reacher books in any order. However, if you read one, you'll want to read more.
It is not up to the other Reacher books.
Typical entertaining Reacher novel.
Great read. One of the better in this series.
I have all of the preceding "Jack Reacher" books, and he has become one of my all-time favorite book series characters. The writing style draws you in immediately and the stories are always intriguing. I looked forward to this book so very much, because it had been at least a year since I read my last Reacher novel and I was feeling withdrawal symptoms! I have to say, though, that I was a bit disappointed in this story. On one hand, I couldn't put the book down; just having Reacher's activities back in my reading-brain was like a drug. On the other hand, the story itself was - do I dare say it - boring! The style of writing was as great as always, but it was like walking along side Reacher and watching him do mundane things like drink coffee, change his clothes, and do lots of driving over a period of a few days. I found this story lacking the excitement and adventure and twists(!) that has been such a staple in the Reacher novels I had read. Would I ever read another one? Absolutely. Would I recommend this story - well, yes with some reservations. If you need a Reacher fix, this one is adequate. If you're looking for a compelling story that will leave you wanting more, read "One Shot", "Bad Luck & Trouble", or "Killing Floor".
I have read quite a few of the Jack Reacher books. I find almost all of them to be great reading. This is no exception. Every book is unique. Jack. Reacher is the same; but, the stories are different. This one starts with him still hitch hiking across the country. He is in Colorado and got a ride to Hope and then walked to Despair (Reminded me of a crossroad near Punxsutawney, pa. There is a sign pointing one way to Panic, the other way to Desire.). He stopped at a diner and was ignored by everyone. That is until four huge men came in and told him to get out of town. Reacher readers know what happens next. I recommend this book to anyone who wants a super read
Typical Lee Child book - good action - good plot - Jack Reacher strikes again.
Very good, but not quite up to an earlier one of his I read.
A typical Reacher novel - plenty of action, suspense, and a bit of
romance. Enjoyed greatly, as I did all the others.
romance. Enjoyed greatly, as I did all the others.
I love Jack Reacher, but this story dragged all the way up to finally getting some excitement but it was a totally BS conclusion. Totally off the charts unbelievable, even for Reacher.
Did not enjoy this book as much as all the others. This, so far is my least favorite
this book is hard to set aside, it keeps you on edge wondering what is going to happen next to Jack Reacher
The usual great read from Lee Childs!! I often wonder what happens to all Reacher's ex-girlfriends as he beds them and leaves them@!!!!
