Killing Floor by Lee Child
Melody
ISBN-13: 9780553505405
Publisher: Bantam Books
Published: April 1998
528 pgs
Source: Personal Library




Having read Sandy's review on Lee Child's latest release, 61 Hours, awhile back, I figured I've got to check out this author since I've heard nothing but raves on his books. Although I understand that all his books could be read as standalone, Killing Floor is the first book of the series and I wouldn't want to miss the introduction of the hero, Jack Reacher so here we are.

The story opens with Jack Reacher being in a new town in Georgia, Margrave. He used to work as a military police, and being part of a Special Investigations Unit he had had handled several tough cases. Since leaving the army, he has became quite a drifter and has travelled quite a few places but he never leave his trails behind.

Anyway he stopped by Margrave randomly. This little town is known to be quiet and peaceful, but it has its first homicide in thirty years, and now Jack became the suspect since he is the only stranger in town. Being a tough cop that he is, he wouldn't let any nonsense or pressure gets to him so of course he is going to find things out his way. And then the situation gets way too personal for him as he later found out that his brother got killed dealing with the case, which is supposed to be a secret deal but something just went wrong. To clear his conscience and to seek revenge for his brother, Jack began to explore deep into the case but of course the homicide is just a beginning and a camouflage of a huge deal that will blow Margrave apart should anything goes wrong.

Well, this is all I am going to say about the premise. It wouldn't be fun if I say too much of the plot and all I can say is I was totally blown away by it. The characterisations are excellent and I could almost picture them in my mind, with their personalities and all. Jack Reacher is one great action hero, and after reading this book I'm glad to say I have added him onto my literary crush list, aside from Mo Hayder's Jack Caffery's series and a few others, that is.

I find the pace and the writing to be fast and smooth respectively. I had my attention totally fixed onto the words because I wouldn't want to miss anything, for every bits here and there might be a clue to something (I was feeling rather smug after guessing a few of the crooks correctly, one of which is meant to be a surprise). And oh, there is an amount of violence in this book, after all crimes in general are dirty and messy.

Another thing I'd like to mention is his relationship with Office Roscoe. The romance subplot is minimal but I felt it is a fresh take from all the intense and violence I have been reading. I hope to see more of Office Roscoe in the next few instalments, for despite the differences of the paths they chose to take, who knows if they would run into each other again in the near future?

After reading and enjoying Killing Floor, I really look forward to reading the rest of the Jack Reacher's series. And if there ever be a movie on this, I'd be there to watch it.
Labels: , , , edit post
11 Responses
  1. Julia Says:
    10/6/10, 9:58 AM

    I'm really glad you like the book! I knew you would. I like it too, and I hope you will enjoy the rest of the books in the series if you ever decided to read them sooner. I love Jack, he is a awesome hero. He reminded me of Jack, the guy from the TV show "24". I love him too ;):) There are plenty of other heroes you and I going to like..even fight over teehee ;)

    Great review! :)


  2. violet Says:
    10/6/10, 12:55 PM

    So this is the book you're talking about. Sounds really good. I'll keep it in mind.


  3. Veens Says:
    10/6/10, 1:04 PM

    Lee Child is the next author I am going to hunt for in our bookstores. This is the kind of action I truly enjoy.


  4. Sandy Nawrot Says:
    10/6/10, 10:27 PM

    I am so glad you enjoyed it! After you have read a handful of these books, the plots will all sorta melt together (with a few exceptions, and Jack's brother's death is one of them) but Jack remains quite the stud. And he does like his women. I'd love to cross his path someday!!! (No offense to my husband of course)


  5. Iliana Says:
    10/7/10, 7:52 AM

    Haha... I'm sorry just had to giggle at Sandy's comment :)

    Glad to hear you enjoyed this Melody. One of these days I will get to this series. Actually my husband has one of his books and I think he just started reading it but I'm not sure if it's the first one in the series.


  6. joanna Says:
    10/7/10, 3:08 PM

    Sounds great Melody!


  7. Alice Says:
    10/8/10, 8:04 AM

    Glad you enjoyed the book! Jack's great. I loved it when I read it a couple of months ago. Didn't remember doing a review of it (lots were going on at that time), but I loved it. Been collecting the series ever since leaving a few new ones that I needed to get. :)


  8. bermudaonion Says:
    10/8/10, 9:50 AM

    So many people love Child's work! I really need to try one of his books.


  9. Anonymous Says:
    10/9/10, 3:58 AM

    I started with this one too. I've read the first four of the series so far and have loved them all. I have a Jack crush too :)


  10. The Bookworm Says:
    10/9/10, 8:28 PM

    sounds fantastic! I'll keep an eye out for it.
    http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/


  11. Literary Feline Says:
    10/10/10, 3:09 PM

    I just read a Jack Reacher novel too! His 13th, I believe. I jumped way out of order, especially considering it was my first one. I do want to go back and start at the beginning. I liked Jack Reacher alright, but I think it will be awhile before I'm as enamored by him as so many other fans of the series are.


Post a Comment

Thanks for stopping by! I would love to hear from you.

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)