THE ENEMY

TITLE: THE ENEMY
AUTHOR: LEE CHILD
Pages: 558
Date: 12/07/2010
Grade: 5-
Details: no. 8 Jack Reacher
Library

This book takes us back to the first two weeks of 1990, a time when Reacher is still in the army and the world is undergoing major changes.
Reacher has just been transferred to an army base in North Carolina when he's called out to a sleazy motel where an army general has been found dead. The death is not suspicious since the general died of a heart attack. But when Reacher goes to the general's home to deliver the bad news, he finds the man's wife murdered. Shortly afterwards a soldier is murdered on Reachers army base and although the three deaths appear to be unconnected they have one thing in common; Reacher is ordered to not investigate them.
Reacher wouldn't be Reacher if he followed that order, but the path he chooses to follow will lead him to face conspiracies and army politics and could end up costing him his army career.
There were a few issues with this book. The men involved in the conspiracy were never in doubt for me, even if I didn't pick up on all the nuances. And I didn't really like one violent act at the end of the book.
On the other hand, I love Reacher as a character, and enjoyed getting a bit of an insight into his history and (personal) background. Most of all, I love the way Child writes an intriguing story that keeps me turning the pages.