Never Go Back - BookWyrm

ridel reviewed Never Go Back by Lee Child (Jack Reacher, #18)

Review of 'Never Go Back (Jack Reacher, #18)' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

I’ve seen the movie, and I’ve spent the last three books anticipating Susan Turner showing up in this novel. As such, I am biased, but this is definitely one of the top-tier Jack Reacher novels and no fan will be disappointed. It has all the best parts of any Reacher novel - an intriguing over-arching mystery (multiple to be honest), and a number of direct attacks on Reacher that cannot be easily solved by kicking someone in the face. He’s dragged into the conspiracy almost the moment the novel begins, and the novel doesn’t slow down.

Where this takes a turn for the better is the inclusion of Susan Turner, who is that rare effective female character with an actual personality (instead of just being something for Reacher to save / conquer). She takes the standard “Reacher does everything” plot and helps push it forward, speeding up the thrills and making the novel that much more enjoyable.

That said, this is a complex Reacher novel and you would be better served if you have read several previous novels, especially those about the 110th. There are a lot of callouts to his history and I don’t think the novel is a good place to start. This is quite different from the way Hollywood adapted it, so it’s a good thing for fans.

Highly recommended.

axleyjc reviewed Never Go Back by Lee Child (Jack Reacher, #18)

3 stars

I don't enjoy the Reacher books as much as the earlier books. But I did really like the personal aspect of this where Reacher actually has a desire other than coffee (pursuing the woman he talked to on the phone in a previous book).

state_electrician reviewed Never Go Back by Lee Child

Review of 'Never Go Back' on 'Goodreads'

A fun read, but not quite as exciting as the best Reacher books.

Never Go Back finally resolves Reacher's long trek through the US, looking for the woman who once helped him and whose voice he liked.

He has to solve another crime, of course. But all in all it's a lot tamer than his usual adventures. Not bad, by no means. But I found that it was looking this certain pizzazz that other books had.