Like you say, he generally has great beginnings. The start of _Persuader_ is, I think, one of the best thriller openings ever.

And this one has an early moment where you've gotta be thinking "Oh, no, poor fool...you really DON'T want to do that to Reacher." But the poor fool does anyway...

Anyway, no spoilers yet on this one, but I enjoyed it more than some, less than others. But Jack is always fun to spend a few hours with.

books, but I didn't care. I like Reacher, there are days I could take off and be a female Reacher (no responsibilities, just a toothbrush in my pocket and a big bank account to bum around with).

I howled when I saw that Tom Cruise was going to be Reacher in the movie -- he's exactly the wrong physical type. But I have to say he wasn't bad as far as his portrayal, although his image will certainly never replace my own mental image of Reacher because the two physical types are so, so off.

And I'm the first person to start complaining about things that aren't quite accurate.

I discovered them a couple of years ago when a co-worker gave me one, somewhat in the middle of the series. I expected it would simply be a good, if flawed, read. I was completely blown away. I promptly went to my library and started reading them in order. They were even better than I expected.

When I saw that Tom Cruise was going to play Reacher I sighed, and have not seen the movie. It's hard to say which matters more to me: I no longer watch any Tom Cruise movies, or the fact that physically the casting made about as much sense as casting me would. Hey! Let's cast a 65 year old somewhat out-of-shape and noticeably overweight woman in the part. Honestly, I have absolutely NO experience acting, not even in high school, so I'd make almost as much sense as Tom Cruise.

I do have the newest book on reserve. Can hardly wait. Lee Child can't write them fast enough for me.

Among the things I like about the series is that some of them are first person, some third person omniscient. And he sometimes mixes up the chronological time. I sort of wish the violence weren't so strong, but that's me.

They are pretty entertaining. Didn't se the movie. I'm not a fan of Tom Cruise and thought he was totally wrong as Reacher.

I think I prefer Harlan Coben and Michael Crais for don't mess with these guys characters.

Michael Connelly + Robert Crais? The have put each other's characters in cameos in their own novels.

I'm guessing you mean Pike and Win > Reacher?

Robert Crais says on of his most asked questions is: "Pike or Reacher: who wins?" His answer is "they'd arrange it so no fight was necessary. But Pike." I've also heard Child answer the question at Bouchercon a few years ago and his answer was "they'd be on the same side. But Reacher."

I think you may be on to something, though. Much as I love Pike and Reacher, they'd never see Win coming...

Senior moment here.

And you're right, they'd never see Win coming.