Rating: 
Summary: A Great Read
Review: Waiting for a new Jack Reacher book is like waiting for Christmas. And like most good holidays, Lee Child usually delivers a super read. This is no exception. For pure thriller and mystery entertainment, this is great fun.
Rating: 
Summary: Flashback to Reacher as Army Major / MP -- fine tale!
Review: We've been hooked by Child's Jack Reacher series since reading "Killing Floor". Unlike the other seven, which feature our leading man as basically a vagrant vigilante, wandering around incognito solving difficult problems and snapping necks here and there (!), in "Enemy" we have almost a Clancy-style military thriller from when Jack was still in the Army. After being transferred rather suddenly just before New Year's 1990, Jack is soon embroiled in the murder of a 2-star found in an unlikely motel near the Ft. Bird post. When the general's wife, two states away, is murdered hours later, it's obvious something more sinister than an assignation gone bad is at hand. Reacher partners with an ambitious young black Lt. Summer, and together they chase clues (and each other periodically), with not as much violence on Jack's part as usual, until a conspiracy originating at high levels is uncovered. Still the plot takes unusual turns and twists right 'til the end, building deep suspense that keeps the page turns flying! And in the end, Jack administers a pleasing touch of his own brand of justice just in case!An interesting side development is the death of Jack's mother in Paris. He meets his brother Joe there to visit with her and through some rather poignant scenes, we share the brothers' agony as they deal with their mother's dignified approach to a fatal cancer. This part of the story helps us make sense of later relationships and interactions between Reacher and Joe... Child's stories never fail to entertain and "Enemy" is no exception. A complicated plot lets Reacher reveal his more intellectual side, and the "prequel" nature of this story sheds new light on his behavior in the current time tales that have preceded this book. All in all, another fine and enjoyable novel from Lee Child.
Rating:
Summary: Pitch Perfect
Review: What is more gratifying and stimulating than observing the work of an absolute master? In what has become an unparalleled series Lee Child offers us a prequel, with fascinating personal elements, plus all the usual--brilliant plotting, skilled characterization, an attractive protagonist, and a wonderful sense of place, the latter all the more impressive considering that Child is an Englishman who characteristically depicts rural as well as urban America. Only one quibble--this time his Englishness peeks through on a couple occasions. Very few Americans would use the word 'greengrocer' and in the U.S. Army we would speak of Armor officers and Armor branch, not Armored. Having said that, the Reacher books remain the standard against which all mystery/thriller writing should be measured. I had a fresh delivery of new books that included THE ENEMY, all books by such masters as Parker, Block, Connelly, Kellerman, and a fugitive title by Charles Willeford. I opened the Amazon box and ripped out THE ENEMY. Dessert first.
Rating:
Summary: The Enemy takes Child to a new level of excellence !
Review: When I sat down to read The Enemy, I was hoping for the action, action, action of previous novels. Child delivered another page turning novel, but not the one I was expecting. It was even better! All the elements of a good thriller are here-high suspense, high stakes, and a character that finds justice. And the police procedural aspects of the novel show off Child's maturing talent. Jack Reacher is the tough hero of past novels, but the subplots let us see more of Reacher's softer side. As a long time fan, I wanted some new insight into Reacher. The Enemy gives us a deeper look into what makes Reacher tick. Child's unique style, strong women characters, bad guys that need to be handled, and an intricate plot are all woven into this masterful tale. If you are new to Jack Reacher, this is a great place to start. A prequel, The Enemy, let's you start at the beginning of Reacher's story. Long time fan of Reacher, this book will surely please. It's not a rehashing of old stories. The Enemy is fresh. I was hooked with the first line. Nobody writes thrillers as good as Child.
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