Updated Heller with a Gun or Why Haven't I Read This Before Now

Last week I finished my first Lee Child novel, Die Trying (here), his second novel in his Reacher series. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's astounding to me how many wonderful novels and novelists are out there that I don't know about! I don't mean to suggest that I should be the arbiter of novels, a clearing house before they hit the shelves, as if if I don't know about it then it shouldn't exist, but here's a book which I simply loved reading and it's been out there for over twelve years. I have some catching up to do.



As a teenager I spent summers with my grandfather at his bed and breakfast in the country. We took a weekly pilgrimage to the local half price book store to pick up books for the week and for a time I chewed through the stores selection of westerns. All of these resale book shelves have what seem like the same shelves, racks upon racks of Louis L'Amour books, usually several copies of each title. They were cheap, easy to read, and plainly written with bold, black and white characters. Die Trying reminded me of reading updated versions of those books. Jack Reacher is similar to any number of Louis L'Amour characters from Bowdrie to the Sackett's to Heller with a Gun. Drifters who have a past that includes deep experience, and steadfast morals. Instead of six shooters and horses Child has Jack Reacher use the latest military equipment including Barretts and Blackhawks.

Is it something that will make you look at the world differently? No. Is it fun and light? Yep. And I look forward to the next.