Gone Tomorrow: A Jack Reacher Novel

GONE TOMORROW By Lee Child [JACK REACHER BOOK 13] MY REVIEW FIVE STARS***** I deliberated and decided what book I would read to finish out the year, to put the proverbial period after "2018", this re-read of one of my absolute favorites from Lee Child's JACK REACHER Series. This thirteenth installment in the iconic Jack Reacher novels, published a decade ago in 2009, has special meaning for me besides being one of my favorites out of what is now an absolutely stellar selection of sensational stories to choose from... ...it was my FIRST. I still remember just standing in the second isle of audio books at my library like a statue. I was pressed for time and had to find an acceptable book on tape to rent. I couldn't find a single Baldacci, Connelly, Deaver, Gardner, Lescroart, Martini, or any of a dozen other authors I ordinarily picked. There was a lot of time logged just driving and it was pretty lonely until my epiphany and long term relationship with audio books. Anyway, there I was...a bit disgruntled because there were no options that I could see for books by my favorite writers. The books on tape were alphabetized and I had gone all the way back to the beginning and was standing in front of "C". My eyes fell on the rather unassuming title "GONE TOMORROW" by Lee Child. I pulled it out, read the jacket, went to the counter, handed it to the librarian, and well...the rest is history. I re-read this book slowly, savoring every scene. I love the way Child ends every chapter on a cliff hanger. His writing technique is utterly effective, exciting, and compelling. His novels are the very definition of "page-turners" or "unputdownable". GONE TOMORROW is no exception. The story starts in the wee hours of the morning with Reacher, a former MP in the Army, aboard a near empty Manhattan subway car. He notices a fellow passenger, a woman who is manifesting all 11 signs developed and deployed by Israeli counterintelligence to identify suicide bombers. Reacher is compelled to act but when he is within a few feet of the woman and trying to engage her in a dialogue, she abruptly pulls out a powerful handgun and blows the contents of her skull all to smithereens. Blood, brains and bits of bone are still clinging to the sides of the subway car when our narrative propels us forward. I was spellbound as the plot unfolded with Reacher taking me along with him for a positively pulse-pounding thrill ride through the streets of New York City. In short, my first introduction to Reacher was a gripping masterpiece of suspense that left me incredulous that I had not picked up a Lee Child novel before. Saying that this novel is "good" would be like saying that homemade ice cream in July is "good". This book is exciting, enthralling, and just about the best suspense novel of its kind that I have ever read. The fictional character of Reacher is absolutely fearless, flawless, uncompromising, and remarkably relentless in his pursuit of his concept of justice. He is the quintessential "good guy" who stands 6 foot 5 inches tall, packs 250 lbs. of pure muscle, and with hands the size of hams. He is a lethal opponent with brains to match his brawn, but all too often underestimated by his opposition. We know going in that he is our champion and that no bully on this planet is going to get close to his off-switch. How is it then...that the author possesses the ability to ratchet up the pace until the level of anxiety, apprehension, and fear for the safety of the resilient and reliable Reacher renders us barely able to take a breath and turn the page. This time around there are multiple bullies for Reacher to stop, and the odds are a seemingly insurmountable 19 to 1. We know that Reacher is going to use all of the tools at his disposal, and that he will prevail against the villains---in this case a well-armed and expert Al Qaeda terror cell. An analogy might be to be aboard a dingy being tossed around in a raging river and see up ahead that you are heading for a monstrous waterfall. The terror and sense of doom would be palpable. You can experience that kind of fear during this Reacher novel, but from the safety of knowing that you----like Reacher---will be safe regardless of the danger you face. Child's prose, his writing, well, it is as propulsive as it gets, period. He is an expert at ratcheting up the suspense like no other writer that comes to mind. Child is great at what he does...delivering thrillers that hand you that vicarious experience of standing beside Reacher as he prevails. His cliff-hangers are constant, his plot twists often brilliant, and in no case will you be left without a racing pulse and a pounding heartbeat. The blood-splattered finale of this novel is unforgettable. The face-off between Reacher and two of his deadliest foes, a pair of sociopathic and sadistic female terrorist operatives, form the basis for a well choreographed and perhaps most memorable fight scene in Reacher history. I read the book for the first time a decade ago, but I can still recall the suspense and satisfaction of the horrific conclusion.

Although I have not read all of the Reacher books, I'm getting there. And I've watched both Tom Cruise films, and the entire tv series. With the above in mind, I rank "Gone Tomorrow" in the top tier. It would be the very top Reacher, except I enjoy it when Reacher has other members of the 110th Investigators with him--which is a bias I developed from watching seasons 2 & 3 of the tv series. Other than that, and a few overly-long descriptive passages of New York City, this book is pure joy. The plot, which I won't spoil, is very intriguing and still current for those of us who lived through the War on Terror days in the first decade of the 21st Century. (The book was written in 2009) The surprises were excellent. The motive for the "event" on the subway, the begins the story, had me fooled until the very end of the book; which is rare because I read a lot of mysteries. Also, the characters felt real--especially the former military & political types. The main villain was down-right scary! When reading or watching a mystery, I always like to rate it by how much the reader/viewer is required to "suspend disbelief" in order for the narrative to make sense; and I didn't have to with "Gone Tomorrow." Bottom line: "Gone Tomorrow" is a top notch Reacher novel; and the final 50 pages had my Oura heartbeat monitor spiking.

I've been reading the "Jack Reacher" novels by Lee Child since the first one, Killing Floor, came out in paperback during the mid-nineties. I've enjoyed most of them, some more than others, and I've always considered the Killing Floor to be the best of the pack. That has changed with the publication of Gone Tomorrow. This novel simply blew me away with its plot, characters, action, and multiple twists and turns. I couldn't put it down once I started reading it. In fact, the book held me to the end, delivering everything that was promised. This is the kind of novel that every author in the thriller genre dreams of writing. As for Gone Tomorrow, it opens with Jack Reacher in New York City, riding a subway train late at night, going to nowhere in particular. He's minding his own business until he notices a lone female--Susan Mark--sitting several feet ahead of him. He begins to watch her and soon realizes that she's displaying all the signals of a would-be terrorist, which makes him think that she might be intending to blow up the subway car. Standing up, he approaches her and questions the bag she's holding, wondering if there's a bomb in it. When he tells her to take out what's inside the bag, she pulls out a revolver and calmly shoots herself in the head. From the moment of Susan Mark's suicide, Reacher's life begins to change in ways he'd never anticipated, and he soon finds himself on a mission that involves a former Major in Delta Force, who's now running for the Senate, and a large group of Al Qaeda agents that are led by two women who enjoy torturing men and are experts in knife fighting. While Reacher is trying to find the connection between the Major and the terrorist group, he'll have to stay one step ahead of the NYPD, the FBI, and the Department of Defense, all of whom want to see him locked up for a very long time for sticking his nose where it doesn't belong. Reacher, however, can't be stopped. He's a like a dog with a bone. Once he learns the real reasons for Susan Mark's death and why the Al Qaeda group is attempting to sabotage the Major's run for the Senate, Reacher declares war with the intent of killing every terrorist in the group that he can find. He's going to be their worse nightmare, and the ending is going to make the first Rambo movie look like a picnic at summer camp. There's no doubt in my mind that author, Lee Child, has created the best novel of his career. The writing has never been sharper and the characters more vivid and the action more intense than in this book. More importantly, I feel as if the character of Reacher is fighting for the American people (not the Government, but the actual people of this country) in an effort to get revenge against those who murdered so many innocent civilians in the 9/11attack. Reacher does what we can't, or what our government has failed to do. He takes on the bad guys on with extreme prejudice and has us cheering for him the whole way. This is my kind of book! Though I'm no longer a collector of autographed novels, I'd love to get a signed copy of Gone Tomorrow. This novel is a definite keeper...one I want permanently up on my bookshelf. This is also a book Lee Child should be damn proud of. He did what I thought was the impossible and finally wrote something that surpasses even his first novel. If you're a fan of the "Jack Reacher" series, don't wait for the paperback to come out. Run to the nearest store and buy the hardcover. You won't be disappointed. Highly recommended for pure summer enjoyment!

Wow! I've read, and been memorized by, dozen of Lee's novels. This one was complex and exceptional--one of, if not the, best! Set in New York with a variety of diverse characters, each with their own perspectives, drives and goals. Start reading and you won't be able to stop. Lee Child deserves all the great accolades.

Jack Reacher est de retour à New-York, passionnant ! Le monde a évolué, il doit faire face à plusieurs équipes top niveau, mais seront ils assez au top pour le contrer ?

I'm working my way through the books , an find myself drawn into every new page. The author takes us right into the mindset of Reacher , a full on roller coaster ride that dangles from a tightrope. Truly another magnificent journey in the Reacher chronicles . Well done Mr Child

A great read. I wish Lee Childs maintains these high standards.

Yet again, a fantastic read that takes hold and makes you feel as if you are part of Jack Reacher’s life.

I bought this because it is the book the 3rd Reacher series will be based on. It was a good read.