Lee Child=Jack Reacher=Vengeance

Now that I have a literary agent, Jill Grosjean, working to sell my manuscript, All Things Unusual, my writing hours are consumed with working on the latest manuscript. But reading is such a passion; I always find time for it. Here’s the book I just finished:

I’ve read every Jack Reacher book Lee Child has written http://www.leechild.com  I’ve also seen him at a book signing at Book Passage www.bookpassage.com  The line between fan and groupie probably blurs after reading all fourteen of his books. Why are these books so good?

No one writes vengeance better than Lee Child, and no one embodies it better than his main character, Jack Reacher.

Here’s what I’ve discovered when it’s after midnight and I’ve glanced at the clock and decided that I’ll read just one more chapter: vengeance can be quite satisfying. There are no calories involved, it will keep you up past your bedtime, and it will be good for you. Trust me on this.  

As a reader, I love all the Reacher books because they’re page turners. You can’t put them down. As soon as I finish the final page I hand the book to Bill and say, “You’ve got to read this.” Usually, our literary tastes do not align, but on this we agree: there’s nothing better than vicariously being alone in the dark on the road with Reacher as he sets out for justice. You know that when the moment of reckoning arrives there will be no turning back. It’s going to be good.   

Because I love to write, I’m also reading for technique. And reading Lee Child is a lesson in relentless tension and pacing. Of course, like all lessons, it comes down to execution. Sure, anyone can admire and deconstruct his work, but there’s only one Lee Child. And if you haven’t had the pleasure of reading him, you really should do something about that. Just saying.