another good book to series-a must read! good story writing

First published in 2013, Never Go Back is the eighteenth book in the Jack Reacher series by Lee Child. Another brilliant thriller from Child, pure brilliance. Fast paced, you cannot put the book down. Reacher had reached Virginia, near to his old command post. As he is about to enter his motel room a car races on to the parking lot, and two young men jump out. They tell Reacher they are his legal advisors, and he should leave town. After a short discussion with Reacher both men are out cold by the side of their car. When Reacher reaches the guard house at the gate of the 110th MP Special Unit’s headquarters, he requests to see the commanding officer, Major Susan Turner. He is allowed through to her office where he is met not by Turner but a male senior officer. The officer then informed his that he was to be ‘reactivated’, and Reacher once again belonged to the United States Army. Reacher was then informed that he was facing charges of murder and not paying for the upkeep of his child. The charges came as a big surprise to Reacher, especially the news that he had a child. He was also informed that Major Turner had been arrested, and Reacher knew he would have to break her out so that they could work together and work out what was happening to them both. As Reacher and Turner begin their investigation they are being chased by four men. These four men seem to have real time information on both Reacher and Turner, and they are intent on putting a stop to their investigation. By whatever means necessary. This knowledge puts neither off carrying on, they are just aware of what they have to do and who to avoid. They are asking questions that people do not want answered under any circumstances. People will resort to violence of all kinds in an attempt to stop Reacher and Turner. They do not realise that they have picked an argument with the wrong person. But will both achieve what they need to do? This is just another brilliant and gripping thriller from Lee Child. This is everything a Reacher fan wants from the series.

The latest in the series following Jack Reacher. He liked her voice on the phone. But the officer sitting behind Reacher's old desk isn't Major Susan Turner. What follows are charges against Reacher and Turner, and their hunt for the truth behind them.

Phew, what a date that turned out to be! Following on from the events in books 14, 15 and 17 (16 goes back to an earlier time in his life) Reacher finally finds his way to the home of the 110th MP and Susan Turner, she of the husky voice Jack liked in the aforementioned books. She is everything he hoped for, except, not there. She has been incarcerated and Jack sets out to find out why. And more importantly who did such an outrageous deed, for this individual is surely a fool, after all he's messing with Jack's paramour. Throw in some great diversionary tactics on the part of the bad guys, some interesting fellow soldiers, some trusty MPs and a teenage girl who may or may not be Jack's daughter and we are treated to some great action in a tightly plotted story of gents of a certain age ensuring their 'hobbies' are maintained. The fight scenes are perhaps less evident but they are good fun, many an 'ouch' is to be uttered! Rather than suggest his ubiquitous toothbrush as a weapon in this outing, a butter knife is the tool of choice, if only one is to be had (giggling as I type this!!). There is one quibble I have with this book, that being that the first 'That's for damn sure' is not until page 89. Page 89!!!? I expect better of Jack and his creator Mr Child. Still, this is good clean (?) fun for fans of Jack, our hero (swoon). All the usual sharp witty dialogue, the deconstruction of events utilising Jack's enormously logical mind and some surprisingly interesting facts throughout make this a great read.

Child is formulaic. His books are always a good ripping read, but they were getting a bit samey. Here he is back to his best, a cracking yarn that builds to a very fine and satisfying climax 8 out of 10.