Orphan X – Books like Jack Reacher

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I happened to chance upon buying this first Gregg Hurwitz book titled “Orphan X” in my local book store.  Lee Child, the author of the famous Jack Reacher books had left a review on the back page saying the book is outstanding in every way.

If you would like a recap on my initial reviews have a look here ORPHAN X review.

The new Orphan X is available to buy today, see below for other books in the series.  There are now lots of books like Jack Reacher and Lee Child novels.  More and more characters are entering the crime thriller genre with a one man hero, I’ve read a lot of them, some I must admit haven’t made it to my website as I only review good books.  The best characters like Jack Reacher can be found here, it just saves you the hassle of buying a poorly written crime thriller book that is supposed to be like Jack Reacher!

The new Gregg Hurwitz book

The lastest installment in the Orphan X series is titled “Out of the Dark”.  Now judging by my latest reviews, you know I’m a fan of this main character.  Evan Smoak, a hero who seems like the average guy but underneath the average veneer is a killer trained for action.  Evan is a bit like the old Equalizer figure Edward Woodward (remember that tv series) You can buy it here 

After Evan saves someone, he tells that person to give his phone number to another one who needs his special services. He’s a ghost, with justice always on his mind.  If you like Jack Reacher you will love the writing style of Gregg Hurwitz.  A bit like Lee Child in the way that he adds more and more to the main character, explaining why they think the way they do, some slight defects in their character that makes them the way they are.

Is the book any good?

The plot for the latest book goes for the jugular, the President of the United States .  The President has a secret to hide and Orphan X is linked to that secret.  All the Orphans in the Orphan X programme are being wiped out and now Evan decides its time to sort out the leader of this programme once and for all.

What is exciting about this book is the way that this is possibly the hardest task Evan has had to face.  How do you eliminate the most defended person in the planet who has the most power in the world.  Evan also has the small matter of the “Nowhere Man” phone which has someone ready to call when they need help.

I love the way we have our hero also trying to keep and portray a normal life outside of this mission.  Trying to keep in contact with friends in his apartment block and a romance with a neighbour from previous books.  This is where it get slightly different to the Jack Reacher books as Jack never really has much interaction with the same people, he is more of a drifter through society whereas Evan is in a fixed location, in a fortified apartment room with his own intelligence office.

What is good about this book?

Lee Child and Gregg Hurwitz are both great authors, Gregg’s character Evan Smoak really gets you sucked into the book on the first page.  The president is also desperate as he has to rely on another trained Orphan to wipe out Evan so that no one finds out his secret.  The fight scenes are again special, all the skills and gun fights on display for us all to see.  We have great link ups with Evan and a previous enemy Orphan from another book.  There is a really sensitivity with Evan and the person in distress who calls the Nowhere man phone number.  It really feels like this plot is going to be too much for our hero and without spoiling the plot we know he is going to need some help from elsewhere!  I like this idea, Jack Reacher is his own man, a force of nature who deals with things on his own terms, Evan is the same but even though he doesn’t trust anyone, he knows that at some point he is going to need help.

What about Gregg Hurwitz?

For me Lee Child is one of the best writers of crime thrillers along with Micheal Connelly and now Gregg Hurwitz.  The detail, the scene setting, the fight descriptions, the weaponary and the plot endings are superb.  I can’t recommend this series enough,  if you like Jack Reacher books, then you will love the Orphan X series.  I would always advise people to start with the first book Orphan X, this book will get you into who Orphan X is and why Evan wants to stay hidden.  My warning to everyone who starts is to be prepared for late nights, some “NO WAY” moments and maybe some sadness once the you have finished the series.

Also by Gregg Hurwitz – Orphan X series.

Here are the books both UK and US options, buy direct by clicking the picture and let me know what you think in the comments below.

10Aug/19

Books Like Jack Reacher – Secret Service

Reviews,

Its another one of those times whereby I have been bought a birthday book that is slightly outside my normal crime / thriller genre.  I mentioned before (when reading “My Name is Nobody” by Mathew Richardson – SEE REVIEW HERE) that the spy genre has some great books and this new read is certainly one of them.

https://amzn.to/2KsFS8j

The plot starts with the main character Kate Henderson, an a MI6 officer, with her team chasing and catching a women who appears to be a highly trained assassin.  It then explains the reason why Kate was chasing her and what the MI6 need from this fugitive to accomplish capturing one of their own high priority targets in Russia.

I read this book very quickly, the author Tom Bradby really sets his main characters up well and also gives you enough information about their personal lives to ensure you understand who they are and why they are in MI6.  The main character Kate is shown as a person who although a spy, is also a mother a wife and a daughter, trying to juggle all these roles whilst keeping ahead of the game is really enjoyable to read.

Why should you read this book?

The main reason why you should read this book is the plot.  Once you start, you begin to realise that all is not what it seems within MI6.  Confidential data is given to the wrong people, politicians are used to portray a certain viewpoint by being threatened, you can never really know who is telling the truth over anything.  Add to this the main plot of the Russians maybe planting or scheduling a person to become prime minister in the UK, we see that there are repercussions for anything that a top MI6 agent does.  Kate has to work with her team (in the hope that her bosses are not corrupt) and solve the mystery whether someone could have been planted by the Russians to become Prime Minister.  We don’t know whether this is true or a way to keep MI6 chasing their tails and take their eye off the main threats to the UK.

Is it like Jack Reacher?

The main character is a women who is slightly like Jack Reacher in that she wants to solve issues and right wrongs within the world.  She is not a loner, someone who has more acceptance within groupings at political dinners and functions rather than hiding in motels and hitchhiking.  The story is very much like a Lee Child novel, we see undercover agents from within MI6 trying to work out who is good or who is looking to destroy the UK.  There are many twists and turns within the plot that made me want to reach the end and work out who was on the good side and not just in this for their own political gain.

There are a number of fight scenes and the usual car chases in this book, the amount no where near what I would like but this didn’t bother me as I knew it was a different type of book and genre.

Should I buy it?

My answer to this would be yes.  I like books that keep me guessing all the way through and have a twist at the end.  I don’t want to give too much away but I also think most of the the plot was realistic, I could imagine Whitehall, the situations and areas around London where the MI5 and MI6 offices are located.

The dilemma of Kate trying to keep teenagers and children looked after whilst looking after her mother and supporting her husband in his work was well thought through.  A big shock at the end of the book made it worth reading in a few sittings and the end was not what I thought it would be.  GET THE BOOK HERE

if you like the book, then buy this film which has a great ending!
29Jun/19

Like Jack Reacher – The Gray Man

Reviews, , ,

Like Jack Reacher? The GRAY MAN is for you!

Now and again you start to read a book and think to yourself, “am I going to get tired of this series?”

Well the answer to this question is “NO”, the Gray Man book series gets better and better.  Author Mark Greaney seems to know just how to write these crime thriller books to keep you wanting more.

This setting this time is the main character, Court Gentry aka the Gray Man is back in the USA, Washington, still trying to hide from the people who are wanting to kill him.  The CIA has a personal agenda to get rid of the myth and will stop at nothing to get rid of Court.  For some reason they do not want to let what Court has done or knows to be leaked out.

When Court arrives in the USA, it sends ripples throughout the CIA as the National Clandestine Service (NCS) Director knows why he has come back and is worried.  The main reason we find out is that Court Gentry wants to look at why the USA government are wanting to kill one of their own.  What could he have possibly done to deserves this worldwide hunt.

Author Mark Greaney manages to keep the plot going at an incredible rate, from Gentry being stuck in a Macdonalds restaurant to a stand off in the CIA bunker, the high octane adrenaline rush will ensure you read this book in a day or two.

We also get to see a lot more of The Gray Man’s history, why he joined the CIA in the past and who his old friends/brothers in arms were.  We get to see what motivates The Gray Man and even witness him at his lowest point.

All and I do mean ALL the stops are pulled out by the CIA even utilising other countries agencies and technology to identify the Gray Man so they are ready for the kill.  Court has to operate in the shadows, trust no one and use his brutal force to get what he needs.

For me this reminds me of the old style Jack Reacher books, gritty, intense with the feeling that anything could happen.  There were moments in the book where you were not sure of The Gray Man’s state of mind.  I liked this as you could never presume what he was going to do next.

If you like Jack Reacher or any of the Lee Child novels then this is the book for you.  Start off on the first book just titled “The Gray Man” as I know that this book will be a classic for the future.  You can buy this book by clicking the image below!

Let me know what you think in the comments below, feel free to sign up to my mailing list and find out the latest books like Jack Reacher.

SEE MY TOP RATED BOOKS HERE!

24Apr/19

Jack Reacher – The Top 5 Characters similar to Jack The Reacher

Reviews,

Jack Reacher books are a joy to read. We finish them, with a certain amount of sadness knowing that there will be another years wait until the author, Lee Child releases the next book in the Jack Reacher series.

I have found a way to deal with this sadness and decided to help you! Instead of waiting a full year until the next Lee Child novel, what about checking out these 4 new Jack Reacher type characters that could actually, potentially steal the Reacher number 1 position in years to come.

If you like Jack Reacher, you will love these books, I can guarantee it.

To start you need a good scoring system to rank the Jack Reacher type characters.

I have ranked the characters on the following:

1) My Books Like Jack Reacher website review. If the books good, then it’s been reviewed on my site. Higher ranking books that have been reviewed, then the higher the Jack Reacher type character. See my book reviews here.

2) Any character like Jack Reacher has to have a certain type of physicality – are they able to handle themselves against any enemy?

3) Weaponry – Can the main Jack Reacher type character use a variety of weapons to do their job and escape danger?

4) Character – Jack Reacher is a loner, calm in danger, someone who operates on their own. Can the new Jack Reacher type of character handle the heat, have they got an ice cool demeanor in any impossible situation.

5) Plot – Jack Reacher books are written to grab your attention from the first page so that you start to read the Jack Reacher books in order. This score is decided by the first few pages, am I gripped from page one or do I want to throw the book in the bin straight away!

6) The Book ending – This is really important for me. Do you care about the Jack Reacher type character and do you want me to read the next novel in the series straight away? As with all Jack Reacher books, you want to start straight away on the next book.

These are the 6 score factors to decide which are the new characters that are like Jack Reacher.

NUMBER 1 Character like Jack Reacher:

VICTOR THE ASSASSIN – AUTHOR TOM WOOD

– BUY THIS HERE

SCORE

1) Books Like Jack Reacher website review – 9.7/10

2) Physicality – 9.5/10

3) Weaponry – 9.6/10

4) Character – 9.0/10

5) Plot – 9.0/10

6) The Book ending – 9.7/10

TOTAL SCORE 56.5/60

Victor is ranked at number 1 on our site as the last book titled “Kill For ME” was so good. The best character like jack Reacher so far. Two of the classic highlights in the book series amongst many, were the biting off an enemies’ ear, letting a baddie use a shard of glass to slice through the side of his own face so that he could escape.

If you want to start at the beginning of this book series that is like Jack Reacher then see my review HERE.

 

 

 

 

NUMBER 2 on the list

COURT GENTRY – (AKA THE GRAY MAN) – AUTHOR MARK GREANEY

– BUY THIS HERE

SCORE

1) Books Like Jack Reacher website review – 9.2/10

2) Physicality – 9.6/10

3) Weaponry – 9.8/10

4) Character – 9.3/10

5) Plot – 9.3/10

6) The Book ending – 9.2/10

TOTAL SCORE 56.4/60

Court Gentry is ranked at number 2 on our site as this “Gray Man” series just seems to get better and better. I would go as far as saying he is close to the top and one of the closest to being the best character like jack Reacher. Classic highlights in the book series amongst many, Court getting captured and then tortured, for any person reading it – wow its intense. Court taking out a whole army of soldiers and rescuing his best mate who is caught by a bomb explosion.

If you want to start at the beginning of this book series that is like Jack Reacher then see my review HERE.

 

NUMBER 3 on the list

EVAN SMOAK – (AKA the NOWHERE MAN) – AUTHOR GREGG HURWITZ

– BUY THIS HERE

SCORE

1) Books Like Jack Reacher website review – 9.4/10

2) Physicality – 8.9/10

3) Weaponry – 9.3/10

4) Character – 9.7/10

5) Plot – 9.5/10

6) The Book ending – 9.5/10

TOTAL SCORE 56.3/60

Evan Smoak is ranked at number 3 on our site as this “Nowhere Man” series is absolutely fantastic. Evan is an average character who is a trained assassin but is using his skills to help people and find out why he was made into a killer.

Classic highlights in the book series amongst many, Evan looking to assassinate the President of America who he thinks is behind the plot to terminate him. The Nowhere Man’s apartment layout, like the bat cave but in a normal housing apartment.

If you want to start at the beginning of this book series that is like Jack Reacher then see my review HERE.

NUMBER 4 on the list

JOHN PULLER – AUTHOR – DAVID BALDACCI

– BUY THIS HERE

SCORE

1) Books Like Jack Reacher website review – 9.4/10

2) Physicality – 9.8/10

3) Weaponry – 9.1/10

4) Character – 9.8/10

5) Plot – 9.2/10

6) The Book ending – 8.9/10

TOTAL SCORE 56.2/60

John Puller is a huge bloke, so similar physically to Jack Reacher so he has to enter our top 5 list of characters like Jack Reacher. David Baldacci is an accomplished writer and sets brilliant scenes for his main character, he also develops the main character really well throughout the series.

Classic highlights in the book series amongst many, Puller trying to solve the mystery of who killed his father. Jack Reacher style suspense as Puller is investigating a family murder whilst beating up weird townsfolk.

If you want to start at the beginning of this book series that is like Jack Reacher then see my review HERE.  So there it is, my top books like Jack Reacher.

If you are still looking for the latest Jack Reacher book, then look here as you can see the books in order HERE and the lastest Jack Reacher book to order HERE

Jack The Reacher – the best books like Jack Reacher on our website – we review so you don’t have to waste time trying to find a book like Jack The Reacher.

18Apr/19

The Canonical Order – T.R. Kurtz

Reviews,

As you know by now, we review books that are like Jack Reacher. If you are still in the hunt for a great crime thriller then look at my past reviews or go to my shop HERE.

Every now and again I get asked to look at another genre of book by a publisher and this is one of those weeks when this book came across my desk or kindle! After looking at the synopsis I thought this could fit onto my site as it has a main character, a one man army against the bad guys. I thought “yes” this is just like a Jack Reacher book and could be as good as the amazing Lee Child novels.

For those who don’t know about the Lee Child books, we are used to seeing Jack Reacher, roaming from place to place, stumbling upon questions that need answers and making it his mission to put right what has gone wrong for individuals – but what about tackling threats to a nation, a religion or a whole way of life? I was intrigued by the title of this new book by T.R. Kurtz, and I was introduced to a different kind of hero in exactly this situation…

So what is the book about?

As terrorist threats increase, the world’s fragile peace is put at risk by groups who are desperate to advance the cause of Islamic fundamentalism and see Christianity destroyed. Operating in secret, the Catholic church’s intelligence agency, the Canonical Order, assembles a group of agents whose aim is to discover and thwart plots before they can become a reality.

Enter the main man, Chad Stryker…

Is Chad Stryker like Jack Reacher?

Tormented by the loss of his wife and living alone, fueled by anger and motivated by strong convictions, Stryker is a highly-skilled and sought-after ex-CIA officer who has been employed by Vatican Intelligence. He finds purpose and a new focus, taking part in clandestine missions on behalf of the Catholic church. His team operates under the radar, using the program name ‘Black Swan.’ Stryker himself is just the kind of guy we can admire and root for; he’s highly-trained and talented, physically impressive, strong and quick-thinking and yet hot-headed and compromised because of the sadness and loss he’s experienced. In this way, we can relate to him as a result of this more vulnerable and human side to his character. Jack Reacher has similar qualities but I feel that T.R Kurtz does bring out the vulnerability of Chad, which does make you root for him even more.

Why should I buy this book?

What makes this thriller so tense and compelling is the parallel between fictional events in the novel and the all-too-familiar news stories about terrorist attacks that we’re used to hearing about.

Running alongside the main events, we get to keep a close eye on Stryker’s personal struggles and attempts to resolve them. From intelligence chiefs to computer whizzes, the team he works alongside – Moldovan, Anderson, Divers, D’Orio and Navarre – all share in his journey and each member plays an important role in seeking to manage the mission and support their operative (just imagine a hi-tech, intelligence version of the A-Team and you won’t be far wrong!)

Is there any Jack Reacher style action?

The action begins when there is an attack on the Pope during a worldwide address on live television and the sudden realisation by the Canonical Order that it has failed to foresee and prevent this act of terrorism. Add to this the fact that the Pope had been speaking about the need to combat religious extremism and the stage is set for the agency’s greatest mission to date: to find those responsible and to prevent the greatest attack against Christianity that the world has ever known. Stryker’s mission takes him to the streets of Iraq, Dubai and eventually to Italy as secrets are revealed and the full story is far more terrifying than anyone could have imagined. Can he uncover the truth in time? And is it just possible that someone he knows could be attempting to jeopardise the operation as the clock ticks? Get ready for lots of gun fights, snipers galore and lots of descriptions of the weaponry kind of like MARK GREANEY’S GRAY MAN series.

So why should I Buy This Book?

There are a few extra touches that set the book apart from other thrillers. Each chapter of the book begins with a quotation from the Bible, and this sets the scene for the action that follows, similar to an introduction. This also seems to emphasise the solemn way in which the agents view their task. Kurtz also includes some fantastic detail about the technology available to the Canonical Order, and the array of gadgets and weapons available to Stryker on his mission. From hair-raising bike rides across the desert to adrenalin-pumping chases through the ancient streets of busy cities, this story’s twists and turns keep you guessing right up to the closing chapter. This story is an adventure to read, I was actually disappointed when it had finished. If you like Jack Reacher novels, if you like a good spy thriller, if you like the Punisher films, then this is the book for you, you can buy the book on this page along with other classic Jack Reacher style books.

BUY THE BOOK HERE!

I do hope Chad Stryker will be back for more in a new series.

Let me know what you think in the comments box below!!

06Apr/19

The Gray Man – Is this the new Jack Reacher?

Reviews

The latest Lee Child book “Past Tense” has been out for a little whilst now, I don’t think it was Jack Reacher at his best but then I’ve got a lot to compare with as I have read all the Jack Reacher books in order. If you are wanting to do the same then see my list of Jack Reacher books in order HERE.

Is there a new kid on the block?

I’m generally always on the look out for a new character that has similarities to Jack Reacher but also the author must have a good writing style that keeps you interested in the plot, again similar to Lee Child.

This takes me to an author called Mark Greaney. I’ve mentioned his books in another review HERE. Mark Greaney has brought out a character called the Gray Man. The Gray man is an assassin, a person who works in the shadows, no real fixed abode, no friends or family, to most people he is a myth.

Who is the Gray Man?

The Gray Man’s real name is Court Gentry, sent to do jobs that no one else wants to do. An Ex CIA Assassin, he goes in, then achieves his mission, then comes out without anyone knowing. This man is lethal, he somehow always finds a way to win against the odds. He is resourceful and doesn’t seem to have any compassion for his fellow man, go in, kill, let people ask questions later. His use of weaponry is on another level as he doesn’t miss his target. I think even Jack Reacher would have trouble fighting the Gray Man, he uses all the fighting techniques you can think of the only difference between The Gray Man and Jack Reacher is that people worldwide are wanting to kill the Gray Man.

The World of the Gray Man.

As you go through Mark Greaney’s Gray Man series you start to realise that various organizations are conspiring to kill him. He is dangerous and they want to get rid of this asset. When you factor this into the plot, wherever Court Gentry is located, you know that there are other people around him that could be a target. This creates tension and suspense just like a Lee Child Jack Reacher novel. Jack Reacher is similar in that he drifts from one setting to another, not because he is on the run but more that he likes to experience new adventures.

See the world of the Gray Man and what he is up against HERE.

What about the Author?

Lee Child is a brilliant writer, with a unique style. Not many authors can write like him, the scene setting, the fight scenes and the character descriptions make his Jack Reacher books stand out. Mark Greaney is close, he has his own style, each Gray Man book I think contains more action than most Jack Reacher novels and there is always a setting that looks like Court Gentry cannot escape from. There is a high level of detail and description given for each weapon used by the Gray Man. Like Jack Reacher, Court Gentry analyses what steps need to be taken for a mission to succeed but always has numerous back up plans as they both know that everything is capable of changing in at any time. Mark Greaney always starts his books with a set scene, a bit like an entrance trailer for a film, here is the Gray Man and guess what, he is in a tight situation.

What are the books currently out there?

Currently there are 7 books in the Gray Man series. The first book is aptly titled “The Gray Man” and kind of introduces us to Court Gentry. From this first book – you have to read from book one in my opinion, you go on this journey across the world, with various organizations trying to locate Court to end him. Meanwhile, Court is employed to take certain people out and gets double crossed along the way. The order of books is as follows:

1) The Gray Man

2) On Target

3) Ballistic

4) Dead Eye

5) Back Blast

6) Gun Metal Gray

7) Agent in Place

8) Mission Critical

Conclusion

If you are looking for a brilliant series of books that is like the Jack Reacher novels then this is it. Lee Child novels are great, yes we know that, but at one book a year you need something else to fill in your time and this Gray Man series will not disappoint. I would go as far as saying that the Gray Man will become a classic read in the future, which most other books in this genre will be measured to. Some of the torture scenes in the series and clever tracking of our main character are a joy to read.  You are never truly sure if the Gray Man is going to survive.  This is due to the amazing plot and the author’s talent for writing such incredible plots. Jack Reacher may have to move out of the way in the future, the Gray Man is here, book number 8 is on the way – click the picture below to buy now.

Also see my USA and UK books to buy here – HERE

If you have liked my review and want to leave me a comment below, that would be great – we review all good books that are like Jack Reacher and Lee Child novels.

17Feb/19

Last Man Standing by Stephen Leather

Reviews,

I sometimes switch between a Lee Child book and another of my favourite authors just because they are written at different times of the year. I realised that I had’t read a Stephen Leather book for a whilst as he was my usual “go to”, once I’d finished one of the Jack Reacher books in the Lee Child series. You can see my last review of a Stephen Leather book here and let me know what you think in the comments box. Stephen Leather Book – TAKEDOWN

Last Man Standing – Any Good?

When an author brings in a new younger main character, you get slightly worried, as there are bound to be comparisons to the character that you first started the series with. This new character Matt Standing is absolutely brilliant. Hard SAS soldier who leaves a whirlwind of destruction behind. If he has to sort something out, he will stop at nothing to defend one of his own. Normally I’d wait until the end of a review to explain why you should buy this book but I’ll just say it now, “BUY IT”!!! HERE LAST MAN STANDING 

Good things in this book?

The plot got me straight away as I finished the book within 4 days of reading (mainly at night due to work). I really needed to know what happened to Matt Standing’s best friend and whether Standing was going to survive until the end of the book. The plot starts with Standing on a mission that goes wrong and requires one of his team to put their own life at risk to protect them. Fast forward and Standing gets a call to say that this same team member (Navy Seal) is on the run from the Russians and the FBI as he has killed some bodyguards and members of the government. As with most of the books like Jack Reacher, this has a fast paced plot that feels like a 90 minute film. From page one there isn’t any dull moments, each page gripping you until the abrupt conclusion. Is Matt’s friend a killer and if so what has made him this way?

Why is this book like Jack Reacher novels?

A one man army who ventures both through the UK and USA creating a storm of deaths behind him. This sounds a lot like Jack Reacher who is known to do the same in the famous Lee Child book series. Matt Standing has a special nack of being in any combat situation and keeping calm, seeing the story play out in front of him and taking the initiative. Whether that is biting someones ear off, shooting someone point bank in the head, he feels like if it gets the job done then he will do it. When you realise he is up against some big players as in the Russian spetsnaz (Russian SAS) and the super rich who can track you at any moment as money is no expense, Matt has to find unconventional ways to try to survive. If you like Jack Reacher earlier books, you will really enjoy the rough raw fight scenes, the gritty dialogue and the character development that takes place along the way between the lead character and an old friend from the SAS called Spider Shepherd who was the original main character that author Stephen Leather started with. 

Is this book better than Lee Child Jack Reacher Books?

I must admit this book is very good, Stephen Leather is a brilliant author and has created a really interesting character in Matt Standing. There are lots of similarities to Jack Reacher in that Standing can look after himself, hates the sense of injustice, investigative and can leave a trail of destruction. He is also very confident in his abilities which is what Jack Reacher portrays when he is up against it. I would say that it is better than some Jack Reacher books, not all of them but up there with some earlier Lee Child novels due to the rough feel of the fights and dialogue.

If you are interested in this book then BUY IT HERE, then please leave me a comment below.

23Jan/19

My Name is Nobody – Author Mathew Richardson

Reviews,

Sometimes you get one of those presents at Christmas that you are just not sure about. This was one of those presents, a book by an author that I hadn’t heard of so I just didn’t know anything about it. The title intrigued me though “My Name is Nobody” sounds like a great title for a Jack Reacher book, this was perhaps the main reason why I started to read it!

Who is the main character?

As you know I love a good book with a great main character. This book is no exception, the name is Solomon Vine, a MI6 spy, the greatest of his generation. Now Solomon is not Jack Reacher, not by a long shot. He seems like he wants to go back to his old life, no paranoia, friendships and community but his life as a top spy is where he is at. Isolated, trusting no one, always using counter surveillance to cover his tracks and when he does have to defend himself then he is skilled enough to always come out of any fight victorious.

The one thing that is unusual about Solomon is that he does have a conscience, willing to question the decisions that are made at MI6 headquarters and not always ready to obey his orders. This is one of the things that kept me reading this book, the genre is not really my thing as I kind of like the all action Jack Reacher, Lee Child novels or even the David Baldacci thrillers, so whilst reading this book, the spy genre has now really got me hooked.

Okay – what’s the plot?

The book starts off with Solomon interviewing a top suspect in the CIA most wanted list. Solomon is working with his best friend and colleague Gabriel Wilde, trying to obtain the suspects contacts so that they can stop the supply of fake passports and illegal fire arms. Things do not go to plan and the suspect ends up dead. Blame lies with Solomon, who then gets suspended and the real substance of the story starts to unfold. With underhand MI6 tactics, a conspiracy and a mole in the Whitehall ranks, Solomon must work out who is behind this harmful plot before its too late.  The tension and danger that he encounters is like something out of a brilliant spy film. (See below)

Good points?

I did enjoy the way the author writes the plot, a bit like Lee Child in that it goes back and forth in history, we get to see Solomon’s past, how his life has ended up in MI6 and also his current friendship with Gabriel Wilde. Both main characters are intelligence experts and both have been trained by top agents. Solomon is also still in contact with his old trainer which does give the book a great depth and a link to the past.

As with most spy films, the plot twists and turns and I kept trying to guess who the rogue person was or the mole or whether Solomon was kind of losing the plot due to the demanding nature of watching people and situations for weeks at a time. The brilliantly written descriptive setting, brought me a better understanding of the work needed into bringing suspects of this level to justice.

The ending was also very clever as it flipped the book on its head for the reader – (I won’t spoil this for you!)

Is there any Jack Reacher action?

There are a few fights and close calls with the enemy, on one occasion Solomon has someone counter spying on him and he has to retaliate back to keep off the radar. I feel that if you liked the last Lee Child book titled “Past tense” then you will like the speed of this book as well. Think of it a bit like a journey from the crime through to the conclusion and you are there willing Solomon to work it out and save his career. So there is not as much action as the earlier Jack Reacher books but enough to keep you interested.

Final thoughts

I didn’t realise this was the first novel from Mathew Richardson, so it is a great starter book. I would have liked it to bring slightly more action but again this genre is one that I am quite new to. There are a few occasions where the plot slows down, I think the best parts are when Solomon has to evade capture and the paranoia gets really tense. I liked the description of Whitehall, the London scenery and the characters, overall I would recommend that you buy this book if you are looking into the spy genre.

BUY THE BOOK HERE CLICK

You can find more about the author here : https://www.matthew-richardson.com/

Click the image below if you like spy films, this is one of the best!

18Dec/18

The Ultimate best Characters like Jack Reacher

Reviews, , , , , ,

I’ve spent a year reading and rereading the Jack Reacher series. I’ve loved every book that Lee Child has written and reviewed them on my website. This has given me the opportunity to check out other books that are like Jack Reacher, other books that have a powerful character lead. These books are real page turners, these books are seriously addictive and these books will leave you wanting more.

My list is based upon the following:

Is the main character like Jack Reacher?

Does the plot of the book grip you straight away?

Are there anymore books in the series that will keep you going throughout the year?

Number 5

Will Robie – Author – David Baldacci

Amazing hit man who you would want on your side in any battle. Great book series that involves other characters’ and brings out main characters’ history. 

 See the reviews HERE!

Best Book in the series – THE TARGET – 9.3/10

Number 4

Carter Blake – Author – Mason Cross

Brilliant character who finds people who don’t want to be found. The books have amazing plots that keep you guessing all the way through. 

 See the reviews HERE!

Best Book in the series – PRESUMED DEAD – 9.3/10

Number 3

John Puller – Author – David Baldacci

Physically strong character – combat veteran military. Various plots which include aspects of John’s family. The books have strong plots that are really creative and usually feel like film topics. 

 See the reviews HERE!

Best Book in the series – THE ESCAPE – 9.4/10

Number 2

Evan Smoak – Author – Gregg Hurwitz

Unusual character – ordinary guy with an amazing hidden skill set – Helping people less fortunate with plots that are really varied. 

 See the reviews HERE!

Best Book in the series – HELLBENT – 9.4/10

Number 1

Victor – Author – Tom Wood

Ruthless assassin – paranoid and emotionless – intriguing plots, gritty fight scenes and tension built through the books 

 See the reviews HERE!

Best Book in the series – KILL FOR ME – 9.7/10

Other character to mention are JOE BECK by Author Alastair Brown and JOE REZNICK by Author JB Turner. They may make the list in the future but just miss out due to the top writing of the authors in the top 5. If you like books like Jack Reacher, these are the books to buy.

SEE MY LINK HERE FOR ALL CRIME THRILLER BOOKS THAT ARE LIKE JACK REACHER

CLICK HERE!!!!

Get the latest Jack Reacher book by clicking the photo and see my review here!


15Dec/18

The New Lee Child Book – PAST TENSE (Jack Reacher 23)

Reviews, , ,

I have taken a little while to write this review of the latest Jack Reacher book. Being a Jack Reacher fan, I wanted to make sure that I didn’t just jump to a conclusion straight after reading it. I wanted to check that after reading 22 Lee Child novels, I didn’t want to confuse previous books in the Jack Reacher series with this book, as we all know Jack Reacher has changed kind of evolved since the first book in the series “Killing Floor”.

PAST TENSE – The Review

After waiting a whole year between reading the last Lee Child book titled Midnight Line – SEE REVIEW HERE, I have had the opportunity to look at lots of other books that have really good strong characters in that are like Jack Reacher. Now my thoughts of the previous book were that it was good, not the best Jack Reacher book but as with any Lee Child book a decent read. This is my issue with the latest Jack Reacher book “Past Tense”, I’ve been used to the old Jack Reacher character, fast paced, act now sort the consequences out later, a guy who was a force of nature in any situation. Now the new Reacher is maybe a tad ponderous, slightly slower pace. Still hard as nails but would rather sort things out by thinking things through.

Now there is nothing wrong with the new Reacher, nothing at all. The book is a great read, the plot keeps you guessing the characters are intriguing yet there is something that seems to be missing from this latest book.

What’s the Good?

The good as is always the Lee Child writing. The classic description of vast land, roads and where they could lead. Even the sense that you are in the open spaces ready to look out and choose your own path whist in the USA. I love this part of Lee Child books, the descriptive characters and the way that they interact, you can almost generalise who these people are without even meeting them.

The plot is also clever, I won’t spoil it for anyone who hasn’t read the book yet but Jack Reacher is wondering as usual where to go next. He sets out on an road trip across America but doesn’t quite get very far. In the New England woods, he sees a sign to a place he has never been – the town where his father was born. When he arrives at the town, he is told no one named Reacher ever lived there. Straight away you think why would people lie about this? And then you are into the book, clever Lee Child eh!! The other part of the plot is that there is a young couple trying to get to New York City who stop off looking for a hotel and wander into a motel in the middle of nowhere. They then become trapped as their car won’t start and you know that this isn’t going to end well.

Lee Child weaves these two stories together really well and this is what kept me reading as I was interested to know about Jack Reacher and his family heritage.

Is this book like any movies?

If you have read anything on my website before, you already know that I am an action movie fan. I know the books which liken to a movie and this latest book by Lee Child is no exception. Straight away as the plot thickened at the Motel and the young couple became more and more intense, I pictured a film. Jean Claude Van Damme (remember him) starred in a 90’s film titled “Hard Target”. Now Hard Target was a well directed film by John Woo who at the time was one of my favourite directors. The plot of the film is that Van Damme is forced to join a game whereby trained hunters have to kill him. Cue lots of high Van Damme kicks, shocked facial expressions and crazy action stunts. This film and the plot is quite similar to the latest Jack Reacher book called “Past Tense”. Yes watch it and see for yourself and let me know if you agree with me.

ORDER THE FILM HERE

 

What is the Bad?

There isn’t really anything bad in the book, for me the author Lee Child doesn’t really write any bad books. All Jack Reacher books have been either Amazing or great/good. This one doesn’t quite fit into the Amazing category, not because it hasn’t got good parts to it, more the fact that Lee Child has so many top books that this just doesn’t quite reach the heights of some of the others. This is going to happen when you have written 23 books with the same character as we are all comparing each latest one to our personal favourite.

One thing that I found in this book was the pace of the plot. For me it was slightly too slow but this does help with the setting of the various scenes so that we can picture what certain areas and towns are like. We can even imagine what lifestyle the people have just from the pace of the book and the low interaction between certain people in the community. The last section of the book picks up pace, mainly due to Jack Reacher being on the hunt which is really what we all want to read, its maybe that this latest Lee /child book takes a little while to get there.

Conclusion

Great fights, Reacher family history and classic bad guy menace does mean that I like this book. I don’t love it but would buy it as a fan and also as a present for one of my friends. There was a slight air of dissatisfaction once I had finished it, mainly as I knew that it was going to be another year until I got to read another Lee Child book but also because I had put so much anticipation into this that it perhaps didn’t reach my high level of excitement.

You as a Reacher fan will buy the book, lets face it that is just what we do. I just have this slight nagging sense that maybe the game has moved on, Jack Reacher (speaks quietly) may be getting a little old now or maybe I just have too high expectations.

A brilliant alternative book series that I have really enjoyed so far is Victor the Assassin by Tom Wood. SEE THE BOOK REVIEWS HERE

Let me know your thoughts in the comments box below.