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Wednesday 23 March 2016

Brianna Reviews // Killing Floor by Lee Child

Published: 15th September 2009 (Originally: 17th March 1997)
Publisher: Transworld Digital
Format: Kindle
Synopsis:  Ex-military policeman Jack Reacher is a drifter. He's just passing through Margrave, Georgia, and in less than an hour, he's arrested for murder. Not much of a welcome. All Jack knows is that he didn't kill anybody. At least not here. Not lately. But he doesn't stand a chance of convincing anyone. Not in Margrave, Georgia. Not a chance in hell.

I was recommended this book by a friend after I had spent 10 minutes admiring the books on her bookshelf (I was a little surprised to find out we had similar tastes). She asked if I had read any of the Jack Reacher books, which I hadn’t, although I had seen the Jack Reacher film, which I enjoyed but it hadn’t made me want to read any. She assured me that the books were far better and that the film wasn’t even based off the best one. 

So Killing Floor literally starts with Reacher being arrested for murder. He’s in Margrave a small town in the middle of nowhere. Reacher is strangely calm about the whole thing, mostly helped by the fact that he knows he didn’t do it – although even if I knew I hadn’t done it I still don’t think I’d be that calm. Eventually and inevitably Reacher starts trying to solve the murder – especially once the victim is identified – and ends up solving more than just one murder.

I have to admit that it wasn’t what I had expected, not that I could explain what I had expect, I just know that it wasn’t it. Apologies that I don’t have too much to say about it and due to the ‘mystery’ angle of the book I don’t think I should say too much about the plot, I wouldn’t want to ruin it for anyone.

Overall I found Reacher likable; I think Lee Child did a good job in making Reacher a realistic and believable hero. He is just the right balance of honourable and complete ass. This is why I said that he is overall a likable character because there are a few times when I’m not sure I like the man but it all balances out.

The book it’s self was well balanced between introducing Reacher as character, the mystery of who did it and what was going on and of course the action. It flowed well between the three thing unlike some books where the mystery and action almost get put on hold while the author introduces the character or delves into the past, in Killing Floor the character development and history fit naturally in around and with both the mystery and the action. It’s also quite well paced, with little revelations and new clues.  I didn’t really guess who was involved (Part of it was obvious, but others not so) I had loads of theories but they all fell flat.

I really enjoyed Killing Floor and was hooked from the start. I would definitely recommend to anyone who likes detective novels and a bit of action. and in case you were wondering, yes I picked the next one up as soon as I finished this one. Unlike Reacher, I can’t just walk away.

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