Bookish Thoughts: Killing Floor by Lee Child

Killing Floor by Lee Child (narrated by Dick Hill)
Brilliance Audio, 2008

Crime Fiction; 15 hours 23 minutes

From the Publisher:

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 Reacher 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.

My first encounter with Lee Child's Jack Reacher did not leave much of an impression on me.  Although I enjoyed the book, I was not sure whether I would continue with the series.  I thought maybe I would give the audio version a try as I had heard Dick Hill makes an exceptional Jack Reacher.

Once I got over my expectation to hear Tom Cruise's voice, I really got into Killing Floor, the first in the Jack Reacher series by Lee Child.  Dick Hill has the voice to match Child's description of the character, a man I wouldn't want to cross.  Jack Reacher is one of those protagonists who is almost too perfect to believe--just the same, I liked him.  Reacher exudes masculinity and all that entails.  My dad's kind of hero.

There was a moment halfway through the audio, when I was sure the story was done.  It seemed like the perfect place to end.  Only, I still had halfway to go.  For what I felt should be a fast paced novel, it seemed to take its time.  The book had its moments in high adrenaline intensity, particularly toward the end.  At other times, I found myself wishing the story would move a little quicker.

The mystery itself was quite complex and involved, more so than it first appeared.  I enjoyed the various twists and turns the story took, some of which I saw coming and others of which took me by surprise. Knowing a little something about where the character ends up in his life, I appreciated getting a glimpse of Reacher's origin story.  I also really liked his sidekicks in this novel, especially the chief of detectives.  He and Reacher made a good team.  I confess I didn't quite buy the romance in the story, but, overall, I enjoyed the book, and I think Dick Hill did a wonderful job narrating the story.

I am still not sure I will be reading the entire series, but I do want to give the series another try.  I read so many series, that I have to be picky about the ones I continue to follow.

Rating:  (Good +)

You can learn more about Lee Child and his books on the author's website. 
For more information about the narrator, Dick Hill, and his work, visit his website.

Source: I bought an audio copy of this book for my own listening pleasure.

---

© 2013, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.