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Book Review of Never Go Back (Jack Reacher, Bk 18)

Never Go Back (Jack Reacher, Bk 18)
Barbllm avatar reviewed on + 241 more book reviews


After several detours across the United States, we finally meet the woman behind the voice: Major Susan Turner, whom Jack Reacher spoke to while in South Dakota (in 2010's 61 Hours, the 14th Reacher novel). Reacher has been heading her way, back to the 110th MP headquarters in Virginia, because he wants to meet her and take her to dinner.

When he finally arrives, though, his plan to meet Turner is thwarted by two thugs who are trying to keep them apart. Reacher is later arrested for a crime he doesn't remember committing 16 years ago, and is recalled to military duty. He discovers that Major Turner is in the brig as well, and the fact that he might have a 14-year-old daughter living in California is enough to kick off a cross-country trip for Reacher and Turner.

As in every Reacher novel, there is head-busting physicality and analytical problem solving as Reacher tries to expose the people behind his arrest. The plot doesn't slow down until the end. There's a link to corruption in Afghanistan in the wake of the U.S. military drawdown.

Reacher and Turner become friends with benefits, as befits most of Reacher's relationships with women. The ending is a bit of a letdown compared to other Reacher novels, and the book dragged in places due to the author's meandering descriptions of cars, geography, and some idle chatter. I don't think it's the best Reacher novel, but it certainly will do for Child's legions of fans.