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137th out of 3,395 books
—
7,810 voters
Die Trying (Jack Reacher #2)
by
Lee Child
When a woman is kidnapped off a Chicago street in broad daylight, Jack Reacher's in the wrong place at the wrong time. He's kidnapped with her. Handcuffed together and racing across America toward an unknown destination, they're at the mercy of a group of men demanding an impossible ransom. Because Reacher's female companion is worth more than he imagines. Now he has to sa...more
Paperback, 552 pages
Published
October 28th 2008
by Jove
(first published 1998)
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If you're looking for a typical thriller with a fair amount of action (though not the goriest in the Reacher trilogy), and a little romance, look no more. The plot in itself was satisfying, even though I was hoping the ending would end with a bigger bang.
However, my criticism lies mostly in the style the author uses. It was like nails to a board when I kept seeing every character end a dialoge with either "OK?" or "right?". Don't get me wrong, I understand that some people over use that style, b...more
However, my criticism lies mostly in the style the author uses. It was like nails to a board when I kept seeing every character end a dialoge with either "OK?" or "right?". Don't get me wrong, I understand that some people over use that style, b...more
Jack Reacher is at again-- as Lee Child continues to develop this charactoer the more I like him. The quintessential American hero is taking shape-- and is almost a superman-- with every human trick up his sleeve--
Child gives a lot of facts in his novel as well --- most certainly ballistics and weaponry -- he makes some attempt at a love story but it is more of a hero worship love affair -- surrounded by his near super-heroic antics--
still ya got a love a good action book and this one is nothin...more
Child gives a lot of facts in his novel as well --- most certainly ballistics and weaponry -- he makes some attempt at a love story but it is more of a hero worship love affair -- surrounded by his near super-heroic antics--
still ya got a love a good action book and this one is nothin...more
5 likes · like · see review
I am Jack Reacher's newest fan. My mother has read all of the books, so I am lagging behind, but having heard her speak about the character so often, I decided to try Lee Child's short story, "Deep Down". I was hooked Jack Reacher is a cross between 007, a Texas Ranger, and Dr. Kimble. He is loveable but deadly. After finishing the short story, I eagerly consumed the first two novels. Jack Reacher appears to always find himself at the wrong place at the wrong time. He is misunderstood by authori...more
4 likes · like · see review
Whew. After reading a few pages at a time for a couple of weeks, I finally got sucked into the vortex of Die Trying and lost most of a weekend finishing it. The reason it took me so long to really commit to it was that I was afraid—really afraid—of what might happen next. And yet, of course, I had to find out.
One nice thing about vicarious suspense is that, no matter what may befall the characters, the reader almost always survives.
As usual with books by Lee Child, I learned a great deal about t...more
One nice thing about vicarious suspense is that, no matter what may befall the characters, the reader almost always survives.
As usual with books by Lee Child, I learned a great deal about t...more
I'm trying to convince my boyfriend that reading is not boring, pointless, or just plain stupid, and so I'm on a quest to find him things to read that might change his mind. I have a feeling he may like Jack Reacher, so I'm going to re-read the series I think, just to make sure.
It's a tricky business - if I give him a book that doesn't beat his expectations, he may not make another attempt. I have to tread carefully.
Oh, and I can hear you thinking "why would you start with Die Trying, it's not...more
It's a tricky business - if I give him a book that doesn't beat his expectations, he may not make another attempt. I have to tread carefully.
Oh, and I can hear you thinking "why would you start with Die Trying, it's not...more
3 likes · like · see review
Enorm vlot geschreven - het hoofdpersonage is inderdaad een moderne held: intelligent, sterk, inventief en emotioneel.
De manier waarop Lee Child bepaalde acties/personages beschrijft, doen je ogen kleven aan de pagina's.
De spanning wordt subliem opgebouwd, de details zijn realistisch en niet overbodig.
Ze maken deel uit van het geheel ipv enkel een aanvulling te zijn van wat je al weet.
Het enige wat mij minder boeide waren de gedetailleerde technische en wiskundige berekeningen die terloops ter...more
De manier waarop Lee Child bepaalde acties/personages beschrijft, doen je ogen kleven aan de pagina's.
De spanning wordt subliem opgebouwd, de details zijn realistisch en niet overbodig.
Ze maken deel uit van het geheel ipv enkel een aanvulling te zijn van wat je al weet.
Het enige wat mij minder boeide waren de gedetailleerde technische en wiskundige berekeningen die terloops ter...more
I could never listen to this as an audiobook, because it would be so tedious to endure paragraph upon paragraph describing terrain, or the action of firing a bullet. Fortunately, because I was reading, I was able to skim over the superfluous information and hone back in on action that furthered the story's progress.
Although not written recently, the plot of this book seems very relevant to the current times, almost prophetic. I like the way the kidnapped woman (Holly Johnson) is not your typical...more
Although not written recently, the plot of this book seems very relevant to the current times, almost prophetic. I like the way the kidnapped woman (Holly Johnson) is not your typical...more
I know, I Know, I am about to incur the untold wrath of many a Jack Reacher fanboys...but I thought the movie was better. I don't think I have ever said that about a book, but the movie seemed to not drag as long or as much (I am pretty sure I am just going to paste this review for all 3 of the Jack Reacher books I just read).
I saw the movie over Christmas and thought, "that might be a fun read." I have now read the first three in the Jack Reacher series and firmly believe that they should all b...more
I saw the movie over Christmas and thought, "that might be a fun read." I have now read the first three in the Jack Reacher series and firmly believe that they should all b...more
I was challenged to read this book by a borrower at our library; he is a school teacher and claimed that women mostly read female authors. So I decided to give Lee Child a go, and I can see why he is so popular and why so many people want to read the latest Jack Reacher.
While I was reading, I did notice there was a definite moment where I realised I was enjoying it and could feel the pull to want to keep reading to see what would happen. Jack Reacher as a character is believable as are his abili...more
While I was reading, I did notice there was a definite moment where I realised I was enjoying it and could feel the pull to want to keep reading to see what would happen. Jack Reacher as a character is believable as are his abili...more
Die Trying by Lee Child
I am now getting used to the pace Lee Child sets in his Jack Reacher books. I am budgeting the time necessary to read it in as short a time as possible since it is darn near impossible to put down. In this rendition, Jack is in the wrong place at the wrong time and ends up in a hostage situation with a psychotic militia.
Jack is once again a force of nature. He is willing to go with the flow unless he is personally affronted or if he feels someone is being wronged. We find...more
I am now getting used to the pace Lee Child sets in his Jack Reacher books. I am budgeting the time necessary to read it in as short a time as possible since it is darn near impossible to put down. In this rendition, Jack is in the wrong place at the wrong time and ends up in a hostage situation with a psychotic militia.
Jack is once again a force of nature. He is willing to go with the flow unless he is personally affronted or if he feels someone is being wronged. We find...more
Altro che James Bond, io voglio Jack Reacher! E' meglio di 007, meglio di Rambo, meglio di ogni eroe di action movie!
Ma come si fa a non adorarlo? Sa fare tutto: usa il cervello, l'istinto, spara, corre, salva il mondo e nel frattempo si innamora sempre un pò, con quella sua aria malinconica che ti fa sciogliere. Entra in scena lui e si rimane con il fiato sospeso e con i lucciconi agli occhi. Uniamo poi la storia, i personaggi di contorno a tutta questa azione e il risultato è uno solo: non ti...more
Ma come si fa a non adorarlo? Sa fare tutto: usa il cervello, l'istinto, spara, corre, salva il mondo e nel frattempo si innamora sempre un pò, con quella sua aria malinconica che ti fa sciogliere. Entra in scena lui e si rimane con il fiato sospeso e con i lucciconi agli occhi. Uniamo poi la storia, i personaggi di contorno a tutta questa azione e il risultato è uno solo: non ti...more
I've gotten hooked on the dry humor of Jack Reacher so I've been picking up the novels at used books stores when I see them. But, that also means I'm reading them out of order. Fortunately, each book is really a stand alone story and it really doesn't seem to matter what order I read them in. In some ways, the series reminds me of the old 70s and 80s TV shows of The Incredible Hulk and Knight Rider. The hero, Jack Reacher, get embroiled in a dangerous situation and needs to investigate and save...more
So this is the second Jack Reacher book in a massive series. Definetely a dude book, but still a very rivoting, edge of your seat thriller. I will need to read a couple more of Lee Child's books to see if the formula is the same for all of them. Jack Reacher finds himself in the wrong place at the wrong time, he has to save the world, state, whatever usually including some sort of attractive female he needs to save/romance etc.
There is nothing wrong with this formula, it tells a great story, jus...more
There is nothing wrong with this formula, it tells a great story, jus...more
When a woman is kidnapped, Jack Reacher's in the wrong place at the wrong time. He's kidnapped with her. Now he has to save them both.
Amazon.com ReviewTelevision writer Lee Child's otherwise riveting first thriller, Killing Floor, was criticized by some reviewers because of an unconvincing coincidence at its center. Child addresses that problem in his second book--and thumbs his nose at those reviewers--by having his hero, ex-military policeman Jack Reacher, just happen to be walking by a Chi
My second Reacher book, and it was good. The storyline was a bit of a jump at times but no big deal. The interaction between Holly and Reacher was not great, but good.
Reacher at times seems superhuman, his shooting skills, his near super human strength, his Sherlock Holmes-esq level of deduction, his memory to name the few that come to mind. I wonder what his highest score in scrabble is. However when you are in a crisis like Holly, then hes the man you want along side you (or Jason Bourne or J...more
Reacher at times seems superhuman, his shooting skills, his near super human strength, his Sherlock Holmes-esq level of deduction, his memory to name the few that come to mind. I wonder what his highest score in scrabble is. However when you are in a crisis like Holly, then hes the man you want along side you (or Jason Bourne or J...more
Okay, I have to admit it - I am a big Jack Reacher fan! Not only that, but both my daughters and most of our friends are also his fans.
How on earth Lee Child, who was born in Britain and worked there (in Cumbria) until made redundant from his job in television, became the author of a whole series of bestselling American thrillers I can't begin to guess. But this was his achievement after moving with his family to the United States. Awesome!
I've now read all the Jack Reacher books and have only b...more
How on earth Lee Child, who was born in Britain and worked there (in Cumbria) until made redundant from his job in television, became the author of a whole series of bestselling American thrillers I can't begin to guess. But this was his achievement after moving with his family to the United States. Awesome!
I've now read all the Jack Reacher books and have only b...more
Okay, fair warning: I hate thrillers. No, hate is not too strong of a word. HATE. Then why did I read this book? Because Lee Childs wrote this brilliant column for the NYT http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/... Draft column. So I thought I should read one of his books. And yes, this guy can create suspense - I spent all day reading this book. The characters are not believable but they are incredibly well constructed to work with the plot. And the plot is flawless. I mean, he throws every obsta...more
1 like · like · see review
I have read several of Lee Childs Jack Reacher novels. I felt this one and the first were exciting and interesting. Though I thought there was an excess of violence Child has an interesting way of making us believe that it's okay as long as his victims are "bad" guys. He not only kills them but often finds interesting ways that border on punishment or sadism. I thought that the hero's involvement with the heroine was a bit over the top. Two kidnap victim chained in the back of a panel truck yet...more
I don't really read this genre at all. I have nothing to compare it with except classics, war memoirs, and romance novels. With that said--it seems like a man's romance novel. Larger than life, impossibly lucky main character, saves the girl, sleeps with the girl, leaves the girl. All in a day's work. My mother loves these books and I am reading them for her so we can rant together how much we hate Tom Cruise and how he is wrongly cast as Jack Reacher. (Jack Reacher, a movie is coming out this C...more
Ok, let me get this off my chest, this is a very good novel, very, very good. We're talking Ian Fleming good. But there are two problems, though from the look of other reviews this might be a personal problem rather than a literary one. Decide for yourselves.
The first problem is that Jack Reacher is billed as being a Arnold Schwarzenegger type character, a modern Conan the Barbarian (the novels not the movies, the literary version is very different to the film portrayals) or even Bernard Cornw...more
The first problem is that Jack Reacher is billed as being a Arnold Schwarzenegger type character, a modern Conan the Barbarian (the novels not the movies, the literary version is very different to the film portrayals) or even Bernard Cornw...more
"Die Trying" by Lee Child is his second Jack Reacher novel, and it's a fast paced, tough, entertaining story of the capable hero who just happens to be at the wrong place at the right time. Or maybe he was in the right place at the right time to become entangled in an adventure as he is kidnapped with an attractive female FBI agent.
The tale has enough twists and turns along with good action sequences to keep you entertained and engaged throughout the book. Former Army MP, Jack Reacher, is defini...more
The tale has enough twists and turns along with good action sequences to keep you entertained and engaged throughout the book. Former Army MP, Jack Reacher, is defini...more
I'm going to add the same review for all of the Reacher series, so if you've read this one, you've read 'em all. If you feel a certain affinity for the lone hero, a man of principle, of unwavering knowledge and assent as to his own actions, than Jack Reacher's your kinda guy.
Lee Child has created an unforgettable and unique character in his creation of Jack Reacher. Jack seems to implicitly understand that he is a unique animal/human running around on this planet and that in spite of social con...more
Lee Child has created an unforgettable and unique character in his creation of Jack Reacher. Jack seems to implicitly understand that he is a unique animal/human running around on this planet and that in spite of social con...more
This is the first "Jack Reacher" novel that I have read. It is far from the calibre of writers like John D. MacDonald, Lawrence Block etc., though it appears to be trying to compete in their arena.
I find the characters' responses to each other to be less than plausible, a lot less than plausible. Men with a professional background, experienced and trained in counter intelligence (SAS etc.) take a guy off the streets who is completely unknown to them and accept his advice - offer him an extremel...more
I find the characters' responses to each other to be less than plausible, a lot less than plausible. Men with a professional background, experienced and trained in counter intelligence (SAS etc.) take a guy off the streets who is completely unknown to them and accept his advice - offer him an extremel...more
3 likes · like · see review
Second in the Jack Reacher suspense series about a retired Major taking the time to tour America.
My Take
Omigod, Beau is a nutjob! The joy he takes in killing people. And the horrible ways he devises to do it…!
I love "listening" to Reacher deduce. His assessment as to the professionalism (or not) of the kidnappers, his skill with numbers and weaponry, his use of psychology to soften them up, the tactics he uses to learn more about this group of whackos and to free Holly… Then there's Holly's det...more
My Take
Omigod, Beau is a nutjob! The joy he takes in killing people. And the horrible ways he devises to do it…!
I love "listening" to Reacher deduce. His assessment as to the professionalism (or not) of the kidnappers, his skill with numbers and weaponry, his use of psychology to soften them up, the tactics he uses to learn more about this group of whackos and to free Holly… Then there's Holly's det...more
I really enjoyed the first Jack Reacher novel, Killing Floor, but this second attempt was utter bilge. From a ridiculous opening set-up, the novel descends into a mixture of adolescent fantasy, incredible happenstance, laughable set pieces and ridiculous plot twists. On the other hand, it says something about Lee Child as a writer in that he very nearly gets away with it, because much as I was groaning at how amateur the whole thing seemed, I kept reading, almost to the end. Almost. I gave up wh...more
This was so much better than the first story. Well constructed, just the right side of believable and genuinely thrilling in places.
Reacher has moved onto Chicago and helps a lady on crutches struggle out with her dry cleaning when she is abducted, and he is taken along as well.
Not only is this lady an ex wall street broker, a member of the fbi but she is also the daughter of a high ranking military man and god daughter of the president. All this on top of the last adventure with counterfeit mon...more
Reacher has moved onto Chicago and helps a lady on crutches struggle out with her dry cleaning when she is abducted, and he is taken along as well.
Not only is this lady an ex wall street broker, a member of the fbi but she is also the daughter of a high ranking military man and god daughter of the president. All this on top of the last adventure with counterfeit mon...more
Dec 02, 2011
Jane Stewart
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
mystery-suspense-thriller
Fun, escapist entertainment, exciting adventure, mostly action and suspense. Rambo and Die Hard fans should like this.
STORY BRIEF:
A group of neo-Nazi militants in Montana plan to attack something in America. They kidnap Holly off the street in Chicago. Holly is an FBI agent. Jack happens to be walking by when the kidnapping occurs, and the bad guys take him as well. Holly and Jack are tied up in the back of a van and being transported to Montana.
Jack was a major in the military police for 13 yea...more
STORY BRIEF:
A group of neo-Nazi militants in Montana plan to attack something in America. They kidnap Holly off the street in Chicago. Holly is an FBI agent. Jack happens to be walking by when the kidnapping occurs, and the bad guys take him as well. Holly and Jack are tied up in the back of a van and being transported to Montana.
Jack was a major in the military police for 13 yea...more
4 likes · like · see review
The Reacher books overuse the words "right" and "ok." Seriously, it is extremely annoying. Go get the notebook ok? He looks like he's mad right? Every other piece of dialogue has the words "right" or "ok." Other than that, these books are decent. Typical action based shoot em up style books. Reacher is a badass and doesn't follow whatever rules or laws you have in place to govern your society. He's a loner, and doesn't like to be in any place for more than a few days. As far as I could tell from...more
I just recently discovered this series and really enjoy it even though I've never been much of a mystery/thriller fan. Child is a master craftsman of plot and suspense and his writing throughout the entire series is taut and each title is a page-turner. Everything is plot-driven so they're usually an easy read. In fact, on more than one occasion I've gone through the novel in one sitting because of the suspense. With some in the series at 400+ pages this has made for some late nights. In this no...more
This was so bad. I started out really enjoying this series, but I'm losing interest. It's disappointing.
The storyline was interesting with unique twists and turns but the minutiae was lame. Like having a love scene just after Holly & Reacher discover the dead body of the FBI spy who was discovered and was basically crucified by the 'bad guys'. It was tasteless and tacky. Plus, then when Holly is finally rescued from being kidnapped, instead of running to her Dad first she runs to Reacher. Th...more
The storyline was interesting with unique twists and turns but the minutiae was lame. Like having a love scene just after Holly & Reacher discover the dead body of the FBI spy who was discovered and was basically crucified by the 'bad guys'. It was tasteless and tacky. Plus, then when Holly is finally rescued from being kidnapped, instead of running to her Dad first she runs to Reacher. Th...more
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Lee Child was born in 1954 in Coventry, England, but spent his formative years in the nearby city of Birmingham. By coincidence he won a scholarship to the same high school that JRR Tolkien had attended. He went to law school in Sheffield, England, and after part-time work in the theater he joined Granada Television in Manchester for what turned out to be an eighteen-year career as a presentation...more
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“I had a teacher once, grade school somewhere. Philippines, I think, because she always wore a big white hat. So it was somewhere hot. I was always twice the size of the other kids, and she used to say to me: count to ten before you get mad, Reacher. And I've counted way past ten on this one. Way past.”
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16 people liked it
“People, Reacher was certain about. Dogs were different. People had freedom of choice. If a man or a woman ran snarling toward him, they did so because they chose to. They were asking for whatever they got. His response was their problem. But dogs were different. No free will. Easily misled. It raised an ethical problem. Shooting a dog because it had been induced to do something unwise was not the sort of thing Reacher wanted to do.”
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14 people liked it
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