Title: The Affair
By: Lee Child
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| The Affair |
About the Author (From the book):
Lee Child is one of the world’s
leading thriller writers. His Jack Reacher novels consistently reach the
number-one slot in both hardback and paperback on bestsellers lists on both
sides of the Atlantic, have sold over fifty million copies, and are translated
into over forty languages. His books have won many prizes, like the prestigious
Theakstons Old Pecullier Crime Novel of the Year prize (for 61 Hours). Born in
Coventry, he now lives in America.
ISBN: 9780553825510
Cover Price: Rs.
325.00
Rating: 4/5
Something about the book (from the Book’s cover):
March
1997. A woman has her throat cut behind a bar in Carter Crossing, Mississippi.
Just down the road is a big army base. Is the murderer a local guy - or is he a
soldier?
Jack
Reacher, still a major in the military police, is sent in undercover. The
county sheriff is a former U.S. Marine - and a stunningly beautiful woman. Her
investigation is going nowhere. Is the Pentagon stonewalling her? Or doesn't
she really want to find the killer?
The
adrenaline-pumping, high-voltage action in The Affair is set just six months
before the opening of Killing Floor, and it marks a turning point in Reacher's
career. If he does what the army wants, will he be able to live with himself?
And if he doesn't, will the army be able to live with him? Is this his last
case in uniform?
Now for my View:
The fact that Lee Child is among
the best thriller writers in contemporary times is widely known. This book was
my introduction to the world of Jack
Reacher. Having not read any of his earlier works, it came as a surprise, and
a good one at that, for this book provides a back story to Reacher’s character.
The Affair is set in 1997 and takes
you through a case that eventually leads to Reacher leaving the Army. I started
reading this book with a lot of expectations and I am glad that I wasn't disappointed. Lee Child writes in a manner that is crisp and gripping. It is
hence not wrong to say that this book was among some of the most engaging ones I
have read in recent times.
The
Affair, as the book’s cover would tell you, is about a series of murders
that take place in a town called Carter Crossing situated in the middle of
nowhere near the army base, Fort Kelham, in US. Reacher, Lee’s protagonist, is
sent there undercover to keep the army’s name from being dragged through the
mud. There Reacher meets the town’s sheriff, Elizabeth Deveraux, an ex-Marine. While
they work together to uncover the truth behind the murders; there are
indications from several sources about the intentions of the latter. Was
Reacher able to find the culprit? Was Deveraux behind the murders? Or, was
someone from the army involved? And if so did Reacher help the army cover-up?
Well you would have to read the book to find out!
A good thing about Reacher’s
writing style is the way he sets the scenes. He helps you picture the setting
of the story like the town, the railway crossing, the Main Street or the Diner
vividly. Well I guess it shouldn't be surprising since that is essentially the
trait of a great write, isn't it? Also, every time you begin to take it steady
through the pages or you feel that you have eventually figured out the story,
Child springs in some sort of new turn that not only spikes your interest in
the tale but gives it a new dimension. The
Affair is fast paced and will not be easily put down by anyone who loves a
great read.
There is not really anything that I
could complain about regarding The Affair
except that in some places the description of the surroundings get dragged
a wee bit more than required. But again that is Lee Child walking you through
the scene. Other than that, this is one hell of a book to read.
So what are you waiting for? Grab
your copy and trust me it will be worth every penny!