So, picture this: You’re stuck on the side of the dusty Texas highway, heat shimmering off the asphalt like a bad mirage. You’ve just escaped a less-than-pleasant encounter with a not-so-friendly sheriff (and let’s be honest, what else does Reacher do?), and your only hope is to hitch a hike. Meet Jack Reacher, the man, the myth, the legend (seriously, the guy is built like a brick wall). Enters Carmen Greer, who rolls up and offers Jack a lift.

In exchange, she wants Reacher to kill her husband Sloop.

Intriguing, right? Well, that’s exactly what happens to Carmen Greer in Lee Child’s “Echo Burning,” and let me tell you, things get a whole lot more interesting from there. Now, Carmen isn’t your average damsel in distress. This woman is fierce, resourceful, and hiding a secret that could get her seriously hurt. Seems her not-so-charming husband is about to be released from prison, and let’s just say their relationship wasn’t exactly built on sunshine and roses.

Of course, our ever-intrepid Jack can’t resist a good mystery (or a woman in need, though he’d never admit it). He agrees to help Carmen, and let’s just say the sleepy little town of Echo, Texas, is about to get a major wake-up call.

Now, I know what you’re thinking: Is this another typical “big, strong dude saves the day” scenario? Well, yes and no. Reacher is definitely the muscle, but there’s a surprising amount of emotional intelligence lurking beneath that stoic exterior. He may not exactly emote like a Hallmark card, but he has a strong sense of justice and a loyalty that’s kind of endearing (in a gruff, don’t-touch-my-coffee kind of way).

The Plot Thickens (Like Texas Chili)

Child masterfully weaves a web of suspense, with danger lurking around every dusty corner. There’s a whole cast of colorful characters (some more trustworthy than others), a hidden past that keeps rearing its ugly head, and enough double-crosses to make your head spin. Just when you think you’ve figured it out, Child throws in another curveball, keeping you guessing until the very last page.

Some Notable Characters

In the Order of Appearance, roughly, that is.

Jack Reacher: The man, the myth, the legend 

Carmen Greer: Young wife of Sloop Greer who is in prison. She asks for Reacher’s help in protecting her from her husband when he is released from prison.

Ellie Greer: Daughter of Sloop and Carmen Greer. She’s my favourite character after Jack

Sheriff: The Pecos County lawman.

Bobby Greer: Sloop’s younger brother. He manages the ranch hands while Sloop is in Prison.

Rusty Greer: Matriarch of the Greer clan and owner of the Red House Ranch.

Billy: Works at the ranch at the Red House Ranch.

Joshua: Works at the ranch at the Red House Ranch.

The Maid: Works for the Greer family at the Red House Ranch.

Hack Walker: Pecos County DA and long time friend of the Greers.

Sloop Greer: Carmen’s abusive husband, who was sent to prison for tax evasion.

Alice Aaron: Young Attorney working at a storefront legal mission in Pecos. She agrees to represent Carmen.

Two men and a boy: The first hit team that hired by the bad guy (not spoiling it for you)

Two men and a woman: The second hit team. 

A Few Observations

1. Billy and Joshua just disappeared from the scene after a fight with Jack. I kinda missed them.
2. Echo was burning, literally and figuratively, in this book and I loved the title. The hellish heat of Texas also reminded me of the current weather that we are suffering. This year has seen the hottest January, hottest February, hottest March, and hottest April of history. What else remains to be seen?
3. The “bad guy” was so obvious, and the end was so predictable. In this book, I finally understood why people call Jack Reacher’s books “formulaic”. From the first appearance of this dude, I just knew he is it.
4. The hit team’s parallel track was nicely integrated into the main plot. For more than half of the book, it seemed like a parallel universe, not kidding.
5. Alice was driving her car for most of her screen time (if it was that) in this book. At one point, I felt fatigued because of how much she drove.
6. The second man from the second hit team who was told to “be rid of Ellie” was NOT a bad guy as in he didn’t want to kill Ellie. He procrastinated the “task” of “done and dusted” for hours. Then, he took a long shower just to buy more time. Instead of killing Ellie, he thought of “selling” her. I know, it’s not the “kindest” move but he did NOT kill Ellie.
7. I loved the chemistry between Reacher and Ellie. Although he seems like a brick wall, he is very sweet to the sweet little girl Ellie.

Final Verdict

Maybe not your typical beach read, but for those of us who like a good dose of action with a side of emotional depth (okay, maybe a sprinkle of emotional depth), “Echo Burning” definitely hits the spot. It’s got enough thrills to keep your heart pounding, a touch of romance (because let’s be honest, a little mystery man never hurt anyone), and a strong female lead who can hold her own.

If you’re looking for a book that will whisk you away from your sun lounger and plonk you right in the middle of a Texas showdown, then “Echo Burning” is definitely worth a shot. Just be prepared for some serious Reacher-induced whiplash (because let’s face it, the man does get into some serious scrapes). And who knows, you might even find yourself cheering for the big guy in the end. Just don’t tell him I said that.