Book Review | Bad Luck And Trouble | Lee Child

Bad Luck And Trouble: (Jack Reacher 11)

From a helicopter high above the empty California desert, a man is sent free-falling into the night…. In Chicago, a woman learns that an elite team of ex–army investigators is being hunted down one by one…. And on the streets of Portland, Jack Reacher—soldier, cop, hero—is pulled out of his wandering life by a code that few other people could understand. From the first shocking scenes in Lee Child’s explosive new novel, Jack Reacher is plunged like a knife into the heart of a conspiracy that is killing old friends…and is on its way to something even worse.

A decade postmilitary, Reacher has an ATM card and the clothes on his back—no phone, no ties, and no address. But now a woman from his old unit has done the impossible. From Chicago, Frances Neagley finds Reacher, using a signal only the eight members of their elite team of army investigators would know. She tells him a terrifying story—about the brutal death of a man they both served with. Soon Reacher is reuniting with the survivors of his old team, scrambling to raise the living, bury the dead, and connect the dots in a mystery that is growing darker by the day. The deeper they dig, the more they don’ t know: about two other comrades who have suddenly gone missing—and a trail that leads into the neon of Vegas and the darkness of international terrorism.

For now, Reacher can only react. To every sound. Every suspicion. Every scent and every moment. Then Reacher will trust the people he once trusted with his life—and take this thing all the way to the end. Because in a world of bad luck and trouble, when someone targets Jack Reacher and his team, they’d better be ready for what comes right back at them…

About Author

Lee Child is one of the world’s leading thriller writers. He was born in Coventry, raised in Birmingham, and now lives in New York. It is said one of his novels featuring his hero Jack Reacher is sold somewhere in the world every nine seconds. His books consistently achieve the number-one slot on bestseller lists around the world and have sold over one hundred million copies. Two blockbusting Jack Reacher movies have been made so far. He is the recipient of many awards, most recently Author of the Year at the 2019 British Book Awards. He was appointed CBE in the 2019 Queen’s Birthday Honours.

Anywho, I started reading this book on May 14, 2024 and finished the same the next day. That’s how GOOD it is.

Recap

Reunion Fueled by Cash and Corpses

The story kicks off with a cryptic message – a seemingly random deposit in Reacher’s account. But for those familiar with the former military investigator, it’s a clear call to action. Soon, Reacher reunites with Frances Neagley, a fellow veteran and the source of the message. The news isn’t good – members of their old elite army unit are being targeted, one by one.

A Mystery Wrapped in a Helicopter Drop (Literally)

The brutal details surrounding the deaths paint a chilling picture. A man thrown from a helicopter? Yeah, Reacher’s not buying it as an accident. As he and Neagley delve deeper, they discover a tangled web of secrets and a conspiracy that reaches far beyond what they could have imagined.

Old Team, New Threat

The story shines when Reacher reunites with his surviving comrades. Their camaraderie, laced with witty banter and unspoken loyalty, adds a layer of warmth to the otherwise brutal narrative. Watching them strategize and fight back together is a definite highlight.

Review

Bad Luck and Trouble: Reacher Reunites With a Bang!

Lee Child’s “Bad Luck and Trouble” is a classic Reacher novel, serving up a hefty dose of action, suspense, and the return of a familiar face – Jack Reacher himself. Buckle up for a thrilling ride as Reacher’s sense of justice collides with a deadly conspiracy.

This book is a classic Lee Child story-fast pace, brutal action and a ton of insight into Jack Reacher as a person. Boy, I love that last bit.

Lee Child’s signature style is on full display. Short, punchy chapters keep the story moving at breakneck speed. The action sequences are detailed and brutal, leaving little to the imagination. Fans of Reacher’s fighting prowess won’t be disappointed.

Fangirling

Am I a Jack Reacher fan or what?

I first read Jack Reacher when I was a regular member at a local library right in front of my residence in Pune. I could get my hands on a great collection of books after a 2 minutes’ walk, at a price of 100 bucks a month. It was great, and reading Lee Child’s One Shot which introduced me to Jack Reacher. I liked how light-weight he travelled–just a toothbrush and traveller’s cheques. I could never do that. I can’t even imagine what that’d be like. If I don’t pack “enough” for a trip, I feel like I’m resourceless. More on that later.

After a while, I read an Urdu translation in Huma Magazine. The story was set in Mexico, so it could have been Echo Burning. I will know for sure once I read the book. Yes, it’s on bookshelf now.

Then, I watched a ton of clips of Jack Reacher, getting more drawn to the character, just how raw and blunt and unapprehended he is.

And this is my third outing with Jack Reacher. In this one, we see that Reacher has mended his ways. Now he carries his passport and ATM card with him. It’s not like he is reluctant to change. He just doesn’t want to live a “planned” life. I wish I could do that. But I’m the exact opposite. I need certainty in my life, and I can’t handle circumstances the way Reacher does. Also, I am neither six foot five nor two-fifty pounds nor have physical and mental capabilities like him.

A girl can dream.

A girl can fingirl.

The Verdict

A Must-Read for Reacher Fans

“Bad Luck and Trouble” is a satisfying entry in the Reacher series. It delivers the action, suspense, and trademark Reacher one-liners that fans crave. While the plot might not be the most complex, the camaraderie between Reacher and his team adds a layer of emotional investment.

Fans of Jack Reacher and action thrillers will devour this book.
If you’re new to the series, this can be a good jumping-on point, but some references to past events might be missed.

You can buy Bad Luck and Trouble

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Until next time, happy reading!

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Shabana Mukhtar

The Other Me Unfolded