Jack Reacher, a former Military Police major, drifts into the small town of Margrave, Georgia, curious about a reference to a musician named Blind Blake. Shortly after arriving, Reacher is arrested for a murder he didn’t commit. As he’s detained, he learns his brother Joe had been in town investigating a large counterfeiting operation.

With the help of local police officer Roscoe and detective Finlay, Reacher starts digging into the town’s dark secrets. They discover that the town’s wealthy and influential Kliner family runs a sophisticated counterfeiting ring, producing high-quality fake currency.

Reacher finds out that his brother Joe, a Treasury Department investigator, was killed because he got too close to uncovering the operation. Alongside Roscoe and Finlay, Reacher unravels the conspiracy, discovering that Chief Morrison and other local officials are complicit.

Throughout the investigation, Reacher confronts various threats, including the Kliner family and their henchmen. He also discovers that Molly Beth Gordon, a lawyer working with Joe, was killed for her involvement in the investigation.

The climax sees Reacher taking down the Kliner operation, ensuring justice for his brother and the other victims. By the end of the novel, Reacher leaves Margrave, continuing his journey as a drifter and vigilante.

Some Notable Characters

1. Jack Reacher: The protagonist, a former Military Police major who finds himself in the small town of Margrave, Georgia.
2. Chief Morrison: The corrupt police chief of Margrave.
3. Roscoe: A Margrave police officer who becomes an ally and romantic interest for Reacher.
4. Finlay: A detective in Margrave who teams up with Reacher to solve the mystery.
5. Paul Hubble: A local banker who gets caught up in the conspiracy and initially confesses to Joe’s murder.
6. Joe Reacher: Jack Reacher’s brother, whose death is central to the plot.
7. Kliner: The primary antagonist, involved in a counterfeit money operation.
8. The Kliner kid: The son of Kliner, who is also involved in the illegal operations. He was never named, and I loved it.
9. Mrs. Kliner: Kliner’s wife, who plays a role in the family’s criminal activities.
10. Baker: Another police officer in Margrave, loyal to Chief Morrison.
11. Stevenson: Another police officer in Margrave.
12. Charlie Hubble: Paul Hubble’s wife, who is also caught in the web of the conspiracy.
13. Picard: A friend of Finlay’s from the Treasury Department who gets involved in the case.
14. Bartholomew: A mysterious figure with connections to the counterfeiting operation.
15. Tealer: Margrave’s mayor and then chief of police.
16. Molly Beth Gordon: A Harvard-educated lawyer working for the Treasury Department, and she was Joe Reacher’s contact. Molly Beth Gordon knew about the investigation of the counterfeiting operation in Margrave and was murdered as part of the “tie the loose ends”. Her death plays a significant role in the unraveling of the mystery in “Killing Floor.”

Review

Hit early, hit hard. Kill with the first blow. Get your retaliation in first.

A Few Random Observations

1. At the end of Tripwire, I had complained that we didn’t even hear about Chester Stone, Marilyn Stone and Sheryl. They deserved a mention, at least Marilyn. They were important characters. However, this book had a kind of epilogue. I mean, the second last chapter ended on a perfect Jack Reacher note. The last one, however, talked about the aftermath. and I DIDN’T like it. So I guess I now know why Lee Child doesn’t show anything about those characters later on.  
2. The screen adaptation is way more dramatic. For instance, Roscoe introduction isn’t as sharp as it is on the screen. Also there is more drama. When Reacher finds out about Joe, they show a tense scene between Finlay and Reacher and Roscoe has to intervene twice followed by Reachers’ vow.I’m going to find every single one of them and then I will kill them.
   I guess what I’m trying to say is, they added more masala while shooting it, which I like.