Review

Lee Child (real name James Grant) is a British author best known for his Jack Reacher series. Reacher, a former military policeman, has no home or assets (by choice), and is continually on the road going nowhere, in particular seeking opportunities to administer "justice." Child has characterized his books as revenge stories. Bad things happen to good people and Reacher makes it right, which, at 6'5" and 250 pounds, he has the size (and the smarts) to achieve his goals. In Blue Moon, Reacher is on a bus going nowhere and spots an older man who appears to have a problem. When the old man gets off at the first stop and is followed, Reacher tags along to provide protection. After saving the man from the would-be intruder, he takes him home, meets his wife, and learns that they have been borrowing money from loan sharks to pay for their daughter's cancer treatment and that a large amount is due that day. The unnamed city is ruled by two rival gangs, Albanians and Ukranians, each with their armies of enforcers. Center Street divides the city into their respective territories and they run this city with their money lending, protection, drugs, and other nefarious activities. When Reacher steps in to help the old man and his wife with the payback, he unwittingly steps into deadly gang wars, which broadens in scope as he learns more about the crimes being committed. Reacher is usually a one-man wrecking crew, but for this battle, he has three new "associates." A local (and attractive) waitress that he takes to, along with two musicians, one a former Marine and the other a retired tank commander with a facility for Eastern European languages. Blue Moon is a thrilling, interesting read, action-packed and suspenseful as Reacher and team rout the thugs and get to the bottom of the deeper secrets of the city. Readers will enjoy the Reacher character, his flight from convention and the need to advance the righting of wrongs. These episodes typically begin with happenstance and problem solutions are not governed by customary rules. A gripping read, one better than the usual Reacher novel.

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