Book Review: One Shot by Lee Child

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One Shot by Lee Child is the ninth Jack Reacher novel and the inspiration for the 2012 film, Jack Reacher, starring Tom Cruise. Like the movie, One Shot focuses on a violent crime and whether or not the man being accused of it is actually the perpetrator. As with the previous books in the series, Child does a fantastic job with developing the protagonist and having him intelligently overcome the odds. And, as always, I opted for the audiobook version of the book because of Dick Hill’s spectacular narration – he is the voice of Reacher. If you’re a fan of the series or a newcomer, this is a great thriller and, quite possibly, the best Jack Reacher novel up to this point. I highly recommend it.

Synopsis

Six shots. Five dead. One heartland city thrown into a state of terror. But within hours the cops have it solved: a slam-dunk case. Except for one thing. The accused man says: You got the wrong guy. Then he says: Get Reacher for me.

And sure enough, ex–military investigator Jack Reacher is coming. He knows this shooter—a trained military sniper who never should have missed a shot. Reacher is certain something is not right—and soon the slam-dunk case explodes.

Now Reacher is teamed with a beautiful young defense lawyer, moving closer to the unseen enemy who is pulling the strings. Reacher knows that no two opponents are created equal. This one has come to the heartland from his own kind of hell. And Reacher knows that the only way to take him down is to match his ruthlessness and cunning—and then beat him shot for shot.

Movie Review: Jack Reacher

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Lee Child is one of my favorite authors, so when I heard a movie was coming out based on one of his books, One Shot, I knew I had to see it. The film is called Jack Reacher and it stars Tom Cruise in the lead role. As I mentioned in the past, many fans of the Jack Reacher novels doubted that Cruise could pull it off. However, I’m glad to report that he was exceptional in this role. Not only did I find myself believing that he was Jack Reacher, but Cruise was incredibly charming on screen too. The supporting cast did a fine job as well, especially Robert Duvall, who injected some humor into the serious plot.

Speaking of the plot, I have yet to read One Shot, so I can’t say how the film compares to the book. But I can say that it was an intriguing tale, even though certain “twists” were predictable. What made the film even more enjoyable was the cinematography and score; both were beautifully done and kept me engaged from start to finish.

Whether or not you’ve read Lee Child’s engrossing novels I highly recommend you see Jack Reacher. It’s an entertaining movie filled with action, humor and drama that is sure to please almost anyone.

Below you’ll find the official film synopsis and two clips.

Synopsis

Six shots. Five dead. One heartland city thrown into a state of terror. But within hours the cops have it solved: a slam-dunk case. Except for one thing. The accused man says: You got the wrong guy. Then he says: Get Reacher for me. And sure enough, ex-military investigator Jack Reacher is coming. He knows this shooter-a trained military sniper who never should have missed a shot. Reacher is certain something is not right-and soon the slam-dunk case explodes. Now Reacher is teamed with a beautiful young defense lawyer, moving closer to the unseen enemy who is pulling the strings. Reacher knows that no two opponents are created equal. This one has come to the heartland from his own kind of hell. And Reacher knows that the only way to take him down is to match his ruthlessness and cunning-and then beat him shot for shot.

Jack Reacher: Theatrical Trailer

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Today, the full theatrical trailer was released for Jack Reacher starring Tom Cruise. I think it’s superior to the initial trailer because it provides additional plot details and gives the viewer a greater understanding of who Jack Reacher is and what motivates him. While Cruise may not physically resemble the Jack Reacher I envision when reading Lee Child’s captivating thrillers, I’m willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. After watching the trailer below, feel free to share your thoughts on whether or not you plan on seeing Jack Reacher.