by Lee Child
Part of Jack Reacher, book 15
First published 2011
Jack Reacher steps off a bus in rural Nebraska, still recovering from his recent ordeal. He expects to pass through quietly, but a chance encounter pulls him into conflict with a wealthy family that controls the entire county through fear and influence. The family has ruled their territory unchallenged for decades, crushing anyone who threatens their power. When Reacher learns about an unsolved killing from twenty-five years ago, he discovers the crime connects to nearly everyone in the small community. The locals know more than they admit, but terror keeps them silent. Reacher finds himself standing alone against entrenched corruption and violence. He must decide whether to walk away from a fight that is not his own or stay and face the consequences of challenging people who believe themselves untouchable.
Genres: adventure, suspense, mystery, crime, thriller, action
Vibes: fast-paced, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, lone-hero
Setting: Nebraska, United States
Period: 21st-century
511 pages · Paperback · Bantam Books