Name: Ron Duncan
Title: Maintenance specialist for the Jackson County Public Library
What’s the name of the book and author you are recommending?
“A Wanted Man” by Lee Child
What made you want to pick up this book in the first place?
I have not always been a devoted reader. My reading selections for most of my adult life have been service manuals. My wife, who is a very good reader, told me to find an author or type of story that interests me. My first author was Stephen King, until I read “It.” That did me in. “It” scared me. Then my wife suggested a couple of years ago to try the novels by Lee Child’s “Jack Reacher” series. I had seen the two movies that were from his books, and I liked the characters, mainly Reacher. I started the series from the beginning and have been hooked.
Once you got into the book, what made you want to keep reading it?
Lee Child used to write for BBC TV in London, England, mostly soap operas, and it is with that kind of writing style that keeps the story moving. When a chapter ends, a pause for commercial, and a different scene appears. All of the chapters keep moving quickly. Each chapter brings everyone in the story closer and closer to the point where Reacher is the only one who can bring out the truth.
Once you finished the book, what did you like about it?
I can see why the author has granted the film industry permission to use any of the “Reacher” series books. His descriptions of the scenes and characters are almost like a movie. He leaves some imagination up to the reader. The only character that never changes is Reacher. He is that guy who will take care of things when no one else will. Ready for the next book, please.
What is the book about?
In “A Wanted Man,” Reacher hitches a ride one cold night. His thoughts are just to get to Virginia. The two men and women in the car want to get to Chicago. In the town close by where Reacher is picked up, a man lies stabbed to death in an old pumping station. The local sheriff calls in the FBI. Within hours, the FBI descends as well as the CIA and NSA. Hours later, nothing is what it seems for everyone. Several people are not being truthful, and Reacher gets more than just a ride.
Why would you recommend this book to others?
I would recommend any of the books from the “Reacher” series by Lee Child. “A Wanted Man” just so happened to be the book I was currently reading. I grew up working in the movie theaters while in high school and college. If I liked the movie I saw, sometimes, I would read the book it was based on. Too many times, the book was better. Many times in filmmaking, the story or the characters are changed to fit the movie. You don’t get to picture the events and storyline that the author had written. In the two movies from the “Reacher” series, “One Shot” and “Never Go Back,” the only difference between the movies and the book mainly is the main character, Reacher. It’s hard to find a movie actor 6-foot-5, 250 pounds, ex-Army MP officer who fights for justice and truth. Tom Cruise in not the size but had the frame of mind. You could still see the book character in him. Lee Child’s books are outstanding reads. I am good just reading his books. Go pick one up at your local library.
