Nothing to Lose by Lee Child
Delacorte Press, June, 2008

As itinerant ex-marine MP Jack Reacher travels the country, he passes through Hope, Colorado, and on a whim detours to Hope’s neighboring town, Despair. Where Hope is pretty and welcoming, Despair is dowdy, gloomy, and throws strangers out of town. But the people of Despair make a grave mistake when they throw out Jack Reacher. He’s “a large stranger with nothing to lose,” and hates turning back. Soon Reacher is investigating the huge metal recycling plant that dominates the town, and the town boss who owns Despair and all its residents.

Nothing to Lose is Child’s 12th Jack Reacher thriller and will be warmly welcomed by Reacher’s many fans. Physically Reacher’s in his usual fine form, “a spectacular mesomorph” always ready for action and always in control. He is refreshingly unfettered. He makes his own rules and never hesitates to do whatever’s necessary. Fortunately for the world and righteous readers, he’s morally on the side of good. When an unexplained military guard unit stationed nearby suggests that Despair’s sinister forces have something shady to do with the Iraq War, Reacher is there to put the world back on the right path. The excitement in Nothing to Lose never lets up. Bones will break and worse before he’s done, but with Reacher on the case we know things will turn out fine.

- Verna Suit

This review appeared in the Summer 2008 issue (#105) of Mystery Scene.

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