"Tripwire" by Lee Child

“Tripwire” is Lee Child's third Jack Reacher novel and I enjoyed it even more than the first two. His debut, “The Killing Floor”, was written in first person whereas the second novel, “Die Trying” was written in third person, as is “Tripwire”. However it seems to me that with this third book Child is really hitting his stride as a writer. 

“Tripwire” is written with a broader canvas and with greater depth to all of the minor characters. In Hook Hobie Child has created a great villain, ruthless and psychotic. 

Although the story follows a similar blueprint to the first two Reacher tales with many similar elements the writing does not seem formulaic. Child has a fantastic ability to keep the reader guessing and his plotting here is exemplary. I particularly enjoyed seeing how he carefully wove the plot strands together, slowly resolving each thread for the reader. It's a real skill.

His prose has a sparse economy. He often uses short sentences to rack up the tension. It's a trick that works.

There were a couple of interesting decisions that he made throughout the novel. Whilst he provides his readers with a satisfying resolution to the main plot he deliberately chooses not to resolve the fate of some of the minor characters. In some senses I can understand the desire to not tie everything up too neatly, but having spent a few hundred pages in their company I suppose I would have liked just a hint of resolution. It’s a very minor gripe in an otherwise excellent novel.

I look forward to reading the fourth novel in the series by way of comparison.