Die Trying

Jack Reacher, Book 2

By: Lee Child

Narrated by: Johnathan McClain

Length: 14 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's summary

When a woman is kidnapped off a Chicago street in broad daylight, Jack Reacher's in the wrong place at the wrong time. He's kidnapped with her. Chained together and racing across America toward an unknown destination, they're at the mercy of a group of men demanding an impossible ransom. Because Reacher's female companion is worth more than he imagines. Now he has to save them both - from the inside out - or die trying....

©2005 Lee Child (P)2012 Penguin Audiobooks

Critic reviews

“Furiously suspenseful.” (Kirkus Reviews)

“Opens with a bang.” (Chicago Tribune)

“Lee Child’s knowledge of the modern military and its combat tactics amazed me. A chilling and all-too realistic story, and a damn good book.” (Steve Thayer)

Jack Reacher of one of my favorite characters

This is my favorite genre and Reacher I’d one of my favorite characters but this story was a little off in my opinion. The narrator was too monotoned Ace done off the voices he attempted were pretty rough.

Always Entertaining!

I’ve always liked the Reacher books, this one was great as well! My only very slight complaint is the accents of a couple of the FBI characters but it didn’t take away from the story.

Great story!

Typical Reacher and absolutely a good story!

Anyway, in this book the one thing that made me laugh out loud at its ridiculousness and placement in the story line was the intimate scene between Reacher and Holly. Just utter nonsense even for the suspension of disbelief part of my brain and, like I said, just bad placement. There were a couple of better opportunities to place that scene if you just had to have that in there but, other than that, everything else was fine for a fictional novel and scenario.

Way too much detail

I’m a huge Reacher fan and what struck me as unnecessary was the amount of wasted time and words that were used in describing things. I get that you want the reader to be able to envision the events, but going into detail about the different bullets travel by hundredths of seconds just drew the book out. The author has the best combat guy and yet he could have killed the lead guy and never did till the end.
The last issue I had was with the voice…too many voices were similar and took away from the story. Get Scott Brick…he can tell a story!

Impressive and exciting read

I agree with some of the other reviewers that Dick Hill is the "real" Jack Reacher, and I have listened to both versions of this book. I have to say that Jonathan McClain does a great job with the non-Reacher characters, and his version of Reacher is certainly acceptable. I wouldn't hesitate to buy the book due to the narrator and actually think that he did a great job with the main villain. The story is one of the better Reacher stories, even if a certain degree of suspension disbelief is necessary. If you're a fan of the series or if you love thrillers of the Flynn, Clancy, Thor ilk, I think you'll enjoy this one.

Way better narrator than the first book!

What did you love best about Die Trying?

I listened to the first book in the series, the Killing Floor, more than a year ago. The narrator was awful - sounded like an 80 year old man with emphysema, not a fit 30-something former military guy. But Jonathan McClain is way better. The book is very entertaining and a page turner (or whatever the audio equivalent of that is).

Which character – as performed by Johnathan McClain – was your favorite?

Jack Reacher

Great book, well writen!

Would you consider the audio edition of Die Trying to be better than the print version?

Yes the reader gives an excellent voice to characters!
.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Jack Reacher the narrators dead pan style for this character brought him to life in a way that few can really grasp.

Which character – as performed by Jonathan McClain – was your favorite?

Jack Reacher

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, but 14 hours is a bit much for that

Any additional comments?

Other than some flawed research, Air Force does not nor has it ever had Chinook helicopters, this is a great book!

die trying

What made the experience of listening to Die Trying the most enjoyable?

Story line. Action.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Jack Reacher. The way he handled the situation.

Have you listened to any of Jonathan McClain’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes, I believe so.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No, But I did get into it.

Any additional comments?

A good book.

Great Reacher, dull reader

I have come to appreciate the Reacher series, and have found that other narrators give him a lot more depth and personality.

At least this didn't have Tom Cruise's face on the cover? I seriously question how an author who makes a point of Jack Reacher's 6'5" build, 220 pound weight, blond hair and blue eye in every single book could ever think Tom Cruise would be the actor to embrace that description! Cruise is a foot shorter, probably almost 100 pounds lighter, and has dark hair! I really hesitate to see the movie as the vision of the Reacher character has been fixed in my head.

That said, this is a typically complicated situation that the unassuming Reacher always seems to find himself in. The plot is timely and politically charged, and poses many interesting questions. Definitely worth the read.

Solid

This is a good Reacher story. Consistent with the rest of the series. I am enjoying the series. It has the right amount of suspense, drama and action.