Running Blind

Jack Reacher, Book 4

By: Lee Child

Narrated by: Johnathan McClain

Length: 13 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's summary

Across the country women are being murdered by a killer who leaves no evidence, no fatal wounds, no signs of struggle, and no clues to a motive. They are, truly, perfect crimes. In fact, the only thing that links the victims is the man they all knew: Jack Reacher.

©2005 Lee Child (P)2012 Peunguin Audio

Critic reviews

“Reacher is one of the more interesting suspense heroes to come along in a while.” (San Antonio Express News)

“Jack Reacher, the wandering folk hero of Child’s superb line of thrillers faces a baffling puzzle in his latest adventure…a brain-teasing puzzle that gets put together piece by fascinating piece...and a central character with Robin Hood-like integrity and an engagingly eccentric approach to life.” (Publishers Weekly)

“Deeply satisfying...plan to stay up long past bedtime and do some serious hyperventilating toward the end.” (Kirkus Reviews)

Please ask Dick Hill to narrate this

If you could sum up Running Blind in three words, what would they be?

McClain not Reacher

What other book might you compare Running Blind to and why?

Lee Child's Jack Reacher novels are favorites but the narration of this one ruins it. Dick Hill IS Jack Reacher.

What didn’t you like about Jonathan McClain’s performance?

I started to feel like this was dark comedy. The voices, especially female characters, were comical.

Any additional comments?

If this were the first Jack Reacher I listened to I would have no desire to listen to another. I will probably finish the book because the story holds my interest. I will try to imagine Dick Hill's narration to get through it.

The action is what makes the book

Not sure if this was predictable because I’ve read so many stories by the author or if the specific book had a bad plot/story line. The overall story is good, the writing was ok. I expected a better telling if the tale.

needs two readers

needs both female and male readers. has a lot female parts in the book that a male reader can't fully grasp

Overall very good

What about Jonathan McClain’s performance did you like?

I really like Jonathan McClain's performance. I am listening to the books in order and have enjoyed the narration.

Any additional comments?

Law enforcement certainly has its share of jerks and power-addled people. There are undoubtedly FBI agents who are as belligerent and full of themselves as these were but, dang, it makes the story annoying! There were times when I didn't think I could see this one through. My need to find out who did it kept me going but, really, did the FBI people need to be THAT obnoxious??? It was a good story line but those FBI people made it a tough listen at times!

The story line was fine but the annoyance of those agents is what made me give this 3 stars.

Love the action

Would you listen to Running Blind again? Why?

Yes! Love the excitement of the narrarator.

What did you like best about this story?

The predicaments Jack gets into, then solves

What about Johnathan McClain’s performance did you like?

Everything!

Any additional comments?

After listening to Jonathan McCains exciting performance , I was so truly disappointed by the next narrator. How could Jack Reacher go from an exciting man in the prime of his life, to what sounded like an elderly man ready to retire? I couldn’t listen to the next 5 books I bought because of this. Had to return them! Bring back Jonathan McCain!!!

Jack Reacher

I love these books so much. However this reader was not as good as the other reader. JMc interpretations of voices was very distracting such that I could not immerse myself in the story. I began listening thinking how Lee Child meant for the character to sound. I finally gave up and read the print version so I could immerse myself in the story.

FBI profiler has whole agency against Reacher.

Read the publisher's summary; I try to avoid giving spoilers.

The set up for this adventure has Reacher in an impossible situation. However, as usual, he manages to evade the accusers and solve the mystery. He is on a tight leash throughout, but there are a few bone crushing scenes. There are also subplots related to Reacher's personal life and an attempt to help someone that backfires and is used as evidence and blackmail against him.

I am not fond of the narration for this book. The characters are consistent and somewhat individualized. However two in particular are so overly rude, mean and abrupt that I wouldn't have continued the listen if not a Reacher fan.

the writing was great

the reader had a hard job with trying to get so many different voices in. But the one he chose for the protagonist gave it all away. However the plot turned a lot and gave us a lot of different activity and ankles and kept us guessing for a longer time than the voice did.

Not the typical Jack Reacher

I thought this was an excellent book. The thrill of the detective hunt was excellent, even if the foreshadowing of the murderer was too obvious. I wasn't surprised by the big reveal. Jack Reacher doesn't get physical in the book at all, which is unusual and different than the first 3 Jack Reacher books.

Jack Reacher My Guy

I love the about this character Jack Reacher! I wish I had his skills and experience.