Jack Reacher is the hero. At the time of this story, he is still in the Army. He is a Major and is highly regarded in the Military Police. He is sent on a case to the deep south, an Army base in Mississippi. He is actually sent to the small town adjacent to the base and he goes into the area incognito. A Senator's son is under a cloud of suspicion. Several beautiful young women have turned up dead in the area and it is coincidental that the young Army Ranger has dated all of them. When another dead body shows up, the base is locked down. Tne town's economy tanks out and pressure becomes intense on the local Sheriff.
This Sheriff has been a member of the Military Police, herself. She is a former Marine and she sees through Reacher's disguise immediately. That's okay, because she is in need of all the help she can get, and she and Reacher hit it off. I mean, really hit it off.
It becomes obvious that high-ranking military and civilian authorities are hindering the investigation. Then, more murders are committed to cover up existing crimes. Then Reacher hears that the lovely Sheriff had, herself, dated the Senator's son. Even a cat could not unravel this ball of yarn.
Jack Reacher is at his vigilante-style best in this action yarn. I especially like the sub-plot in which a midnight train is used to annihilate evidence. As a crosstie walker, myself, trains scare the crap out of me. The mass of metal, weight and energy is impressive when you are standing near them.
As a former military man, I also enjoyed watching Reacher walk into the Pentagon itself to beard a virtual lion in his den. Good stuff, and a good book. Lee Child's trademark blend of action and mystery is hard to beat. Don't miss it.
From the author's green retreat, I'm CE Wills.
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