Dene Mackenzie isn't quite sold on the latest Jack Reacher instalment, but it's a different story when it comes to James Lee Burke's new book.
NIGHT SCHOOL
Lee Child
Bantam/Penguin Random House
THE JEALOUS KIND
James Lee Burke
Hachette
Reading two books by favourite authors at the same time was a luxury and also a test because, at the same time, the styles and story lines could be compared.
James Lee Burke and Lee Childs churn out books on a regular basis. The books they write are usually gripping and detailed.
Jack Reacher is the hero in the books by Child and, while Burke has made an art form of fictional detective Dave Robicheaux, he also possesses the terrific ability to punch deep into the psyche of the southern states of the United States.
The 21st Reacher book steps back in time to when he was still a hero in the US army.
The book is set in 1996 and right after Reacher is commended for a mission in the Balkans, he is immediately sent ``back to school''.
Along with some other specialists, Reacher has to uncover an American traitor, track vast amounts of money being transferred around the world and deal with German police and extreme right-wing political views.
His love interest plays a larger role than is usual in Reacher books.
The difficulty is that the book is not a page turner.
Far from wanting to sit down with coffee and read it almost in one go, this book turned out to be a chapter or two at a time.
Even getting to the ending took some doing, with four chapters left for about a week before getting read.
I hope Child moves Reacher back into the ``now'' next year.
In contrast, The Jealous Kind begs to be read quickly.
Burke also delves into the past, setting the book in the aftermath of post-Korean War Houston, bringing to life some incredible characters.
Racism, class war, drugs and general bad deeds are all there and Burke has not succumbed to the conventional portrayal of the decade.
Aaron Holland Broussard discovers his first love in the beautiful Valerie Epstein, a relationship which stretches into the future but is not without some unusual features.
Although Aaron is the main character in the book, the portrayal of his father is a work of genius.
A deep-thinking man harmed by the Korean War takes an unexpected stand when his son is threatened.
The Jealous Kind is one of the best, if not the best, book produced by Burke and deserves to be read by as many people as possible.
Dene Mackenzie is ODT business and political editor.
