Diksia.com - If you are looking for a gripping and suspenseful novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat, you might want to check out Killing Floor by Lee Child. This is the first novel in the Jack Reacher series, which has become one of the most popular and successful thriller franchises in the world. Killing Floor was published in 1997 and won the Anthony Award and Barry Award for best first novel.
It is also the first book to feature the character of Jack Reacher, a former military policeman who has no fixed address, no luggage, and no ties. He is a drifter who travels the country by hitchhiking or taking buses, and who often finds himself in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Plot Summary
The story begins when Reacher arrives in Margrave, a small town in Georgia, because he is curious about the death of a blues musician named Blind Blake, who died there many years ago. However, as soon as he steps into a diner, he is arrested for a murder that he did not commit. The local police claim that they saw him leaving the scene of the crime, where a man was found dead with his face blown off by a shotgun. The victim turns out to be Reacher’s brother, Joe, who was working as a special agent for the Treasury Department, investigating a counterfeiting ring that operates in the area.
Reacher is thrown into a state prison, where he meets Paul Hubble, a former banker who is also accused of the murder. Hubble confesses to Reacher that he was involved in the counterfeiting scheme, which is run by the Kliner family, a ruthless clan of criminals who have corrupted the town’s authorities and businesses. Reacher and Hubble manage to escape from the prison with the help of Finlay, a honest detective who believes in Reacher’s innocence, and Roscoe, a female officer who develops a romantic interest in Reacher.
Together, they uncover the secrets behind the Kliner’s operation, which involves collecting used one-dollar bills and bleaching them to make fake hundred-dollar bills. They also discover that Reacher’s brother was close to cracking the case, and that his death was not a coincidence.
Reacher decides to take revenge on the Kliners and their accomplices, using his skills and experience as a former military policeman. He kills several of the Kliner’s men, including their son, and exposes their corruption to the public. He also rescues Hubble’s family, who were held hostage by the Kliners, and helps Finlay and Roscoe to arrest the remaining criminals. In the end, Reacher leaves Margrave, after saying goodbye to Roscoe, and continues his nomadic lifestyle.
Characters
The main character of the novel is Jack Reacher, who is the protagonist of the entire series. He is a tall, muscular, and blond man, who is 36 years old at the time of the story. He is a former military policeman, who served in the Army for 13 years, and who was discharged after the end of the Cold War. He has no home, no family, no friends, and no belongings, except for a folding toothbrush and an ATM card. He lives by his own rules, and does not hesitate to use violence when necessary.
He is also very intelligent, observant, and resourceful, and has a knack for solving problems and puzzles. He is a loner, who does not seek or need companionship, but who occasionally forms temporary alliances or relationships with people he meets along the way.
The other main characters of the novel are:
- Paul Hubble, a former banker who worked for the Kliners as their money launderer. He is a timid and nervous man, who regrets his involvement in the counterfeiting scheme, and who fears for his life and his family’s safety. He is also the only person who knows the location of the Kliner’s warehouse, where they store their fake money.
- Finlay, the chief of detectives in Margrave, who is one of the few honest cops in the town. He is a black man, who faces racism and discrimination from his colleagues and superiors. He is also a fan of blues music, and shares Reacher’s interest in Blind Blake. He is loyal, brave, and competent, and helps Reacher to clear his name and to stop the Kliners.
- Roscoe, a female officer who works under Finlay. She is a beautiful and smart woman, who is attracted to Reacher and who becomes his lover. She is also a good cop, who assists Reacher and Finlay in their investigation. She is the only person who makes Reacher consider settling down, but he ultimately decides to leave her.
- Joe Reacher, Reacher’s brother, who is killed at the beginning of the novel. He was a special agent for the Treasury Department, who was investigating the Kliners and their counterfeiting operation. He was also a former military policeman, who served with Reacher in the Army. He was Reacher’s only living relative, and the only person he cared about.
- The Kliners, the main antagonists of the novel. They are a family of criminals, who run a counterfeiting ring that produces high-quality fake money. They are led by Victor Kliner, a cold and ruthless man, who controls the town of Margrave through bribery, intimidation, and murder. His son, Victor Kliner Jr., is his right-hand man, who is equally cruel and violent. They have several associates and henchmen, who help them in their illegal activities, such as Sherman Stoller, a truck driver who transports the money, and Morrison, the corrupt sheriff of Margrave.
Themes
The novel explores several themes, such as:
Justice and revenge
The novel shows how Reacher seeks justice for his brother’s murder, and how he takes revenge on the Kliners and their accomplices. He does not rely on the law or the authorities, but on his own sense of right and wrong. He acts as a vigilante, who delivers his own brand of justice, which is often brutal and lethal. He does not care about the consequences or the collateral damage, as long as he achieves his goal.
Corruption and greed
The novel depicts how the Kliners and their allies have corrupted the town of Margrave, and how they have exploited the people and the resources for their own benefit. They are motivated by greed and power, and they do not care about the harm they cause to others. They are also willing to kill anyone who stands in their way, or who poses a threat to their operation. They represent the dark side of the American dream, which is based on money and success, but which can also lead to crime and violence.
Freedom and identity
The novel contrasts Reacher’s lifestyle with that of the other characters. Reacher is a free man, who has no ties, no obligations, and no commitments. He can go wherever he wants, whenever he wants, and do whatever he wants. He has no identity, no history, and no trace. He is a mystery, who does not fit into any category or label. He is also a rebel, who does not follow the rules or the norms of society. He lives by his own code, which is based on his personal values and principles.
He is the ultimate individualist, who does not depend on anyone or anything. However, his freedom also comes with a price, which is loneliness, isolation, and detachment. He has no one to share his life with, no one to care for, and no one to care for him. He is a stranger, who does not belong anywhere or to anyone.
Style and Tone
The novel is written in the first person, from Reacher’s point of view. The style is simple, direct, and concise, with short sentences and paragraphs. The language is plain, clear, and straightforward, with no unnecessary words or details. The tone is realistic, gritty, and hard-boiled, with no sentimentality or emotion.
The novel is fast-paced, action-packed, and suspenseful, with frequent twists and turns. The novel is also violent, graphic, and explicit, with vivid descriptions of the killings and the injuries. The novel is influenced by the genre of the thriller, and by the works of authors such as Raymond Chandler, Dashiell Hammett, and Robert B. Parker.
Conclusion
Killing Floor is a thrilling and captivating novel that introduces the character of Jack Reacher, who has become one of the most iconic and popular heroes in modern fiction. It is a novel that will appeal to fans of thrillers, mysteries, and action, and that will keep the readers hooked until the end.
It is also a novel that showcases the talent and skill of Lee Child, who has created a unique and memorable protagonist, and who has established himself as one of the best writers in the genre. Killing Floor is a novel that deserves to be read and enjoyed by anyone who loves a good story.
