101 Books, Number 91

Favorite Books from Throughout My Life

91. Killing Floor, 1997, by Lee Child (pen name for James D. Grant, 1954–)

Okay, I read those Reacher books—

I’ve read them all (in me: his hooks).

It does not take me very long

To read one through (a ping, a pong).

Jack Reacher’s big and smart and deft—

And when he leaves? Not much is left

Of Bad Guys and their enterprise—

All often under remote skies

In thinly populated spots—

Wyoming, say (connect the dots).

He’s big and really tough to take—

The fools try (and wise men quake).

He’s very tall (unlike Tom Cruise,

And for producers I have news:

Tom’s very wrong to play this part—

C’mon, producers, have a heart!).

I’m reading Midnight Line right now—

Will finish very soon, I trow.

And wait and fret and toss about

Until the next one—soon?—comes out!