The Midnight Line, by Lee Child, is the 22nd Jack Reacher novel and, sad to say, my first.

Some people know Jack Reacher by the Tom Cruise movies, but his true character is best found in Child’s novels. Unlike Cruise, Reacher is actually 6’5″ tall, ex-military police and tough as steel.

In The Midnight Line, Reacher becomes intrigued by a West Point ring he spots in a pawn shop. Knowing how much work and sacrifice is required to earn such a ring, he wants to know what has happened to that cadet for them to pawn such a sign of achievement.

His interest leads him down a path of underworld power brokers, the drug trade and official investigations. He manages issues with local law enforcement, private investigators and personal demons as he follows where the evidence leads him.

An easy read with memorable characters and an intriguing plot, The Midnight Line is an enjoyable story.