Book review: The Midnight Line by Lee Child

The essential plot of every Jack Reacher novel is the same:

1. Reacher is innocently traveling around the country carrying only his toothbrush.
2. He finds something that bothers him.
3. Much violence and sex ensues.
4. Reacher rights all wrongs and moves on.

In The Midnight Line, the thing Reacher notices is a West Point class ring in a pawn shop.  It's very small and was clearly worn by a very small woman. It's inscribed with initials and a year of graduation. Reacher  doesn't think anyone would willingly sell their ring, so he decides to return the ring to its rightful owner.

The plot and violence here centers on the market for opiates. The sex centers around the original owner of the ring.

People who like Lee Child's style will like this novel. Sentence fragments. Minimal characterization. Physical violence, well described. Short-term relationships. I'm a fan, personally, and I think this is one of the better novels in the series.