Now that I've snuggled with Jack Reacher, what's next?

As everyone living reading this blog knows I'm a devoted fan of Lee Child and the Jack Reacher novels.  Despite his devotion to pleasing his fans,  Lee Child can write but one, maybe two, books per year. Sadly, I read faster than that.

Enter the book bag of enticements at Bouchercon 2011.  The new John Sandford SHOCK WAVE was enclosed.  I'd heard of John Sandford, seen him on panels, thought he was a nice guy.  I might have read one or two of the very first books way back when.

But I wasn't a fan. Certainly not in the way I'm a Jack Reacher fan: drooling, demanding, deranged all come to mind.

But, I had a four hour trip to Boston on the train. Starting at 8:30 am. I knew there was no way I was going to go for anything serious at that hour of the morning. And SHOCK WAVE had the added beauty of being an ARC: paperback, and when I was done, I could leave it behind.

So I took it for the train ride.

And oh boy am I glad I did.

Amtrak was having a fit of the vapors on Wednesday and I did NOT care!  I was glad of the extra time in fact.

SHOCK WAVE is a terrific book. The main guy, Virgil Flowers, isn't taking Jack Reacher's place in my heart any time soon, but I'd let him buy me a drink and wax enthusiastic about his odd musical tastes.

John Sandford is a New York Times bestselling author. He doesn't need my help to promote his books but he's gonna get it anyway.  If you need a good thriller for a Christmas gift, SHOCK WAVE should be on your list.

And it's the fifth in the Virgil Flowers series...so there's enough back list to satisfy those of us who don't like to wait around to read the next one.