Carmen Greer had married into an old monied Texas family with a sprawling ranch outside of Pecos in oppressively hot and dusty Echo county. She had married Sloop, the eldest son, after becoming pregnant. The spousal abuse started soon after. Unfortunately due to the racism of the Greer family against "beaners" or Mexicans and the lax laws in that part of the state, Carmen's cries went unheeded.
Reacher initially refused his assistance especially after he was asked to kill Sloop Greer. His posture however softened after meeting Carmen's vivacious six year old flaxen haired daughter Ellie. Reacher posing as a ranch hand looking for work at the Greer's Red House Ranch, instantaneously sized up the situation.
Unknown to Reacher was that the family was concurrently being surveyed and stalked by two groups of three individuals with unknown motives.
As Reacher became more deeply involved in this passion play he became aware that there was a plethora of secrets and lies surrounding the inhabitants of Echo county.
Lee Child, while intriguing me with the exploits of his hero Reacher, never convinces me that Reacher was influenced enough to actually give a darn about Carmen Greer's dilemma. I however will march forward to the next novel in the series.