I have shared the misgivings of many about the tag-team Reacher novels, which are purportedly more Andrew than Lee. But the new book, Chain Reaction, is a significant return to form. I inhaled it over the past six days, and it's just great. Everything we need in Reacher; nothing we don't.

There was even a decent nod to the softer side of Reacher (mostly involving a very small baby but also Susan Turner), which was quite touching and in character. Even more in character was the way Reacher walked away from everything, back on the open road, where he belongs -- alone.

Terrific genre novel. Well done, Andrew (since it seems clear that Lee has nothing to do with the books except put his name on the cover).

I have recently started reading the series and did some book rankings on this thread a few weeks ago. I’ve read a couple more since then. Here are my views! Going to have a little break from the series for a few weeks as I don’t want to out Reacher myself!

The Enemy - 8.2/10
I really loved this story, it was a really well written mystery. There was enough to pick up on to try and solve but not enough to be obvious. I think I enjoyed that there wasn’t a lot of fighting in this book too, it put all the focus on the plot and Reacher trying to solve the case. I thought Summer was a great side character (other than the pointless sleeping with Reacher) and Willard was a good asshole character too. I loved the last scene too with the tanks, very tense! While I did enjoy the perspective of seeing him in the army, following orders and being by the book (for a short while at least), I do prefer the post army care free Reacher that we know and love.

Without Fail - 7/10
First book I have read with Neagley in and I love how their relationship and back and forth an are very similar to the show (although it was weird that he was “checking out her ass”). I’m not sure I felt too invested in the whole saving the VP thing for some reason, it was a good mystery and everything I just think the motivation behind it was a bit weak (if that makes sense?). I think it’s because the reason for Reacher himself being invested was kind of weak, like he stayed to help because it’s his brothers ex from 10 years ago and that was kind of it? I know that these stories are reliant on Reacher being dragged into stuff, but I feel like the other books have stronger reasons for Reacher sticking around (happy to be told I’m wrong). Sayjng that, it was another very good story to follow, I love how Child presents a mystery/ case - he is one of those authors where every single word is contributing to the plot (other than the pointless fornication) And oh my god Froelich she was so annoying !!!

I was rereading Without Fail and noticed that when Reacher introduced Neagley for Froelich he said “best sergeant from the Air Force I work with”. I’m reading a translated version of the book so I was wondering is this a translation “issue” or is this the case in the original too? It is the first book she appears in it would be kind of reasonable if Lee changed it up later with the 110th. Are there any other contractions in the books you have noticed?

It's hard to believe Reacher will be five years old in 2027.

Alan Ritchson was at GalaxyCon Richmond back in 2022, around the time Season 1 premiered. With the show's success since then, it would be awesome to see him return to Richmond for the convention's 2027 event.

GalaxyCon Richmond runs March 18–21, 2027, and I'd love to see Jack Reacher himself on the guest lineup.

Would anyone else be excited to meet Alan Ritchson there?

If you're interested, you can submit a guest suggestion through GalaxyCon's official website:

https://galaxycon.com/pages/galaxycon-richmond

Just scroll down to the guest suggestion section and enter Alan Ritchson. Guest requests aren't guaranteed, but it's worth letting the organizers know there's interest.

Anyone else hoping for a Reacher reunion in Richmond?

I have read 6 books now and every single one of them mentions linoleum. Whether it’s just describing the flooring, talking about a knife someone was killed with, even now I just read that Reacher drove past a linoleum shop (surely this could have been ANY kind of shop).

I have never heard or thought about linoleum so much before.

Was linoleum a big thing 20/30 years ago? Is it an inside joke? Did Lee child have shares in a flooring company and was trying to raise awareness? Or am I just going crazy. Maybe it’s more of a thing in the US (I’m from UK)?

I just had to get this off my chest before I went crazy sorry

Man I had so much hopes for In Too Deep, but I was let down so bad when I finished the book some time ago. The plot sounded too cool but I don't know what Andrew's doing but the story was everywhere and Reacher just seemed like himself in this book. There was no fricking disadvantage with his broken hand, he beat everyone up as usual. What was the point???? And Ivan, for being a FBI agent, is a total dumbass. My God. This book annoyed me so bad.

Thanks for listening to this rant

I'm running a bit (haha) behind here. Just now listening to "A wanted Man." It's not a coincidence that one of the characters is a dumb cop named Puller, and the first David Baldacci John Puller book came out the previous year, is it? I suppose this horse has been beaten to death more than once, right?

I spelled his name wrong the first time . . . but this blew me away.

I read all of the Lee Child books for the first time about 5 years ago & really enjoyed them. I just finished rereading “The Affair” so which one should I follow it with?

Obviously “The Killing Floor” would be the logical choice but I remember it not being as good as later books hence the question.

Edit: Thank you all for the suggestions! It looks like “The Hard Way” was suggested the most so that’ll be the book!

It's shit.

Secret science project goes bad and we hide is great.

I just can't live with the lazy writing of the two antagonists.

The one gets caught, takes out 4 agents while figuring out the target is somewhere hiding, gets arrested and then, takes out the arresting agent without arms.

And this isn't well written like tripwire where a 38 special fails to "penetrate the muscle"...

This is just real lazy writing for a premise that could have been fantastic

It could have been Reacher meets The rock (action film from the 90s) with tons of real 90s throwbacks.

Instead it reads like a guy trying to hit the word count so his teacher will accept his homework and leave him alone

Just realised that Malcom Goodwin (the actor for seasons 1s Finley) is in the party rock anthem video

Just went to Q&A with Lee(James) and Andrew at Cheltenham literature festival. Very interesting to hear their thoughts on childhood, killing reacher off, writing together, and the Tom cruise films.

Human Nature

a short story that i was working on from the past 2 months hope you like it and give some suggestions.

Read the book here

Publication day on Tuesday but I thought I’d share this first
One little detail in Chain Reaction made me smile, and I thought it was worth sharing.
Reacher mentions that he has read Stephen King’s Under the Dome. That might seem like an unremarkable reference to another author’s work, except for one rather amusing detail: Under the Dome itself contains a reference to Jack Reacher.
Think about the implications of that for a moment.
Stephen King writes a novel that mentions a fictional character created by Lee Child. Andrew Child then has that very character reading Stephen King’s novel.
Reacher is reading a book in which Reacher is mentioned.
It’s a wonderfully circular little paradox — a literary hall of mirrors, if you like.
There’s no elaborate crossover or explanation. It’s just a casual reference that becomes much cleverer when you know both books. I love these little details that reward readers who recognise the connection.
Stephen King writes about Reacher. Reacher reads Stephen King. And Andrew Child completes the circle.
I won’t say anything more about the context because I want to keep this spoiler-free ahead of Tuesday’s publication.
Has anyone else noticed this connection, or will you be looking out for it when you read Chain Reaction?

L.A. Noire has you playing as a detective and the bulk of the game has you investigating crime scenes, collecting evidence and interrogating witnesses/suspects.

I think this can serve as a good template for a Reacher game, but the Reacher game would just need more action.