Lee Child

JACK REACHER NEVER LOOKS BACK . . . UNTIL NOW. 'There's only one Jack Reacher. Accept no substitutes.' - Mick Herron. The present can be tense . . . A young couple trying to get to New York City are stranded at a lonely motel in the middle of nowhere. Before long they’re trapped in an ominous game of life and death. But the past can be worse . . . Meanwhile, Jack Reacher sets out on an epic road trip across America. He doesn’t get far. Deep in the New England woods, he sees a sign to a place he has never been - the town where his father was born. But when he arrives he is told no one named Reacher ever lived there. Now he wonders: who’s lying? As the tension ratchets up and these two stories begin to entwine, the stakes have never been higher for Reacher. That’s for damn sure. ___________________________________________________ Although the Jack Reacher novels can be read in any order, Past Tense is the 23rd in the series. And be sure not to miss Reacher's newest adventure, no. 24, Blue Moon!

(Jack Reacher 23)

Past Tense

"Family secrets come back to haunt Jack Reacher in this electrifying thriller from #1 New York Times bestselling author Lee Child, "a superb craftsman of suspense" (Entertainment Weekly). Jack Reacher has extended his thumb and hit the pavement. His plan is to follow the autumn sun on an epic trip across America, from Maine to California. He doesn't get far. On a country road in rural New Hampshire, deep in the New England woods, he sees a sign to a place he has never been: The town where his father was born. He thinks, What's one extra day? and takes the detour. At the same moment, in the same isolated area, a car breaks down. Two young Canadians are trying to drive to New York City to sell a treasure. Now they're stranded at a lonely motel in the middle of nowhere. The owners almost seem too friendly. It's a strange place. but it's all there is. The next morning in the city clerk's office, Reacher asks about the old family home. He's told no one named Reacher ever lived in town. He knows his father left and never returned. Now Reacher wonders, Was he ever there in the first place? As Reacher explores his father's life, and strands of different stories begin to merge, he makes a shocking discovery: The present can be tough, but the past can be tense . . . and deadly"--

Past tense

Rohit Khanduri

Past Tense by Lee Child

"Past Tense" by Lee Child is another thrilling adventure with the iconic character Jack Reacher. My review, as a fan of Jack Reacher and Child’s writing style, is based on my personal preferences, and while I found many aspects of the book enjoyable, there were some elements that left me wanting more.

Let's start with the positives:

1. Classic Reacher: Lee Child's writing style remains consistent, and Jack Reacher's character is as compelling as ever. Reacher's unwavering sense of justice and his ability to handle any situation with intelligence and brute force continue to captivate readers.
2. Engaging Plot: The story's dual narrative, with Reacher investigating his family's history alongside the suspenseful events involving Shorty and Patty, adds depth and complexity to the plot. It keeps the reader engaged and eager to uncover the mysteries.
3. Action Sequences: Lee Child is known for his well-choreographed action sequences, and "Past Tense" doesn't disappoint in this regard. The book is filled with intense, pulse-pounding moments that remind readers why they love Reacher novels.

Now, onto some of the drawbacks:

1. Pacing: While the book is action-packed, the pacing felt uneven at times. The parallel storylines occasionally slowed the overall momentum of the plot, leaving me eager to return to Reacher's perspective.
2. Resolution: Without giving away spoilers, the resolution of certain storylines left me wanting more closure and depth. Some questions felt unanswered, which was a bit frustrating.
3. Predictability: Die-hard Reacher fans may find some of the plot twists and reveals to be somewhat predictable. While I appreciate the familiar Reacher formula, a bit more unpredictability could have added to the suspense.

"Past Tense" is a solid addition to the Jack Reacher series, offering the trademark action and intrigue that fans have come to expect. While it may not be the absolute pinnacle of the series, it still delivers an enjoyable and entertaining experience for those who love Reacher's adventures.

Keernan Lanismore

The Reacher series has been my favorite series of all time. I watch for each new book with great impatience. So imagine my shock, surprise and sadness at the “meh” this book generated from me. I’m sad. Angry at what I seem to have lost.

Jeff Brown 

This was the best Reacher book in a while to me. He’s not saving a person, a town, or a county. Nor is he attacking a business nor a corporation. He doesn’t even know what he’s defending until 89% through the book. He just knows it’s hinky and bulls through until the end. A step above the usual great Reacher books.

Lisa Trebilcock

Solid 4.5 stars. 

12 years ago, while on a family holiday, my sister gave me her Jack Reacher book to read. My first time diving into Jack Reachers world was exciting, thrilling, and had me wanting more. However, after reading more Jack Reacher novels, I found the storyline rather repetitive and the suspense was lost. Jack Reacher goes into a small town, all alone, stumbles into some trouble, and saves the day with his intelligence and strength. Coupled that with Tom Cruise being Jack Reacher in the movies (wrong on so many levels), I lost interest in this series. 

I saw Past Tense being advertised in the shops, and I am so glad it caught my eye. Best thriller/crime novel I have read all year! Lee Child's writing was superb. It felt like I was watching a thriller and had to cover my eyes at some points. Having the two storylines was refreshing. I was particularly drawn to the storyline of Patti and Shorty, two young Canadians who get stranded at an isolated motel. The scene where they attempted to escape the motel in the middle of the night had my heart racing. I had to stop before my little heart jumped out of my chest.

The only thing I wanted was more of the baddie's backstory. Who were these guys who trapped Shorty and Patti? How did they stumble into this world? How many other young couples have they trapped? 

All-in-all though, great novel. Lee Child's writing was incredible, the two storylines refreshing, and enough suspense to stop my heart.

Abdul Rehman Ismail

Ben S

Michael Cowell

Kate Lillie

JACK REACHER NEVER LOOKS BACK . . . UNTIL NOW. The most hotly anticipated thriller of the year follows our hero Jack Reacher on a quest into his father's past, and climaxes in the most blood-curdling ticking time bomb of an adventure yet. The present can be tense . . . A young couple trying to get to New York City are stranded at a lonely motel in the middle of nowhere. Before long they're trapped in an ominous game of life and death. But the past can be worse . . . Meanwhile, Jack Reacher sets out on an epic road trip across America. He doesn't get far. Deep in the New England woods, he sees a sign to a place he has never been - the town where his father was born. But when he arrives he is told no one named Reacher ever lived there. Now he wonders: who's lying? As the tension ratchets up and these two stories begin to entwine, the stakes have never been higher for Reacher. That's for damn sure.

Ed Kay

Alistair James

Naomi

Fran Lewis

Alexandra Sklar

Chirag Kalra

Tracie McMurray

Danny Engström

Abbie Ray

Adam

KADY BURNS

Todd Gagne

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * Family secrets come back to haunt Jack Reacher in this electrifying thriller from "a superb craftsman of suspense" (Entertainment Weekly). Jack Reacher hits the pavement and sticks out his thumb. He plans to follow the sun on an epic trip across America, from Maine to California. He doesn't get far. On a country road deep in the New England woods, he sees a sign to a place he has never been: the town where his father was born. He thinks, What's one extra day? He takes the detour. At the same moment, in the same isolated area, a car breaks down. Two young Canadians had been on their way to New York City to sell a treasure. Now they're stranded at a lonely motel in the middle of nowhere. The owners seem almost too friendly. It's a strange place, but it's all there is. The next morning, in the city clerk's office, Reacher asks about the old family home. He's told no one named Reacher ever lived in town. He's always known his father left and never returned, but now Reacher wonders, Was he ever there in the first place? As Reacher explores his father's life, and as the Canadians face lethal dangers, strands of different stories begin to merge. Then Reacher makes a shocking discovery: The present can be tough, but the past can be tense . . . and deadly. Don't miss a sneak peek of Lee Child's novel Blue Moon in the back of the book. Praise for Past Tense "Child is one writer who should never be taken for granted."--The New York Times Book Review "[Lee Child] shows no signs of slowing down. . . . Reacher is a man for whom the phrase moral compass was invented: His code determines his direction. . . . You need Jack Reacher."--The Atlantic "Superb . . . Child neatly interweaves multiple narratives, ratchets up the suspense (the reveal of the motel plot is delicious), and delivers a powerful, satisfying denouement. Fans will enjoy learning more of this enduring character's roots, and Child's spare prose continues to set a very high bar."--Publishers Weekly (boxed and starred review) "Another first-class entry in a series that continues to set the gold standard for aspiring thriller authors."--Booklist (starred review) "With his usual flair for succinctness and eye for detail, Child creates another rollicking Reacher road trip that will please fans and newcomers alike."--Library Journal (starred review)

Past Tense (Jack Reacher 23)

Reviews