#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 … 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)
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Write faster, Lee Child!!! Jack Reacher is the BEST!
A good book but not one of his best. Will continue reading the series.
I’ve read everything Lee Child has written. They are all better than anything else.
“Past Tense”features an engaging plot as Jack Reacher goes on a walkabout in the great northeast to discover his ancestral roots. In doing so he encounters two different sets of bad guys intent on doing him some serious harm. Meanwhile, in a page-turning subplot two young Canadians become targets in a sick, twisted game in the remote Maine woods. The plot unfolds with some excellent character development, local history, and several epic action scenes that Reacher fans will love.
The growing sense of dread in this novel grips you from the start and you soon know what might happen though the Author hides it until he is ready to spring his trap.
Don’t miss this book.
Not as good as some Reacher books. Definitely worth reading if you are a Reacher fan
Lee Child never misses, I was involved from the first to the last page
Jack Reacher just keeps getting better and better. Excellent reading!
Loved the way Lee Child kept the parallel plots running right to the end.
Didn’t like
Could Reacher be wearing thin?
I’ve read EVERY Jack Reacher novel. I think Child needs to create another character. He’s gotten stale. “Past Tense” is almost inane.
Another great Jack Reacher tale by Lee Child.
Another winner in the Reacher series.
the most disappointing of the Jack Reacher series—Too much set-up, not enough action and resolution.
I love this book but then again, I’ve loved all the Jack Reacher/Lee Childs books. Great reads. Finished in 2 days. Hard to put down.
This is the latest release from Lee Child, and well worth waiting on. I had been on a list for several months and, as much as I devoured the book, I savored every scene.
Jack Reacher is in another small town in Maine. Or maybe Massachusetts. No matter – it’s a speck on the map, if that, and there are some bad eggs doing bad things to good people. Enter Jack, yay.
What Lee Child does best is show us how Jack analyzes, step by step, each of his attack-moves ahead of time. Those who’ve read every Reacher book will know what I mean. That’s the beauty of this series, envisioning Jack’s actions and reactions, along with him.
Jack rights wrongs. He’s our hero, our every man, and no one can be in-your-face better than he.
Child fans will enjoy this outing.
Standard Reacher tropes without much suspense. Formulaic.
Another weird circumstance in which to place Reacher.