#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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Love all Jack Reacher books, lots of action
I have read and enjoyed all of Lee Child’s books and this one was no exception.
I enjoy the unique twists that he manages to insert into his plots.
I enjoyed this 23rd book’s storyline. I really liked the action in this story. Some parts of this story was gruesome . I really liked Reacher’s character. I really liked the ending.
Typical Jack Reacher story, but so entertaining.
Quick moving and lots of action, just what you would expect from Lee Child.
Do not know which one of Lee Child’s Reacher books this is but I have read 28 of them and hope he writes 28 more. The most entertaining series of books I have ever read.
Love all Jack Read her books.
I love Lee Child. Straight up love him. I think I’ve read every Jack Reacher book there is. The man can write a fight sequence.
This story…was darker somehow and different than his others. Usually, you spend MOST of the POV with Jack. This one was split more like 50/50 with Jack spending a lot of his time looking into his own (kinda boring) family history. To be honest, I think I skimmed most of the story that actually was about Jack for the first half, and stuck to reading about the Canadian couple in their horrorshow hotel.
This was the first of the Reacher books that actually made me scared. I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or not. Usually the bad guys are BAD and the mystery is INTENSE, but this was another level to me.
***SPOILERS***
It’s about a hotel where rich people can fly in and hunt humans to the death. So…you know…there’s that. And I guess, you don’t really doubt that Reacher’s going to win because Reacher always wins. But there’s a a degree of suffocation that conveys off the page as you watch the woman in this couple, slowly realize where they are, that there’s no way out, that they’re being watched, as the noose gets tighter. The tension was skyhigh with it all, and for the first time I wondered…what if Lee Child wrote a story about someone other than Jack Reacher?
Harlan Coban, who I also love for crime and mystery, and has a similar style, writes about lots of different characters, what if Lee did too? Cuz, I straight-up LOVED being in the Canadian chicks’ head.
#FreeLeeForMoreCharacters!
From the Master.
Like all Reacher books by Lee Child, it is great reading, if not overly literature-istic. Child has established a format in which the complex Reacher finds a straightforward problem that he solves using the tools he has proven in prior novels.
Still makes for a fun read.
Classic Jack Reacher! I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Lee Child rocks!
I never miss a Lee Child book!
Great
Love the whole Jack Reacher series!
Ok read, but not Lee Child’s best work.
Excellent!
Jack Reacher just can’t seem to find trouble even when he just wants to find out about his family history. Interesting groups of bad guys, hunters, young Canadians, and Jack equals conflict. Read this one!
Reacher continues to thrill and to provide action packed on action in a formula that never seems to wear out.
Read and loved the entire Jack Reacher series a couple of years ago.
Just about time for a re-read of this series about one of my favourite characters.