#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 the Jack Reacher character. Lee Child is a wonderful writer, I enjoy all the Jack Reacher books.
Always entertaining with a punch…almost each page. Raw, unbridled justice.
I think I’ve read all the Reacher books and they have never let me down. Great main character who meets out his own brand of justice. They’re great fun to read and love how Reacher figures out the culprit and rights all the wrongs.
I hated for it to end!
I’m a Jack Reacher fan so have read all the books and recommend them.
Definitely not his best work.
He always writes a great book.
Love Jack Reacher
All Jack Reacher books are great!
I was not disappointed.
I am growing tired of this series and don’t think I will be reading any additional books. I feel like it’s the same thing over and over and I am over Reacher’s bully persona. Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
All of Lee Child’s Jack Reacher books are great! So are Diane Capri’s books that piggyback Child’s Jack Reacher books!
One in a series of great reads.
It’s Lee Child, that’s what you get. Kicks ass
Jack Reacher is the sort of man you want at your back at any sort of confrontation, but he seems to be escalating in terms of violence. He’s still an interesting read because you never know where he’s going to be or how he’s going to get involved with a total stranger or strangers.
first i should say that i love to read lee child. and i think he is a very clever thriller writer. but this book it is not good enough so i find it harder to write. child is a master builder of plots and this book is no exception. it is a beautiful plot of the past and the present of Reacher life, here the name past tense. it is even touching because it is the honest and touching part of the thriller. but… and now comes the but. the action is not good, even forced. the inside story of a kidnapped young couple is less than so so. there are some great dialogues but on the writing is not sharp. i wanted along to stop reading but child is a writer with surprises and the end is great. so ok sometimes a writer is not at the top. it happened. but i will keep on following his writing as there are not many masters of thriller writing.
Lee Child, one of the best.
Love Jack Reacher.
Lee Child is the best!! Reacher is incredible!! My favorite writer ever!!
Jack Reacher!!!!