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1
Second Son (short story, 2011)
In faraway South Pacific, where we lay our scene. 1970s. A U.S. military base. A 13-year-old Jack Reacher experiences the transient and disciplined world of a military family stationed overseas, giving him a taste of his future life and developing sense of rough justice.
2
High Heat (novella, 2013)
It's 1977. A teenage Reacher navigates arson, gang violence, and the dangerous underbelly of New York City during the blackout, solidifying his morals and resourcefulness.
3
Deep Down (short story, 2012)
Set early in his military career, Reacher is summoned to Washington D.C., Reacher goes undercover to investigate a potential leak of military secrets about a new sniper rifle, with four high-ranking female officers as prime suspects. Despite being labelled a low-risk mission, Reacher knows better than to underestimate potential danger and prepares to uncover the truth, no matter how messy the consequences.
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4
Small Wars (short story, 2015)
In 1989, a young lieutenant colonel in a stylish handmade uniform roars through the damp Georgia woods in her new Porsche, bound for a clandestine meeting with a secretive Pentagon unit. Reacher stumbles upon the aftermath of a brutal shooting that may connect to the woman and her shadowy team, thrusting him into a dangerous, off-the-books investigation with far-reaching consequences.
5
Lee Child The Enemy (Novel, 2004)
New Year's Eve, 1989. Still a Major in the military police, Reacher investigates the death of a general, uncovering military secrets and hidden agendas. His unwavering sense of justice clashes with the complexities of authority
6
James Penney's New Identity (short story, 1999 edited 2006)
During his military career (timeline unclear, likely early or mid-1990s), Reacher's strategic mind and resourcefulness are showcased when he's tasked with helping a key witness assume a new identity. Reacher must outmanoeuvre those seeking to silence the witness, orchestrating a meticulous and calculated plan to ensure their safety and preserve a vital asset.
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7
The Secret (Novel, 2023)
1992. Somewhere else in the world, rave culture is at its peak. But not for Reacher; he's just raving mad. He's been demoted to captain and joins military investigators on a multi-agency task force to hunt down those targeting former government scientists. Early glimpses into the calculating side of Reacher.
8
The Secret (novel, 2022)
During the pandemic, Lee Child was harbouring his own secret - that he planned to soon hang up his pen. But the twist: he would not be killing off Reacher.
Instead, he would pass the pen to brother Andrew Child (not his real name). The plan was to warm Andrew in. So together they wrote The Secret, thrusting Reacher back in time to 1992. A string of mysterious deaths leads the Secretary of Defense to form a task force and demand Reacher's participation. Reacher, recently demoted in the military police, must navigate office politics while uncovering a decades-old secret. As he delves deeper, he discovers the killings aren't random, and he's up against a formidable force bent on revenge.
9
Night School (novel, 2016)
1996. Fresh from a successful mission, Reacher is summoned to a secret operation to infiltrate a dangerous terrorist cell with international implications. This gives Reacher the perfect opportunity to showcase his skills in adaptability, loyalty, and combat.
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10
The Affair (novel, 2011)
Mid-1990s. Six months before leaving the military, Major Reacher investigates a suspicious on-base murder that sparks doubts about his devotion to the army and lays the groundwork for his future choices.
11
Killing Floor (novel, 1997)
This is the original book that launched Lee Child into stardom - and the basis for Amazon Prime's first series of Reacher. Set in the late 1990s, Reacher, a drifter armed with nothing but a passport, a toothbrush and a burning sense of righteousness, gets off a bus in Georgia, only to be wrongly arrested for murder. Determined to clear his name, he unravels hidden conspiracies and kickstarts his career as an unconventional detective.
12
Die Trying (novel,1998)
Shortly after the events of Killing Floor, Reacher witnesses a woman's kidnapping in Chicago and becomes embroiled in a relentless battle with a fanatical survivalist group, highlighting his combat skills and drive to protect.
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Late 1990s/early 2000s - Y2K is dawning in Key West, where Reacher stumbles upon clues leading to a missing person with ties to his past. The case gets personal as he uncovers a lethal game of revenge, buried truths, and confronts his own past.
14
Running Blind aka The Visitor (Novel, 2000)
Early 2000s. Investigating seemingly random murders, Reacher suspects the killer may be hunting someone from his past, drawing on his protective instincts and relentless pursuit of the truth.
15
Echo Burning (novel, 2001)
Early 2000s. Hitchhiking through Texas, Reacher helps a Mexican woman fleeing a ruthless cartel. He confronts a dangerous world of criminals and injustice, driven by chivalry and a commitment to protect the vulnerable.
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16
Without Fail (novel, 2002)
Early/Mid-2000s. Recruited by the Secret Service to protect the Vice President-elect, Reacher uncovers hidden threats within political circles. His strategic thinking and ability to anticipate threats are tested.
17
Persuader (novel, 2003)
Early/Mid-2000s. Teaming up with DEA Agent Susan Duffy, Reacher goes undercover to dismantle a ruthless drug lord's empire, seeking revenge for the murder of a Boston detective. A showcase of his adaptability, skill in assuming identities, and willingness to partner - a skill that will come in handy for him but also Child who surely by now is feeling the need to branch out with more than 30 books to go.
We're into the mid-2000s now. A series of meticulous sniper shootings rocks a town, framing Reacher for the crimes. He fights to clear his name, uncovers a complex conspiracy, and battles his own notoriety.
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19
The Hard Way (novel, 2006)
Mid-2000s. Reacher is hired by a mysterious director to find his kidnapped family, triggering a chase across New York City and a brutal showdown on a remote English farm. This mission highlights his ruthless side and protective instincts.
20
Bad Luck and Trouble (Novel, 2007)
Mid to late 2000s - the book Amazon Prime based its second series on. Reuniting with old military friends sparks troubling memories, prompting Reacher to confront a dangerous enemy from their shared past. He delves into the lasting impact of their shared experiences.
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