Jack Reacher Books In Order
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Reading The Jack Reacher Novels In Order
Personally I find that reading the books in order gives you timeline and references to previous stories that it's good to not miss if you want to have the whole picture.
The Affair is the latest Jack Reacher novel - I already have the hardcover edition, bought end of September 2011 as soon as it was published.
For example the novel The Enemy (the prequel) will truly mean something to you once you know already Jack Reacher through the previous novels. You will understand him better by then and you'll really feel the book in a different way, even though chronologically the order is different. At least that's how I felt when I read the book and I think I was right.
Jack Reacher has become very popular ever since the first novel was written by Lee Child (Killing Floor). This book hooked me on the series and now every year I'm waiting for a new one to be published.
Contents at a Glance
All The Jack Reacher Books In Publication Order
- Killing Floor (Jack Reacher #1)
- Killing Floor is Lee Child's first every novel, the one that made him famous for the new thriller series featuring Jack Reacher. Published in 1997.
- Die Trying (Jack Reacher #2)
- Die Trying is the second Jack Reacher series, it's the one that really hooked me up on this tormented hero. Book was published in 1998.
- Tripwire (Jack Reacher #3)
- Tripwire is book number 3, published 1999
- Running Blind (Jack Reacher #4)
- Running Blind, published in 2000, is book #4. In the UK the book is called The Visitor.
- Echo Burning (Jack Reacher #5)
- Echo Burning, his 5th book was published in 2001.
- Without Fail (Jack Reacher #6)
- Without Fail is book #6 in the Jack Reacher series, and it was published in 2002.
- Persuader (Jack Reacher #7)
- Persuader was published in 2003 and is Lee Child's 7h novel featuring Jack Reacher.
- The Enemy (Jack Reacher #8)
- The Enemy was published in 2004 and is book #8. However chronologically the story happens before Killing Floor. However it makes more sense to read iall the previous books first, so that everything makes the most sense when you get to the actual prequel.
- One Shot (Jack Reacher #9)
- Whether you read the prequel or not, this is the 9th book in the series, and it was published in 2005.
- The Hard Way (Jack Reacher #10)
- Book #10, The Hard Way got published in 2006.
- Bad Luck and Trouble (Jack Reacher #11)
- Bad Luck and Trouble is Lee Child's 11th novel about Jack Reacher. Published in 2007.
- Nothing to Lose (Jack Reacher #12)
- Nothing to Lose is Jack Reacher story #12. It was published in 2008.
- Gone Tomorrow (Jack Reacher #13)
- Gone Tomorrow is the next Jack Reacher novel, #13, and it was published in 2008.
- 61 Hours (Jack Reacher #14)
- Jack Reacher is back again in a new thriller in Lee Child's 14th book. It was published in 2010.
- Worth Dying For (Jack Reacher #15)
- Here is Jack again in book #15. 2010 publication.
- The Affair (Jack Reacher #16)
- So far the latest book in the Jack Reacher series, The Affair was published in September 2011.
Different Covers
The US and the UK covers for the Jack Reacher novels are different from each other, and I find them both really great looking for each book in the series. So you will get to see both below side by side.
Killing Floor (Jack Reacher #1)
Killing Floor (Jack Reacher, No. 1)
Amazon Price: $5.12 (as of 06/02/2012)
Killing Floor is the first Jack Reacher novel ever written. Truth be told, this was the first book I read, after I've read Die Trying. However once I got through the first two books, I religiously read each new one in strict order.
In this very first book Jack Reacher gets arrested for murder, and one of the victims is no other than his estranged brother. He has to find out who really killed his brother if he ever wants to get ticket free.
Jack is a very complex anti-hero, one that is extremely likable, despite the fact that he tries too hard not to be. If you've never picked a Jack Reacher novel before, I think you'll love this new series!
"I'm not a vagrant. I'm a hobo. Big difference."
~Lee Child, Killing Floor
Die Trying (Jack Reacher #2)
Die Trying (Jack Reacher, No. 2)
Amazon Price: $5.36 (as of 06/02/2012)
The second installment of the Jack Reacher books in order is full of action, suspense and you'll find yourself turning the pages until you get to the very last one.
Here Jack is taken as a hostage in a van along with Holly, an FBI agent. He just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Or was it the right place and right time, to stop a crime from being committed?
Tripwire (Jack Reacher #3)
Tripwire (Jack Reacher, No. 3)
Amazon Price: $5.45 (as of 06/02/2012)
Here we find Jack Reacher all spent out digging pools for some pithance in Florida Keys. During the night he plays a bouncer at the local strip club. He is quite content doing these things and not getting involved in anything deadly until he find the PI Costello who was watching him and asking around about him, killed. He then realizes that his paradise days are over.
Another gripping chiller from Lee Child, this book is just as engaging and suspenseful a thriller as his previous one. I loved it!
Running Blind (Jack Reacher #4)
Running Blind (Jack Reacher, No. 4)
Amazon Price: $5.25 (as of 06/02/2012)
Running Blind is called in the UK 'The Visitor'. I actually have the UK edition at home. At the time almost bought Running Blind as well, thinking that they're two different books. Here Jack Reacher once again is under suspicion of having killed two army women, especially that he knew both from before. However when the third woman also is found dead, Jack starts his own investigation to find the real killer and avenge the women.
The more book I read with Jack, the more I like this reluctant hero. In a way he reminds me of Michael Connelly's Harry Bosh, yet with is own personal style and charm.
Echo Burning (Jack Reacher #5)
Echo Burning (Jack Reacher)
Amazon Price: $5.13 (as of 06/02/2012)
In Echo Burning our hero Jack Reacher returns for yet another installment of fun, thrill and suspense. Here we find him on the road hitchhiking his way in Texas when Carmen comes along in her car and picks him up in her shiny new Cadillac. And of course, she comes with her own set of problems that only Jack Reacher can fix for her. Not her husband, not the police are any good. So of course, Jack once again saves the day.
These books are all rather predictable in style, but still they're such fun to read that you don't actually care that the plot in a way is always the same...
"I know I'm smarter than an armadillo"
~Lee Child, Echo Burning
Without Fail (Jack Reacher #6)
Without Fail (Jack Reacher, No. 6)
Amazon Price: $5.28 (as of 06/02/2012)
This new book in the Jack Reacher series starts with a bang: Jack is asked by the Secret Service to kill the US Vice President. And that's one request he doesn't get every day!
I won't spoil the fun with giving away the piot, but let's just say that this book is just as fun to read as the previous ones, with constant action and suspense throughout.
Persuader (Jack Reacher #7)
Persuader (Jack Reacher, No. 7)
Amazon Price: $5.08 (as of 06/02/2012)
Quinn, Jack Reacher's nemesis is back. Jack thought he'd eliminated him many years ago, but it seems not. To finally kill him for good, Jack has to go undercover to flush out Quinn.
This is again a book that you simply can't put down once you've started reading. It does start a bit slow, so bear with it as it really picks up its pace. Twists and turns at every corner, Jack is always the hero who saves the same and everyone in danger. A great read!
The Enemy (Jack Reacher #8)
The Enemy: A Reacher Novel (Jack Reacher)
Amazon Price: $4.74 (as of 06/02/2012)
The Enemy is Lee Child's 8th Jack Reacher novel. Chronologically this story takes place before the events in The Killing Floor, in 1990 when a general is found dead in a hotel room in North Carolina. While apparently it is a heart attack, it seems there's more to the story than that, so Jack has to get involved and solve the case.
The book is full of non-stop action, and it makes it a great and fast read. If you liked Jack Reacher so far, you'll eat this book up as well.
One Shot (Jack Reacher #9)
One Shot: A Reacher Novel (Jack Reacher)
Amazon Price: $4.99 (as of 06/01/2012)
In this new novel, Jack is finally off work, enjoying the sun and beach of Miami with a gorgeous blonde. Unfortunately he can't enjoy his status quo for long because he has to find a sniper who ruthlessly kills randomly 5 people. While the guy is easily found, he asks for Jack Reacher saying that he is not guilty. So the easy case turns out to be not so easy afterall.
Yet again Jack Reacher is at his best, following leads, solving crimes and being his adorable gloomy self.
Did you know that...
One Shot will be made into a movie? It will feature Tom Cruise and the movie is coming out February 8, 2013
The Hard Way (Jack Reacher #10)
The Hard Way: A Reacher Novel (Jack Reacher)
Amazon Price: $5.26 (as of 06/02/2012)
It's interesting how the trouble always finds Jack when he's not even looking for it. Here he is sipping quietly his espresso at a cafe when he's dragged into a case of kidnapping (that he has to solve, of course). No stranger to violence, he's not shy to use it, along his charm and knowledge to solve the puzzle.
Sure, the story is a bit predictable, but it's just as enjoyable as his very first novel.
Bad Luck and Trouble (Jack Reacher #11)
Bad Luck and Trouble: A Reacher Novel (Jack Reacher)
Amazon Price: $5.15 (as of 06/02/2012)
Book 11 finds Jack Reacher again alone, just the way he likes it. But he won't be alone for long. One of his old team members has been thrown out of a helicopter, so Jack can't NOT get involved. He meets a few of his old team mates and together have to find out why their old mate was killed and why a few other old team mates have disappeared as well.
Almost just as good as his previous ones, for some reason though this book didn't grab me as the others. However it's still a great read, don't get me wrong. Jack seems a bit more mellow and soft, compared to how he acts in older novels.
"Now they broke my toothbrush, I don't own anything."
~Lee Child, Bad Luck And Trouble
Nothing to Lose (Jack Reacher #12)
Nothing to Lose (Jack Reacher, No. 12)
Amazon Price: $4.73 (as of 06/01/2012)
As usual we find Jack Reacher alone. This time walking on the road between two desolate towns because he can't find a ride. All he wants a cup of coffee, otherwise he's quite happy in his skin alone. Which he can't be for long since thugs find him, no matter where he is.
In all honesty, this book was my least favorite of all the Jack Reacher books in order. I couldn't relate to the story and I found it a bit dragging. It was not bad, but personally I found it not up to Lee Child's usual standard. But still worth a good read.
Gone Tomorrow (Jack Reacher #13)
Gone Tomorrow (Jack Reacher #13)
Amazon Price: $4.50 (as of 06/02/2012)
After the rather disappointing Nothing to Lose, here we find Jack back in full force. It's the old Jack as we know and love him. The story starts with a bang: Jack is in a subway in Manhattan when he witnesses an apparent suicide. But apparently the suicide has other origins in fact, and Jack is drawn to find out what really happened. How could he not?
This is one of Lee Child's best books in my opinion. Jack is back and all the ambient and action that we are used to is back with him as well.
61 Hours (Jack Reacher #14)
61 Hours: A Reacher Novel (Jack Reacher)
Amazon Price: $4.31 (as of 06/01/2012)
A typical Jack Reacher novel, this is Lee Child's 14th book. It's a good, solid plot which reads quite fast. If you're in for lots of action, this book doesn't have that many. Jack is more running after clues and solving the puzzle than using his fist to fight. But still a great novel with a wonderful character that you can't but like.
"I'm not afraid of death. Death's afraid of me."
~ Lee Child, 61 Hours
Worth Dying For (Jack Reacher #15)
Worth Dying For: A Reacher Novel (Jack Reacher)
Amazon Price: $5.00 (as of 06/02/2012)
This is a perfect example why you'd want to read the Jack Reacher books in order. This story takes place shortly after the plot in 61 Hours ends. I'm not going to give away the plot, just to say that it's just as good as the previous stories. Action, suspense, thrill and good old Jack, even though battered and tattered, but alive and kicking.
The Affair (Jack Reacher #16)
The Affair: A Reacher Novel (Jack Reacher)
Amazon Price: $3.95 (as of 06/02/2012)
This is so far the latest book in the Jack Reacher series, #16. Again, chronologically speaking, The Affair is a prequel, coming before Killing Floor, but after The Enemy. It is 1997 when Reacher is still in the army. Here we understand more about why he actually dropped out and became the loner he is in most of the books.
The story is set again in a small town (like many of the previous books) and Jack has to find a murderer, while at the same time help cover up a any scandal that might be headed the army way. Which might not suit Jack's philosophy too much...A great read, one that is highly recommended. Can't wait for Lee Child's next Jack Reacher novel!
If You Like Lee Child, You Might Also Like
Do You Enjoy Reading The Jack Reacher Novels?
Other Books You Might Like
Welcome To The Jack Reacher Books In Order Guestbook
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Rtch Mayor
Apr 26, 2012 @ 9:00 am | delete
- Tom Cruise as Jack Reacher-they turned Jack into a hobbit
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JimDickens
Apr 12, 2012 @ 1:50 pm | delete
- I would have preferred to see Matthew McConnaughy as Reacher instead of Tom Cruise -- Cruise is too short. Just finished The Affair. Great book
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RenaissanceWoman2010
Mar 26, 2012 @ 10:17 am | delete
- I love the Jack Reacher series and have read all of these books. Other than the first book, I think I have read them in order. Can't wait for the next one to be published. I think Jack Reacher is one of the most interesting characters that has ever been developed. He is such an enigma.
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Centavo
Mar 22, 2012 @ 3:41 pm | delete
- Just wanted to say thanks for the great lens. I love the Jack Reacher books and have nearly read them all. I can hardly wait to get my hands on the new one. Enjoy! Having one of these to read on the National Goof Off day is my idea of a fun way to goof off!
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DamienGC
Feb 23, 2012 @ 11:37 pm | delete
- These are great books and easy to read, i've read pretty much all of them and as you come to expect from Child, it is fast paced, tense and fun to the end with a real protagonist that you will never tire of, probably why they sell so well despite being the same thing in different settings. But hey I'm not complaining i love these books! Great Lens! And as for reading them in order, its not necessary but it does give a nice sense of perspective to the reader which i enjoy more than just 16 stand alone thrillers
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lawrence01
Feb 18, 2012 @ 3:14 am | delete
- I've read some of them and I agre with you about reading a series in order. I'm half way through that with the Bourne series by Robert Ludlum and Eric Von Lustbader.
Great info here for the likes of me who likes to follow a timeline
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LewesDE
Feb 17, 2012 @ 1:41 am | delete
- Great lens. I hope you make more of them!
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entertainmenteveryday
Feb 16, 2012 @ 10:42 pm | delete
- Great information! I love learning about new authors and books. I'm going to try to read the Killing Floor soon.
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WriterJanis
Feb 16, 2012 @ 11:12 am | delete
- Some of these look very interesting.
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