Jack Reacher books - any good?

[AnonYonimousBird]

I know I am late to the party, but I keep hearing about JR books - are they for kids/teens, or are they "grown up" books?

And, furthermore, are they actually any good or just holiday/beach fodder to read with only one eye open? I genuinely know nothing about them and as the name keeps popping up I am interested to know!

Looking for some reading material for DH for over the holidays, he always leaves it til the last minute and I suspect deepest rural France may not have a massive supply of books in English!

[AnonYonimousBird]

Hey, Mrs Salvo, I'll gladly be a slave to YOUR husband forever, just spotted the name (pant, pant).

[MrsSalvoMontalbano]

[diabolo]

OP :

1. Read them all
   
2. Read them in order
   
3. Forget all about any link to Teeny-Tom
   
4. Enjoy the next few weeks while you read them.
   

[JRmumma]

You cant go wrong with the Jack Reacher books IMO. They aren't heavy going so a good holiday read (although I need 2 books for a week away if im taking a Jack Reacher as you cannot put it down and will read very quickly, get someone else to remind you to re-apply sun cream!). I would read in order as there are references to previous books in the later ones which either may not make sense or may spoil the earlier ones if read after, but its not essential to have read all of the previous books if you happen to pick up one in the middle of the series as a one-off, they are all stand-alone books. Id also recommend reading a different book in between JR books otherwise they will seem a bit samey.

Any Jack Reacher fan worth their salt was annoyed at the film and especially the choice of actor. Although I think Tom Cruise played it well, it is in no way a true reflection of the character that Ian Child portrays in the books. I imagine JR to be a cross between Hunter from Gladiators (i know, weird) in terms of size, and looking a bit like Channing Tatum.

[CoteDAzur]

I just finished the 1st Jack Reacher book. It was a good "beach read" - light, easy to read, a fun suspense.

It's written in 1st person singular, in very short sentences and with a 150-word vocabulary so makes Jack sound like a bit of an idiot, though

[cocolepew]

I loved them but didn't finish the last one, they are getting very repetitive.
Love, love, love Harlan though.

[NightOwl17]

They are brilliant books. Very addictive. I have read about 10 in a row now. In my head, although he isn't an actor, I picture Lawrence Dallaglio, the ex rugby union player. I think his size and build are perfect. Although saying that, I have watched the film and wasn't as bothered by Tom Cruise as I thought I would be

[Gravity1]

There's a quote in one of the books blurbs that says 'Men want to be him, women want to be with him.' And it appears to be true - as a character he seems to have universal appeal. Not a hugely intellectual read admittedly, but so far as pure escapism and good plotting goes, Reacher is fab!

[Gravity1]

And Liam Neeson my fave suggestion so far - has to be rugged! Tom Cruise? God no!

[CoteDAzur]

Liam Neeson would have been good. He fit that role in Taken perfectly.

[diabolo]

NightOwl - Lee Child wrote the character with Dallaglio in mind.

[ChewingOnLifesGristle]

Not being very up on rugby I wasn't sure who Lawrence Dallaglio was ( I knew the name but not the face) but just Googled and yes yes he'd be a perfect Reacher.

[ChaosTrulyReigns]

Absolutely what diablo said!

Think he's brilliant, but disappointed with the Teenytom sell out, though.

Someone suggested Jim Cavaziel(sp?) and yup, he'd be ideal.

But, hey, Butler could do it with friffing knobs on, and I know there's at least one other poster who would utterly agree with me on that.

[AnonYonimousBird]

DH is at least a third into the first book. He's not given me much feedback other than a) actually reading it which tells me something and b) "pretty punchy"! Which I think was a positive....

Thanks all. I am at the library later, so may see if I can hunt down a couple more for holiday.

[JackieTheFart]

I love them. I've read them all, started with number five I think and wasn't too impressed but was persuaded to start again from the beginning of the series.

What I like is that some are written in first person, some in third person. I only figured out one of them before I got to the end!

I liked the last few the best, with the exception of the latest one which disappointed me.

[AnonYonimousBird]

DH is officially hooked and I am going to order him 3 more for holiday! Which to choose?!

Easiest thing feels like just going in order but if there are any particularly excellent ones, then please let me know!

[ChocChaffinch]

Liam Neeson is my Jack

Tom Cruise wasn't awful in the movie, just wrong.

Have read them all, agree formulaic but V interesting, I know a lot more about weapons and military assaults now

[ChocChaffinch]

better to read in order if you can;
the story of Jacks ups and downs are fascinating
the last book needs to be last read

I liked the terrorist on the train one the best, the 11 signs of a terrorist or sommat 'Gone Tomorrow'

[ChocChaffinch]

signs of a bomber nb spoiler avoid if you haven't read

[ZacharyQuack]

My favorites (though I would happily re-read any of them) are:

Die Trying - this was the first one I read - read much of it standing in a book shop on my lunch break then bought it and read the rest that evening.

Bad Luck and Trouble - Reacher gets together with his old army unit, so I liked the extra characters

One Shot - good plot with the sniper, I'm pretending the Cruise parody never happened.

Gone Tomorrow - the suicide bomber on the train and Crocs!

61 Hours and Worth Dying For - These two plus A Wanted Man sort of go together as their timelines follow immediately on from each other, but are separate plots.

The Hard Way - Reacher goes to the UK

[AnonYonimousBird]

Thanks Choc - I think I am just going to order 2, 3 and 4 from Amazon... though suicide bomber one sounds brilliant. I may even read one myself when we go away!

[AnonYonimousBird]

Next three are:
Die Trying
Tripwire
The Visitor.....

Zach, you only have one of those on your list - maybe we should jump ahead a bit? Decisions, decisions!

[bamboobutton]

Love them! My fave is the one set in Montana, can't remember if it's called die trying or worth dying for

Your dh might like Andy mcnab too, books about an ex army guy being all hard and heroic.