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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
Your typical Jack Reacher stories, but with no time for Jack to seduce the ladies. Quick read, sort of like if Jack Reacher was a weekly TV series instead of a major motion picture. Good read for fans of five-minute mysteries.
It hurts me to give it three stars, but it hurts me more to give it four. I think it’s the nature of the beast: the short story. Get in, get it done, and get out. Much longer Jack Reacher novels are my passion.
A collection of short stories about Jack Reacher.
I think this is a must-read for any Jack Reacher fan as it helps to fill in a lot of gaps between the different stories. Would be nice if this collection included where the stories fit in terms of the books.
Nevertheless, a most insightful read.
I think this is a must-read for any Jack Reacher fan as it helps to fill in a lot of gaps between the different stories. Would be nice if this collection included where the stories fit in terms of the books.
Nevertheless, a most insightful read.
adventurous
medium-paced
These are good, bite-sized chunks of Reacher. I tended to think the longer ones were better.
Too Much Time: a classic “Reacher gets framed and locked up” stor, and his lack of permanent home is used against him. Takes place years after he left the army. Not a bad premise. I know there was some other story where a prisoner is expected to beat Reacher up, and instead (of course) gets pounded. And there’s plenty of coffee.
Second Son: Reacher is drinking coffee like a maniac even at 13 years old, and it’s noted that he likes his stronger than anyone else in the family. He doesn’t talk like a 13 year old, or really anyone else for that matter (“Time spent on other avenues would be more fruitful). He know everything about how the marines work, down to operational planning. But still a fun little mystery that teenager Reacher solves.
High Heat: Takes place in NYC in 1977. Another teenager Reacher, where is he is not quite 17. Once again, he’s absurdly able to understand things and use violence, even against mobsters. Not to mention a Son of Sam connection.
Deep Down: Reacher is still in the military, in his 20s (the story mentions it is 1986). Reacher goes undercover to find a leak. It’s over the top and not terribly believable. Plenty of Reacher fighting.
Small Wars: takes place in 1989. This one is meh. It has Neagley and Reacher’s brother, but like the last story it’s too overboard.
James Penney’s New Identity: this is a weird one, where Reacher (still in the army) comes in only at the end, and in an unexpected way. A guy was laid off after many years, sets his house on fire, and runs.
Everyone Talks: first person narration, but not Reacher—a female civilian detective who finds Reacher in a hospital. Child clearly thought of a fun twist that didn’t necessarily work in a novel-length story.
Not a Drill: Reacher is out in the middle of nowhere in Maine and is picked up by backpackers. A mystery commences. It fizzled for me.
Maybe They Have a Tradition: this is a dumb one, with an entirely unbelievable premise and a clunker story about Reacher wandering to a remote English country house in the snow, hoping for dinner. Somehow a doctor and police officer are incapable of walking in the snow. Or something. Fortunately it was really short.
Guys Walks into a Bar: super short story about Reacher walking into a NY bar and sizing people up. Meh.
No Room at the Motel: very, very short about Reacher being a nice guy. On Christmas Eve. Probably took 10 minutes max to write.
The Picture of the Lonely Diner: title refers to the Edward Hopper painting. A very short, honestly pretty pointless story.
I always love Lee Child's work. Loved the short stories just as much.
As Patricia Cornwell once said, 'Sometimes you just want someone who can beat the shit out of people! I pick up Jack Reacher when I'm in the mood for someone big to solve my problems.'
While Lee Child’s short stories (No middle name) take a slightly different approach compared to his novels, I still enjoyed several of them.
Too Much Time: ★★★★☆
Second Son: ★★★★☆
High Heat: ★★★☆☆
Deep Down: ★★★★☆
Small Wars: ★★★★☆
James Penney’s New Identity:★★★★☆
Everyone Talks: ★★★★★
Not a Drill: ★★★☆☆
Maybe They Have a Tradition ★★☆☆☆
Guy Walks into a Bar ★★☆☆☆
No Room at the Motel ★★☆☆☆
The Picture of the Lonely Diner ★★☆☆☆
While Lee Child’s short stories (No middle name) take a slightly different approach compared to his novels, I still enjoyed several of them.
Too Much Time: ★★★★☆
Second Son: ★★★★☆
High Heat: ★★★☆☆
Deep Down: ★★★★☆
Small Wars: ★★★★☆
James Penney’s New Identity:★★★★☆
Everyone Talks: ★★★★★
Not a Drill: ★★★☆☆
Maybe They Have a Tradition ★★☆☆☆
Guy Walks into a Bar ★★☆☆☆
No Room at the Motel ★★☆☆☆
The Picture of the Lonely Diner ★★☆☆☆
Basically scenes from Reachers life, between 2 & 3 stars.
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Now I’m ready to read the actual Reacher novels. After ELEVEN NUMBERS I wasn’t sure I wanted to read Child’s writing. These were MUCH better stories.
I’ll admit, I have a strong preference for Reacher in longer format tales. That opinion is based on many of the tales in this collection — I’d already read most of not all of the reprints in this collection, and was struck on first reading that the pacing of Lee Child’s novels are an integral piece of Reacher, to me, and short stories don’t allow for the same experience. That said, I enjoyed revisiting the stories more than the first go-round, and actually really enjoyed the stories where he only pops up as a minor character. All in all, fun if you’re already a Reacher fan, but don’t expect a novel-esque experience.