A Wanted Man

A Jack Reacher Novel

By: Lee Child

Narrated by: Dick Hill

Length: 14 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

A masterpiece of suspense from #1 New York Times bestselling author Lee Child

Four people in a car, hoping to make Chicago by morning. One man driving, eyes on the road. Another man next to him, telling stories that don’t add up. A woman in the back, silent and worried. And next to her, a huge man with a broken nose, hitching a ride east to Virginia.

An hour behind them, a man lies stabbed to death in an old pumping station. He was seen going in with two others, but he never came out. He has been executed, the knife work professional, the killers vanished. Within minutes, the police are notified. Within hours, the FBI descends, laying claim to the victim without ever saying who he was or why he was there.

All Reacher wanted was a ride to Virginia. All he did was stick out his thumb. But he soon discovers he has hitched more than a ride. He has tied himself to a massive conspiracy that makes him a threat—to both sides at once.

In Lee Child’s white-hot thriller, nothing is what it seems, and nobody is telling the truth. As the tension rises, the twists come fast and furious, keeping readers guessing and gasping until the explosive finale.

Praise for #1 bestselling author Lee Child and his Reacher series

“Child is a superb craftsman of suspense.”—Entertainment Weekly

“The truth about Reacher gets better and better.”—Janet Maslin, The New York Times

“Implausible, irresistible Reacher remains just about the best butt-kicker in thriller-lit.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Like his hero Jack Reacher, Lee Child seems to make no wrong steps.”—Associated Press

“Lee Child [is] the current poster-boy of American crime fiction.”—Los Angeles Times

“Indisputably the best escape artist in this escapist genre.”—Marilyn Stasio, The New York Times

“Jack Reacher is much more like the heir to the Op and Marlowe than Spenser ever was.”—Esquire

©2012 Lee Child (P)2012 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"Jack Reacher is much more like the heir to the Op and Marlowe than Spenser ever was." (Esquire)

"Indisputably the best escape artist in this escapist genre." (Marilyn Stasio, The New York Times)

"Lee Child [is] the current poster-boy of American crime fiction." (Los Angeles Times)

good as the others

It passed the time. Same format as the rest. Good thing jack reacher was there . About my fourth in the series , I enjoy them to past the time.

Decent Reacher

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Recommend yes, but only with credits. Not worth the full price.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Best part, Reacher in action.

Have you listened to any of Dick Hill’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Dick Hill is REACHER, no other narrator can do Child credit.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Good anticipation but easily left for a time.

Any additional comments?

Not as much action, but, Reacher is the great thinker and able to put things togethor fairly quickly. There are some good humorous moments.

Hard Keeping Interest

Would you try another book from Lee Child and/or Dick Hill?

No!

What did you like best about this story?

It was a good story overall.

How could the performance have been better?

I'm not sure why anyone would write for an audiobook where the main character has a broken nose and talks accordingly through the entire book. (It could have healed) It made listening to difficult and strained, especially when the reader had to have Mr. Reacher impersonate the sheriff by sticking his finger in his mouth and garbling most of the words spoken. I have purchased the last of the Lee Child/Dick Hill books. Too many other good ones. Here's hoping my last to go read of this combination,61 Hours, is better.

Could you see A Wanted Man being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

No.

Any additional comments?

I've been away for the winter and have had a chance to order and listen to at least a dozen and a half books. Most have been quite good. This is my second year of membership and it's a learning process, that's for sure. I can imagine this book in the paper format as being really good, just not translating well into an audiobook. (The lack of nasal enunciation would be most welcome)

Not my favorite Reacher

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Reacher novel yes...but not this one!

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

More action

What about Dick Hill’s performance did you like?

Always enjoy Hill's readings

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Probably not

Any additional comments?

This story provided less background on reacher than other books. I.E. his ability to tell time without a watch....growing up outside of the USA.

Love Lee Child books!

What made the experience of listening to A Wanted Man the most enjoyable?

Plenty of action and whit. The narration was pretty good once you got used to the voice.

What was one of the most memorable moments of A Wanted Man?

Towards the end when one of the main characters dies.

The logical leaps Reacher makes...

...Are getting a bit far fetched. Understanding the blinking code is just silly. This is one of the weakest Reacher books. it took six chapters for painful detail and description to get to a single relevant but of information.
Dick Hill is still a great reader.

Good start but story fades

I really liked the beginning but the story fell off after the opening. There was a really good closing as usual. However this could have been a better book with a different angle on the opening.

Good but not the best Reacher story.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

If you're a Reach fan you need to read it. If I were recommending the series to the uninitiated I'd suggest going back to the beginning of the series. And, who had the idiotic thought of casting Tom Cruise as Jack Reacher. Sure he's a good actor but 6'5" and 250 pounds he ain't. There are a lot of decent "Big" actors who could have been a lot more believable.

Far from Lee Child's best

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I have listened and/or read all of Jack Reacher books and found this one to be the most disappointing. The ending was a bit abrupt and convoluted.

Do you think A Wanted Man needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

no

The Best Yet

This is the best Jack Reacher novel I have listened to yet - and I have liked every single on I have read or listened to! The story keeps you moving forward - there really isn't any down time. There are pauses in the action, but when there is you are constantly thinking about what's coming next!! And every time you think you have an idea where the story is going - whiplash!! The story then changes direction in a very logical manner and continues - but you just don't see it coming!! The characters are well thought out and developed - and the interaction is very entertaining!! Great listen!!