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)

Great as always

I love the Reacher character and series. The story and charaters are well written and so interesting. I have listened to most of the series through Audible and the only reoccuring problem that I have is that the narrator seems to always make the females have a whiney voiice even when they are strong characters and that is getting annoying. I would like to see the women protrayed in another way. It may just be the narrators voice and the way he tries to come across as a woman. I would like to see a change with this in mind.

Too much description surrounding the story

I love the Reacher books, however, this one had an overuse of describing every single element surrounding the actual story and characters. The actual story and events in the story were exciting but it took to long to get into the actual action packed adventures and events.

Enjoyed it

Like all the books in this series that I've listened to so far, I enjoyed it.

A Wanted Man

One of the tamer Reacher novels....although he still get beat up, mashed up & almost dies. That's Jack Reacher for you....never a dull moment.

Lee must be bored!

I was looking forward to this book and was bored to death listening to it. Wanted man might be close to the worse reacher book, behind nothing to lose.

Typical Fantastic Reacher

What did you love best about A Wanted Man?

Another great story, with enough twists to keep you engaged. As usual, the dialog is very visual, and the characters are interesting and well developed.

What did you like best about this story?

The story was over too soon and it will be a long time before the next Reacher. Quality takes time, so I will wait eagerly for my next installment.

Which scene was your favorite?

I would rather not say, because it would be a spoiler. Actually, there were several that I could call a favorite, but I will allow my fellow listeners to find them for themselves.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes, but again that would be a spoiler, so I will not describe it. I am sure my fellow listeners will agree on the particular moment.

Any additional comments?

This reading is a credit to Dick Hill, to be able to do the whole book with a broken nose. Well, not Dick's nose, but you know what I mean. I have listened to just about 300 books and Dick is my favorite narrator.

Getting Old

Same story - same Jack. I like the idea of Jack Reacher, but the story line needs to change. If you never read one of these books, then you are in for a treat (just pick a different one!) Sounded as if Dick Hill was in an echo chamber - otherwise, I love how Dick Hill reads the story!

Not As Bad As Expected

After reading some of the reviews I expected this selection to be bad enough to challenge Die Trying or Nothing to Lose as the worst Reacher book ever. I saw it as better than either of the aforementioned selections; though admittedly not very good. Yes spending several hours describing a car ride isn't very exciting; and no Reacher didn't hit anyone this time. Yet in this book there were no egregious errors; no ridiculously stupid decisions that a man of Reacher's experience wouldn't make if he'd been sniffing glue. There were no situations that made it impossible to suspend fictional disbelief. This might not the best of the Reacher novels but neither is it the worst.

Clean and thorough

The story progresses to a balanced, well thought out plot line.
It’s not your usual Reacher “kicks ass every 5 minutes and then gets laid” book.
A pleasant diversion from his previous adventures.
The secondary characters are fleshed out and get a chance to carry the load, too.

Overall, a nicely crafted story.

Excuse me while I nod off

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

I think folks looking for an insomnia cure delivered by a wet voiced reader will love this.

What didn’t you like about Dick Hill’s performance?

His voice is dripping with moisture and he sounds like his teeth are loose. He brought nothing to the characters or story, such that there was a story. I've heard Mr. Hill before and he was okay. Here he would need to improve to reach terrible.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Disappointment. The whole book stinks of intractable obligation. I like the other Reacher books. This one was phoned in. Using string and a tin can.

Any additional comments?

If you like Lee Child, or Jack Reacher, avoid this and keep your happy memories.