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)

How many crimes can Reacher commit?

I enjoyed the book but it amazes me how many crimes Reacher can commit without any consequences. I can see some things being overlooked, but to blatantly kidnap, steal, kill, etc. without ever even being arrested is pretty far fetched. He's an incredible hero and should be able to do amazing things, but it gets a little too far fetched at times. I also get tired of him beating on stupid hillbillies. It has been a continuing them throughout the series. Why not gangbangers, mobsters, etc. I love his nuances, idiosyncrasies, his wandering lifestyle, and drive for justice, He's why I keep coming back but I wish the books would get away from the same old same old.

Best Reacher series book I have listened to yet!

It was a complex plot, but well worth it. The bad guy became the good guy, the weak turned out to be the strong and as always wrongs were righted.

Another Hit

Lee Child again brings Jack Reacher to life in a big and wonderful way! The narator Dick Hill is just the best. I hope that Lee never ask anyone else to be a Jack Reacher narator.

Another Exciting Reacher Rollercoaster Ride

This is one of the better Reacher books. More tightly written than some others with rollercoaster like excitement. In fact, the action comes so quickly that one forgets how implausible the premise is. This is not great literature, but if you are a Reacher/Lee Child fan (as am I), you will love it. This would be a good introduction to the Reacher franchise for those who have not yet sampled it.

Reacher's on the road again.

If you could sum up A Wanted Man in three words, what would they be?

The book lives up to expectations.

What did you like best about this story?

He is still trying to get to Virginia.

What about Dick Hill’s performance did you like?

Consistant delivery of the story without distractions.

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

Yes

Male readers imitating women's voices

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The reader's rendition of female characters, Sorenson and Karen, was really lame. He made them sound syruppy and deficient! His descriptions and narrative were fine, as were his different voice tones for male characters. Either have a woman read ladies's parts or just use his normal voice, please. His female voice was almost insulting.

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

Having Sorenson's head blown up was a negative and predictably done for "dramatic effect." It was a lame move and rather shallow or too simple. On the positive side, Reacher's handling of the task of taking control of the mysterious enemy compound was nicely complex and believeable.

Would you be willing to try another one of Dick Hill’s performances?

Probably not.

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

I will plan on seeing the screen version - although it's hard to imagine T. Cruise as Reacher. I know Mr. Cruise will do well, but I'd rather see a rugged "real man" like Gary Cooper or Randolph Scott look-alikes or at least someone who is really tall with lots of muscle.

Any additional comments?

Overall the book was very entertaining and was great company for a solo road trip I had to make recently. The book lasted the whole trip and I really enjoyed it.

I Like this book!

Any additional comments?

It kept my interest enough that I didn't need to skip pages or chapters just to get to the next scene in the story. I didn't even notice the repetitive line that is so annoying, found in most of Child's books, those three little words written over and over again which is "He said nothing" that being said, I will definitely get this book for my dad!

Reacher again and still worthy of a good read

Kept my attention with fast clear descriptions. Learned a little more than I would have liked about interstate driving, but that is in other books, too. I liked this.

A good listen

But the voice of Reacher with a broken nose is too much to bear for an entire book

Jack Fights the Cobwebs

Having the FBI as the antagonist in a Reacher novel gives us a very un-concrete un-villainous villain. Not one that inspires passionate hatred in Reacher. Although Mr. Child, being a Brit may see these agencies as being the ultimate 'dark side'. I'll have to wait and see.

Dick Hill brings his great gifts to a story without much momentum, and tries his level best to give it some of the old Reacher swagger, but I think the material fails him. There is only so much narration can do.

Others have thought that Lee Child's gifts may be dwindling, I ( hope) and say, nay, nay, in the last two novels he has had these U.S. governmental villains. He's done such great work before, with such believable villains. But if this is all we get in the next ones; it's so long Reacher, it's been really nice hanging out with you.