The Affair

Jack Reacher, Book 16

By: Lee Child

Narrated by: Dick Hill

Length: 15 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's summary

With Reacher, number-one New York Times best-selling author Lee Child has created “a series that stands in the front rank of modern thrillers” (The Washington Post)

Everything starts somewhere....

For elite military cop Jack Reacher, that somewhere was Carter Crossing, Mississippi, way back in 1997. A lonely railroad track. A crime scene. A coverup.

A young woman is dead, and solid evidence points to a soldier at a nearby military base. But that soldier has powerful friends in Washington.

Reacher is ordered undercover - to find out everything he can, to control the local police, and then to vanish. Reacher is a good soldier. But when he gets to Carter Crossing, he finds layers no one saw coming, and the investigation spins out of control.

Local sheriff Elizabeth Deveraux has a thirst for justice - and an appetite for secrets. Uncertain they can trust one another, Reacher and Deveraux reluctantly join forces. Reacher works to uncover the truth, while others try to bury it forever. The conspiracy threatens to shatter his faith in his mission, and turn him into a man to be feared.

A novel of unrelenting suspense that could only come from the pen of number-one New York Times best-selling author Lee Child, The Affair is the start of the Reacher saga, a thriller that takes Reacher - and his readers - right to the edge... and beyond.

PLEASE NOTE: As a special bonus, this download also includes a recording of the New York Times best-selling e-book exclusive short story "Second Son", read by Dick Hill: At 13, Jack Reacher already knows how to end a fight. He knows that his brain is more important than his brawn. He knows how to get the job done. When his father is transferred to the military base on Okinawa, Jack and his older brother, Joe, prepare for school and consider how to deal with both the neighborhood bully and a missing code book that could cost their father his career.

Take another thrill ride with Jack Reacher.

©2011 Lee Child; 2011 Random House Audio (P)2011 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“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)

Violent but funny throughout

If you could sum up The Affair in three words, what would they be?

Superb, thrilling and touching.

What other book might you compare The Affair to and why?

none.

Which character – as performed by Dick Hill – was your favorite?

Reacher. But the Elizabeth Deveraux character was done very well too. I like the slow narrating by Hill a lot.

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

I fell off my chair laughing reading the freight train passages. Absolutely hilarious. A completely new way of adult entertainment.

Any additional comments?

This is my second Reacher novel after Gone Tomorrow which is also very recommendable.

It’s fun because it’s Reacher.

Let me say first that I will always choose to listen to a Jack Reacher novel instead of reading it simply because I am so impressed with the talent of Dick Hill in bringing the series to life.

The Reacher series is a favorite of mine, and I'm not sure exactly why, since I am not a fan of vigilante justice. I suppose, though, that the lone, mysterious stranger who rights wrongs and stands up for those who cannot stand up for themselves is something of an archetype. Unlike many characters of this type, Child offers us the opportunity to see inside Reacher, to see his insecurities and his code of right and wrong.

the begining of a love affair... mine!!

Would you consider the audio edition of The Affair to be better than the print version?

The print version doesn't have Dick Hill!! He is a fabulous narrator.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Affair?

The last "encounter" on the train tracks... to say more would spoil it for those who have not listened to this novel yet

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

This was my first. I am now a big fan!!

Any additional comments?

I was introduced to Reacher on a long road trip last fall. Loved the characters and the narration so much that I am working my way through all of Lee Child's Jack Reacher novels.

Get to know the real Reacher! Read this one first

Would you consider the audio edition of The Affair to be better than the print version?

I only read One Shot on print. Loved it. Really enjoyed The Affair on audio!

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Affair?

The midnight train! You'll see.

What about Dick Hill’s performance did you like?

He makes a great Jack Reacher. He nails the voice and the expressions. It's hard to listen to other narrators after hearing Dick Hill.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Jack Reacher doesn't cry. Wish I had his guts.

Any additional comments?

I would highly recommend this book. And the good part is there are plenty of others to follow this one up. It is actually a good book to start with in the Jack Reacher series.

2 for the price of 1

2 Jack Reacher stories.

The first (the novel) is another prequel of Reacher's time in the military. it ties directly into the first book .

The second is a short story of Reacher's childhood.

both are (as per usual) awesome!!

One of my favorites

Loved the story. Loved the charachters. Bit heavy on one of Reacher’s sex scenes, but not enough to hurt my rating.

To many words

To much information between action. Over the top description’s took up to much of story.

Love the Reacher books

Loved that I was guessing till the end of the story. I thought I knew but then I didn't know. Was great right to the end.

"All Aboard!"

"Let's start at the very beginning, a very good place to start..." Say you've seen those books over the years, the ones with the little subtitle, "A Jack Reacher Novel", seen they were the 8th in a series, the 12th in a series, and now here comes the 16th, and you've passed them by because who wants to start in the middle? Here is the perfect chance to come on board! With 15 previous novels inspired by this Jack Reacher, you know this has got to be one interesting guy. Why now? Because The Affair is how it all got started (why nomad Jack likes his toothbrush). A brilliant idea by multi award winning author Lee Child; show the reader the etiology of the coffee guzzling, rapier witted, ex-military sleuth as he himself recalls,"I remember the date...the 11th of March 1997..." and thus begins the legend of Jack Reacher as he walks away from the Pentagon. As usual, lots of action, sharp humor, a colorful cast of characters, and a train that speeds through the one-diner town rattling more than the tracks. Dick Hill has been narrating Reacher books for a while and seems to have a great time with this one, particularly some of the scenes involving the train--talk about gusto! Childs has it down to a formula, churning out consistently top rated mystery thrillers, and while it may be predictable--it's never boring to travel along with Reacher. Reacher fans will love this one--newcomers will be jumping on the band wagon--or the train. [Next stop for newbies...#1 in the series, Killing Floor, *Now in movie production: Tom Cruise playing Reacher (some fans are up in arms) #9 in the series, One Shot.]

After 19 Reacher books, I still want more!

Where does The Affair rank among all the audiobooks you???ve listened to so far?

It's as good as the best and better than many.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Reacher, as always, is my favorite super hero.

What about Dick Hill???s performance did you like?

Since I have listened to Dick Hill perform this character through 19 books, I just like everything about his reading. I cannot see anyone else as Reacher.

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

I tried to do this, but it was too long for that. Anyway, I would have been disappointed if I didn't hae it to look forward to listening to again.

Any additional comments?

Yes, I would like to say that whoever chose Tom Cruise to play Reacher, must not have read the books. Reacher is supper tall, blond and blue eyed and very big. Does this author's description at all resemble Tom Cruise? What a colossal mistake. I hope something prevents Cruise from doing this movie. Only a type such as Dolph Lundgren could possibly be Reacher.