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)

Dick Hill is fantastic

Another great Reacher book to listen to. Dick Hill did another fantastic job. I am now 100% a Reacher "listener" instead of book reader due to Dick Hill. Well done.

The book overall was enjoyable. I have read all the Reacher series since finding him at Book #1 THE KILLING FLOOR. It has been fun to watch the character progress and Child go back and forth in time.

I tend to agree on the Tom Cruise comments. What were they thinking? I guess the Hollywood boys are betting that more people will want to see Tom than have read the books and know what Reacher should look like. I think Tom is around 5 foot 8 inches.....and that ain't Jack Reacher! I will stick to the books.

Another wonderful Jack Reacher novel!

I really enjoyed this book. I have read all of the Jack Reacher novels to date and I thought I had heard it all. I was mesmerized by the story content and I could not put it down.

Great Book

What did you love best about The Affair?

Background of Jack Reacher in knowing some of the things that entered into his makeup.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

The plot never slowed or dragged down..

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

Dick Hill may not be the greatest reader but he certainly does a great job for this writer.

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

I had difficulty breaking loose from the book to complete other tasks.

Like a freight train

I stumbled upon a Jack Reacher story last year and found that the writing took me smack into someone else's world. A world that's a little bit uneasy, but you go along for the ride anyway. This one held my attention right to the end; the Reacher character really pulls you onto his side (a hero with a thought process comprised of strategy, nobility and loads of arcane information). A tale of morality, loyalty and daring - with big crescendos and just enough tension.

I'm not in love with Dick Hill's female voices, but all in all, a stellar performance.

good book

leaves a few loose ends and the narrator doesn't do a female voice very well

fills in gaps but many unbelievable items

the book fills in many history gaps for Reacher but there are parts very unbelievable.

not to give anything away but the encounter in the woods for Reacher and the ending - meh

If you enjoyed reacher and need some gaps filled in then this book is for you.

Very Good Listen

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

I have read/listened to all of the Jack Reacher books and this was what I expected. A lot of excitement and it gripped me from the begining.

What does Dick Hill bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Dick Hill is the voice of Jack Reacher

Great prequel

No complaints. It is what it is. Jack being Jack, just a younger version. This book could have been the longest book ever written since Child decided to go there [there being the past when Jack was young a full of vim and vigor]. He could have gone down a thousand rabbit holes but he stayed pretty much on point with the story. I wouldn't have minded a couple rabbit holes though.

My First Reacher/Child/Hill Listen = A+

Would you listen to The Affair again? Why?

Once I get through more of the series I may go back to it again.

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

Reacher beating up the local hooligans a few times to lighten the heavier moments and his deductions overall.

Which scene was your favorite?

The sneak attack along the tree line helped open up answers on the plot and define Reacher as a defender of innocent people.

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

I sometimes fall asleep to books and this one kept me awake to find out what the end held in store.

Any additional comments?

If you are new to Child/Reacher as I was, this is a great book to start out with as another customer mentioned...start here then go back to book 1. With some exceptions for comments regarding "before or after the world changed in 2001" it's like going back to book 1a and then Killing Floor becomes 1b and it deepens your understanding of who Reacher is and who his allies are.

I'm a new fan of Lee Child and Dick Hill

Ive been looking for a new series after burning through the Kay Scarpetta books. Lee Child's Jack Reacher series is it. There is a pleasant sense of humor and respect in Jack Reacher. The Narrator Dick Hill makes listening easy and enjoyable. Looking forward to the whole series.

Happy listening.