Never Go Back

Jack Reacher, Book 18

By: Lee Child

Narrated by: Dick Hill

Length: 13 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's summary

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • NOW A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE • THE BLOCKBUSTER JACK REACHER SERIES THAT INSPIRED THE STREAMING SERIES REACHER

Never Go Back is a novel of action-charged suspense starring “one of the best thriller characters at work today” (Newsweek).

Former military cop Jack Reacher makes it all the way from snowbound South Dakota to his destination in northeastern Virginia, near Washington, D.C.: the headquarters of his old unit, the 110th MP. The old stone building is the closest thing to a home he ever had.

Reacher is there to meet—in person—the new commanding officer, Major Susan Turner, so far just a warm, intriguing voice on the phone.

But it isn’t Turner behind the CO’s desk. And Reacher is hit with two pieces of shocking news, one with serious criminal consequences, and one too personal to even think about.

When threatened, you can run or fight.

Reacher fights, aiming to find Turner and clear his name, barely a step ahead of the army, and the FBI, and the D.C. Metro police, and four unidentified thugs.

Combining an intricate puzzle of a plot and an exciting chase for truth and justice, Lee Child puts Reacher through his paces—and makes him question who he is, what he’s done, and the very future of his untethered life on the open road.

©2013 Lee Child (P)2013 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"Child is a superb craftsman of suspense." (Entertainment Weekly)

“A breathless cross-country spree . . . some of the best, wiliest writing [Lee] Child has ever done . . . Child’s bodacious action hero, Jack Reacher, has already tramped through 17 novels and three e-book singles. But his latest, Never Go Back, may be the best desert island reading in the series. It’s exceptionally well plotted. And full of wild surprises. And wise about Reacher’s peculiar nature. And positively Bunyanesque in its admiring contributions to Reacher lore.” (Janet Maslin, The New York Times)

“An adrenaline-charged, action-packed thriller . . . impossible to put down.” (Lansing State Journal)

Never fails to impress

Reacher stories are always great. I have enjoyed every Reacher book. Thank you Lee Child, you do great work!

Strong come back from the last one!!!

Well for those of you that read A Wanted Man and thought, as I did, it was the worst Reacher book ever. That Lee must have had someone else write it or lost his Reacherness - well Never Go Back should redeem him. Download it and start listening

I have read the other reviews so I thought I would comment as many of them have.

Yes this one had Reacher being a bit more cerebral rather than physical but he is getting older. I also really liked the airplane scene, wondering if you could really get away with that in this day and age of heightened awareness on planes. But I can see the subjects wanting to stay quiet and not appear as wimps or give themselves away. I would have been crying like a baby.

There was a lot more humor in this one than any others. I actually found myself laughing out loud and having to reverse a bit because I missed some with my laughter.

Poetry was a bit of a stretch but Reacher is well read and his mother is french so there ya go.

I liked Turner. We needed to meet her.

One reviewer was angry that the military had been shown in a bad light. Well come on guy seriously tell me that the upper echelon of the military doesn't have a few corrupt people just like its been proven that the CIA, FBI, DEA, DHS, ATF and all the other alphabet companies do. I certainly support our ground troops but anytime you have a large group of highly intelligent military - political brains you are going to have corruption. This was a good twist on that.

I think it was interesting to show how technology has escaped Reacher. How good big brother is at knowing where you are seconds after you have arrived.

And the possibility of a child?! Again come on, especially you women readers. He has had a romantic tryst in every book, I think. So in just the 16 years we have known Reacher there has always been that chance, you can't tell me I am the only one who has ever wondered if had a child. You never hear about safe sex now do you?! So just imagine all of his lovers from before we knew him. I am a little shocked that this is the first time Lee has brought it up.

Now lets hit a moment on a movie!!! Not if Cruise plays him again. Come on really. That was like making Harry Potter a 6'2" blond. I am not a fan of Cruise anyway but he is a good actor, does almost all of his stunts but still. I have 3 kids in Hollywood: screenwriting, directing and computer animation. One of them has read a few Reacher books and thought Cruise pulled it off especially with the use of lighting and camera angles. He thought if they had chosen someone who actually matched the description it would have been comical. BUT does any one watch Strike Back? When I first saw the teaser for it what 3-4 years ago I went OMG there's Reacher. Phillip Winchester who portrays Michael Stonebridge is Reacher in my eyes. He is the right age now to play a younger or older Reacher with some help from make-up artists. His bio has him at only 6'1" but he sure looks taller. He has the right physique, well muscled and toned without having to work on it-chiseled perhaps. He's fair haired and blue eyed. You know they have had how many Jack Ryans now 3 or 4? Why can't they change from Cruise?!

I have to say that I have been a Reacher fan before the masses really knew about him. I saw the cover of Killing Floor in the mall bookstore in 97 (I think) and bought it. Couldn't wait for the next and the next. I went to see Lee in Dayton Ohio when there were only 15-20 in the audience, imagine that. I got to talk to him and get my photo taken with him. I even have the original Reacher t-shirt you can't get any more. When he was speaking someone asked him about a movie possibility and who he saw portraying Reacher and what role he would play in the screen writing. He said he something along the lines of he was an author and didn't know the movie business that he would leave all that up to the movie people. Right there I disagreed with him. Again imagine if JK hadn't kept a hand in Harry Potter movie series? They were her characters and she wanted them to remain true to her descriptions of them. I feel the same way about Reacher, I just wish Lee had. Tom Cruise is not Reacher.

Any way a good read, I think lee is back on track, just no more like A Wanted Man, please.

OH and of course Dick Hill, he is Reacher's voice. Good job as usual Dick. I didn't mind the female voices btw

Much better than the movie!!!

I almost skipped this one because I saw the movie.

The book is totally different and better in every way - variety, complexity, and depth.

Glad we made it to Virginia

Compelling story that runs the gamut of emotions and it feels like Lee Child’s is back in form but now what happens to Reacher? Starting fresh again…

Good Read

Interesting story. Excellent narration. Realistic background. Kept me on edge until the end. Recommend this to all especially mystery seekers

MORE MORE MORE

Where does Never Go Back rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This one ranks as good as any! Jack Reacher is never boring and is my favorite fictional tough guy...

What was one of the most memorable moments of Never Go Back?

On the plane when he breaks the bad man's fingers.

Which scene was your favorite?

When the car gets dented with the bad guys head.

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

Always makes me laugh/snicker when the bad guy gets what's coming to him.

Any additional comments?

Tom Cruise is no Jack Reacher! Can't wait for the next one.

Classic Jack Reacher

What made the experience of listening to Never Go Back the most enjoyable?

It moved along and never slowed down.

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

The heroes were always on the verge of not making it, then pulled it out. Typical.

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

Jack Reacher

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

Not really. It is pretty long. I do have a life!

Any additional comments?

Jack Reacher is the American knight errant. He is always saving the fair maiden or himself. He falls in/out of love, moves on. These stories are always fun and exciting. In some ways, they are informative, if you happen to care about how the army works. I like how he is still in great shape and a warrior at about 50. He's able to take down big dumb guys, well trained army dudes with a couple of well placed tactics. He's my hero. When I am attacked by hillbilly hooligans, I hope he is there.

Wish I could find Reacher in the personals!

Where does Never Go Back rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It ranks towards the top, maybe its because I have a huge crush on Reacher. I can say that I have enjoyed all but one of his books.

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

I did figure out who was on what side but not the whole scenario...As with most Lee Child books, at least for me, I never know who's the ring leader of all the chaos.

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

I am always amazed at how believable Dick Hill is, whether it is a male or female voice.

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

No extremes but it was exciting. I finished it in under two day and now I have to wait another year.

Great cap to a 4-book plot arc. Lee Child wins.

I was in the Army about as long as Reacher. Not an MP, but close enough to feel the reality. I first read this book the year I got out. Eight years later it resonates even more. Lee, I hope you enjoy retirement one tenth as much as I enjoy your books. We will both win.

Movie

Much better than the movie ...
God story - easy to listen to
Hard to stop listening