Past Tense

Jack Reacher, Book 23

By: Lee Child

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 6 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • THE BLOCKBUSTER JACK REACHER SERIES THAT INSPIRED TWO MAJOR MOTION PICTURES AND THE STREAMING SERIES REACHER

Family secrets come back to haunt Jack Reacher in this electrifying thriller from “a superb craftsman of suspense” (Entertainment Weekly).

Jack Reacher hits the pavement and sticks out his thumb. He plans to follow the sun on an epic trip across America, from Maine to California. He doesn’t get far. On a country road deep in the New England woods, he sees a sign to a place he has never been: the town where his father was born. He thinks, What’s one extra day? He takes the detour.

At the same moment, in the same isolated area, a car breaks down. Two young Canadians had been on their way to New York City to sell a treasure. Now they’re stranded at a lonely motel in the middle of nowhere. The owners seem almost too friendly. It’s a strange place, but it’s all there is.

The next morning, in the city clerk’s office, Reacher asks about the old family home. He’s told no one named Reacher ever lived in town. He’s always known his father left and never returned, but now Reacher wonders, Was he ever there in the first place?

As Reacher explores his father’s life, and as the Canadians face lethal dangers, strands of different stories begin to merge. Then Reacher makes a shocking discovery: The present can be tough, but the past can be tense . . . and deadly.

©2018 Lee Child (P)2018 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Child is one writer who should never be taken for granted.”—The New York Times Book Review

“[Lee Child] shows no signs of slowing down. . . . Reacher is a man for whom the phrase moral compass was invented: His code determines his direction. . . . You need Jack Reacher.”—The Atlantic

“Superb . . . Child neatly interweaves multiple narratives, ratchets up the suspense (the reveal of the motel plot is delicious), and delivers a powerful, satisfying denouement. Fans will enjoy learning more of this enduring character’s roots, and Child’s spare prose continues to set a very high bar.”—Publishers Weekly (boxed and starred review)

abridged?

did not like the change to the new narrator didn't do voices very well in my opinion we

horrendous professional narrator

arguably the worst possible narrator possible to be jack reacher. almost makes the story unbearable. truly deserve my money back for listening to such a terrible narrator

outstanding book and performance. super interested

Lee child is a wonderful author. outstanding performance and great plot. as with all Jack reacher series

Short but fun

Always bet on Reacher. I wish the woodland scenes were longer and more in-depth.

Abridged Version

I would have appreciated hearing a non-abridged version as the reader never knows what context and interplay is missed.

confirming that Tom Cruise ain't Reacher

Reacher is big and very strong. He does things in a fight that smaller guys can't.

Don't buy this one, it's the abridged version!

I didn't realize this was the abridged version. Still a good book but........now I need to read the unabridged version.

I Enjoyed It...Short As It Was

I really enjoyed the short story. Not the authors fault. I accidently downloaded the abridged version. I did enjoy the story although I got a little lost as to who was what. Between my intermittent listening to the abridged character development, I got confused at times as to who someone was and what connection they had to Reacher. Not until the very end did it all come together.

Great as always!

Just another example of how great a storyteller Lee Child is. A must listen to if you're a Reacher fan.

Ths is a classic Jack reacher book.

I love the way that the author was able to keep the suspense going for as long as he did. the end is truly amazing.