Three More Jack Reacher Novellas

Too Much Time, Small Wars, Not a Drill and Bonus Jack Reacher Stories

By: Lee Child

Narrated by: Dick Hill

Length: 8 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's Summary

Lee Child once again demonstrates his mastery of the thriller genre with an unbeatable collection of three Jack Reacher novellas and six short stories, together for the first time in one pulse-pounding collection from the New York Times best-selling author.

Too Much Time: In this original novella featuring Jack Reacher after his time in the army, Reacher finds himself in a hollowed-out town in Maine. He witnesses a random bag-snatching but sees much more than a simple crime, in a tale that leads into Lee Child's new Reacher novel, The Midnight Line.

Small Wars: Lee Child goes back to 1989, when Jack Reacher is an MP assigned to solve the cold-blooded murder of a young officer.

The telex is brief and to the point: one active-duty personnel found shot to death 10 miles north of Fort Smith. Circumstances unknown. The victim was shot twice in the chest and once in the head. A professional hit. The crime scene suggests an ambush. Military police officer Jack Reacher is given the case. He calls his older brother, Colonel Joe Reacher, at the Pentagon for intel and taps Sergeant Frances Neagley to help him answer the big question: Who would kill a brilliant officer on the fast track to greatness?

Not a Drill: Jack Reacher is on the road, hitching a ride with some young Canadians who are planning a hike through the dense forests of Maine. They part ways after sharing a hot meal, and Reacher checks out a quiet town surrounded by countryside serene enough to cool even his raging wanderlust. But not for long. First the trail is suddenly closed. Then the military police show up in force. Maybe it's a drill. Or maybe it's trouble - the kind of trouble that always finds Reacher, no matter how far he travels off the beaten path.

And for the first time on audio, additional stories featuring Jack Reacher, including "James Penney's New Identity", "Everyone Talks", "Maybe They Have a Tradition", "Guy Walks into a Bar", "No Room at the Motel", and "The Picture of the Lonely Diner".

©2017 Lee Child (P)2017 Random House Audio

I'm not a fan of short stories, but...

Would you listen to Three More Jack Reacher Novellas again? Why?

Again, I do not care for short stories (like will not read them); however, Lee Child did another amazing trip for Jack Reacher. Several trips as a matter of fact. I thought Lee was as clever as ever and the stories were great, even though shorter than I prefer. Most of them could have been expanded and made into full novels. But I also see that most of them were written in the past so he probably didn't want to revisit them that much.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Jack, because he is who he is. And for movie watchers that are considering reading the books - Tom Cruise is not even a close imitation of Jack Reacher.

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

He always does a great job. He and Scott Brick are my favorites.

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

Just another Reacher experience.

Any additional comments?

Thanks Mr. Child, keep them rolling!

My Reacher Fix

I have listened to all of the Jack Reacher novels and up to date. Looking through Audible, I noted there was a collection of the Reacher novellas. Not wanting to waste my credits on short lengthed audios, I have always by-passed the novellas. Since the collection of stories equals a shorter novel (a little over 8 hours), I decided to give this one a listen.

My reaction to the short form stories is a overwhelming, YES. Since these novellas are shorter in length, the stories move along at a quicker pace and all were just great listens. One in particular (I want spoil it) had me believing the story had nothing to do with Jack Reacher, but it did. Listen for yourself for the interesting climax.

More than anything, I was given the pleasure of, once again, listening to the great stakato delivery of Dick Hill as these are earlier stories. Don't get me wrong, Scott Brick, the current narrator as Dick Hill has retired is growing on me, but ohhh...Mr Hill, how we miss you. Pick this one up. It is just a pleasure to listen to and I have already added the other collection into my wish list. Enjoy.

Pleasant surprise

I'm not a fan of short stories but these were outstanding... if you are a Reacher fan.

Derivative Fiction

I am a Lee Child fan, but these stories left much to be desired. Sounded like derivative work rather than from Lee Child. A bit boring, slow and unimaginative. An easy pass.

Great for Reacher fans

This is a fun collection of stories that Jack Reacher fans will enjoy. One I had already heard separately, but still very much enjoyed the rest.

Perfect short stories.

No extreme violence or extreme language.
Nice stories that take you to new places.
Short enough to complete on short trips.

Not even close to Child's best work

I have listened to every Reacher novel I can find. I am always sitting on the edge of my seat trying to anticipate which way the plot will twist. Child has a way of keeping his readers interested and engaged. I usually listen while driving to pass the time, and my wife enjoys listening along with me. While listening to this novella, she actually asked me to turn it off as it was boring. I was also having trouble not falling asleep. So off it went. Then I tried to listen while not driving. That was just as bad. This group of stories just did not seem to be anywhere near the level of quality writing that Lee Child has always produced. i will be asking for a refund. And i don't do that.

A rare ripoff. Some republished, poor story continuity and separation

I read the Loe Reacher story earlier. Paid twice for the same recording. There was often no conclusion or even introduction to distinguish one episode from another. Poor production as well. Narration was the only salvation. Not enough.

Interesting collection

This grouping of very short stories and a novella suffers from Dick Hills tendency to read in a monotonous manner.
There’s no way to tell when one story is over and another starts, due to the way it’s read.
There are excellent stories included and there are a couple I felt were left unfinished.

When the book was finally done, I was left with an incomplete feeling.

it was fun to hear

Short stories that give strong Reacher vibe without being too invested, it was fun , I recommend it.