Without Fail

Jack Reacher, Book 6

By: Lee Child

Narrated by: Dick Hill

Length: 16 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's Summary

The best-selling novel featuring the "wonderfully epic hero" (People) who inspired the hit film Jack Reacher.

Skilled, stealthy, and anonymous, Jack Reacher is the perfect man for the job: to assassinate the vice president of the United States. Theoretically. The head of a high-level Secret Service security detail wants Reacher to find the holes in her system - and fast. A group of desperate men already has the vice president in its sights. And it will stop at nothing to realize its objective.

The assassins have planned well. But they never planned on Jack Reacher.

See Jack Reacher now in his first major motion picture!

©2015 Lee Child (P)2015 Random House Audio

Critic Reviews

"If Without Fail doesn’t hook you on Lee Child, I give up.” (The New York Times)

“A stunner...The suspense becomes nearly unbearable." (Booklist)

“The best thriller writer of the moment.” (Janet Maslin, The New York Times)    

Best in the series so far

First, the return of Dick Hill as narrator was well received. After the almost boring first half of book 5, I was getting a bit tired of the series. Without Fail has definitely rekindled my interest. The story is exciting and keeps your interest throughout. I really enjoyed how some of the information was revealed throughout the book. Lee Child throws information in your face, but you do not know the context. The fact finding mission of thrillers is given a fun twist that engages the reader. Also, Lee Child left his favorite tool out, the "I'm Jack Reacher and I have everything figured out, and I'll tell you repeatedly I know it, but not actually explain it", which was a nice change. Overall, my favorite in the series so far.

Jack Reacher hired to help the secret service

I have come figure out that JsckReacher is as bad as he needs to be. He is Sherlock Holmes on steroids. Sometimes He uses his fists, sometimes a gun, but always his brain. In thus particular novel he uses his brain more than his braun, but that doesn't mean it is without action.
it's a good listen.

Best So Far

This book had me wanting to come back to it every free second I had. I think they could have made the Movie off of this one. I enjoyed this one better than all the others in the series up to this point. The girlfriend is gone by this novel (which is better for his character).

loved it.

couldn't get me to turn off the book. I was listening for hours at a time.

Ok, but some observations.

I have listened to quite a few Jack Reacher books and generally enjoy them. Two things about this book.
First, I picked up several things that should have been explored-for example, in the part where tapes were being reviewed, why didn't they look at tapes from other days? And obvious analysis step overlooked. There were others.
Second, I like the reader's voice for Jack, but he continued to use the same "choppy" hesitations and tone for all characters. It became somewhat annoying after a while. I would be happier if Jack's voice was distinctive.
None of these remarks will keep me from buying the next book or an older one I haven't listened to.

Great story, perfect election year listen

Liked the characters. It flowed pretty well. The ending felt realistic / how it might happen in real life. I'm listening to all the Jack Reacher stories in order, and this is one of my favorites so far.

Reacher as a protective services consultant

Without Fail is Lee Child's 6th Jack Reacher adventure. This time out, Jack is pressed into service as a security consultant for the recently elevated head of the vice-president elect's Secret Service detail. After finding holes, Reacher is further engaged to assist in an ongoing credible threat against the VP. In usual Reacher fashion, he sleuthes his way to the source and identity of the assassination plotters, while running rings around the Secret Service and the FBI in the process.

This episode is less action oriented and much more cerebral. The clues are subtle and fragmented, but Reacher manages a logical, deliberate, and thorough analysis that is both engaging and entertaining. Jack's Sherlock Holmes side is full on this time out. Child provides a bit of backstory on Jack's brother not mentioned much since his debut, with the Secret Service contact coming from a former lover of Joe. While Jack's loner status needs no further documentation, Child provides more support by either skillfully eliminating potential paramours as well as dropping hints at some complicating background information regarding a former professional colleague the Jack involves. In this manner Child has given himself license to bring her back without romantic issues requiring attention or explanation.

The narration is typically superb; Dick Hill is "the" voice of Jack Reacher and his range of characters, including both genders is masterfully rendered. Pacing especially is perfectly suited to the cerebral, deductive theme of the tale. At the rate Jack is going, he will be known to every Federal agency, although no one will want to talk about it.

VERY well written. Ending was a let down.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

No. There are much better books in the series.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Without Fail?

When one of the major characters is shot in the neck. Very jarring.

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

Only as reacher. I enjoy yhim.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Something something Duty. Something something in the shadows.

Any additional comments?

Just incredibly written. Such a great thread but once the mystery is revealed it is disappointing. Was not as bad as the end of Running Blind/The Visitor which was pretty unbelievable but this was just... far fetched? If it wasnt for that, this one would be one of my favorites.

ok at best.

not my favorite reacher novel by far. narrator sounds like my grandfather when he's drunk. why is the secret service lead so inept and whiney?

Good long ride book.

narrator does a great job with the various voices. Author keeps the uncertainty. until the very end.
Recommend author and narrator.