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I just watched the Jack Reacher movie, and now I really am interested in the books. I'd never heard of the books until the movie. Really enjoyed the movie and was wondering if I should just start with the first book and move down the list or if someone had another recommendation.

I have read all the Jack Reacher novels and started reading them out of order. I learned that some are REALLY good and some are REALLY bad. When I finally read 'Killing Floor' (#1), I was disappointed, but some of my friends loved it. My favorites other than 'One Shot' (the one the movie was based on) are 'The Enemy' and 'Bad Luck and Trouble'. The newer ones (like the last four) should be read in order, but the rest don't matter.

I always recommend reading series novels in order but in Reacher's case, it's not absolutely necessary.

However, sometimes Child gives a hint as to where the next one will take place in the final lines of his books.

I've only read "One Shot", "The Affair", "A Wanted Man", and another that I can't remember the title. I don't think you necessarily need to read them in order, but I thought it was kind of ironic they made the movie off the one I read first, "One Shot". I have enjoyed all the ones I have read, and don't feel anything would have been taken away by reading them in any sort of different order than I actually did.

I too have read all the Reacher novels and I read then all in order. While they can be read out of order I think I got more out of them by reading them in order. While there are only a handful of references to other books in the series, none of them rely on information from the other books to fill any plot gaps so you should be fine reading them in whatever order you choose.

And yes, some of them are not going to win any literary awards but when I pick up a book, I want to be taken away from reality and entertained...they all succeeded in doing just that.

I've noticed that some people go absolutely bonkers if they start with the first book (Killing Floor). There is a coincidence in there that they see as outrageous and vow to never read a Lee Child book again. A careful reading explains how this coincidence occurs but it's easily missed.

I suggest you read in chronological order. Start with book 8 "The Enemy". Reacher is still in the army. There is a subtle explanation of the coincidence tucked away here.

Next read book 16 "The Affair". Reacher is late in his army career. This book has a much more obvious explanation of how the above mentioned coincidence occurs.

Next read book one "Killing Floor". Reacher is starting his civilian adventures.

From there just read in published order.

There are a couple of short stories that take place in Reacher's childhood. I think these are more enjoyable if you wait until you get to know him as an adult.

If you do decide to read out of order, I agree with Rich in message two. 61 Hours should definitely be read before Worth Dying For. You might want Worth Dying For on hand to start reading immediately. A Wanted Man followed by Never Go Back continues the story line that starts in 61 Hours.

Another important story line connects books 3 & 4. Tripwire should be read before Running Blind.

John said: I suggest you read in chronological order. Start with book 8 "The Enemy". Reacher is still in the army. There is a subtle explanation of the coincidence tucked away here.
Next read book 16 "The Affair". Reacher is late in his army career. This book has a much more obvious explanation of how the above mentioned coincidence occurs.

It's been years since I read The Enemy (the first Reacher book I read), so perhaps I'm wrong, but I got the impression that chronologically speaking, The Affair came before The Enemy.

At the end of The Enemy, Reacher talks about the army downsizing and him leaving the service. I don't recall that kind of comment in The Affair, which I read shortly after it was released.

The Enemy begins on new years eve of 1989.
The Affair begins on Tuesday, the eleventh of March, 1997.
I'm beginning to feel like a Reacher expert here lol.

I defer to you, John.

Did anyone but me have a problem with Tom C. the actor that was Reacher in the movie?

Jack Reacher is 6'5" or something and Tom Cruise is like 5'5"? I especially liked how in the bar scene, everyone they cast was shorter than Cruise (either that or they built a platform for him to walk on).

I'm betting on the platform, 5'5" is not setting the bar very high

I prefer books to movies, they never seem to get it quite right when they make a movie out of a book. I'm a big Stephen King fan (lately not so much with his newer ones) and there are only 4 maybe 5 of movies made from his books that I enjoyed.

I have been reading in order published, and I have enjoyed them so far. John, thanks for the information about The Enemy and The Affair. I'm currently on Running Blind. Looking forward to more fun with Jack.

Julie wrote: "I have been reading in order published, and I have enjoyed them so far. John, thanks for the information about The Enemy and The Affair. I'm currently on Running Blind. Looking forward to more fun ..."

In order published then you read Tripwire last right? I think those two, Tripwire then Running Blind are important to read in that order. When you finish, let me know if you agree please.

Yes, Tripwire was the last I read. And I most certainly will let you know.

If you'd like a printable check list, you'll find a link here:

I have a system that works for me. When I find an author (either by a recommendation, a list etc) I go to Wikipedia and print out a list of the author's books. Then I print it out, store it in a notebook (Okay, I guess I'm a bit anal) and begin at the beginning. One of the wonderful things about doing this is you can watch the character and the author grow.

Joan, you can also check Stop You're Killing Me () for a listing of many mystery/thriller/suspense authors' works. Series books will be grouped together but all will list the publication date.
I've found it much more reliable than Wikipedia.

Thanks, Quillracer, I'll give it a try. Oh and I have no clue whose picture shows up beside my name.

Addenda - great site, Quillracer. Thanks a zillion. Oh, and just what I need, more authors. They're writing them faster than I can read them.

If you sign up at Stop You're Killing Me, you'll get 2 e-mails a month. The first lists authors added that month. The second lists new releases by their authors.

They also give away (sometimes several copies of) a book each month.

I wholly agree about 8. If you can, read 8 first, then in the order published. I read "The Affair" in published order and felt like I was OK with the trip back in time.

As for TomC in the film, he's allright. Gotta suspend reality for movies. I enjoyed the film (especially the bit where the bus stop queue envelops him) & as is normal, the book is better.

tammie wrote: "I prefer books to movies, they never seem to get it quite right when they make a movie out of a book. I'm a big Stephen King fan (lately not so much with his newer ones) and there are only 4 maybe ..."

I absolutely agree with books are better than movies as in two hours there is very little that can be told in a movie

A great example of book being SO much better than the film, Michael Crichton's "Disclosure". Worth. A. Read.

tammie wrote: "Did anyone but me have a problem with Tom C. the actor that was Reacher in the movie?"

I refuse to watch the movie as I find it utterly ridiculous that Tom Cruise is playing Jack Reacher! I think Jason Statham or Vin Diesel would be much more convincing.

I really believe in starting from the beginning. I first heard about Jack Reacher last November. And read the first book - The Killing Floor. I loved it. I just finished #8. That's with reading other books in between of course, but I'm trying to get caught up.

Joel wrote: "I just watched the Jack Reacher movie, and now I really am interested in the books. I'd never heard of the books until the movie. Really enjoyed the movie and was wondering if I should just start w..."

when I start reading a series of novels, I always start at the beginning at #1 to see if I'm going to like the character. I like Killing Floor so much I ordered the next one Die Trying. I've read all of Alex Cross's books and I think Jack Reacher has a step up better than Cross.

I love Jack Reacher and have read all the books. I didn't read them in chronological order (but that's par for the course for me). I agree that some books are better than others, but I liked all of them, because I enjoy being in Jack Reacher's mind. Fascinating.

I enjoyed the movie and I like Tom Cruise, but I must admit that I wish they had found a hulking, blonde unknown to play Reacher. Oh, well. I hear they're making another movie with Tom Cruise and I'll watch that one, too.

As an avid Reacher fan my favorite is Running Blind (just by a hair as, honestly, i love them all) but I would suggest starting with The Enemy. Even though it's not actually the first book written it is the one in which Reacher is still an MP in the Army and, as such, gives you a grounding of his core character. After that, just read them in the order published.

The Affair, which is one of the latest ones in the series is also set when Reacher is in the Army. I believe it is set before The Enemy, but I could be wrong on that.

Quillracer, you may be right on that, I don't recall either, but I feel like The Affair doesn't introduce someone to Reacher as well as The Enemy does. I felt like it was written more for an audience who already understands the character.

Grant wrote: "Quillracer, you may be right on that, I don't recall either, but I feel like The Affair doesn't introduce someone to Reacher as well as The Enemy does. I felt like it was written more for an audien..."

I agree, Grant.