This series has lasted this long for a reason--everything about this novel is solid and this is a great entry into Reacher's canon, supplying us with even more back ground of his family of origin and who he is.

Jack Reacher is “a force to be reckoned with”. He moves along at a steady pace until he doesn’t. I have to admit this is my first Reacher novel, have seen the movies of course, but I enjoyed the read much more than the movies. He seems to have a bit of insight as to problems and trouble (hind brain), just shows up at the right time to handle said problem(s). This was an interesting read and at the beginning, I didn’t think I would enjoy this journey, but surprisingly, did. The path is a bit twisted, the outcome...well, let’s just say, “satisfying”. Good read with a bite.

Jack Reacher is in Maine headed to California when he decides to visit his father’s birthplace, Laconia, New Hampshire. After asking around and doing some research at the town hall, Reacher discovers the small village where his father lived is no longer inhabited and the neighbors are hostile.
Meanwhile, a Canadian couple check into a secluded motel nearby and find the motel owners lie to them, then delay their departure. What devious plans do the owners have for the unsuspecting couple and how will Reacher come to the rescue?
This is the typical Jack Reacher novel: show up, find someone in need, kick some ass, charm the intelligent female, and move on. It’s always a worthwhile adventure.
Thanks to NetGalley for the advance look.

Once again, Lee Child delivers an exciting yet steady Jack Reacher novel. Past Tense has Jack rather coincidentally heading toward the birthplace of his long-deceased father. Laconia, NH was never a lovely warm memory for Stan Reacher so he never returned after joining the Marines. Now, some 30 years after his death, Jack meanders into town more from curiosity than anything else.

Of course, Jack manages to right the wrongs through his domineering presence. And, of course, his behavior pits his against an ugly set of locals who believe they are entitled to whatever they want. His care-for-the-underdog actions are aligned with mysterious events from his father's youth.

The characters most in need of Jack's assistance are a young Canadian couple who have traveled south without having a clear plan or really being prepared for a road trip. Their worn out, poorly maintained car soon strands them at a rural motel that has no other patrons. What ensues is a take on "The Most Dangerous Game." But, Lee Child takes a familiar scenario and ups the ante.

Even though Past Tense is the 23rd Reacher novel there is still much to be lerned about this gentle giant of a man.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley.

I have been a great fan of Lee Child's Jack Reacher books for years. Unfortunately, this does not compare well with the previous books in the series. While the reader is given interesting background information about Reacher, the story lacks action and direction.

Thank you to Netgalley, Random House and Lee child for the ARC of Past Tense in exchange for an honest review.

It was getting colder in Maine. Winter was coming, which meant Jack Reacher was leaving. The plan was to cross the country from corner to corner, Maine to California, chasing the sun. That was the plan at least, until the plan changed. Just outside of New England, Reacher found himself on a detour to a small town named Laconia; the town where his father was born and raised.

From the other direction, a young couple are forced to make a detour of their own. After their car breaks down, they happen upon a small empty motel, currently being remodeled. The helpful desk clerk let them rent the newly redone room to use while they waited for the mechanic. Unfortunately, the couple finds the staff to be a bit too helpful for their liking, and quickly realize it might be harder to leave than they originally thought.

Child adds another enjoyable chapter to the Jack Reacher saga. Past Tense breaks away from the Reacher formula by focusing on two stories in parallel, not just following along with Reacher. The change is a welcome one, but misses the mark ever so slightly. While I enjoyed both storylines, neither feel like a complete, finished thought. Reacher’s investigation into his father’s history never seems to carry enough weight to warrant the attention. Reacher seems more annoyed than curious half the time, even ignoring a few large coincidences without so much as batting an eye.

The couple’s time in the motel is a newer take on an old story. Child does his best to incorporate modern elements into his mousetrap, but there aren’t any surprises here. Surprisingly, there’s not much suspense here either. The couple don’t seem as overly concerned as they should, like they’ve read ahead and are simply resigned to playing along. In the end, both stories collide with kiddie-bumper-car force, and fizzle out without much of a bang.

Past Tense suffers a tad because Child has some really stellar Reacher books, and it’s not fair to compare them apples to apples. However, despite a few shortcomings, Past Tense is a fun and enjoyable read for new and old fans alike. If you’ve never read a Jack Reacher book, this one will do just fine, and most likely leave you wanting to read more Jack Reacher. It’s also more than capable of satiating Child’s biggest fans in between the home runs.

This is my favorite Jack Reacher book to date. I was 3/4 into the book before I even started putting the pieces together. Lee Child is brilliant, and common sense is sexy.

The latest Jack Reacher adventure will satisfy his fans. He continues to take us to out of the way places, lets his curiosity get him into trouble, stand up for the little guy, and meet the craziest cast of characters. As a librarian and archivist, I enjoyed the role that libraries, librarians, historical records, and records clerks played in the story. The only negative is that it seemed fairly easy to guess what the bad guys were up to, and the final battle seemed to end rather precipitously. But all in all, it was an enjoyable read.

I'm a big Lee Child fan but this was one of my least favorite of his books. The story of people being hunted has been done before and I didn't think the back story of him trying to find out about his father was that interesting. Nevertheless, I did read the book in one day. Reacher is always a good character.

As an avid Jack Reacher fan, how could I resist the latest in the series. A must for any fan, but this could easily stand alone for the reader who hasn't read all the rest. Action-packed, as usual, and a bit of new information about Reacher's past, but nothing earth-shattering.

NetGalley always asks if I'm likely to purchase the title for my library. I answered no this time, not because the book is poorly written or inappropriate, but because only a small number of my high school students have even picked up any of the past Reacher novels. I find them a "hard sell" to even the most avid readers. Perhaps it takes some maturity to appreciate the stories.

(This blog post at https://book-lens.blogspot.com/ is scheduled to open a week before publication, Oct. 29)

The many attributes that have made us love Jack Reacher are evident once again in this 23rd release in the series. Jack's sense of justice, his willingness to fight when needed, and his near invincibility are once more in play. But Past Tense gives us a broader view of Jack's family background. Just how many Reacher families can there be in a small rural area?

What's different about this book
Actual coincidence plays a larger part in the plot development than I remember from past titles in the series. And the randomness of Jack's being at the exact spot there is a chilling case of victimization makes for a different but still engaging story. There are some skim-able areas in the development of the story, but by and large this is an entertaining read that continues to develop the larger-than-life figure of Jack Reacher.

What I'll do now that I've read it
This book will make a solid gift for family and friends who, as I do, love to read about Jack Reacher. And for those libraries where our Lee Child books go quickly, we'll be sure to have this new release on hand on Nov. 5. Perhaps not the best Jack Reacher yet, but a welcome new addition.

Past Tense by Lee Child

Yet another amazing Jack Reacher adventure. This is one that would make a great movie and is a gripping thriller as well. You will love the Jack handles different scenarios and his character is just so well liked. Everything he puts his mind to he makes it happen. I highly recommend this one.

A fast-paced thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat and wondering what will happen next and when. Jack Reacher is a good man who puts up with nothing and deals with bad behavior instantly and harshly. When he goes looking for the town where his father grew up, he's in for a few surprises, and none of them good. An innocent couple who gets stranded at a remote hotel, they become victims of a nefarious plot, and Jack's on a collision course with their captors. Very visual, would make a good movie. A lot of violence, but tolerable in the context.

I have to say that despite so many things I might not like about Jack Reacher, I love the guy. Reading this reminds me of the very first book of his, and I really enjoyed this book. Its a fast read, and fun.

Jack wanders by a town he thought his father had lived in, but can't find any records of his dad. Hmmmm, strange. Of course, he hangs around to investigate and finds himself coming to the rescue of a woman, with pretty significant consequences.

His inherent ability to be aware, aware of himself, aware of what's around him. He anticipates both actions and reactions and I do really enjoy his ability to clock the bad guys.

He stumbles into a vicious game with some innocent victims, who remarkably are quite capable on their own.

This is a classic Jack Reacher, totally fun.

My notes as I am reading:

So far this seems like a take off of a Jack Reacher novel....except it IS a Jack Reacher novel. I've read and liked many of these books before but this one seems like Lee Child "called it in" just to have another money making book.

The book so far is riddled with bad writing with nothing to say and silly truncated sentences: "They were standing next to the Honda. Its hood was up. The sun was bright". OR

"She came out of the bathroom. She was hungry. The door was still open. The sun was still bright. Now Shorty was there on his own. The other guy had gone."

The above is the work of a well known and liked author? I don't think so. The writing is so amateurish. Maybe Lee Child is bored with writing the Reacher books and should start a new venture.

At 10% read, I wrote: Does this book have a plot? I just flipped thru 5 pages of nothing but inconsequential simplistic dialogue.

At 13% I wrote: so far the story line (for no discernable reason) consists of 2 people who have car troubles and then (again for no apparent reason) a person who is looking for a house where his parents lived.

I'm done with this non-book.

There aren’t a lot of adult authors I’ll get on a holds list for consistently, but Lee Child is at the top of that list. I think the Jack Reacher books have had ups and downs, but I enjoyed Past Tense immensely. It had great subplots, funny side characters, and a crackling good main plot.

Recommended for all Reacher fans or anyone looking for a fairly violent page turner.

A "hunger games" feel at time and at others thrilling. I was left with a lot of unanswered questions with a few plot lines that were not "paid off." I would have liked resolution with regard to the family connection. This is a pretty violent book but that's to be expected of a Jack Reacher novel. The end seemed trite--leaving that much destruction in your wake seems unrealistic. Overall, I like it and think it will appeal to readers who are looking for action/adventure.

“Past Tense” by Lee Child is an intense, richly layered thriller that keeps the reader on edge. An outsider comes to town… a young couple’s old car breaks down near an isolated hotel where they meet some not very helpful people… and the locals cops try to prevent trouble by borrowing more.

The story was easy to fall into, pulling me along for the ride so well that I found myself getting angry when people did something apparently stupid, wanting to yell “Don’t you want to make it through all this?!” A couple times I thought “well, perhaps you are smart enough to figure out what is going on and how to make it through to the last page… wait! Don’t do that!”

Outstanding read.

#PastTense #NetGalley

PAST TENSE is another great Jack Reacher tale. I enjoyed the suspense. Loved learning about Jack's family.

Another great Jack Reacher book. I've always been a fan and this one did not disappoint! While this one was a bit slower at times, the crisp, clean writing style kept my mind from wandering off. I enjoyed the dual-storyline and seeing them come together later in the book. Definitely one of the better books in the series. Cannot wait to see what comes next!