Lee Child is known for his great writing and suspenseful stories, and this one hit the mark. It is not necessarily anything new, but it is engaging and a quick read. Jack Reacher always keeps me guessing and Past Tense was no exception. As always, trouble and adventure seem to find Reacher, even when he makes other plans. While it was a great book, as expected.

I am growing tired of this series and don't think I will be reading any additional books. I feel like it's the same thing over and over and I am over Reacher's bully persona. Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Color me happy! I haven't read many of this series, and I know it's on TV now, I think, but this book was cool. Jack knew what to do, and when to do it. He was rough and tough and Bond and John Wayne-ish all in one. There's plenty of action, suspense, and drama in this novel. I wasn't disappointed.


My copy came from Net Galley. My thoughts and opinions are my own. This review is left of my own free volition.

I am late to the Jack Reacher series. I thought this might be good as “Jack Reacher” is exploring his father’s history by stopping in a town where his father was born. Two Canadians on their way to New York find themselves in this little town because their car breaks down. I found this book to be a good read for a rainy day or on the beach.probably not the book to start with in the series. Thank you NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Well to read the description I thought this should be good but I was not thrilled. He is usually full of surprises and suspense but this one was kinda slow. I do love his books but I can't get it out of my head...Tom Cruse....It's just not there and I read the books and it's stuck in my head. . So I will continue and hope for the best or better anyway.

Good plot, not as convoluted as some Reacher novels. Fills in some Reacher family background. No loose plot ends. A good entry into the canon.

Lee Child has written another great story in the Jack Reacher series. The characters are well formed and the pace is fast. There are enough twists and turns that keeps the reader guessing until the end.

Past Tense, by author Lee Child, is the 23rd installment in the authors Jack Reacher series. Reacher is an ex-Army MP who has taken to wandering the country, heading here and there for the barest of reasons. He doesn't carry any suitcases with him, but he does carry his trusty toothbrush. Along the way, Reacher always seems to stumble into trouble which he hands with his usual manner of brutal efficiency. Past Tense takes place entirely in the area surrounding Laconia, New Hampshire where Reacher's father may have grown up.

As the story opens, Reacher has decided that he is going to hitchhike/walk from Maine to San Diego, California. Laconia, New Hampshire is a place Jack knows about because his own father, Stan Reacher, claims he spent some time there before he joined the Marines and didn't return. The curious part is that Jack has a hard time finding any information on Stan Reacher. Scanning through records at town hall and researching census from long ago bring him in contact with a lot of different characters - some nice and some not-so-nice.

If you've read any of the books in this series, you know there's going to be some sort of situation that means lot of action, people trying to bring him down, and him handling it while making some unusual friends along the way. Past Tense is a bit different from other Reacher story's. It features two separate storylines that eventually converge around 3/4 mark in the story. While Reacher is digging into his father's past and causing his own form of disruption, a Canadian couple by the name of Shorty Fleck and Patty Sundstrom are about to find trouble they never could have imagined.

Patty and Shorty left Canada to Florida. They're supposed to stop in New York City first to sell the items they are dragging around so that they can make a fresh start. Their car breaks down in the middle of nowhere, but lucky for them, they see a sign for a motel. Unbeknownst to them, they are about to enter hell. Readers will soon find out that Norman Bates would be proud of the owners of this hotel, one of them even has a connection to Jack. For most of this book, I was scratching my head trying to figure out how the author was going to tie Reacher story with the Canadians.

What does Jack's family and this young couple have in common? How do they meet and come together and have their lives intertwine with each other? Never fear, everything will be explained soon. This book is a standalone. You don't have to have read the other 22 novels in this series in order to enjoy the action, suspense, and mystery that the author always seems to bring to the table. And, even though I have missed quite a few books, I am not hesitant in going back and reading those I missed.

This latest (23 of 24) installment of the Jack Reacher series missed the mark for me. Though the typical cast of enjoyable Jack Reacher characters is present, the storyline meandered a bit too much for my taste. The core story does reveal more family backstory on our hero, Jack. That surprised me. What confused me was a secondary suspense plot line that didnt involve Jack until way too late in the book. If you are a Lee Child, jack Reacher reader, this book will be a satisfying read. If you're new to the series, Past Tense does not stand alone well, and I wouldnt suggest you read out of order.
I received my copy through NetGalley under no obligation.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an eARC of this book.
Jack Reacher #23....I have read only some of those. This book was a typical Jack Reacher. Better than some, not as good as others but nonetheless an interesting plot with interesting characters. A bit drawn out in the middle but good for an entertaining read.

Jack Reacher’s plans for a road trip across the country are interrupted when his journey takes him near his old family home. His quest to learn about his family’s history brings him into an adventure involving a remote motel and a stranded Canadian couple. Lee Child’s usual rich imagination offers another thriller that doesn’t disappoint.

Another thrilling Reacher novel, Lee Child never disappoints when it comes to a gripping storyline. I’m already desperate for the next installment!

At now 23 books, it is easily apparent that Lee Child has a character in Jack Reacher, and a style to his writing that have broad appeal. Past Tense, the 23rd addition to the Reacher franchise will not disappoint readers.

Continuing in his nomadic existence, Reacher is following the autumn sun across New Hampshire when he sees a sign for the small town of his father's ancestral home. Having heard about the place as a kid, but not having visited, he decides to take the road not travelled (by him) and heads to town. The inevitable happens, and Reacher's path crosses with a sinister story line at a secluded motel on the outskirts of the town.

This is a classic Jack Reacher novel where Jack stands on the side of right, and faces head-on towards the evil that he encounters. The story takes an interesting thread of looking into the Reacher family history. A dueling thread of the motel storyline is very entertaining, and as a reader, I was just waiting to see how Reacher would end up in the center of that mess, and how he would react. He doesn't go looking for trouble, but he is certainly willing to step up when needed to fight on the side of right.

There is a formula to Jack Reacher novels that stands as the skeleton in each book. The real entertainment is a well written, and now well developed, character, and the different situations he encounters along life's journey. This one had a sinister plot, that was wildly entertaining to me. It is one that I could see made into a movie. It would translate well to the big screen. I'm a fan of Reacher, so I continue to enjoy the books. each are certainly able to stand on their own if you haven't read any, so pick up Past Tense and start there if needs be.

8.0 out of 10 stars

My thanks to NetGalley, Delacorte Press, and Random House books for a free copy of Past Tense in exchange for my thoughts and opinions.

I have been catching up with the Reacher novels that I missed the first time around. Several of them in my order of reading were heavily military so this one was a welcome change. Learning a little about Reacher’s early life was intriguing and the thread of the young couple made this an especially welcome read. As always, Lee Child gives us an interesting, action packed novel. As an aside, I am always amazed with how much British Child knows of our country, it’s various geographical differences and totally American language. Great book!

I am not a die hard Reacher fan, and do not read every single one. I picked up this book in the interest of being entertained by a book, and that's exactly what I got. The books are getting a little tired and repetitive. An even worse...unbelievable and predictable. That's generally when I stop in the series and I feel this will be my last Reacher read. In the middle of nowhere, USA, Jack and only Jack can stumble on a human hunting ground and single handedly decimate the hunters, and the men who created this death trap. All righty then...but I'm not buying. And when its all done? Jack gets back to the main road and sticks out his thumb. The subplot about his father did not move me. I just didn't care. Happy trails Jack, I won't be back. I received this book in return for an honest review from NetGalley.

This was my first time reading a Jack Reacher book. I loved the movie so much. So I ended up getting the whole series. When this one came up on NetGalley I needed to get it. This series might not be for me. I love the writing. I am glad that Reacher got to learn more about his past. To say I don’t like it wouldn’t be fair at all. This would be a great series for people who like Tom Clancy. Turns out I prefer movies with the military type themes than in books. Go figure. I’m so glad I got the opportunity to review this book regardless. I’m constantly learning about myself.

Thank you to Ballantine Books for the ARC of this novel. What can I say? Jack Reacher is at it again with a new adventure and another case of wrong place/wrong time. This book has a unique spin with two completely separate story lines that you know will eventually converge—but how and when. I don’t want to spoil the plot for anyone, let’s just say Lee Child does it again and fans of his and his character Reacher won’t be disappointed.

Fast paced book. Great character development and great descriptive locations. It is the first Lee Child book I've read, and I will be looking for more.

Haven't finished. Felt this was formulaic Jack Reacher. As prolific as Lee Child is, it is difficult to come up with new ideas. Still, it is a satisfying read, though like many Reacher plots, a bit removed from reality. But Jack Reacher fans know all that from the beginning..You can't argue with syccess.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley for an honest review . This is my first Lee Child book and I enjoyed the story very much. It was a little slow and not as filled with action as I’ve heard his books are. The characters were interesting.