Reacher wakes in the dark, strapped to a table and with injuries he has no memory of receiving. He quickly finds himself embroiled with a cabal of art forgers who just may or may have expanded their talents to high end theft and who may or may not be responsible for the death of an FBI agent.

I've watched the series, but this is the first Reacher book I've read. And it was just as much fun to read as it is to watch. The crisp, pithy dialogue keeps drew me into the story immediately, while the unexpected twists and turns kept me turning pages. Reacher's internal musings were fascinating as he tried to consider all the possibilities, all the different directions the criminals might take. And the chance they were double crossing each other. The rapid pace of the story left me breathless at times, while Reacher's musings as he fought the current foe created a bit of humor. This was a perfect place to escape the world for a few hours and just enjoy the ride.

Thank you, Random House Publishing and NetGalley, for the advanced copy of In Too Deep.

This is not my usual type of book, but I figured I'd give it a go since I do enjoy the series. It was easy enough to follow, but I felt it was a bit predictable. The characters were just surface-level characters and I found myself a bit bored at times. The plot line went stale, and it just felt like a book fo an older generation. At 38, I'm no spring chicken, but this is a book that I think my grandparents would have enjoyed.

I found this book a good read but not up to the typical level most Reacher books are. He is initially handcuffed to a table with a broken arm and a concussion. He still escapes and proceeds to win all the encounters with large groups of toughs all with the knowledge of his injuries. The plot is a little convoluted but I was happy to stick with it to get to the parts we all love about the Reacher series. Not sure if the less than stellar plot line is due to a one off or the addition of a new author. Still a good read but a little less than the others. The backbone of trying to save the day for the little guy is what keeps me coming back.

This book surprised me by disappointing me. Every year, a new Reacher book comes out in October, and every year I look forward to it. This year was no exception. However, I knew things were off to a bad start in the opening pages because the premise is so ridiculous: Reacher wakes up shackled to a table, with a broken wrist and amnesia. It's such a clichéd way to start; it's clumsy and lazy and not very well done.

Reacher then proceeds to disable his captor and escape from his bindings, all one-handed. It's ludicrous. In fact, all the hand-to-hand combat scenes in the book are ludicrous, as Reacher takes on foe after foe one-handed. There are times when his broken wrist seems to be conveniently forgotten.

The overall plot takes forever to get to the point of what the bad guys are really trying to accomplish. And Reacher's motivation for wanting to "get" the bad guys doesn't really exist, except that he's mad that they bothered to handcuff him to a table.

And come on, Reacher is now in his fifties and after all these years he STILL doesn't know how a smartphone works? He's flummoxed by computer technology involving folders, the recycle bin, and how a mouse works? Everything is like magic to him. By now he should have SOME level of understanding of basic, everyday technology. His luddite ignorance act has been a good character trait for a long time, but it's preposterous at this point.

I kept waiting for the story to redeem the absurd amnesia trope, but it never really does. The ending is anticlimactic. The whole experience was disappointing. It's the first Reacher book that I didn't enjoy very much at all. I really hate having to give such a negative review to a book in a series that I consider to be my favorite. I'm still going to look forward to the next book in the series with optimism, but it's kinda hard to do after this.

Can Jack Reacher still win fights with a broken wrist and a concussion? Talk about the hero having one hand tied behind his back! [Have you ever wondered what that hand is tied to?]. There are dozens of miscreants, often appearing in groups of 4 or 5 for Reacher to practice his one handed fighting skills on. And a truly convoluted plot of intrigue that took a number of turns hobbling hither and yon, half of them in the company of a rogue detective. There’s plenty here to ponder as the race is on.

Since the arrival of Andrew Child, I've felt the Reacher books were good, but not great. Kind of like the reboot of an old show that has the same characters and actors, but a different creative team behind the scenes. Factor in that last year's book, The Secret, was one of the prequel books (not a fan), and Reacher has slowly fallen from my top must-reads of the year into a mid-level. This might change now. 'In Too Deep' is a great return to form. This felt like a return to one of the earlier books author by Lee Child alone. Reacher is here. He's big, he's brash, and he's smart. The mystery was good with a great dash of action. I also enjoyed the secondary characters, and hope (although I know it's probably fruitless) for their return in future books. Reacher is best when he's underestimated, and I, like the bad guys in these novels, underestimated him. Considered it a lesson learned.

First, an admission in the name of transparency. I am a big fan of the “Reacher” TV series. I enjoyed the two Tom Cruise “Jack Reacher” movies, although I’m aware of the criticisms of Cruise in the roles. Also, I have learned a good bit about the character and the series from reading other source materials. However, I have not read any “Jack Reacher” books other than the most recent, “In Too Deep.” This book is credited to series creator Lee Child and his brother Andrew Child. I know the significance many times of crediting a later book in a successful series to a famous author and a less-famous or unknown co-author (even if that co-author is related).

However, I have no way of judging this novel against earlier works in the series, whether co-written or Lee Child’s solo efforts. So, I’m basing my review solely on the contents of “In Too Deep” and not on other reviews, movie and TV depictions, or my suspicions. Having said all that, “In Too Deep” is an excellent action thriller. The book has flaws but is reminiscent of Richard Stark’s “Parker” series. Change Reacher’s name to Parker, and many readers would think they are in an offbeat Stark tale. And that’s high praise.

“In Too Deep” begins with a car crash on a twisty mountain road in the Ozarks. The driver is dead, and Reacher, the passenger, is injured and suffers near-term amnesia as a result. Reacher soon gets involved with the driver’s confederates, a group of high-end art thieves. The thieves steal valuable works from private collections, whose owners rarely want to report their losses. The thieves’ latest targets are collections stashed in several mansions near the crash site. Reacher’s long-term memory and sense of morality are intact, so he intends to bring the thieves down. He soon gains a “partner,” Jenny Knight, a Phoenix police detective. She’s after one thief in particular, a massive individual named Kane, who killed her father during one of the crew’s earlier robberies that went wrong.

There’s no honor among this group of thieves, as they spend most of the novel trying to double-cross (and often eliminate) one another. The authors shift the point of view from chapter to chapter between Reacher and Vidik, the thieves’ leader, so readers can see both of them put their opposing plans together. Unsurprisingly, the bad guys’ plans often involve eliminating Reacher once he’s no longer helpful. As Reacher tries to figure out what the thieves are planning, readers are also engaged in the same process.

“In Too Deep” offers a great example of an unreliable narrator. Reacher’s faulty memory leaves him in the dark for much of the book about certain key events, including the actual identity of the dead man in the car with him. The villains lie to each other and conceal information. Eventually, the authors reveal just what the bad guys were planning. The clues readers need to figure it out for themselves are there, although well concealed. In the book’s first few pages, something strange happens at the scene of the car crash, but it all makes sense a couple hundred pages later.

Many readers expect action in “Jack Reacher” books, and the authors deliver in “In Too Deep.” Reacher gets in several fights with some of the villains, but he’s operating under a substantial handicap. He broke his wrist in the car crash and may have suffered a concussion. As a result, he can’t use one arm or his head as a weapon. He has to think through each fight, planning each maneuver carefully. I don’t recall reading another book in which the authors take readers inside a character’s plan as he calculates each move in a fight that lasts less than a minute. This method of describing the action was far more interesting than a standard blow-by-blow description other authors provide in many similar thrillers.

Some of the thieves plan to make this heist their last robbery. That doesn’t mean they’ve decided to retire and live off their illicit earnings. Instead, the hacker who figured out the security arrangements for many of their robberies used her computer abilities to uncover other confidential data that companies and individuals will now pay them substantial amounts of blackmail money to keep quiet. The ultimate MacGuffin she’s uncovered is a top-secret report of “earth-shaking” importance they are selling to the highest bidder. Reacher must put an end to the gang’s corporate espionage as well as the art thefts.

Although I enjoyed “In Too Deep” a great deal, I thought the ultimate revelation of the secret report’s contents was beyond ridiculous. When I read it, I put my e-reader down and said to myself, “You’ve got to be kidding.” The authors clearly intended this revelation to shock readers, but it had the opposite effect. Besides this enormous gaffe, the authors rely too much on other worn-out tropes. Jenny Knight provides a potential romantic interest for Reacher but is also a convenient source for distracting information dumps, which she sometimes offers. The book also relies too often on coincidences to move the plot along.

I found “In Too Deep” refreshingly different from what I was expecting in my first “Jack Reacher” novel. There’s plenty of action, but it’s portrayed innovatively, highlighting Reacher’s wits rather than his brawn. His injuries also make the fights more hazardous for him. What I enjoyed most, however, was the intricate and elaborate plotting Reacher and the villains go through. The actual heist is clever, but not spectacular. Instead, the human chess, often punctuated by violent consequences for the losers, reminded me of the best Richard Stark work. I was glad to wind up in too deep in this novel.

NOTE: The publisher graciously provided me with a copy of this book through NetGalley. However, the decision to review the book and the contents of this review are entirely my own.

This book was ok, but I do think it went on much longer than it should have. At one point I couldn’t figure out why the story had so many chapters left.

None of the characters are really likable and there were so many constantly mentioned, but never actually in a scene that I lost track of who was who. The “romance” felt forced and not worth the time - Reacher and Knight should have just stayed partners.

Overall not one I would pick up again.

Thanks to the publisher for a review copy via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

In Too Deep

A Reacher Novel, Book 29

Lee Child and Andrew Child

Ballantine Bantam Dell

Scott Brick, Narrator Penguin Random House Audio

10/22/2024



Reacher wakes up with no short-term memory, handcuffed to a table and so begins In Too Deep. Like other Jack Reacher novels, this can be read as a standalone, but the adventure continues and the characters, both familiar and new, are on a multiple storyline adventure that will have you burning through the pages. The story jumps between multiple POV’s and does NOT get bogged down.



Fletcher, Vidic, Kane and Paris are thieves. Art forgeries, corporate blackmail, you name it – if it is attached to money they will take it. They will double cross each other and none can be trusted. Reacher has been thrown into their mess and involved in the worst possible situation and has no idea how he got there. Little pieces to the missing information puzzle (IYKYK) come back as the story progresses.



For fans of the entire series, we get what we are expecting, Reacher knows what time it is, the diner is there, black coffee and a woman. The pace in this one NEVER slows down. Reacher kicks a lot of ass and kills a lot of people. Rogue FBI agents, a police detective, and a de facto leader of thieves allow the twists and turns to come at the reader, and some that will have you saying – ‘I did not see that coming.’

In Too Deep by Lee Child and Andrew Child plunges us into the action from the very start, with Jack Reacher waking up alone, handcuffed in a dark, unfamiliar place, and nursing a serious arm injury. Reacher has no clue how he got there. With his memory foggy and his surroundings hostile, Reacher’s fight for survival is essentially how this book begins. If you are looking for a slow start or a long preamble, this isn't the book for you.

The story has plenty of classic Reacher: sharp observations, intense confrontations, and clever tactics. Here, though, we experience a puzzle-like setup as Reacher, just like the reader, is left to piece together the mystery of why he’s been taken and what he’s gotten himself into. The setup gives this installment a slightly different feel from others in the series—it’s less about chasing a clear villain and more about unraveling the layers of confusion and mistrust surrounding him. The gray area in which the plot develops adds intrigue and keeps you guessing as you try to piece together the truth alongside Reacher.

While packed with action and suspense, the story sometimes leans toward the formulaic. Reacher’s unmatched cleverness and knack for spotting patterns remain at the forefront, but with a heavier cast of characters, it’s sometimes challenging for them all to fully come into their own. Still, the plot’s twists add a solid punch, and even if you see some of them coming, they’re effective and satisfying.

Overall, In Too Deep is a quick and enjoyable read that keeps you on your toes. It’s a good choice for fans of thrillers or longtime Reacher readers, who will appreciate the familiar intensity and grit - even if it isn't quite yet seamless because of the author transition. Thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for providing an advance reader’s copy for review.

This was the firs Lee Child I have read and I enjoyed it very much. Hard to believe this is the 29th Jack Reacher book and I just met him. I found parts of Reacher's story confusing, but I thought he was a great character. I am sure Andrew Child's writing is a good addition as he lends new insight to the character. Initially the plot was confusing to me, but I became invested as it unfolded. The authors definitely kept me guessing. I look forward to reading some of the older novels to see what I missed. However, this book is definitely enjoyable on its own.

The link below is my spoiler free review of In Too Deep by Lee and Andrew Child, If you have questions please feel free to reach out.

https://youtu.be/2oxu5dlJ5nE

In To Deep was such a fun book. It is pretty standard for the Reacher series, so if you enjoy the previous books from this series, you will enjoy this one. I give In Too Deep 4/5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the opportunity to review In Too Deep by Lee Child & Andrew Child

In Too Deep starts out with Reacher unconscious and cuffed to a table, which was definitely a new way to start one of these books. Andrew Child is getting better at writing the character each time, even though this book still felt a little disjointed. I will recommend this book to patrons and will look forward to the next as I think Andrew has found his feet with Lee's character. Thank you to Delacorte and NetGalley for the early access in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book was great!

The story line had so many twists and intricacies that the reader couldn’t tell who really was the bad guys and who was FBI until the end. There’s less physical violence in this book than the previous book in the series, which I appreciated. Reacher is a great good guy and uses his brain more than brawn in this one.

I would say that the father/son team has gotten into a groove, hoping they will continue.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

Wow so many characters to keep track of. This was a good book but not one of the best I've read. A lot a thrills and what is going to happen next. So much trickery which kept me reading.

I enjoyed reading this book as I am still holding on to the Jack Reacher character and enjoy following his activities. I do feel the books and th character has evolved since Andrew Child has become involved in the writing. I used to finish the books in one sitting and now I actually put them down for a few days before picking them up to finish— there is no edge of my seat reading. It was a solid book with a new story line.

In Too Deep plunges readers straight into Jack Reacher's latest predicament: he wakes up in a dark, unfamiliar place, handcuffed to a bed, his right arm badly injured. His few possessions are missing, and he has no recollection of how he ended up in captivity. The last thing he remembers is the car he had hitched a ride in being forced off the road, and the driver being killed in the crash. Misunderstood as an accomplice to the driver, Reacher’s captors intend to make him talk, but Reacher—being Reacher—has other plans, and his captors are about to regret tangling with him.

As a newcomer to the Reacher novels, I found it impressive that I could dive right into In Too Deep without feeling lost. Lee and Andrew Child crafted this book in a way that feels welcoming to both longtime fans and newcomers alike. Despite it being the 29th book in the series, the writing immediately establishes Reacher’s character and motivations, making it easy to catch up. The action is relentless, and the plot twists kept me turning pages. The descriptive prose immerses readers in Reacher’s experience as he navigates through a maze of threats, surviving on both wits and raw strength.

Reacher’s resilience and problem-solving abilities are as thrilling as ever, and even with my limited background in the series, I could appreciate the layers and depth that the character brings to the story. This book does a fantastic job of blending suspense, high-stakes action, and Reacher’s characteristic resourcefulness, making it a standout addition to the series.

If you're a fan of thrillers, In Too Deep is worth picking up. Lee Child’s reputation for suspenseful, gritty storytelling holds true, and Andrew Child’s co-authorship keeps the legacy strong. Now I’m ready to go back and catch up on the Reacher novels I’ve missed! Highly recommended for both new readers and seasoned Reacher fans alike.

I have sporadically read books in this series (this is #29), and while I enjoyed this one, it was not one of my favorites. Sadly, the pace in this one was slower, which made it harder for me to stay engaged. There didn't seem to be as much character development as in past installments. This one just lacked some of the impact found in other books in the series.

Reacher and Knight make a great team in In Too Deep by Lee Child and Andrew Child. This mystery has many turns and twists that will keep readers entertained.