The Ultimate Ranking of the Top 'Jack Reacher' Books

Article Summary

The

Jack Reacher

series by Lee Child has had mixed success with its adaptations, with Tom Cruise's portrayal receiving criticism.

The new

Reacher

series on Prime Video, starring Alan Ritchson, has been a hit and has already been renewed for a second season.

The below list ranks the top 10

Jack Reacher

books, highlighting their compelling plots, character development, and moral dilemmas.

Lee Child's ongoing series, which follows the adventures of military investigator turned drifter Jack Reacher, comprises 27 books. Tom Cruise, prior to passing on the Mission: Impossible franchise to Christopher McQuarrie, enlisted him to write and direct the film adaptation of Child's ninth book, One Shot, resulting in the 2012 movie, Jack Reacher. Although Cruise does not embody the physicality of Reacher, who stands at six-foot-five and weighs 250 pounds, he and McQuarrie delivered a solid action-thriller that captured the essence of the book. However, the critical and audience reception of the lackluster sequel, Jack Reacher: Never Go Back in 2016, effectively put an end to another potential Cruise franchise.

Now, Alan Ritchson, known for his role as Aquaman in Smallville, has taken on the role for the latest adaptation of Child's books, Prime Video's Reacher series. The premiere of the show was an undeniable success, leading to its renewal for a second season only three days after its release on Prime Video. While Season 1 followed the events of Child's first book, The Killing Floor, Season 2 will be based on the eleventh book, Bad Luck and Trouble. Whether you are a long-time fan of the books or have recently discovered the franchise through the Prime Video series, it might be helpful to know where to start. Here are the top 10 Jack Reacher books, ranked.

Image via Prime VideoReacher

When Jack Reacher, a retired Military Police Officer, is wrongfully accused of murder, he becomes entangled in a dangerous web of corruption involving corrupt cops, dubious businessmen, and unscrupulous politicians. Armed only with his sharp intellect, Reacher must unravel the enigma unfolding in the town of Margrave, Georgia. The inaugural season of Reacher is adapted from the acclaimed novel The Killing Floor by Lee Child.

Cast Alan RitchsonMain Genre ActionGenres DramaStreaming Sevice Prime Video

10. Tripwire

In Lee Child's third book of the series, Jack Reacher finds himself in Florida, spending his days digging pools and his nights working as a bouncer. When a private investigator tracks Reacher down and is shortly after killed, Reacher is pulled into the dangerous world of an underground money lender. To complicate matters, the daughter of his former mentor seeks his help in locating a presumed dead helicopter pilot from the Vietnam War. This leads Reacher to a merciless and menacing villain with a hook for a hand, and ultimately, a bullet in Reacher's chest. Tripwire earns a place in the top 10, largely due to Child's exploration of Reacher's character. Unlike his usual stalwart self, Reacher displays vulnerability and is susceptible to injury, allowing cracks to appear in his tough exterior and making him a more relatable and captivating character.

9. Die Trying

8. Make Me

Die Trying commences with Reacher coming to the aid of a complete stranger by assisting her with her dry cleaning. However, their good intentions are abruptly disrupted when they are both held hostage at gunpoint, forcibly taken into a van, and transported across the entire country. During this distressing ordeal, Reacher gradually uncovers the startling truth that the woman is none other than FBI agent Holly Johnson. As the daughter of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the goddaughter of the President of the United States, her abduction sets the stage for a gripping narrative in the third installment of Child's series. While most Reacher books primarily revolve around localized crimes and conspiracies, Die Trying takes a different path by delving into a national-scale predicament, making it a notable deviation. Although the plot sometimes strays into the realm of the implausible, similar to other Reacher novels, it nevertheless captivates readers through its inclusion of thrilling action sequences reminiscent of blockbuster films. Furthermore, Reacher’s unreciprocated romantic interest in Holly adds an additional layer of complexity to his character, enhancing the overall reading experience.

The Reacher novels often commence with mere coincidences that escalate into complex and unpredictable situations. Make Me follows this familiar pattern, with Reacher disembarking from a bus in the quaint Midwestern town of Mother's Rest merely because he finds the name appealing. It is here that he encounters Michelle Chang, a private investigator, and becomes entangled in her pursuit of her missing ex-partner. While Make Me unravels another conspiracy in a small town, it distinguishes itself by further developing its protagonist. Reacher, known for his frequent romantic encounters, finds more than a fleeting connection with Michelle Chang. Their bond strengthens throughout the story, eventually leading them to be together by the book's conclusion. Although Make Me's overall plot may not captivate as much as others, it significantly contributes to Reacher's personal growth. While no one expects him to settle down anytime soon, Child hints that he is, at least in theory, open to the possibility of change.

7. The Enemy

6. Without Fail

In the debut novel of the Jack Reacher series, the protagonist, who has recently left the Army, harbors a deep bitterness towards the institution. Author Lee Child employs a combination of first and third-person narratives throughout the series, but in The Enemy, he takes us back in time to Reacher's days as a military investigator, presenting the story in first-person. This prequel explores Reacher's involvement in the mysterious death of a high-ranking general, uncovering a wider conspiracy aimed at thwarting the modernization of the American military through the targeted assassination of top officials. This particular assignment gives us a fascinating contrast to the majority of the series, where Reacher lives a nomadic life, embracing the anonymity of a drifter. As the events of The Enemy unfold, Reacher experiences the loss of his mother in Paris. This, combined with his realization that the military bureaucracy will cover up any scandalous incidents, offers insight into the source of his bitterness.

Reacher's past catches up with him once again when M.E. Froelich, his former Secret Service agent brother's colleague and old flame, approaches him with a tempting offer: to assist her in planning the assassination of the Vice President. Without Fail effortlessly blends an engaging thriller plot with profound emotional stakes for Reacher. He succumbs to his desires with Froelich, but as the story nears its heartbreaking conclusion, both Reacher and the reader discover the enduring love she harbors for his older brother. Unlike many other Reacher novels, Without Fail unfolds an even more intriguing storyline, as Child once again thrusts Reacher into a high-stakes situation that could impact the entire nation. Alongside this riveting plot, the book also offers the expected incremental growth of Reacher's character, a development that perfectly complements the personal risks he faces by the end.

5. 61 Hours

The fourteenth book in the series sees a departure from Child's previous successful formula. Instead of his usual travels through the Southern and Midwestern U.S., Reacher finds himself in a small town in South Dakota, surrounded by snow. The local police are facing a dilemma as they try to protect the sole witness of a major methamphetamine operation, while also being obligated to respond to emergencies at the nearby prison. Upon discovering Reacher's background, they seek his assistance. However, things are not as they appear. Reacher uncovers a conspiracy within the police department, involving surplus World War II equipment and certain drugs intended for bomber pilots. The police believe the meth operation is connected to a Latin American drug lord named Plato, who is also a person of short stature. The climax takes place in tunnels beneath an old Air Force facility, where Plato's size gives him an advantage over Reacher. Throughout the novel, titled "61 Hours," Reacher is pushed out of his usual realm of competence. He makes mistakes, arrives too late to save an important character, and requires assistance. The story also introduces Major Susan Turner, Reacher's replacement in his former division, and their potential romantic relationship continues in subsequent books.

4. Gone Tomorrow

The opening of Gone Tomorrow showcases one of Child's most brilliant setups. Set on a New York City subway, Reacher becomes suspicious of a fellow passenger who he suspects may be a suicide bomber. Narrated in the first person, Reacher carefully observes all the tell-tale signs. However, when he tries to intervene and help her, she tragically takes her own life in front of him. Motivated by a need to uncover the truth and burdened by guilt over her suicide, Reacher delves deep into the investigation, uncovering a disturbing web of deceit. Susan Mark, the supposed bomber, was merely a pawn in a larger scheme involving a corrupt politician, undercover terrorists, and government agents willing to go to great lengths to keep everything hidden. Published in 2009, Gone Tomorrow explores the ethical complexities of a post-9/11 world. With finesse, Child avoids making Reacher's steadfast moral compass seem jingoistic or disingenuous. Instead, he keeps us rooted in the protagonist's controlled anger as he peels back layer after layer of lies and betrayal. Typically, Reacher eradicates the corrupt villains behind these shadowy plots, but the ambiguous ending of Gone Tomorrow reflects the morally murky environment that surrounds him.

3. Worth Dying For

The Jack Reacher books follow a familiar premise found in American Westerns: a capable stranger arrives in town, detects trouble, and defeats the villains by the end. While Lee Child often veers away from Western themes in his series, Worth Dying For embraces them wholeheartedly. Unlike his usual tactic of avoiding trouble until forced into action, Reacher actively seeks it out this time. One evening in a remote bar in Nebraska, Reacher overhears a drunken doctor dismissing a patient's call. This prompts him to accompany the doctor to the home of Seth Duncan, a man notorious for abusing his wife and whose family holds influence over the county. Reacher confronts Duncan, both verbally and physically, and becomes entangled in a fierce battle with the entire Duncan clan. In Worth Dying For, Reacher epitomizes the classic hero, surrounded by well-crafted supporting characters and showcased through Lee Child's skillful prose. As he effortlessly eliminates wave after wave of hired killers, Child's expert storytelling prevents the action from becoming monotonous. Within the world of Worth Dying For, the repulsive nature of the Duncans heightens the reader's satisfaction in witnessing Reacher's unwavering dominance—a truly captivating read.

2. One Shot

The 2012 Jack Reacher film, which adapted the novel One Shot, was a smart move for the potential franchise. McQuarrie and Cruise successfully stay true to the original source material, which some argue has Child's most captivating storyline. The story revolves around a shooter who seemingly kills five random individuals with only six shots. Conveniently, one of the shots misses its target and leaves behind a bullet as evidence. This discovery points directly to a former Army sniper named James Barr, who maintains his innocence and demands the help of Jack Reacher. Reacher becomes involved after seeing a news report on the killings and immediately sets out to investigate. However, his intention is not to defend Barr but rather to ensure that he is brought to justice. Due to the severe beating Barr endured, he cannot remember any details about the day of the shootings. Reacher must unravel the truth and dismantle the prosecution's case. One Shot presents a significant moral dilemma for Reacher as Barr, during his time in the Army, committed an unauthorized mass murder from a long range. Despite Army politics allowing Barr to escape punishment, Reacher pledged that he would be there to imprison the sniper if he ever veered off the straight path. In the film, One Shot introduces the closest thing Reacher has encountered to a Bond villain in the form of an ominous Russian mob boss known as the Zec, portrayed memorably by Werner Herzog. Child's writing in One Shot showcases his finest work, slowly tightening the intricate plot like a Swiss watch as Reacher battles his hatred for Barr against the moral dilemma of implicating an "innocent" man.

1. Killing Floor

The Reacher series began with the adaptation of Child's first Reacher book, Killing Floor. While Child would later develop more intricate action-mystery plots for Jack Reacher to solve, the debut of this character is a must-read due to Child's unique approach to the genre. Killing Floor, written in the first person, presents Reacher's most captivating adventure, introducing readers to a remarkable character who is both unstoppable and unyielding. After leaving the Army and wandering around the United States for six months, Reacher ends up in Margrave, Georgia, based solely on a tip about the death of blues legend Blind Blake. In the opening chapter, Reacher's essence is depicted vividly as he calmly narrates the scene where local police expel him from a diner by force. Despite having the ability to overpower them and seize their guns, Reacher chooses not to, demonstrating his restraint even in the face of unfair treatment. As the story progresses, Reacher unravels multiple small-town conspiracies, realizing he has been framed for a murder he could not have committed. This iteration of Reacher is characterized by bitterness, a cold demeanor, and a significant chip on his shoulder, qualities that will evolve in subsequent installments. In the morally complex world depicted in Killing Floor, Reacher's unwavering commitment to justice is already well-established.

The Reacher series is currently available for streaming on Prime Video in the U.S.

Watch on Prime Video

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z fan, I am excited about the new Reacher series on Prime Video. I have read all of the books in the series and I am a big fan of Lee Child's writing. I think that the new series captures the spirit of the books and I am looking forward to seeing more seasons.

I think that Alan Ritchson is a great choice for the role of Jack Reacher. He has the physicality and the acting chops to pull off the role. I also like the way that the show has updated the character for a modern audience. Jack Reacher is still a tough guy, but he is also more vulnerable and relatable than he was in the books.

I think that the Reacher series is a great addition to the action-thriller genre. The show is well-written, well-acted, and full of suspense. I highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a new show to watch.