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Three Jack Reacher Novellas (with bonus Jack Reacher's Rules): Deep Down, Second Son, High Heat, and Jack Reacher's Rules
This compilation includes three Jack Reacher novellas and the ultimate fan guide Jack Reacher's Rules.
Deep Down:
In thriller master Lee Child’s short story Deep Down, Jack Reacher must track down a spy in soldier’s clothing—by matching wits with four formidable females. Three are clean—but the fourth may prove fatal.
Summoned by Military Intelligence to Washington, D.C., Reacher is sent undercover. The assignment that awaits him: The army is meeting with its Capitol Hill paymasters for classified talks on a new, state-of-the-art sniper rifle for U.S. forces. But vital details about the weapon are leaking—straight from the Capitol and probably into the hands of unidentified foreign arms dealers. The prospect of any and every terrorist, mercenary, or dictator’s militia getting their hands on the latest superior firepower is unthinkable. That’s where Reacher comes in. His task: infiltrate the top-secret proceedings and smoke out the mole. His target: a quartet of high-powered Army political liaison officers—all of them fast-track women on their way to the top.
According to his bosses, it’s a zero-danger mission. No need to draw a gun . . . just chat over drinks. But Reacher knows that things are rarely what they seem. And he’s learned the hard way never to underestimate an opponent. Or four. Lessons that will come in handy when he starts digging for the truth—and gets his hands a lot dirtier than he expected.
Second Son:
A young Jack Reacher knows how to finish a fight so it stays finished. He knows how to get the job done so it stays done. And, in one of his earliest challenges, he knows that his analytical brain is just as important as his impressive brawn.
Okinawa, 1974. Even at thirteen, Jack Reacher knows how to outwit and overpower anyone who stands in his way. And as the new kid in town, that’s pretty much everyone. His family has come to the Pacific with his father, who’s preparing for a top-secret Marine Corps operation. After receiving a rude welcome from the local military brats, Reacher and his older brother, Joe, intend to teach them a lesson they won’t forget. But it’s soon clear that there’s more at stake than pride. When his family’s future appears to come crumbling down, it’s the youngest Reacher who rises to the occasion with all the decisive cunning and bravura that will one day be his deadly trademark.
High Heat:
In the midst of a savage heat wave and an infamous murder spree, a blackout awakens the dark side of the city that never sleeps—and a young Jack Reacher takes action as only he can.
July 1977. Jack Reacher is almost seventeen, and he stops in New York City on the way to visit his brother at West Point. The summer heat is suffocating, the city is bankrupt, and the mad gunman known as Son of Sam is still on the loose. Reacher meets a woman with a problem, and agrees to help her . . . but then the power grid fails and the lights go out, plunging the lawless city into chaos. What does a visiting teenager do in the dark? If that visiting teenager is Jack Reacher, the answer is plenty.
Jack Reacher's Rules:
Jack Reacher’s Rules is the ultimate fan’s guide to the World of Reacher! Featuring selections from all seventeen electrifying Jack Reacher novels and an introduction from Lee Child himself, this one-of-a-kind audiobook compiles timeless advice from maverick former army cop Jack Reacher, the hero of Lee Child’s blockbuster thrillers and now the star of a major motion picture.
My name is Jack Reacher.
No middle name, no address.
I’ve got a rule: People mess with me at their own risk.
You don’t have to break the rules if you make the rules. Case in point: Jack Reacher, the two-fisted, quick-witted, “current poster-boy of American crime fiction” (Los Angeles Times). The brainchild of #1 New York Times bestselling author Lee Child, Reacher is a freelance troubleshooter with a mysterious past—and a serious passion for justice. Now the hard-won knowledge and hard-hitting strategies of fiction’s toughest tough guy are within every thriller listener's reach—in a rapid-fire rundown of the trade secrets, tried-and-true tricks, and time-honored tactics that separate the man in the street from the man to beat.
Rule 1. When in doubt, drink coffee.
Rule 2. Never volunteer for anything.
Rule 3. Don’t break the furniture.
Rule 4. Only one woman at a time.
Rule 5. Show them what they’re messing with.
Please note: Jack Reacher’s Rules is a compilation of advice, wisdom, and facts from the Jack Reacher series of novels by #1 New York Times bestselling author Lee Child. It features an introduction by Lee Child, but is not a Jack Reacher novel.
Deep Down:
In thriller master Lee Child’s short story Deep Down, Jack Reacher must track down a spy in soldier’s clothing—by matching wits with four formidable females. Three are clean—but the fourth may prove fatal.
Summoned by Military Intelligence to Washington, D.C., Reacher is sent undercover. The assignment that awaits him: The army is meeting with its Capitol Hill paymasters for classified talks on a new, state-of-the-art sniper rifle for U.S. forces. But vital details about the weapon are leaking—straight from the Capitol and probably into the hands of unidentified foreign arms dealers. The prospect of any and every terrorist, mercenary, or dictator’s militia getting their hands on the latest superior firepower is unthinkable. That’s where Reacher comes in. His task: infiltrate the top-secret proceedings and smoke out the mole. His target: a quartet of high-powered Army political liaison officers—all of them fast-track women on their way to the top.
According to his bosses, it’s a zero-danger mission. No need to draw a gun . . . just chat over drinks. But Reacher knows that things are rarely what they seem. And he’s learned the hard way never to underestimate an opponent. Or four. Lessons that will come in handy when he starts digging for the truth—and gets his hands a lot dirtier than he expected.
Second Son:
A young Jack Reacher knows how to finish a fight so it stays finished. He knows how to get the job done so it stays done. And, in one of his earliest challenges, he knows that his analytical brain is just as important as his impressive brawn.
Okinawa, 1974. Even at thirteen, Jack Reacher knows how to outwit and overpower anyone who stands in his way. And as the new kid in town, that’s pretty much everyone. His family has come to the Pacific with his father, who’s preparing for a top-secret Marine Corps operation. After receiving a rude welcome from the local military brats, Reacher and his older brother, Joe, intend to teach them a lesson they won’t forget. But it’s soon clear that there’s more at stake than pride. When his family’s future appears to come crumbling down, it’s the youngest Reacher who rises to the occasion with all the decisive cunning and bravura that will one day be his deadly trademark.
High Heat:
In the midst of a savage heat wave and an infamous murder spree, a blackout awakens the dark side of the city that never sleeps—and a young Jack Reacher takes action as only he can.
July 1977. Jack Reacher is almost seventeen, and he stops in New York City on the way to visit his brother at West Point. The summer heat is suffocating, the city is bankrupt, and the mad gunman known as Son of Sam is still on the loose. Reacher meets a woman with a problem, and agrees to help her . . . but then the power grid fails and the lights go out, plunging the lawless city into chaos. What does a visiting teenager do in the dark? If that visiting teenager is Jack Reacher, the answer is plenty.
Jack Reacher's Rules:
Jack Reacher’s Rules is the ultimate fan’s guide to the World of Reacher! Featuring selections from all seventeen electrifying Jack Reacher novels and an introduction from Lee Child himself, this one-of-a-kind audiobook compiles timeless advice from maverick former army cop Jack Reacher, the hero of Lee Child’s blockbuster thrillers and now the star of a major motion picture.
My name is Jack Reacher.
No middle name, no address.
I’ve got a rule: People mess with me at their own risk.
You don’t have to break the rules if you make the rules. Case in point: Jack Reacher, the two-fisted, quick-witted, “current poster-boy of American crime fiction” (Los Angeles Times). The brainchild of #1 New York Times bestselling author Lee Child, Reacher is a freelance troubleshooter with a mysterious past—and a serious passion for justice. Now the hard-won knowledge and hard-hitting strategies of fiction’s toughest tough guy are within every thriller listener's reach—in a rapid-fire rundown of the trade secrets, tried-and-true tricks, and time-honored tactics that separate the man in the street from the man to beat.
Rule 1. When in doubt, drink coffee.
Rule 2. Never volunteer for anything.
Rule 3. Don’t break the furniture.
Rule 4. Only one woman at a time.
Rule 5. Show them what they’re messing with.
Please note: Jack Reacher’s Rules is a compilation of advice, wisdom, and facts from the Jack Reacher series of novels by #1 New York Times bestselling author Lee Child. It features an introduction by Lee Child, but is not a Jack Reacher novel.
Audiobook
First published May 6, 2014
19 people are currently reading
610 people want to read
About the author
Lee Child
442 books34.2k followersLee Child was born October 29th, 1954 in Coventry, England, but spent his formative years in the nearby city of Birmingham. By coincidence he won a scholarship to the same high school that JRR Tolkien had attended. He went to law school in Sheffield, England, and after part-time work in the theater he joined Granada Television in Manchester for what turned out to be an eighteen-year career as a presentation director during British TV's "golden age." During his tenure his company made Brideshead Revisited, The Jewel in the Crown, Prime Suspect, and Cracker. But he was fired in 1995 at the age of 40 as a result of corporate restructuring. Always a voracious reader, he decided to see an opportunity where others might have seen a crisis and bought six dollars' worth of paper and pencils and sat down to write a book, Killing Floor, the first in the Jack Reacher series.
Killing Floor was an immediate success and launched the series which has grown in sales and impact with every new installment. The first Jack Reacher movie, based on the novel One Shot and starring Tom Cruise and Rosamund Pike, was released in December 2012.
Lee has three homes—an apartment in Manhattan, a country house in the south of France, and whatever airplane cabin he happens to be in while traveling between the two. In the US he drives a supercharged Jaguar, which was built in Jaguar's Browns Lane plant, thirty yards from the hospital in which he was born.
Lee spends his spare time reading, listening to music, and watching the Yankees, Aston Villa, or Marseilles soccer. He is married with a grown-up daughter. He is tall and slim, despite an appalling diet and a refusal to exercise.
Killing Floor was an immediate success and launched the series which has grown in sales and impact with every new installment. The first Jack Reacher movie, based on the novel One Shot and starring Tom Cruise and Rosamund Pike, was released in December 2012.
Lee has three homes—an apartment in Manhattan, a country house in the south of France, and whatever airplane cabin he happens to be in while traveling between the two. In the US he drives a supercharged Jaguar, which was built in Jaguar's Browns Lane plant, thirty yards from the hospital in which he was born.
Lee spends his spare time reading, listening to music, and watching the Yankees, Aston Villa, or Marseilles soccer. He is married with a grown-up daughter. He is tall and slim, despite an appalling diet and a refusal to exercise.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 121 reviews
May 9, 2024
This is another one of my “cleaning out the closet” reads. Hubby is a long-time Reacher fan and has been recommending this series to me for, I don't know, a decade or so, maybe two. It was back in Mar2020 when I finally added the first installment, Killing Floor, to my to-read list. Since then, I’ve seen the two movies and the first two seasons of the tv show (I’m a big Reacher fan now), and I’ve also learned that Killing Floor isn’t really the first installment. It’s just the first book that was published and that chronologically there are four novellas and four full installments before Killing Floor. So, I am now starting the series from the beginning, the chronological beginning.
This review will be on the first three novellas:
“The best fights are the ones you don’t have” - Jack’s Rules
Second Son – The book summary pretty much lays out the entire story. It’s 1974 and its just Jack when he was a tween (13, I think), a big kid who beats the crap out of bullies and looks out for his family.
“Dad: Stay calm son. Don’t do too much damage. I don’t want this family to go three for three this week as far as getting in trouble is concerned.
Jack: He won’t rat me out.
Dad: I know that. I’m talking about a manslaughter charge.”
Jack also stumbles onto how a code book that his father was responsible for suddenly goes missing. There is also a missing answer book for a test that Jack and his brother, Joe, have to take before starting their new school and Joe is accused of stealing it. It’s also when Jack was first noticed by the military higher ups.
“Duct tape is the finest field dressing in the world” - Jack’s Rules
High Heat – Once again, the book summary pretty much says it all. It’s three years later and a 16yr old Jack finds himself in NYC while Son of Sam is on a murder spree. The book summary lays out the whole story. Killing some time in NYC on a layover before his bus leaves for West Point where Jack is visiting Joe, Jack witnesses a guy hit a woman. Jack immediately makes mincemeat of the goon. Turns out the woman was an undercover FBI agent and the goon was a mob guy who gives Jack 3.5hrs to get out of town. Jack leaves when he’s done and ready to leave.
“The most unbearable type of anger is a woman’s; do anything to avoid it” - Jack’s Rules
Deep Down – It’s 1986 and Jack, a Major in the Marine MP, is on assignment in DC. Once again, the book summary pretty much lays out the whole story. Unfortunately, Jack finds he may be on the wrong side a woman’s anger – maybe four women to be exact. There are four female officers at the meeting that Jack has been instructed to attend and discover which one of the women are leaking info about a new high-powered sniper weapon. Jack is playing his cover close to the chest, as a possible black op, special forces officer. Not giving a lot away and using the “that’s classified” to keep the women guessing about who he is and why he’s attending the meeting.
“A 7lb metal club is good, but a 250lb human club is better” - Jack’s Rules
Lastly, I especially enjoyed the last section, which was a bonus read, of sorts. It was a list of “Jack’s Rules” as well as “things you will never hear Jack say”. LOL
“For a military cop going into a bar, it’s like a batter stepping up to the plate; it’s his place of business” - Jack’s Rules
This review will be on the first three novellas:
“The best fights are the ones you don’t have” - Jack’s Rules
Second Son – The book summary pretty much lays out the entire story. It’s 1974 and its just Jack when he was a tween (13, I think), a big kid who beats the crap out of bullies and looks out for his family.
“Dad: Stay calm son. Don’t do too much damage. I don’t want this family to go three for three this week as far as getting in trouble is concerned.
Jack: He won’t rat me out.
Dad: I know that. I’m talking about a manslaughter charge.”
Jack also stumbles onto how a code book that his father was responsible for suddenly goes missing. There is also a missing answer book for a test that Jack and his brother, Joe, have to take before starting their new school and Joe is accused of stealing it. It’s also when Jack was first noticed by the military higher ups.
“Duct tape is the finest field dressing in the world” - Jack’s Rules
High Heat – Once again, the book summary pretty much says it all. It’s three years later and a 16yr old Jack finds himself in NYC while Son of Sam is on a murder spree. The book summary lays out the whole story. Killing some time in NYC on a layover before his bus leaves for West Point where Jack is visiting Joe, Jack witnesses a guy hit a woman. Jack immediately makes mincemeat of the goon. Turns out the woman was an undercover FBI agent and the goon was a mob guy who gives Jack 3.5hrs to get out of town. Jack leaves when he’s done and ready to leave.
“The most unbearable type of anger is a woman’s; do anything to avoid it” - Jack’s Rules
Deep Down – It’s 1986 and Jack, a Major in the Marine MP, is on assignment in DC. Once again, the book summary pretty much lays out the whole story. Unfortunately, Jack finds he may be on the wrong side a woman’s anger – maybe four women to be exact. There are four female officers at the meeting that Jack has been instructed to attend and discover which one of the women are leaking info about a new high-powered sniper weapon. Jack is playing his cover close to the chest, as a possible black op, special forces officer. Not giving a lot away and using the “that’s classified” to keep the women guessing about who he is and why he’s attending the meeting.
“A 7lb metal club is good, but a 250lb human club is better” - Jack’s Rules
Lastly, I especially enjoyed the last section, which was a bonus read, of sorts. It was a list of “Jack’s Rules” as well as “things you will never hear Jack say”. LOL
“For a military cop going into a bar, it’s like a batter stepping up to the plate; it’s his place of business” - Jack’s Rules
July 26, 2024
The Creation of Reacher
This was a surprisingly fun audiobook with an excellent performance by Dick Hill. I always enjoy the Jack Reacher stories, but can only read so many in a row because they tend to be “formulaic”. These short stories are anything but formulaic and give us an idea of where our hero Jack Reacher came from, starting from his childhood as a Marine officer’s youngest son. It gave us a few important instances in his life from the age of 13 to about the age of 2o. Each and every story was both fun, interesting and insight into who Jack Reacher eventually becomes. Needless to say, since it was Jack, there’s going to be action.
The section with Reacher’s Rules were not only interesting, they made perfect sense and quite a few will make you smile, especially if you have been in the military. I found this entertaining and I wish there more short life lessons from Jack. Definitely a five star.
This was a surprisingly fun audiobook with an excellent performance by Dick Hill. I always enjoy the Jack Reacher stories, but can only read so many in a row because they tend to be “formulaic”. These short stories are anything but formulaic and give us an idea of where our hero Jack Reacher came from, starting from his childhood as a Marine officer’s youngest son. It gave us a few important instances in his life from the age of 13 to about the age of 2o. Each and every story was both fun, interesting and insight into who Jack Reacher eventually becomes. Needless to say, since it was Jack, there’s going to be action.
The section with Reacher’s Rules were not only interesting, they made perfect sense and quite a few will make you smile, especially if you have been in the military. I found this entertaining and I wish there more short life lessons from Jack. Definitely a five star.
March 6, 2017
Only for people already 'Friends of Jack'.
December 16, 2014
Like the two stars say, it was okay. Certainly, not his best, nor worst. 4 of 10 stars
December 4, 2025
4.5 Stars for 3 Jack Reacher Novellas (audiobook) by Lee Child read by Dick Hill.
In the first story Jack is going undercover to root out corruption. It seems like it should be a safe mission but a lady ends up dying before the meeting starts. And in the second two we get to see what the teenage Jack is like. In one he is with his father who is on a secret mission in Okinawa. He’s already learning how to stand up for himself. And the last story he’s stopping off in New York City while he’s on his way to see his brother who’s attending West Point. And there’s a fun ending where all of Jack Reacher’s rules are listed off.
In the first story Jack is going undercover to root out corruption. It seems like it should be a safe mission but a lady ends up dying before the meeting starts. And in the second two we get to see what the teenage Jack is like. In one he is with his father who is on a secret mission in Okinawa. He’s already learning how to stand up for himself. And the last story he’s stopping off in New York City while he’s on his way to see his brother who’s attending West Point. And there’s a fun ending where all of Jack Reacher’s rules are listed off.
March 21, 2024
Audiobook Review - Three Jack Reacher Novellas - Lee Child
This Lee Child Jack Reacher compilation of novellas (too long to be short stories and too short to be full novels) includes three Jack Reacher novellas and the ultimate fan guide Jack Reacher's Rules.
Deep Down - Reacher tracks down a spy disguised as a soldier by matching wits with four formidable females. Three are clean—but the fourth proved fatal. Reacher learned the hard way to never underestimate an opponent in this 'witty' story.
Second Son - A young Jack Reacher knows how to finish a fight so it stays finished. And, in one of his earliest challenges, he knows that his analytical brain is just as important as his impressive brawn. Even at 13 years old, Jack Reacher knows how to outwit and overpower anyone who stands in his way. Reacher rises to the occasion in taking on some military brats that he and his brother have to teach a lesson to that will one day be his deadly trademark.
High Heat - In the midst of a savage heat wave and an infamous murder spree, a blackout awakens the dark side of the city that never sleeps and a young Jack Reacher takes action after meeting a woman with a problem, and agrees to help her as only he can.
Jack Reacher's Rules - a fan’s guide to the World of Reacher! Featuring selections from seventeen Jack Reacher novels and an introduction from Lee Child himself, this one-of-a-kind audiobook compiles timeless advice from maverick former army cop Jack Reacher. It's just a compilation of advice, wisdom, and facts from the Jack Reacher series of novels and is not a novella.
This Lee Child Jack Reacher compilation of novellas (too long to be short stories and too short to be full novels) includes three Jack Reacher novellas and the ultimate fan guide Jack Reacher's Rules.
Deep Down - Reacher tracks down a spy disguised as a soldier by matching wits with four formidable females. Three are clean—but the fourth proved fatal. Reacher learned the hard way to never underestimate an opponent in this 'witty' story.
Second Son - A young Jack Reacher knows how to finish a fight so it stays finished. And, in one of his earliest challenges, he knows that his analytical brain is just as important as his impressive brawn. Even at 13 years old, Jack Reacher knows how to outwit and overpower anyone who stands in his way. Reacher rises to the occasion in taking on some military brats that he and his brother have to teach a lesson to that will one day be his deadly trademark.
High Heat - In the midst of a savage heat wave and an infamous murder spree, a blackout awakens the dark side of the city that never sleeps and a young Jack Reacher takes action after meeting a woman with a problem, and agrees to help her as only he can.
Jack Reacher's Rules - a fan’s guide to the World of Reacher! Featuring selections from seventeen Jack Reacher novels and an introduction from Lee Child himself, this one-of-a-kind audiobook compiles timeless advice from maverick former army cop Jack Reacher. It's just a compilation of advice, wisdom, and facts from the Jack Reacher series of novels and is not a novella.
October 29, 2014
Love Jack Reacher. I get that he is a tough guy. But I expected the 16 year old Reacher to be a bit less self-confident. After all, that bravado comes with experience, doesn't it? One is not born with it. And really, he was "Reacher" even within his family, even to his mother? Nope, don't find that believeable. But still entertaining.
April 16, 2018
Jack is lucky he grew up years ago on military bases or his behavior would have labeled him as a bully and an punk. He meant to stand up and do the right thing and fight injustice... but still that probably would go on a permanant record of some sort that would have kept him out of West Point. Then were would he be? Hmmmm...
October 8, 2017
*** 2.5 ***
Well, in my case I am a bit conflicted about this author, about Lee Child, in the sense I really wanted to like him. I am not entirely sure why I want to like him, maybe because he's European in origin living for a long time in the US, like me, maybe because he's writing about events and places happening in the US, maybe because he's looking at the US culture and traditions through the eyes of a European native and translates what most Americans don't really see or feel, maybe because he has the support of the great Steven King and few others in the same league, or maybe because he's writing action, suspense and thriller books that supposedly are a recipe for success, or who knows for what reason, but I really wanted to like him. But I can't, there is something wrong in his books and I'll try to explain it to the best of my abilities as a simple reader.
This book here is a collection of three short yet relatively long stories - so-called novellas - about the main protagonist Jack Reacher. We learn few more details about this guy, especially some of his history, him being a kid, with his family, his parents, and brother living on army bases around the world and then him as a teen meeting girls and such aspects of his character that we don't usually see in other books from the series about Jack Reacher.
What is wrong in all this picture, in all those books, is the fact this guy is like a Superman, not just a super-hero, but in a very exaggerated way a Superman type of hero, no matter of other conditions, no matter his age, no matter of the environment, no matter what, this guy is the best in everything, is invincible, with no weakness and with plenty of qualities and traits.
He's not just physically big, or I should say huge, in great shape, with a dominant presence and heavy fist, but he's also smart, sharp, always able to identify hidden clues, always able to make great deductions that will lead to finding the ideal solution to solve any type of problem, always winning any kind of confrontation, mental or physical, and always being the best among the best, with no flaws just plain old superhero on our side always winning against any villain.
Altho' this can be comforting for the one on the weaker side, this is same time very unrealistic and lacking accuracy. Yes, sure, we're talking about fiction here, but still, some kind of realism and accuracy is expected on those type of books, just look at many other authors of similar books with a similar style and you'll surely understand.
Fiction or not, this is too much of a "superhero" build and exposure. In fact, in any script for a decent movie, in screenplay writing, or creative writing, or any planned role-play scenario, there is a very important tool named "character sheet" part of the "character design" where the creator of the character that will soon take shape, sets a list of qualities and traits of his future character and same time a list of weaknesses of flaws of the same character. Not doing so, is a drastic violation of the "character design" or "role-play" gender and style, leading to the so-called "Godmoding" that is not so well received by any and all serious creators and authors.
This is the case here with Lee Child as an author and his Jack Reacher character. I don't even think this character has a "character sheet" to start with, other than the idea that he's invincible.
I don't want to spoil your fun, but just here, in those three novellas, we see Reacher as a 12 y/o kid, not only fighting and winning against other guys, much older than him and outnumbering him, but also same time he's solving some kind of mystery doing his own investigation and following his own clues, doing his own deductions and solving a critical case on the base, for the real MP's - military police - of the base that can't solve this case without this 12 y/o kid intervention...
I mean, c'mon now... really..??..
Then again. we see Reacher, a teen this time, a 16 y/o kid, wandering around New York City in the late 70's when the so-called organized crime like the Italian mob was still ruling the streets, and guess what, our kid, our 16 y/o Reacher, not only that he's fooling a co-ed 19 y/o beautiful young girl to go out with him and give him the time of his life, but at the very same time, he's helping a female FBI agent in her quest to bring down a made man of the Italian mob ruling the streets, where in fact our Reacher is the key in defeating this made man...
I mean, what can I say again..??.. c'mon now... really..??..
Yes, it's fiction, but no realism and no authenticity in it... because of that and more, I've made my mind, I don't really like Lee Child, even if I wanted to... I may give him, or his books I should say, maybe one or two more chances, just so I can have my conscience clear, just to make sure I don't jump to conclusions too fast, after all Lee Child is still one of the bestselling authors on the New York Times list, but still, this character is way too much to swallow if you're looking for quality... and I for one I am looking for quality and I got used with writers in a totally different league all by themselves...
That's the beauty of having plenty of options to choose from, to have a variety of books by various authors to choose from and to compare with, we can sooner or later identify what's good and what's not so good... unfortunately Lee Child with his Jack Reacher character is not quite coming on top...
I gave it still 2.5 stars as far as the rating review, just because there is a lot of effort in writing this type of book, it takes some imagination and inspiration, there is some kind of story to be told, so the author deserves some credit, but in my case I guess I'm used with much more quality when it comes to this type of books...
Well, in my case I am a bit conflicted about this author, about Lee Child, in the sense I really wanted to like him. I am not entirely sure why I want to like him, maybe because he's European in origin living for a long time in the US, like me, maybe because he's writing about events and places happening in the US, maybe because he's looking at the US culture and traditions through the eyes of a European native and translates what most Americans don't really see or feel, maybe because he has the support of the great Steven King and few others in the same league, or maybe because he's writing action, suspense and thriller books that supposedly are a recipe for success, or who knows for what reason, but I really wanted to like him. But I can't, there is something wrong in his books and I'll try to explain it to the best of my abilities as a simple reader.
This book here is a collection of three short yet relatively long stories - so-called novellas - about the main protagonist Jack Reacher. We learn few more details about this guy, especially some of his history, him being a kid, with his family, his parents, and brother living on army bases around the world and then him as a teen meeting girls and such aspects of his character that we don't usually see in other books from the series about Jack Reacher.
What is wrong in all this picture, in all those books, is the fact this guy is like a Superman, not just a super-hero, but in a very exaggerated way a Superman type of hero, no matter of other conditions, no matter his age, no matter of the environment, no matter what, this guy is the best in everything, is invincible, with no weakness and with plenty of qualities and traits.
He's not just physically big, or I should say huge, in great shape, with a dominant presence and heavy fist, but he's also smart, sharp, always able to identify hidden clues, always able to make great deductions that will lead to finding the ideal solution to solve any type of problem, always winning any kind of confrontation, mental or physical, and always being the best among the best, with no flaws just plain old superhero on our side always winning against any villain.
Altho' this can be comforting for the one on the weaker side, this is same time very unrealistic and lacking accuracy. Yes, sure, we're talking about fiction here, but still, some kind of realism and accuracy is expected on those type of books, just look at many other authors of similar books with a similar style and you'll surely understand.
Fiction or not, this is too much of a "superhero" build and exposure. In fact, in any script for a decent movie, in screenplay writing, or creative writing, or any planned role-play scenario, there is a very important tool named "character sheet" part of the "character design" where the creator of the character that will soon take shape, sets a list of qualities and traits of his future character and same time a list of weaknesses of flaws of the same character. Not doing so, is a drastic violation of the "character design" or "role-play" gender and style, leading to the so-called "Godmoding" that is not so well received by any and all serious creators and authors.
This is the case here with Lee Child as an author and his Jack Reacher character. I don't even think this character has a "character sheet" to start with, other than the idea that he's invincible.
I don't want to spoil your fun, but just here, in those three novellas, we see Reacher as a 12 y/o kid, not only fighting and winning against other guys, much older than him and outnumbering him, but also same time he's solving some kind of mystery doing his own investigation and following his own clues, doing his own deductions and solving a critical case on the base, for the real MP's - military police - of the base that can't solve this case without this 12 y/o kid intervention...
I mean, c'mon now... really..??..
Then again. we see Reacher, a teen this time, a 16 y/o kid, wandering around New York City in the late 70's when the so-called organized crime like the Italian mob was still ruling the streets, and guess what, our kid, our 16 y/o Reacher, not only that he's fooling a co-ed 19 y/o beautiful young girl to go out with him and give him the time of his life, but at the very same time, he's helping a female FBI agent in her quest to bring down a made man of the Italian mob ruling the streets, where in fact our Reacher is the key in defeating this made man...
I mean, what can I say again..??.. c'mon now... really..??..
Yes, it's fiction, but no realism and no authenticity in it... because of that and more, I've made my mind, I don't really like Lee Child, even if I wanted to... I may give him, or his books I should say, maybe one or two more chances, just so I can have my conscience clear, just to make sure I don't jump to conclusions too fast, after all Lee Child is still one of the bestselling authors on the New York Times list, but still, this character is way too much to swallow if you're looking for quality... and I for one I am looking for quality and I got used with writers in a totally different league all by themselves...
That's the beauty of having plenty of options to choose from, to have a variety of books by various authors to choose from and to compare with, we can sooner or later identify what's good and what's not so good... unfortunately Lee Child with his Jack Reacher character is not quite coming on top...
I gave it still 2.5 stars as far as the rating review, just because there is a lot of effort in writing this type of book, it takes some imagination and inspiration, there is some kind of story to be told, so the author deserves some credit, but in my case I guess I'm used with much more quality when it comes to this type of books...
January 7, 2021
3.75 Stars
Deep Down - 3.5 Stars
Second Son - 4 Stars
High Heat - 2nd time - 3 Stars
- I reread it because I wanted to see if the second time would improve my opinion of it...it didn't, but it is still a good story.
Jack Reacher's Rules - 4.5 Stars
- this is not really a story, but you can learn a lot about Jack Reacher by reading it. It is also a lot of fun to read...especially if you have read a few of his books already. It makes a lot of sense.
Deep Down - 3.5 Stars
Second Son - 4 Stars
High Heat - 2nd time - 3 Stars
- I reread it because I wanted to see if the second time would improve my opinion of it...it didn't, but it is still a good story.
Jack Reacher's Rules - 4.5 Stars
- this is not really a story, but you can learn a lot about Jack Reacher by reading it. It is also a lot of fun to read...especially if you have read a few of his books already. It makes a lot of sense.
September 21, 2025
Last week, I needed a quick audiobook for some travel, and this collection of Lee Child novellas ended up being my exercise entertainment too, replacing my usual podcasts. I’ve always loved short stories—they’re truly an art form when done well. Studying them in my Lit classes was a highlight, and I really admire modern authors like Lee Child and my all-time favorite for short stories, Craig Johnson. This collection offers fascinating insights into Jack Reacher as a teen, young adult, and an undercover officer in military procurement at the Pentagon. To top it off, there’s a fan guide summary of Reacher’s Rules at the end. Absolutely fantastic!
November 23, 2025
not necessary but enjoyable
October 17, 2016
Listened to this on audio while doing fall chores and wasn't disappointed. Lee Child is the master at weaving stories incorporating military service into mystery stories. These three gave great insights into jack reacher as a teen, young adult and junior officer. Quite the treat for a Sunday without football!
August 9, 2014
If I could have read this book visually, I probably would have liked it...actually I like the stories themselves very much, but I have to listen to audio books due to blindness and the narrator ruined it for me. Perhaps with a different narrator I would have enjoyed it.
August 28, 2018
My first introduction to Jack Reacher. The short stories give a good rounded idea of who Jack Reacher is including an early story of him at 13. He reminds me of a mixture of Encyclopedia Brown and Rambo.
July 3, 2017
A Review of the Audiobook
Published by Random House Audio in 2014
Read by Dick Hill
Duration: 7 hours, 9 minutes
Unabridged
This collection of Jack Reacher short stories. All are prequels to the current Reacher timeline. Two are set in Reacher's childhood and one is set during his service as an officer in the Military Police.
1) Deep Down is set during the 1980s. Reacher is asked to investigate a potential leak of military secrets to the Soviet Union via fax machine from the U.S. Capitol building. The potential leakers are a set of officers working in a committee to flash out the characteristics needed in a new sniper rifle should the Congress decide to fund the creation of a new sniper rifle and buy it. Reacher is added to the committee as part of an undercover operation to figure out who the bad guy is.
This is the strongest story in the collection. 5 stars.
2) In Second Son, Lee Child takes us all the way back to 1974. Jack Reacher is 13 years old and his father has just been transferred to Okinawa as a part of the U.S. Marines along with his mother and his slightly older brother Joe.
Moving to a new place is always hard and Okinawa is no exception. Reacher must prove himself to the neighborhood bully, he meets a girl and he solves two mysteries.
The story is fun, but 13 year old Reacher is way too smart for a middle school kid, even if he is Jack Reacher. But, the mysteries were fun. In fact, the whole story was fun, kind of like looking at old yearbook photos of someone you know from way back before you ever met them. 4 stars.
*********SPOILER ALERT************
3) In High Heat, 16-year-old Reacher is off to New York City in 1977 - all by himself. This is the most implausible of the three stories. Reacher gets involved in a blackout, breaks up a criminal ring, solves the Son of Sam murders and fools around with a college girl - All in one night!
Yeah, right! 2 stars.
**********END SPOILERS************
4) The Bonus track is Jack Reacher's Rules. I have seen this book in print and opted not to read it because it is a list of advice and comments lifted from various Reacher books and novellas. In context of the stories they came from, these lines and thoughts are interesting but they are really hard to listen to on their own. I listened for about 10 minutes and gave up on this part - I couldn't stand to listen to more than an hour more of it. 1 star.
I am a big fan of the reader, Dick Hill. But, I think he is an exceptionally good fit for this series. I don't even bother to physically read the books now - not if Dick Hill is reading them to me.
So, in the end this is 4 different stories of varying quality. The average score of this collection is 3 stars out of 5.
See all of my reviews of Jack Reacher stories here: http://dwdsreviews.blogspot.com/searc...
Published by Random House Audio in 2014
Read by Dick Hill
Duration: 7 hours, 9 minutes
Unabridged
This collection of Jack Reacher short stories. All are prequels to the current Reacher timeline. Two are set in Reacher's childhood and one is set during his service as an officer in the Military Police.
1) Deep Down is set during the 1980s. Reacher is asked to investigate a potential leak of military secrets to the Soviet Union via fax machine from the U.S. Capitol building. The potential leakers are a set of officers working in a committee to flash out the characteristics needed in a new sniper rifle should the Congress decide to fund the creation of a new sniper rifle and buy it. Reacher is added to the committee as part of an undercover operation to figure out who the bad guy is.
This is the strongest story in the collection. 5 stars.
2) In Second Son, Lee Child takes us all the way back to 1974. Jack Reacher is 13 years old and his father has just been transferred to Okinawa as a part of the U.S. Marines along with his mother and his slightly older brother Joe.
Moving to a new place is always hard and Okinawa is no exception. Reacher must prove himself to the neighborhood bully, he meets a girl and he solves two mysteries.
The story is fun, but 13 year old Reacher is way too smart for a middle school kid, even if he is Jack Reacher. But, the mysteries were fun. In fact, the whole story was fun, kind of like looking at old yearbook photos of someone you know from way back before you ever met them. 4 stars.
*********SPOILER ALERT************
3) In High Heat, 16-year-old Reacher is off to New York City in 1977 - all by himself. This is the most implausible of the three stories. Reacher gets involved in a blackout, breaks up a criminal ring, solves the Son of Sam murders and fools around with a college girl - All in one night!
Yeah, right! 2 stars.
**********END SPOILERS************
4) The Bonus track is Jack Reacher's Rules. I have seen this book in print and opted not to read it because it is a list of advice and comments lifted from various Reacher books and novellas. In context of the stories they came from, these lines and thoughts are interesting but they are really hard to listen to on their own. I listened for about 10 minutes and gave up on this part - I couldn't stand to listen to more than an hour more of it. 1 star.
I am a big fan of the reader, Dick Hill. But, I think he is an exceptionally good fit for this series. I don't even bother to physically read the books now - not if Dick Hill is reading them to me.
So, in the end this is 4 different stories of varying quality. The average score of this collection is 3 stars out of 5.
See all of my reviews of Jack Reacher stories here: http://dwdsreviews.blogspot.com/searc...
April 19, 2018
I really, really love the Jack Reacher novels and so this set of novellas was something I thought might give some insight into Reacher's character. Deep Down is a great story with all the mystery, ass-kicking, and smart-thinking I've come to expect from Reacher. Even for a shorter work, it had all the depth and plot needed for a rich and telling story. My problem came from Second Son and High Heat. Second Son goes back in time where the reader is introduced to a 13-year old Reacher, his mother and father, and his brother. Story line was decent but I had a hard time buying into this 13-year old character. He already likes his coffee blacker, is more aloof , and smarter than his family and military intelligence all put together. Sorry, I know too much about child development to be sold on the notion of this 13-year old man. High Heat was a bit more believable, as Reacher is now 17 and enlisted. Still some of the same issues with the human development part. These two novellas have decent story lines but make it seem as if Reacher never had a learning curve; he popped out smarter than the entire world!
May 2, 2020
Fans of Reacher will enjoy the 3 stories, though I would’ve preferred Reacher as a 13 or 16 year old to be less confident and less of a finished product (one always has to suspend belief to read Reacher, but even more so for these tales of a young Reacher). I found “Reacher’s Rules” to be little more than filler. The “rules” that in context help move stories forward and provide some incite into the character do little when simply cut and pasted together (other than, presumably, provide additional income for the author).
September 10, 2020
My ex got me interested in Jack Reacher books and I've read and listened to quite a few by now. This book was available at the library so I got it.
The part about when Jack was young was interesting. The part when he goes under cover I've listened to before. By the time I listened to the third part I would have given the "book" 5 stars but then came the strange part at the end with "Jack Reachers Rules" which was just odd! If you have read a few books about Jack Reacher, you kind of know who he is you don't need a list of what he does and likes.
The part about when Jack was young was interesting. The part when he goes under cover I've listened to before. By the time I listened to the third part I would have given the "book" 5 stars but then came the strange part at the end with "Jack Reachers Rules" which was just odd! If you have read a few books about Jack Reacher, you kind of know who he is you don't need a list of what he does and likes.
December 6, 2021
Listened to the audiobook. Overall rating is 3, but Deep Down was the best of these & Rules the least.
This includes 3 novellas: Deep Down (#16.5) is a story from early in Reacher's military career; Second Son (#15.5) is a story from his early teens; High Heat (#17.5) Reacher is 17 in NYC (1977) one evening on his way to visit his brother at WestPoint.
Also includes Jack Reacher's Rules which is a compilation of advice, facts & wisdom. I'd read this before & rated it a 3. However, I think it's a 2.
This includes 3 novellas: Deep Down (#16.5) is a story from early in Reacher's military career; Second Son (#15.5) is a story from his early teens; High Heat (#17.5) Reacher is 17 in NYC (1977) one evening on his way to visit his brother at WestPoint.
Also includes Jack Reacher's Rules which is a compilation of advice, facts & wisdom. I'd read this before & rated it a 3. However, I think it's a 2.
February 24, 2019
Mindless and enjoyable, but this time, I felt like he was stretching a bit, giving basically adult reasoning and observation skills to a 13 year old and 16 year old. It wasn't that believable, and this is me saying that about a Jack Reacher story, which is never believable! So yeah, eh. If you're a huge fan, you'll probably love it, but if you only follow Jack Reacher so far, then this might be a bridge too far for you.
February 29, 2020
Entertaining. His cockiness and extraordinary abilities at 16 are little unrealistic, but overall enjoyable. I don't really feel like this did much to explain his character any more. Sex scene was almost tasteful but definitely gratuitous. The author has an interesting view of flippantly killing people he's spent a lot of time describing or interacting with.
The Jack Reacher's Rules is useless - just a regurgitation of quotes from other Reacher books.
The Jack Reacher's Rules is useless - just a regurgitation of quotes from other Reacher books.
November 26, 2020
Not the best Jack Reacher, but the well-narrated audiobook (that old familiar voice) is endlessly entertaining nevertheless. The second and third stories give readers a glimpse of Reacher as a 13-year old and as a 16-year-old—all "superpowers" already present. A willingness to suspend disbelief is often required to some degree from Reacher readers; in the case of these novellas, even more so. Still, endlessly entertaining.
July 12, 2022
Oddball stories that are okay, but not necessary. Jack Reacher's Rules is pointless. A totally random collection of thoughts that aren't, you know, rules. And if you can't figure out the rules from reading these books, you're an idiot, so having them spelled out is doubly idiotic.
February 23, 2018
Somewhat entertaining but it’s hard to build suspense in a mystery/detective novel in an hour of listening time. Plus some of the things he does as a kid in the second book were a little ridiculous. Also making him be the crucial tip in finding son of Sam is also a little beyond belief.
But it was an entertaining way to spend a day at work.
But it was an entertaining way to spend a day at work.
July 17, 2018
I've enjoyed every book of Lee Chllds' that I've read. Reacher is the typical macho/military/can-do-anything super-achiever, with a renegade streak. But, remarkably, he's still a likable character. I enjoy getting inside of Reacher's brain, enjoy his out-of-the-box thinking. Reacher stories always keep my interest.
November 1, 2018
Interesting book, but a little hard to believe the plots. Especially the first one when he could fight and solve crime at such a very young age. And hid father let him put himself in danger. At 17 he travels alone across the oceans by himself? I don't think so. I guess I have to remember it is a book of fiction. I do like Reacher though.
October 5, 2019
Published exclusively as an ebook, a long short story from thriller master Lee Child about the teenage Reacher, now also available in No Middle Name: the Collected Jack Reacher Stories.July 1977. Jack Reacher is almost seventeen, and he stops in New York on his way from South Korea to visit his...
June 6, 2020
It was enjoyable to read some Jack Reacher back stories of his formative years. That was four stars, however do not spend time with Jack Reacher Rules which are in the audio version as it is merely an hour plus collection of phrases from the series which can actually be spoilers. If this is your kind of thing, add a star to the above.
October 20, 2020
The first two stories were much more enjoyable than the last. All well-written, as might be expected. These were my first intro to the world of Jack Reacher. Didn't know what to expect but felt they were okay. I would've rated these higher if the third story had more depth...it seemed quite superficial.
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