Jumping Jack: Hunting Lee Child's Jack Reacher

by Diane Capri

The next gripping Hunt for Jack Reacher Thriller exciting short read from Diane Capri!

FBI Special Agent Kim Otto picks up where Lee Child leaves off on the Hunt for Jack Reacher!

“Make some coffee. You’ll read all night.” Lee Child

Jake Reacher’s ex-girlfriend fell into a world she was never meant to touch. Now she’s being hunted by teams with orders to kill her.
Today.
When Jake can’t reach his Uncle Jack, he needs FBI Special Agent Kim Otto.
Otto pulls every lever she can reach to save Valerie’s life while her former partner, Carlos Gaspar, hits the ground running in Miami. She drives the investigation from the moment Jake makes contact.
Every secret they pry open triggers lethal force and Otto recognizes the fingerprints on this black ops pattern. She suspects who’s wielding the real power here, and Jack Reacher is never far from the consequences.
Jake arrives as the war hits full speed, and together they fight to keep Valerie alive.
Gaspar, Otto, and Jake have one last chance to stop the killers.


If they fail, Valerie dies before sunrise.


Lee Child Gives Diane Capri Two Thumbs Up!

"Full of thrills and tension, but smart and human, too. Kim Otto is a great, great character - I love her." Lee Child, #1 World Wide Bestselling Author of Jack Reacher Thrillers including Worth Dying For and The Sentinel.

The Hunt for Jack Reacher series enthralls fans of John Grisham, Lee Child, David Baldacci, Michael Connelly, Karin Slaughter, Lisa Gardner, Lisa Reagan, Freda McFadden, Kiersten Modglin and

"Diane writes like the maestro of the jigsaw puzzle. Sit back in your favorite easy chair, pour a glass of crisp white wine, and enter her devilishly clever world." David Hagberg, New York Times Bestselling Author of Kirk McGarvey Thrillers

"Expertise shines on every page." Margaret Maron, Edgar, Anthony, Agatha and Macavity Award Winning MWA Past President and MWA Grand Master

Readers Love the Hunt for Jack Reacher Series and Diane

"All Child fans should give it a try!"

Award winningNew York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author DIANE CAPRI Does It Again in another Blockbuster Hunt for Jack Reacher Series Novel

150 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 15, 2025

About the author

Bestselling author Diane Capri is a recovering lawyer. She’s a snowbird who divides her time between Florida and Michigan. An active member of Mystery Writers of America, Author’s Guild, International Thriller Writers, and Sisters in Crime, she loves to hear from readers and is hard at work on her next novel.

Connect with her online:
Twitter: http://twitter.com/@DianeCapri
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Diane-...

Here’s the Long version, if you’re looking for more info:

#1 Amazon Bestselling Author Diane Capri’s work is what the #1 worldwide publishing phenomenon Lee Child calls “Full of thrills and tension, but smart and human, too.” Margaret Maron, Edgar, Anthony, Agatha and Macavity Award-winning MWA Past President, says: “Expertise shines on every page.” And Library Journal raves: “….offers tense legal drama with courtroom overtones, twisty plots, and loads of atmosphere. Recommended.”

Diane’s new Jess Kimball series kicked off with Fatal Distraction, opening as the #3 Bestselling Legal Thriller, behind John Grisham. Diane’s new Hunt for Jack Reacher series began with Don’t Know Jack, which garnered #1 Bestseller spots on Mystery, Hard-boiled Mystery, Police Procedural, Women Sleuths, and Legal Thriller lists both in the U.S. and U.K. Don’t Know Jack was followed by two bestselling short stories in the Hunt for Jack Reacher series, Jack in a Box and Jack and Kill. Diane’s Judge Wilhelmina Carson mysteries were praised by Romantic Times and garnered the coveted “Top Pick.” Diane’s savvy, spunky character, attorney Jennifer Lane, stars in her own romantic suspense series, which kicks off with Annabelle’s Attack.

Diane is the past Executive Vice President of International Thriller Writers, past member of the Board of the Florida Chapter of Mystery Writers of America, and active in Sisters in Crime and other writing organizations. She comes to writing after a successful legal career and is married to her college sweetheart. She loves her nomadic snowbird existence preferring perpetual summer migrating from Florida to Michigan each year.

Diane says she writes mystery and suspense for the same reason she reads: to find out what happens, why people do what they do, and how to bring justice to an unjust world.Her books are translated in twenty territories. Diane loves to hear from readers. Contact her at: DianeCapri.com/Contact to receive notice of new releases, subscribe to Diane’s blog, or simply connect with her.

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Diane Capri has long impressed me with this series, which parallels the Jack Reacher series Lee Child made popular. Capri explores the angle of the FBI trying to track down the world's most famous nomad for their own reasons. Some cases truly take the FBI in odd directions, as is the situation here. Capri keeps the reader engaged in this novella, while added some additional Reachers to the mix.

When Jake Reacher receives word that his ex-girlfriend, Valerie, has come into some information that could have her killed, he knows trouble is brewing. Jake tries to reach his uncle, Jack, to no avail. Next option is to have the FBI help, so Special Agent Kim Otto receives another of her elusive calls. While she works some aspects, Otto engages the assistance of her former partner, recently retired Agent Carlos Gaspar. While Gaspar had been enjoying life in Miami, he is ready to help, all in hopes of connecting with the elder Reacher once and for all. Gaspar tries to lock down the truth Jake had shared about Valerie’s family and the killers on the hunt for her. While trying to protect Valerie, nothing stands still and there is no guarantee that everything will work out. As Jake rushes to protect Valerie, he has the odd encounter with his uncle, always moments before Gaspar or Otto can arrive for their own chin-wag. Tensions run high and there is little time to wait around, as killers lurk and Jack Reacher could emerge at any moment. Valerie’s life may be important, but it can’t be protected if everyone else is dead. Capri adds action and great developing in this shorter novel for all to enjoy.

I have long found the writing of Diane Capri highly entertaining, which matches the intensity of any Reacher novel. Her narrative style is quick and ever-evolving, keeping the reader in the driver’s seat as they forge onwards. Short chapters propel things forward and Capri is always adding something exciting to keep the reader wondering. This novella was no exception, as Jack Reacher stays one step ahead of the issues and always in the shadows.

Great characters emerge, both those familiar to series fans, as well as new faces to flavour the action. The little development the reader gets with Otto and Gaspar is balanced nicely with the ongoing Reacher crumbs that are left for analysis. Jake Reacher is here for one of his rarer appearances. He is also given some great development, though all eyes are surely on the hunt for his uncle and what help he can bring to the case at hand. Secondary characters work well and keep the reader engaged as they seek to put all the pieces together for everyone to enjoy.

Plot points serve to push the story forward and provide a great sense of surprise for the reader who seeks answers as to whether Jack Reacher will ever meet Kim Otto (or even Carlos Gaspar). The surprises emerge at the best moments and there is no time to think about what’s going on. Rather, it’s (as the series denotes), a hunt for Jack Reacher throughout. I am eager to see where things are headed and what Diane Capri has to offer before long.

Kudos, Madam Capri, for keeping this series fresh and exciting.

Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/

[Jessy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cracked open Jumping Jack and, fair dinkum, it doesn’t waste time. Straight into the thick of it — trouble on the doorstep and no easy way out. Bloke’s under pressure from the jump, things keep going pear-shaped, and you’re just hanging on to see how he wriggles free this time. It’s rough, fast, and keeps your eyes glued to the page. By the time you reckon you’ll put it down, you’re already thinking, nah, one more chapter.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Jumping Jack" by Diane Capri is a quick read. Lots of action & surprising twists at the end. Jake Reacher contacts Gaspar asking him to find an ex-girlfriend Valarie Nash in Miami. Valerie indicates she has evidence that her mother Vivian was killed by her husband Lloyd years before for insurance money. RED herrings, double crosses 7 quick appearances by Jack keep the tale moving until the ending which is rushed. 4 Stars

[carl clause · Rating 5 out of 5]

CC1

This was an excellent novella . Not only was Gasped the star but he , Jake and Valerie kicked but. But Harper proved why he couldn't be in the field . But he did do his due diligence for Valerie . Teacher took care of Harper's family. Need more short stories . 10 stars plus !!!! Thanks , Carl Clause

[Karla Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always exciting. Always a good read.

This one was short and sweet. I am sure it has set up something powerful ahead. I am loving Jake being involved. I also loved this being Gaspar powered! Cooper sucks.....just sayin'.

[Eve · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5. Anything written about Jack Reacher, I seem to like. Ms. Capri also lives in the Tampa Bay area, so there is that!

I love that Jack Reacher has a nephew and he is introduced. Very clever. Jake is an interesting character and of course, Gaspar is in the novel.

Good quick read.

[Beth Medbury · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read. starting the series at the beginning now. I really enjoyed the book.