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The Jack Reacher Experiment #2
Moving Target
About The Jack Reacher Experiment series
Rock Wahlman: Forty-one years old, United States Navy Master at Arms, E-8, retired.
DOB 14 October 2057.
Grew up in an orphanage, recently discovered that he is the product of a human cloning experiment, an exact genetic duplicate of a former army officer named Jack Reacher.
Now someone wants all evidence of the experiment to be erased, which means that someone wants Wahlman to be erased.
He’s on the run, desperate to survive, desperate to learn the truth about why all this is happening…
The use of story situations and supporting characters from the Jack Reacher universe authorized by Lee Child.
Moving Target: The Jack Reacher Experiment Book 2 is 18,000 words, approximately 85 pages.
Rock Wahlman: Forty-one years old, United States Navy Master at Arms, E-8, retired.
DOB 14 October 2057.
Grew up in an orphanage, recently discovered that he is the product of a human cloning experiment, an exact genetic duplicate of a former army officer named Jack Reacher.
Now someone wants all evidence of the experiment to be erased, which means that someone wants Wahlman to be erased.
He’s on the run, desperate to survive, desperate to learn the truth about why all this is happening…
The use of story situations and supporting characters from the Jack Reacher universe authorized by Lee Child.
Moving Target: The Jack Reacher Experiment Book 2 is 18,000 words, approximately 85 pages.
87 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 8, 2017
227 people are currently reading
113 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
September 29, 2021
A short, short. Compelling story telling. A novella of sorts. Wahlman has another hired gun on his tail as he drifts from city to city, never staying more than a few days. So far he's gone from Florida all the way to Bakersfield, CA.
October 17, 2020
The second in this series. This series has 9 short books all about 100 pages.
Jack Reacher clone in the future. Literally a real clone. Lots of people want him dead and he is doing what he can to stay alive.
I feel the series is worth reading, but it kind of feels like more of the same. I may read the rest later, but plan to look for something a little more original.
Review by Mike Slavin author of award-winning Kill Crime (action-packed thriller on Amazon to buy or KU. As of this writing 93% 5 and 4-star reviews on Amazon with 320+ reviews)
Jack Reacher clone in the future. Literally a real clone. Lots of people want him dead and he is doing what he can to stay alive.
I feel the series is worth reading, but it kind of feels like more of the same. I may read the rest later, but plan to look for something a little more original.
Review by Mike Slavin author of award-winning Kill Crime (action-packed thriller on Amazon to buy or KU. As of this writing 93% 5 and 4-star reviews on Amazon with 320+ reviews)
January 2, 2026
First I want to state I enjoyed this book and look forward to the rest in the series and the other two Reacher Series Jude has penned. Second a few years ago I read my first Reacher novel. I had picked up one for my dad, and after giving the back a read, I grabbed the eBook for myself. In under a year I had read all the Reacher Novels in print and all the books in the Hunt for Jack Reacher by Diane Capri. Since then I have read 58 books in the Reacher universe and am expanding out to the three series by Jude Hardin now.
The description of this book:
“About The Jack Reacher Experiment series
Rock Wahlman: Forty-one years old, United States Navy Master at Arms, E-8, retired.
DOB 14 October 2057.
Grew up in an orphanage, recently discovered that he is the product of a human cloning experiment, an exact genetic duplicate of a former army officer named Jack Reacher.
Now someone wants all evidence of the experiment to be erased, which means that someone wants Wahlman to be erased.
He’s on the run, desperate to survive, desperate to learn the truth about why all this is happening…
The use of story situations and supporting characters from the Jack Reacher universe authorized by Lee Child.
Moving Target: The Jack Reacher Experiment Book 2 is 18,000 words, approximately 85 pages.”
Based on the page count this volume is more of a novella, the book in this series are available as 9 stand-alone stories or in 3 omnibus editions. I will continue to read and review the stand-alone editions because that is how I started the series. But, back to the book at hand. I used adaptive technology and listed to this volume while travelling with my son, to see a production at the Stratford festival. I was surprised when the book finished as we pulled into town. I was not aware of the length, and figured we would listen on the way home as well.
Even death can’t keep Reacher down, in a manner of speaking. Rock Wahlman is a clone of Reacher, but he was not the only one. In the first volume, on the night his life goes sideways, he tries and saves a man after his rig goes off the road and into water. The man he pulls from the water looks just like him. Having been raised in an orphanage this raises some questions. After an attempt on his life, he starts putting together the pieces. His life may have been different than Reacher’s but his determination when he is threatened is the same.
This story continues a few months later. Wahlman now using aliases has become a drifter, moving from town to town. Never staying anywhere too long. Trying to pieced together the information about who in the military is trying to cover their tracks. He needs enough proof to be able to expose it, and get some soft of life back. He has begun reading up on Jack Reacher’s exploits because the files are declassified now. He is not quite living the Reacher lifestyle, he has a backpack, fake ID, but in this instalment he rolls into town, eats at a diner, starts a friendship with a waitress, and just like Reacher trouble just seems to find him.
It is a well written story. That stays true to the original character and universe. It is a fun read in what looks like it will be an good series. Even if this volume had not been set in the Reacher Universe I would have enjoyed it. The fact that it is only adds to the mystique that is Jack Reacher. It was good read and leaves you desperate for the next instalment in this series. A thriller, a book I can easily recommend to fans of Reacher or anyone who love a god action thriller.
The description of this book:
“About The Jack Reacher Experiment series
Rock Wahlman: Forty-one years old, United States Navy Master at Arms, E-8, retired.
DOB 14 October 2057.
Grew up in an orphanage, recently discovered that he is the product of a human cloning experiment, an exact genetic duplicate of a former army officer named Jack Reacher.
Now someone wants all evidence of the experiment to be erased, which means that someone wants Wahlman to be erased.
He’s on the run, desperate to survive, desperate to learn the truth about why all this is happening…
The use of story situations and supporting characters from the Jack Reacher universe authorized by Lee Child.
Moving Target: The Jack Reacher Experiment Book 2 is 18,000 words, approximately 85 pages.”
Based on the page count this volume is more of a novella, the book in this series are available as 9 stand-alone stories or in 3 omnibus editions. I will continue to read and review the stand-alone editions because that is how I started the series. But, back to the book at hand. I used adaptive technology and listed to this volume while travelling with my son, to see a production at the Stratford festival. I was surprised when the book finished as we pulled into town. I was not aware of the length, and figured we would listen on the way home as well.
Even death can’t keep Reacher down, in a manner of speaking. Rock Wahlman is a clone of Reacher, but he was not the only one. In the first volume, on the night his life goes sideways, he tries and saves a man after his rig goes off the road and into water. The man he pulls from the water looks just like him. Having been raised in an orphanage this raises some questions. After an attempt on his life, he starts putting together the pieces. His life may have been different than Reacher’s but his determination when he is threatened is the same.
This story continues a few months later. Wahlman now using aliases has become a drifter, moving from town to town. Never staying anywhere too long. Trying to pieced together the information about who in the military is trying to cover their tracks. He needs enough proof to be able to expose it, and get some soft of life back. He has begun reading up on Jack Reacher’s exploits because the files are declassified now. He is not quite living the Reacher lifestyle, he has a backpack, fake ID, but in this instalment he rolls into town, eats at a diner, starts a friendship with a waitress, and just like Reacher trouble just seems to find him.
It is a well written story. That stays true to the original character and universe. It is a fun read in what looks like it will be an good series. Even if this volume had not been set in the Reacher Universe I would have enjoyed it. The fact that it is only adds to the mystique that is Jack Reacher. It was good read and leaves you desperate for the next instalment in this series. A thriller, a book I can easily recommend to fans of Reacher or anyone who love a god action thriller.
May 28, 2019
Moving Target is the second book in the Jack Reacher Experiment series, following the adventures of Jack Reacher clone Rock Wahlman in the year 2098. Yes, you read that correctly.
The first book in the series, Dead Ringer, had given me some hope that this would be an above average fan fiction series, but Moving Target has me feeling far less optimistic. The first warning sign is that while Dead Ringer is a lean but respectful 150 pages of fast-paced action and mystery, Moving Target clocks in under 90 pages, far too many of which are wasted on a Rock's speedy romance and his participation in a college sleep study. Yes, you read that correctly.
Spoilers ahead.
Still on the run three months after the events of Dead Ringer, Jack Reacher clone Rock Wahlman (Rock Wall Man. Get it?) wanders into a diner whose name nobody seems to know the origin of - yes, this is discussed - where he bumps into the divorced waitress he will shortly bed and fall in love with after she recommends him to a sleep study, the hit man who will later kill the the ex husband of the waitress while negotiating a contract to kill Rock, and three local guys who decide to make running Rock out of town their life mission because he got off a bus carrying a backpack. That's all you need to know. Move along.
The playful level of circumstance and coincidence that Dead Ringer seemed to play with as an homage to the Reacher series is cranked to eleven and condensed into half the page count, which could be forgiven if the dialogue wasn't completely wooden and exposition heavy. A huge let down from the first book. Let's hope that this isn't the beginning of a trend in declining quality.
The first book in the series, Dead Ringer, had given me some hope that this would be an above average fan fiction series, but Moving Target has me feeling far less optimistic. The first warning sign is that while Dead Ringer is a lean but respectful 150 pages of fast-paced action and mystery, Moving Target clocks in under 90 pages, far too many of which are wasted on a Rock's speedy romance and his participation in a college sleep study. Yes, you read that correctly.
Spoilers ahead.
Still on the run three months after the events of Dead Ringer, Jack Reacher clone Rock Wahlman (Rock Wall Man. Get it?) wanders into a diner whose name nobody seems to know the origin of - yes, this is discussed - where he bumps into the divorced waitress he will shortly bed and fall in love with after she recommends him to a sleep study, the hit man who will later kill the the ex husband of the waitress while negotiating a contract to kill Rock, and three local guys who decide to make running Rock out of town their life mission because he got off a bus carrying a backpack. That's all you need to know. Move along.
The playful level of circumstance and coincidence that Dead Ringer seemed to play with as an homage to the Reacher series is cranked to eleven and condensed into half the page count, which could be forgiven if the dialogue wasn't completely wooden and exposition heavy. A huge let down from the first book. Let's hope that this isn't the beginning of a trend in declining quality.
April 20, 2021
A rogue group within the army is still trying to clean up a probably illegal experiment they conducted which resulted in the cloning of Jack Reacher. In this very short novel, they hire a new hitman to kill Rock Whalman (the clone) and in so doing remove the “evidence” of their crime. Hardin takes the time to develop the idea that this is happening decades into the future (something that is not immediately obvious from any of the ongoing interactions in either of the first two books).
While the action is fast moving and enjoyable, the whole plot depends upon two very big coincidences. The first is that one of the army officers chasing Rock is the ex-husband of a woman Rock is romantically interested in. The second is that the hitman coincidentally saw Rock (who has given the army the slip) the morning he takes on this assignment. The second was necessary to the plot, but it’s not clear that the first was. Taken together these “coincidences” are more astounding then getting struck by lightning on the same afternoon.
Final analysis, this was another fun one and I’m looking forward to book three.
If you liked this review, you can find more at www.gilbertstack.com/reviews.
While the action is fast moving and enjoyable, the whole plot depends upon two very big coincidences. The first is that one of the army officers chasing Rock is the ex-husband of a woman Rock is romantically interested in. The second is that the hitman coincidentally saw Rock (who has given the army the slip) the morning he takes on this assignment. The second was necessary to the plot, but it’s not clear that the first was. Taken together these “coincidences” are more astounding then getting struck by lightning on the same afternoon.
Final analysis, this was another fun one and I’m looking forward to book three.
If you liked this review, you can find more at www.gilbertstack.com/reviews.
December 25, 2020
Moving Target. Jude Hardin
Rock Wahlman has to keep moving from town to town. Now he's run out of money. No bank account. Barstow CA. Not a particularly big town. In the desert, the middle of nowhere. He walks into a diner with just a few dollars in his pocket. One egg, a piece of toast and a coffee. Not much, but it will have to do. The waitress puts two pieces of bacon on his plate. No extra charge. They engage in conversation and instantly hit it off. Three guys approach him in the dinner. He tries to ignore them. One of them pours salt over his food. They tell him he his not welcome. They don't like transients, lowlife bums. The owner of the diner intervenes and orders the three guys to leave. He feels sorry for Rock and tells him to come back later for a free meal. As he is leaving the diner he is hailed by the waitress and tells him where he can get a job. He also gets an invite him for dinner. He's hesitant but he enjoys her company. The story now unfolds. Again he is not safe there or anywhere. The people who want him dead are relentless. Another excellent read in this series!!
Rock Wahlman has to keep moving from town to town. Now he's run out of money. No bank account. Barstow CA. Not a particularly big town. In the desert, the middle of nowhere. He walks into a diner with just a few dollars in his pocket. One egg, a piece of toast and a coffee. Not much, but it will have to do. The waitress puts two pieces of bacon on his plate. No extra charge. They engage in conversation and instantly hit it off. Three guys approach him in the dinner. He tries to ignore them. One of them pours salt over his food. They tell him he his not welcome. They don't like transients, lowlife bums. The owner of the diner intervenes and orders the three guys to leave. He feels sorry for Rock and tells him to come back later for a free meal. As he is leaving the diner he is hailed by the waitress and tells him where he can get a job. He also gets an invite him for dinner. He's hesitant but he enjoys her company. The story now unfolds. Again he is not safe there or anywhere. The people who want him dead are relentless. Another excellent read in this series!!
January 25, 2018
I have read Jack Reacher novels and throughly enjoyed them. This new writer , using the same methodology as the Reacher novels, is as entertaining as those original books.
Although, these new books are set in 100 years from the original Jack Reacher stories were set. I don't want to give away too much of the storyline, which this first book in this series does explain, as the story unravels.
If you are a Jack Reacher fan, I suggest you try this series. I believe you will be happy you have.
I have written this review after reading the 2 books of the 3 book boxed set.
This 2nd book has Rock (aka Tom) on the run, and down to his last dollars. Trouble is also on his tail, so he has to stay alert and although he finds friends, he also seems to find those that want to cause problems, therefore, it is hard to stay off the police radar.
Although, these new books are set in 100 years from the original Jack Reacher stories were set. I don't want to give away too much of the storyline, which this first book in this series does explain, as the story unravels.
If you are a Jack Reacher fan, I suggest you try this series. I believe you will be happy you have.
I have written this review after reading the 2 books of the 3 book boxed set.
This 2nd book has Rock (aka Tom) on the run, and down to his last dollars. Trouble is also on his tail, so he has to stay alert and although he finds friends, he also seems to find those that want to cause problems, therefore, it is hard to stay off the police radar.
October 5, 2020
Okay, Okay. It's not literature by any stretch and, in my opinion, pales in comparison to the Jack Reacher novels by Lee Child. But, it's entertaining and fast-moving enough to keep me reading. I found it completely inconceivable, however, that the assassin hired to kill our hero, whose whereabouts were completely unknown and could be anywhere in the entire country, just happened to be in the same small diner in the same small town of Barstow where Rock Wahlman had chosen to have breakfast. But, poetic license being what it is, who am I to cast aspersions. At any rate, a very quick read and it's on to the next book for more.
July 3, 2024
Former U.S. Navy Master at Arms Rock Wahlman, 41, is on the run.
He has no phone, very little money, and only the vaguest idea of the reason why he is on a hit list.
He's a Jack Reacher clone, the surviving one of two.
“Moving Target”, second in the series, relies rather too heavily on coincidence. For example when a top level assassin is hired he just happens to have been in the same Barstow diner as Rock that morning. The second piece of happenstance (involving a waitress) is just simply unbelievable.
It's too short, so much so that it doesn't feel complete, more like a couple of short chapters from a work in progress.
2 Stars.
He has no phone, very little money, and only the vaguest idea of the reason why he is on a hit list.
He's a Jack Reacher clone, the surviving one of two.
“Moving Target”, second in the series, relies rather too heavily on coincidence. For example when a top level assassin is hired he just happens to have been in the same Barstow diner as Rock that morning. The second piece of happenstance (involving a waitress) is just simply unbelievable.
It's too short, so much so that it doesn't feel complete, more like a couple of short chapters from a work in progress.
2 Stars.
January 25, 2018
I actually enjoyed this one more than the first in the series. I feel like I'm really just now getting to know Rock Wahlman. Again, a fast paced action thriller that brings in outsiders and sometimes they become collateral damage. You just never know what's going to happen next. If you're having Jack Reacher withdrawals, this might just be the cure, but pick these books up in the right order or you'll be collateral damage.
January 2, 2020
I think I'm mostly glad that the guy left my city and I don't have to analyze Hardin's New Orleans layout. There are a few things here that jump off and on that I'm not sure I gather - IE, how we jumped from murder to pie and BFF deaths with quick here and there plugs of the other story.
I feel more like we're pulling more from another Reacher story.
I feel more like we're pulling more from another Reacher story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 27, 2020
'Moving Target' was a great addition to what looks like a pretty good series. I love that this books takes place in the future, but it's not too far fetched. The story line pulled me in and kept me interested throughout. Rock makes a great lead. Handsome, smart and very skilled. I look forward to reading more.
June 26, 2023
This story is more like a chapter in a book. It really goes nowhere, and all Wahlman does is stay alive and kindle a romance he wishes he had time to pursue. We find out the Army is paying Mr. Tyler ten million dollars for Wahlman’s demise. 5
January 5, 2018
Interesting, fast paced, and Jack Reacher-like but with a twist.
February 6, 2018
Fun book.
April 1, 2019
Now the characters and story are getting quite good. The action has you on the edge of your seat.
July 24, 2019
Still very intrigued. On to the 3rd book!
February 13, 2021
Good continuation.
November 4, 2022
reacher Experiment book two
I did not like this as much as the time experiments to come at the end of the series. Just send me to me same old same old.
I did not like this as much as the time experiments to come at the end of the series. Just send me to me same old same old.
August 14, 2024
Even less interesting than the first one, if not for the Reacher name and connection to Lee Child novels this would be just another of those hundreds cliché filled pseudo thriller books published every day... Jude Hardin is a talented writer, I don't know why he done this - it's like having a chef flipping burgers on a fast food joint! Well, need for money maybe, but wait, these were free on Amazon (vol 1 - 3 bundle)... ok, my brain exploded right now! Maybe I'll read third installment one day, but not now!
April 13, 2017
Liked the writing style
But it was too short and wanted more from the conclusion. I read the next novella and wanted an ending--left hanging.
But it was too short and wanted more from the conclusion. I read the next novella and wanted an ending--left hanging.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews