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Jack Reacher #10
The Hard Way
Jack Reacher was alone, the way he liked it, soaking up the hot, electric New York City night, watching a man cross the street to a parked Mercedes and drive it away. The car contained one million dollars in ransom money because Edward Lane, the man who paid it, would do anything to get his family back.
Lane runs a highly illegal soldiers-for-hire operation. He will use any tool to find his beautiful wife and child. And Jack Reacher is the best manhunter in the world.
On the trail of vicious kidnappers, Reacher learns the chilling secrets of his employer’s past . . . and of a horrific drama in the heart of a nasty little war. He knows that Edward Lane is hiding something. Something dirty. Something big. But Reacher also knows He’s already in way too deep to stop now. And if he has to do it the hard way, he will.
Lane runs a highly illegal soldiers-for-hire operation. He will use any tool to find his beautiful wife and child. And Jack Reacher is the best manhunter in the world.
On the trail of vicious kidnappers, Reacher learns the chilling secrets of his employer’s past . . . and of a horrific drama in the heart of a nasty little war. He knows that Edward Lane is hiding something. Something dirty. Something big. But Reacher also knows He’s already in way too deep to stop now. And if he has to do it the hard way, he will.
386 pages, ebook
First published May 16, 2006
8281 people are currently reading
23605 people want to read
About the author
Lee Child
443 books34k 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 3,828 reviews
July 4, 2017
Reacher, alone in the dark. Armed and dangerous. Coming back.
This is what I call perfection.
The Hard Way is my most favorite in Jack Reacher series so far. Just when I thought Lee Child's book couldn't possibly get any better, he has outdone himself once again with this unputdownable read! If I could, I would give it more than 5 stars.
Who would have thought that just sitting and drinking coffee would get Jack Reacher involved in the investigation of the kidnapping for ransom of a woman and her child who remained missing although her husband already paid one million dollars in cash, exactly like he was told to do.
On the trail of finding the kidnappers, the more Reacher dug into this case, the more dirty and vicious secrets were revealed. He discovered that all the clues and the pieces of the jigsaw which seemed to fit together just didn’t lead him to the truth. On the contrary, those all led him to the wrong conclusion. However, for Reacher, he was even more than ready to do it the hard way.
This tenth installment was a fantastic blend of suspense, mystery, thriller, and a slight touch of romance (aha!), all rolled into one amazing story where surprises seemed to lurk around every corner. I was not only impressed with the unpredictable plot but also the way the author kept me invested in the characters. The suspense and enormous tension were built up throughout the entire story which kept me on my toes, and of course, on the edge of my seat as well.
And… nothing prepared me for this stunning plot twist I never saw coming! Seeing things finally unraveled (at breakneck speed) made my jaw drop in awe of this ex-military police. How could Reacher know?! With his intelligence, toughness, and capability, OMG, I couldn’t admire this man more!
If you’re looking for a book with shocking revelations that keep you turning the pages faster than lightning, then pick up this one. You’ll definitely get a great deal of enjoyment and excitement out of it!
The Hard Way is not just a crime mystery/thriller. It is an absolute must read!
This is what I call perfection.
The Hard Way is my most favorite in Jack Reacher series so far. Just when I thought Lee Child's book couldn't possibly get any better, he has outdone himself once again with this unputdownable read! If I could, I would give it more than 5 stars.
Who would have thought that just sitting and drinking coffee would get Jack Reacher involved in the investigation of the kidnapping for ransom of a woman and her child who remained missing although her husband already paid one million dollars in cash, exactly like he was told to do.
On the trail of finding the kidnappers, the more Reacher dug into this case, the more dirty and vicious secrets were revealed. He discovered that all the clues and the pieces of the jigsaw which seemed to fit together just didn’t lead him to the truth. On the contrary, those all led him to the wrong conclusion. However, for Reacher, he was even more than ready to do it the hard way.
This tenth installment was a fantastic blend of suspense, mystery, thriller, and a slight touch of romance (aha!), all rolled into one amazing story where surprises seemed to lurk around every corner. I was not only impressed with the unpredictable plot but also the way the author kept me invested in the characters. The suspense and enormous tension were built up throughout the entire story which kept me on my toes, and of course, on the edge of my seat as well.
And… nothing prepared me for this stunning plot twist I never saw coming! Seeing things finally unraveled (at breakneck speed) made my jaw drop in awe of this ex-military police. How could Reacher know?! With his intelligence, toughness, and capability, OMG, I couldn’t admire this man more!
If you’re looking for a book with shocking revelations that keep you turning the pages faster than lightning, then pick up this one. You’ll definitely get a great deal of enjoyment and excitement out of it!
The Hard Way is not just a crime mystery/thriller. It is an absolute must read!
August 11, 2020
For a guy who is often simply minding his own business, Jack Reacher seems to get into a lot of trouble. In this, the tenth installment in the series, Reacher is enjoying a quiet cup of coffee, sitting at a table outside of the coffee shop in New York City. It's late at night and as Reacher is sitting there, a man gets into a car across the street and drives away.
It's nothing out of the ordinary, but Reacher is a guy who notices things. and so when he's sitting in the same spot the next night and is approached by a man looking for information, Reacher is able to describe perfectly the man he saw for an instant twenty-four hours earlier. It's a remarkable ability, but then Reacher is a guy who also always knows exactly what time it is without wearing a watch.
The guy who approaches Reacher convinces him to accompany him to the Dakota, the famous residential building where John Lennon once lived. There the guy introduces Reacher to his boss, Edward Lane, a very wealthy man who runs a group of "security consultants." Lane explains that his wife and stepdaughter have been kidnapped. The ransom, a million dollars, was left in the trunk of the car that Reacher saw being driven away. Lane isn't worried so much about the money, but he would very much like to get his wife back, alive and unharmed.
Of course Lane is not supposed to involve the cops and, as an ex-army investigator, Reacher has a skill set that Lane's other employees do not. Lane convinces Reacher to sign on and help get his wife back, offering Reacher a million dollars for a successful rescue.
From there we're off and running, or rather, Reacher is, of course, while we sit back and enjoy the ride. It's a clever plot and Reacher is sometimes ahead of the game and at other times behind, but whichever the case, he's always fun to watch. This is another very addictive novel from one of the best in the business.
It's nothing out of the ordinary, but Reacher is a guy who notices things. and so when he's sitting in the same spot the next night and is approached by a man looking for information, Reacher is able to describe perfectly the man he saw for an instant twenty-four hours earlier. It's a remarkable ability, but then Reacher is a guy who also always knows exactly what time it is without wearing a watch.
The guy who approaches Reacher convinces him to accompany him to the Dakota, the famous residential building where John Lennon once lived. There the guy introduces Reacher to his boss, Edward Lane, a very wealthy man who runs a group of "security consultants." Lane explains that his wife and stepdaughter have been kidnapped. The ransom, a million dollars, was left in the trunk of the car that Reacher saw being driven away. Lane isn't worried so much about the money, but he would very much like to get his wife back, alive and unharmed.
Of course Lane is not supposed to involve the cops and, as an ex-army investigator, Reacher has a skill set that Lane's other employees do not. Lane convinces Reacher to sign on and help get his wife back, offering Reacher a million dollars for a successful rescue.
From there we're off and running, or rather, Reacher is, of course, while we sit back and enjoy the ride. It's a clever plot and Reacher is sometimes ahead of the game and at other times behind, but whichever the case, he's always fun to watch. This is another very addictive novel from one of the best in the business.
January 23, 2023
I'm not normally a reader of novels like this, but a family member gave me a stack of Jack Reacher novels for Christmas --- so this is my first time reading one. Always good to change things up!
To me, most novels featuring military veterans usually seem to have the veteran protagonist coming from either the special forces, fighter aviation, or Marines. So it was refreshing to see Jack Reacher of a different background: Army military police.
Jack Reacher seems to be a sort of combination of drifter, private investigator (like Sherlock Holmes), and troubleshooter (like Ray Donovan).
In this book, by happenstance of being in the right place at the right time, he witnesses a money drop outside the coffee shop in NYC he frequents --- an event setting off a chain of events in which he become embroiled in an effort to investigate and counter what appears to be the abduction of the wife and stepdaughter of a mercenary leader.
The neat thing about Reacher is that the majority of the novel has him using his mind and deductive skills to investigate the crime, and the interesting thing about it is that it the plot takes unexpected twists and turns.
Reacher, although highly intelligent and skilled, is not Mr. Perfect. He does make mistakes or miscalculations, but has the resourcefulness and adaptability to rebound from them, and keep moving in the right direction.
Another thing I liked about the book is that the female counterpart and romantic interest for Reacher, Linda Pauling, is not some young, beautiful 20s-something --- but rather an attractive, experienced, tough ex-FBI agent, PI, with that special seasoned, worldly experienced sophistication that only women in their late 40s and older can usually have. In her case, 50s ---- which I thought a nice touch to the plot.
The novel takes place in 2006. I did think it curious that Reacher acts surprised to learn from Pauling about text messaging via cellphone --- we did have it back then!
The ending of the novel sticks the landing nicely. All in all, this novel was a pleasure to read.
I think most people who enjoy novels in the mystery, action-adventure, or detective genres will enjoy this one.
To me, most novels featuring military veterans usually seem to have the veteran protagonist coming from either the special forces, fighter aviation, or Marines. So it was refreshing to see Jack Reacher of a different background: Army military police.
Jack Reacher seems to be a sort of combination of drifter, private investigator (like Sherlock Holmes), and troubleshooter (like Ray Donovan).
In this book, by happenstance of being in the right place at the right time, he witnesses a money drop outside the coffee shop in NYC he frequents --- an event setting off a chain of events in which he become embroiled in an effort to investigate and counter what appears to be the abduction of the wife and stepdaughter of a mercenary leader.
The neat thing about Reacher is that the majority of the novel has him using his mind and deductive skills to investigate the crime, and the interesting thing about it is that it the plot takes unexpected twists and turns.
Reacher, although highly intelligent and skilled, is not Mr. Perfect. He does make mistakes or miscalculations, but has the resourcefulness and adaptability to rebound from them, and keep moving in the right direction.
Another thing I liked about the book is that the female counterpart and romantic interest for Reacher, Linda Pauling, is not some young, beautiful 20s-something --- but rather an attractive, experienced, tough ex-FBI agent, PI, with that special seasoned, worldly experienced sophistication that only women in their late 40s and older can usually have. In her case, 50s ---- which I thought a nice touch to the plot.
The novel takes place in 2006. I did think it curious that Reacher acts surprised to learn from Pauling about text messaging via cellphone --- we did have it back then!
The ending of the novel sticks the landing nicely. All in all, this novel was a pleasure to read.
I think most people who enjoy novels in the mystery, action-adventure, or detective genres will enjoy this one.
November 23, 2023
قدیمیترین ترس آبا و اجدادی انسان که در قسمت مارمولکی اولیهی مغز نهفته بود، صد سال بعد از خروج از غارها هنوز پا بر جا بود: یه چیزی اون بیرونه
تو جلدای قبلی معمولاً وقتی قبل از اینکه همهچی برای خواننده قابل حدس و واضح بشه، چایلد خودش معما رو حل میکرد و به بزن بکش بعدش میپرداخت
توی این جلد کمی دیر این کار رو انجام داد و باعث شد مقداری اذیت بشم. خوشم نمیاد زودتر از ریچر معما رو حل کنم
جز این خیلی خوب بود و بعد از رو شدن معما بازم هیجانش رو حفظ کرد تا آخر
May 24, 2018
It's hard to believe that I used to like this character and the writing of Lee Child. This type of story too much resembles most of his latest. Two versions left until I have them all read, but I'm being bored. 2 of 10 stars
February 6, 2019
4.5/5
It's been a long time since I gave a Jack Reacher novel a five star. Maybe it's because I haven't read thrillers in a while. But still this one was great! I read it in a single sitting. It was all full of twists and turns and people call Lee child novels just action rubbish but I didn't see any action in the novel except the last thirty pages. Reacher novels are getting more and more detective based than a commando one; I love this style more.
It's been a long time since I gave a Jack Reacher novel a five star. Maybe it's because I haven't read thrillers in a while. But still this one was great! I read it in a single sitting. It was all full of twists and turns and people call Lee child novels just action rubbish but I didn't see any action in the novel except the last thirty pages. Reacher novels are getting more and more detective based than a commando one; I love this style more.
June 2, 2012
The Jack Reacher virgin. Reading The Hard Way. Feeling he has to give Lee Child a go, just because every one else has. And his mother-in-law thrust the book upon him.
Jack Reacher. Star of The Hard Way. Kind of a cross between Arnold Schwarzenegger and the Littlest Hobo. Spends his time being right about everything almost all the time. Except when it's convenient for the plot. Seems to know almost everything, but he's never heard of text messaging. Can guess the time really really accurately. Goes on about it all the time.
Lee Child. Writing an odd way. All short sentences, just stating the facts. Like a Lidl Hemingway or McCarthy, without the sense of poetry, but more full stops. Likes to repeat the sentence: Jack Reacher, doing it The Hard Way. Over and over again. Characters all gruff ex-forces types. Talk in short sentences, just stating the facts. Repeating sentences.
Back to the Jack Reacher virgin. He worked out the 'twist'. About 100 pages in. Jack Reacher worked it out about 400 pages later. Turns out it wasn't such a Hard Way. The book's complete nonsense, and Reacher's laughable. But despite it all, he read it fast. And he can't say he'd refuse another Reacher book from the mother-in-law. Make of that what you will.
Jack Reacher. Star of The Hard Way. Kind of a cross between Arnold Schwarzenegger and the Littlest Hobo. Spends his time being right about everything almost all the time. Except when it's convenient for the plot. Seems to know almost everything, but he's never heard of text messaging. Can guess the time really really accurately. Goes on about it all the time.
Lee Child. Writing an odd way. All short sentences, just stating the facts. Like a Lidl Hemingway or McCarthy, without the sense of poetry, but more full stops. Likes to repeat the sentence: Jack Reacher, doing it The Hard Way. Over and over again. Characters all gruff ex-forces types. Talk in short sentences, just stating the facts. Repeating sentences.
Back to the Jack Reacher virgin. He worked out the 'twist'. About 100 pages in. Jack Reacher worked it out about 400 pages later. Turns out it wasn't such a Hard Way. The book's complete nonsense, and Reacher's laughable. But despite it all, he read it fast. And he can't say he'd refuse another Reacher book from the mother-in-law. Make of that what you will.
February 9, 2022
I enjoyed this latest Reacher, it was no fuss and go go go all the way. I was wondering as I listened to this one (of course skillfully narrated by Jeff Harding as always) if it was to be added up, what number would it be of those killed by this larger than life character?
This was more of a straight forward storyline, not as convoluted or hard to keep up with, which is what often trips me up in the audio format as I am easily distracted.
A horrible character, Lane is ex British military, who has had a second wife just been kidnapped. Poor Reacher, minding his own business in a coffee shop sipping coffee, and thus sets off his involvement.
I love tid bits and funny bits, and in this one Reacher tells his lady love that he doesn't know text messages are a thing. Love it.
He shows lovely sides of his character in this story when dealing with the daughter who has also been kidnapped, he listens to her and is mindful of what she sees and hears when it comes to the abhorrent side of things.
All in all Reacher is a powerhouse killing machine, but he's such a good guy and I really do enjoy seeing both sides of him. Goodness I'd love him to be helping me in my hour of need <3
This was more of a straight forward storyline, not as convoluted or hard to keep up with, which is what often trips me up in the audio format as I am easily distracted.
A horrible character, Lane is ex British military, who has had a second wife just been kidnapped. Poor Reacher, minding his own business in a coffee shop sipping coffee, and thus sets off his involvement.
I love tid bits and funny bits, and in this one Reacher tells his lady love that he doesn't know text messages are a thing. Love it.
He shows lovely sides of his character in this story when dealing with the daughter who has also been kidnapped, he listens to her and is mindful of what she sees and hears when it comes to the abhorrent side of things.
All in all Reacher is a powerhouse killing machine, but he's such a good guy and I really do enjoy seeing both sides of him. Goodness I'd love him to be helping me in my hour of need <3
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June 26, 2022Some days you just need a massively violent book about a hero who turns up and takes out the arseholes. Bonus fantasy points because the villain is a horrible misogynist.
June 6, 2022
Book ten in the Jack Reacher series and this never gets old, I have loved every book and even although they always follow the same formula, I can't get enough.
Jack rarely goes to the same café twice but the coffee is great so he breaks his own rule.
That second cup of coffee takes us from New York, USA to Norwich, UK and those last 40 pages had me on the edge!
Jack makes these books for me, I crush hard on him and I feel no shame!
Another great instalment.
Jack rarely goes to the same café twice but the coffee is great so he breaks his own rule.
That second cup of coffee takes us from New York, USA to Norwich, UK and those last 40 pages had me on the edge!
Jack makes these books for me, I crush hard on him and I feel no shame!
Another great instalment.
February 29, 2024
Poor Reacher, he just wants to live his live anonymously and be left alone. Now, simply by stopping for a cup of coffee he is dragged into a kidnapping plot that will lead to him fighting for survival on the other side of the world.
Once again Child crafts a blood chilling thriller that will have the reading guessing and stressing until the surprising conclusion.
Once again Child crafts a blood chilling thriller that will have the reading guessing and stressing until the surprising conclusion.
December 31, 2018
Number ten in the Jack Reacher series.
Jack’s enjoying a coffee and minding his own business, which is just the way he likes it. Sitting watching the world go by when he sees the most ordinary of events. A man crosses the street in front of Jack, unlocks a car and drives off.
Twenty four hours later this ordinary event sends Jack into a world of Mercenary Soldiers and where money is spoken of in the millions. Kidnapping, murder, revenge and greed are all on the menu. When nothing happens easily Jack will have to resort to doing things The Hard Way.
This is another top notch Jack Reacher thriller. I could be argued that it’s just more of the same but I don’t care if it is. It’s just about the best way to spend a lazy afternoon. It’s an adrenalin pumping, high octane thrill fest.
Picking on Jack Reacher is, always, a big mistake.
Highly recommended. 4/5stars
Jack’s enjoying a coffee and minding his own business, which is just the way he likes it. Sitting watching the world go by when he sees the most ordinary of events. A man crosses the street in front of Jack, unlocks a car and drives off.
Twenty four hours later this ordinary event sends Jack into a world of Mercenary Soldiers and where money is spoken of in the millions. Kidnapping, murder, revenge and greed are all on the menu. When nothing happens easily Jack will have to resort to doing things The Hard Way.
This is another top notch Jack Reacher thriller. I could be argued that it’s just more of the same but I don’t care if it is. It’s just about the best way to spend a lazy afternoon. It’s an adrenalin pumping, high octane thrill fest.
Picking on Jack Reacher is, always, a big mistake.
Highly recommended. 4/5stars
July 3, 2012
I'm going to add the same review for all of the Reacher series, so if you've read this one, you've read 'em all. If you feel a certain affinity for the lone hero, a man of principle, of unwavering knowledge and assent as to his own actions, than Jack Reacher's your kinda guy.
Lee Child has created an unforgettable and unique character in his creation of Jack Reacher. Jack seems to implicitly understand that he is a unique animal/human running around on this planet and that in spite of social conventions, cultural trappings, and whatever conventions and abstractions we allow into our mind in order to alleviate this core fact of our singularity (and aloneness)...the truth of it is not something Mr. Reacher denies.
He embraces it. Understands his philosophy implicitly, revels in his physical being,his conventions and values. He defends those he loves, those he does allow into his world, with a loyalty bar none while never letting go of the notion that he is alone and being perfectly comfortable with that.
I read one, and within two months read all 15 books with an appetite that couldn't get enough.
Enough said,
HR
Lee Child has created an unforgettable and unique character in his creation of Jack Reacher. Jack seems to implicitly understand that he is a unique animal/human running around on this planet and that in spite of social conventions, cultural trappings, and whatever conventions and abstractions we allow into our mind in order to alleviate this core fact of our singularity (and aloneness)...the truth of it is not something Mr. Reacher denies.
He embraces it. Understands his philosophy implicitly, revels in his physical being,his conventions and values. He defends those he loves, those he does allow into his world, with a loyalty bar none while never letting go of the notion that he is alone and being perfectly comfortable with that.
I read one, and within two months read all 15 books with an appetite that couldn't get enough.
Enough said,
HR
September 19, 2018
The Jack Reacher series is probably my biggest guilty pleasure read. I never go in expecting great literature, but I always expect a story that has me curious and excited about how things will play out. It is part of the reason why I take such large gaps between reading each book. Reading them back-to-back ruins the fun somewhat, whereas reading one every few months or so means I get the enjoyment the books deserve.
Although the books are immensely popular, I find myself constantly giving three-star ratings with the occasional four-star rating thrown in here and there. With The Hard Way, however, we have the first time my rating has dropped down to just the two stars.
For me, this book failed to pack the punch of the prior Jack Reacher books. These books are usually filled with mystery with a side dose of action, yet The Hard Way failed to deliver on these points. The mystery was obvious from very early on, and there were no real action scenes to enjoy. There were countless pages waiting for assumptions to be confirmed, which made it difficult for me to care about what was happening. Usually, Lee Child saves the book through a big action sequence at the end, yet this one fell flat and was over much quicker than usual.
Perhaps The Hard Way was simply a blip, or maybe it was just my reading mood, but this one failed to give me what I usually enjoy about the Jack Reacher stories.
Although the books are immensely popular, I find myself constantly giving three-star ratings with the occasional four-star rating thrown in here and there. With The Hard Way, however, we have the first time my rating has dropped down to just the two stars.
For me, this book failed to pack the punch of the prior Jack Reacher books. These books are usually filled with mystery with a side dose of action, yet The Hard Way failed to deliver on these points. The mystery was obvious from very early on, and there were no real action scenes to enjoy. There were countless pages waiting for assumptions to be confirmed, which made it difficult for me to care about what was happening. Usually, Lee Child saves the book through a big action sequence at the end, yet this one fell flat and was over much quicker than usual.
Perhaps The Hard Way was simply a blip, or maybe it was just my reading mood, but this one failed to give me what I usually enjoy about the Jack Reacher stories.
March 24, 2019
Actual rating: 3.5 stars.
February 8, 2009
Jack Reacher, book 10
Jack Reacher known as the best man-hunter in the world ends up helping Edward Lane, a well-paid mercenary, whose wife and stepdaughter have been kidnapped. Initially Reacher volunteers to help, as the case develops, things prove not to be what they seem. Alarm bells ring when he discovers Lane's previous wife was kidnapped and also during a mission two members of his crew were left behind in a foreign country...what is Lane hiding, what type of character is he?, can he be trusted? Reacher is determined to find the truth, come hell or high water....
This gripping novel captures your attention immediately with a well paced and easy plot; containing a fair share of suspense, action, surprises and romance. The prose is clear and concise all through, no place for ambiguity. The leading character is well drawn; Jack Reacher is a maverick, kind of 21st century cowboy, good hearted globe trotter having another absorbing adventure involving many equally interesting secondary characters.
I started at this point in the series and I feel the story stood on its own and not based on any previous characters and episodes as in some other series. This thriller gives you a definite adrenaline rush, captivating till the end.
Jack Reacher known as the best man-hunter in the world ends up helping Edward Lane, a well-paid mercenary, whose wife and stepdaughter have been kidnapped. Initially Reacher volunteers to help, as the case develops, things prove not to be what they seem. Alarm bells ring when he discovers Lane's previous wife was kidnapped and also during a mission two members of his crew were left behind in a foreign country...what is Lane hiding, what type of character is he?, can he be trusted? Reacher is determined to find the truth, come hell or high water....
This gripping novel captures your attention immediately with a well paced and easy plot; containing a fair share of suspense, action, surprises and romance. The prose is clear and concise all through, no place for ambiguity. The leading character is well drawn; Jack Reacher is a maverick, kind of 21st century cowboy, good hearted globe trotter having another absorbing adventure involving many equally interesting secondary characters.
I started at this point in the series and I feel the story stood on its own and not based on any previous characters and episodes as in some other series. This thriller gives you a definite adrenaline rush, captivating till the end.
December 8, 2019
I've run out of accolades for how great this series and author are! The Hard Way is another prime example why I love these books and Reacher so much! A wife and daughter are kidnapped, ransom demands are made, and Reacher stumbles into the middle of it all. The wife's husband is a bad dude and now Reacher must figure out who's holding the hostages before their time runs out. For me, it's always fascinating to watch Jack work his way through a mystery case, maybe detour on a wrong assumption or two, and then move full speed ahead as pieces click into place. In this regard, he actually reminds me of another of my favorites Eve Dallas; however, they are definitely two different people as Reacher will use any means to right a wrong...including crossing the law. Reacher is a fascinating character - a loner who's hard, sometimes cold but with a strong sense of right and wrong and an undeniable urge to delve out justice to those who harm others - even when it means putting his own life on the line. Mystery Suspense readers will love this book!
4.5 Stars
4.5 Stars
August 19, 2018
(Sigh) I've said it before, and I'm going to say it again, I can't get enough of Jack Reacher, I think he's becoming my new addiction, after the end of each book, it just leaves me wanting more, and The Hard Way is no exception!!
This time Jack Reacher finds himself in the wrong place at the wrong time, or is it the other way around, in the right place at the right time? As he's enjoying a nice day in New York City, he watches a man cross the street to a Mercedes and drive it away, it would seem like a normal thing to do, only it contained 1 million dollars in ransom money, from Edward Lane, who runs his own illegal operation, with his own small private army of ex-soldiers, former US Marines, Delta Force, Navy Seals, et cetera, et cetera!
Reacher joins Lane's operation when learning that his wife and daughter have been kidnapped and he will stop at nothing to get them back. But as Reacher follows the trail of the supposed kidnappers, he realizes Lane is not all that he seems, and he puts all his superior skills to use to get to the bottom of a little war, and he's doing it the hard way!
Everything you'd expect from Jack Reacher and Lee Child!!
This time Jack Reacher finds himself in the wrong place at the wrong time, or is it the other way around, in the right place at the right time? As he's enjoying a nice day in New York City, he watches a man cross the street to a Mercedes and drive it away, it would seem like a normal thing to do, only it contained 1 million dollars in ransom money, from Edward Lane, who runs his own illegal operation, with his own small private army of ex-soldiers, former US Marines, Delta Force, Navy Seals, et cetera, et cetera!
Reacher joins Lane's operation when learning that his wife and daughter have been kidnapped and he will stop at nothing to get them back. But as Reacher follows the trail of the supposed kidnappers, he realizes Lane is not all that he seems, and he puts all his superior skills to use to get to the bottom of a little war, and he's doing it the hard way!
Everything you'd expect from Jack Reacher and Lee Child!!
April 25, 2019
"Picked up the MP5 submachine gun and slung it over his left shoulder. Then he headed back north . . . Reacher, alone in the dark. Doing it the hard way." -- page 460
A sort of routine Jack Reacher thriller seemingly involving a kidnap / ransom with one or two good twists, I think this would have benefited from some editorial tightening to the plot. (At nearly 500 pages, it's still just a somewhat ordinary crime / mystery story.) 'Girl Friday' Lauren Pauling - an ex-federal agent turned private eye - was an appealing co-star but disappointingly of fades into the background towards the finale. A few other supporting players also seem important at first (and they're not quite 'red herrings') but are all but forgotten about until a mention at the end. The villain becoming psychotic also seems to come out of nowhere, or at least feels contrived or stereotypical. The Hard Way wasn't horrible, but it was telling that it took me a week and a half to finish it.
A sort of routine Jack Reacher thriller seemingly involving a kidnap / ransom with one or two good twists, I think this would have benefited from some editorial tightening to the plot. (At nearly 500 pages, it's still just a somewhat ordinary crime / mystery story.) 'Girl Friday' Lauren Pauling - an ex-federal agent turned private eye - was an appealing co-star but disappointingly of fades into the background towards the finale. A few other supporting players also seem important at first (and they're not quite 'red herrings') but are all but forgotten about until a mention at the end. The villain becoming psychotic also seems to come out of nowhere, or at least feels contrived or stereotypical. The Hard Way wasn't horrible, but it was telling that it took me a week and a half to finish it.
February 7, 2017
Twelfth chronologically (and tenth publication-wise) in the Jack Reacher thriller series about a huge man with an even bigger sense of honor who will take down the bad guys.
My Take
This was another intense one. I do love how Reacher withheld and poked at Lane. How he pushed to get involved in the rescue of Kate and Jade. This man does not suffer fools! He already has a tendency to observe, calculate, and catalog and his years in the military police have provided him with a wealth of psychological field study of the worst of human nature. It's only sharpened his edge.
Reacher is so incredibly observant---well, yeah, it helps that this is fiction and anyone can look brilliant when it merely takes a keystroke, let me enjoy my fantasies, will 'ya!?
It always amazes me how the protagonist in a story can take a tiny bit of information and blow it up into an answer. Yeah, it takes time and a lotta effort. But s/he teases out that one little bit and keeps following the trail.
Whoa, Reacher? Tense?
Just reading the way Reacher thinks makes me consider how I observe life around me. Make me more aware of my surroundings. I'll never be a Reacher, but it does make life richer.
Ooh, Reacher is wrong! Omigod. One for the record books. A lesson can be learned from how he reacts to it however. Instead of moaning and groaning and proffering up excuses, he ties a knot and moves on.
Both Reacher and Kate want to use Lane's money to help the men and their families who were damaged or destroyed by Lane's actions, so, why did they leave the money behind??
What a bunch of scum...I love what Reacher does to the bad guys at the end. And he ain't alone in it.
The Story
Edward Lane's wife has been kidnapped. And he's in a panic. This has happened before. His first wife. Anne. He brought in the police. He paid the ransom. She was still murdered.
He won't make that mistake again. Instead, he makes a worse one. He hires Reacher.
He won't be needing that mirror on a stick...
The Characters
Jack Reacher is a drifter, a loner, and he likes it that way. Rarely staying in the same place two days in a row, he carries no luggage except a toothbrush in his shirt pocket. It's been seven years since he left the military. What he learned as an M.P. is still, however, with him.
Edward Lane was a colonel in the army who retired under a cloud. He set himself up as the head of a band of mercenaries working under the radar for Uncle Sam. John Gregory is British, former SAS, and Lane's second-in-command. Carter Groom, Addison, Perez, Kowalski, and Burke are the rest of the A-team besides Graham Taylor, former SAS, who was her driver that day. They're sure he was murdered once they got the wife and kid off the streets.
Knight and Clay Hobart are former A-team members. Until they got caught in a suspicious ambush in Africa. Dee Marie Graziano is Hobart's crusading, compassionate sister. Susan Jackson is Graham's sister. She's married to Tony and they have a daughter Melody; they work an organic farm up near Norwich in England.
Kate is Lane's second wife and she has an eight-year-old daughter, Jade.
Patricia Joseph was Anne's sister. She doesn't buy Lane's story. Detective Brewer is with the NYPD and is the recipient of her information and concerns. He in turn, passes her info on to Lauren Pauling, the FBI special agent who was in charge of Anne's kidnapping. She's now a private investigator.
The Cover
The cover is awash in reds with a blast of yellow and green illuminating the tilted landscape. I want to say it's an alley, but what alley has an overhead roof of planks?
The title tells it like it is. Reacher and his new best friends are going to have to take this guy down The Hard Way.
My Take
This was another intense one. I do love how Reacher withheld and poked at Lane. How he pushed to get involved in the rescue of Kate and Jade. This man does not suffer fools! He already has a tendency to observe, calculate, and catalog and his years in the military police have provided him with a wealth of psychological field study of the worst of human nature. It's only sharpened his edge.
Reacher is so incredibly observant---well, yeah, it helps that this is fiction and anyone can look brilliant when it merely takes a keystroke, let me enjoy my fantasies, will 'ya!?
It always amazes me how the protagonist in a story can take a tiny bit of information and blow it up into an answer. Yeah, it takes time and a lotta effort. But s/he teases out that one little bit and keeps following the trail.
Whoa, Reacher? Tense?
Just reading the way Reacher thinks makes me consider how I observe life around me. Make me more aware of my surroundings. I'll never be a Reacher, but it does make life richer.
Ooh, Reacher is wrong! Omigod. One for the record books. A lesson can be learned from how he reacts to it however. Instead of moaning and groaning and proffering up excuses, he ties a knot and moves on.
Both Reacher and Kate want to use Lane's money to help the men and their families who were damaged or destroyed by Lane's actions, so, why did they leave the money behind??
What a bunch of scum...I love what Reacher does to the bad guys at the end. And he ain't alone in it.
The Story
Edward Lane's wife has been kidnapped. And he's in a panic. This has happened before. His first wife. Anne. He brought in the police. He paid the ransom. She was still murdered.
He won't make that mistake again. Instead, he makes a worse one. He hires Reacher.
He won't be needing that mirror on a stick...
The Characters
Jack Reacher is a drifter, a loner, and he likes it that way. Rarely staying in the same place two days in a row, he carries no luggage except a toothbrush in his shirt pocket. It's been seven years since he left the military. What he learned as an M.P. is still, however, with him.
Edward Lane was a colonel in the army who retired under a cloud. He set himself up as the head of a band of mercenaries working under the radar for Uncle Sam. John Gregory is British, former SAS, and Lane's second-in-command. Carter Groom, Addison, Perez, Kowalski, and Burke are the rest of the A-team besides Graham Taylor, former SAS, who was her driver that day. They're sure he was murdered once they got the wife and kid off the streets.
Knight and Clay Hobart are former A-team members. Until they got caught in a suspicious ambush in Africa. Dee Marie Graziano is Hobart's crusading, compassionate sister. Susan Jackson is Graham's sister. She's married to Tony and they have a daughter Melody; they work an organic farm up near Norwich in England.
Kate is Lane's second wife and she has an eight-year-old daughter, Jade.
Patricia Joseph was Anne's sister. She doesn't buy Lane's story. Detective Brewer is with the NYPD and is the recipient of her information and concerns. He in turn, passes her info on to Lauren Pauling, the FBI special agent who was in charge of Anne's kidnapping. She's now a private investigator.
The Cover
The cover is awash in reds with a blast of yellow and green illuminating the tilted landscape. I want to say it's an alley, but what alley has an overhead roof of planks?
The title tells it like it is. Reacher and his new best friends are going to have to take this guy down The Hard Way.
September 22, 2015
reacher doing it the hard way this was this first lee child book i ever read and i had to read all of them after that. five out of five stars all the way
October 11, 2021
Jack Reacher number 10 is an exciting thriller full of hard boiled action and a good story with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing what’s going on.
As per usual with Reacher novels this one is straight into the action and the book has a nice pace, maintained until the end. Sometimes the action in Reacher books can get a bit over the top but not in this one, there is enough of it, but it feels satisfactory.
The Hard Way has a good story, enough action and this makes it one of the better books in the series for me. Jack Reacher is still a cool dude.
As per usual with Reacher novels this one is straight into the action and the book has a nice pace, maintained until the end. Sometimes the action in Reacher books can get a bit over the top but not in this one, there is enough of it, but it feels satisfactory.
The Hard Way has a good story, enough action and this makes it one of the better books in the series for me. Jack Reacher is still a cool dude.
July 24, 2025
The tenth Jack Reacher book in Lee Child's phenomenal series, "The Hard Way," is, to be expected, outstanding, and it continues to prove why Child is the best writer in the action/adventure crime genre today. Each novel takes Reacher in a different direction, and the interesting thing about Child is how he does not pigeonhole Reacher into a simple "action hero".
Reacher may be a tough guy who knows how to beat people up and use a semi-automatic, but he's also incredibly intelligent; a top-notch investigator with Sherlock Holmes-like deductive skills. He can usually spot a plot twist long before the reader.
In "The Hard Way", Reacher is, as always, in the wrong place at the wrong time (depending on how one looks at it, of course). Enjoying an espresso in a late-night cafe in New York City, Reacher witnesses a man get into a Mercedes. While it may seem innocuous and insignificant, Reacher quickly learns that it is anything but.
Reacher is signed on to work as a free-lance investigator by Edward Lane, a wealthy man whose wife and daughter have been kidnapped. Reacher reluctantly takes on the job of finding and tracking the kidnappers, and his investigation soon uncovers many interesting facts about Lane. Such as the fact that his first wife was also kidnapped, seven years ago, ending in tragedy.
Before one reaches the last page of this book, there will be dozens of plot twists that happen at break-neck speed. Readers will walk away with whiplash.
While Child tones down on some of the action in this one, he keeps the momentum going with an elaborate kidnapping plot full of suspense.
Bravissimo, Jack Reacher!
Reacher may be a tough guy who knows how to beat people up and use a semi-automatic, but he's also incredibly intelligent; a top-notch investigator with Sherlock Holmes-like deductive skills. He can usually spot a plot twist long before the reader.
In "The Hard Way", Reacher is, as always, in the wrong place at the wrong time (depending on how one looks at it, of course). Enjoying an espresso in a late-night cafe in New York City, Reacher witnesses a man get into a Mercedes. While it may seem innocuous and insignificant, Reacher quickly learns that it is anything but.
Reacher is signed on to work as a free-lance investigator by Edward Lane, a wealthy man whose wife and daughter have been kidnapped. Reacher reluctantly takes on the job of finding and tracking the kidnappers, and his investigation soon uncovers many interesting facts about Lane. Such as the fact that his first wife was also kidnapped, seven years ago, ending in tragedy.
Before one reaches the last page of this book, there will be dozens of plot twists that happen at break-neck speed. Readers will walk away with whiplash.
While Child tones down on some of the action in this one, he keeps the momentum going with an elaborate kidnapping plot full of suspense.
Bravissimo, Jack Reacher!
April 13, 2018
Just brilliant. As with every Lee Child story I have read I am just in awe of how he writes such a multi-layered tale. Something that starts off relatively simple, only to evolve into a gripping and heart-stopping read. The story in The Hard Way I felt was incredibly strong, I did work out a couple of the plot twists but they were all just so masterfully executed and I enjoyed every single page of this book. The ending was probably one of my favourites so far. I just love Jack Reacher. (Though what was his fascination with asking everybody if they had seen Yoko Ono in New York? If Reacher is a Yoko Ono fan then me and him might just fall out.)
February 2, 2025
Τζακ Ρίτσερ και τ’ άντερα γραβάτες.
Καθόλου προβλέψιμα, το βιβλίο ξεκινάει με τον Τζακ να πίνει καφέ και η περιπέτεια να έρχεται κατά πάνω του, ακριβώς εκεί που κάθεται.
Τώρα δεν χρειάζεται καν να κινείται με τα υπεραστικά λεωφορεία. Οι μπελάδες πλέον τον βρίσκουν και σε καφετέριες με την ευκολία που βρίσκει ο τύφλα μεθυσμένος το πάτωμα.
Πάμε στα ενδότερα: ο Ρίτσαρος, αυτόπτης μάρτυς (και ενδεχομένως παλουκοκάφτης) της απομάκρυνσης ενός αυτοκινήτου με λύτρα, μπαίνει στη υπηρεσία του εκβιασθέντος, ο οποίος φυσικά τυχαίνει να είναι πρώην στρατιωτικός και νυν ιδιοκτήτης εταιρίας μισθοφόρων, μάλλον καθαρματάκι, ενώ έχει μαζέψει γύρω του αρκετά λουλούδια από μπλακ οπς, μισθοφόρους του κερατά, καθάρματα, της Φωκίωνος Νέγρη ρεμάλια, τα οποία είναι μεν άχρηστα σε ερευνητική δουλειά, αλλά ξέρουν να πυροβολούν και με τους λοβούς των αυτιών όπως ο κάθε κλασικός ανεγκέφαλος πιστολάς του Τσάιλντ.
Στη συνέχεια ο Ρίτσαρος κάνει κλασική ντεντεκτιβική καταβύθιση στη Νέα Υόρκη, προσπαθώντας να βρει ποιος είναι ο απαγωγέας και αν τα θύματα είναι ακόμα ζωντανά.
Στο τέλος, αφού για πρώτη φορά έχει βάλει το Τζακρίτσειο πέος του σε γυναίκα μεγαλύτερη από αυτόν (φυσικά καλογυμνασμένη, πρώην ζμπραχτόρισσα του ΕΦΠΙΑΗ, αλλά και χωρίς να ντραπεί να της πει στα μούτρα ότι «η γριά η κότα έχει τον κύβο κνορ») φτάνει στο φινάλε με ένα ακόμα λουτρό αίματος, πετσόκομμα με χασαπομάχαιρα, διαλυμένα κεφάλια και γενικώς οι ειδυλλιακές εικόνες που μας δίνουν ραντεβού στις τελευταίες σελίδες των βιβλίων του Child.
Αν μπορώ να του αναγνωρίσω κάτι, είναι ότι η ποιότητα παραμένει σταθερή. Δε θα πέσει ποτέ εντελώς στα τάρταρα (και, φυσικά δε θα ανέβει ποτέ κοντά στην επιφάνεια που μπορείς να αναπνεύσεις επιστρατεύοντας έστω ένα καλαμάκι). ΜΕΧΡΙ ΤΩΡΑ, ΕΝΤΑΞΕΙ;
Καθόλου προβλέψιμα, το βιβλίο ξεκινάει με τον Τζακ να πίνει καφέ και η περιπέτεια να έρχεται κατά πάνω του, ακριβώς εκεί που κάθεται.
Τώρα δεν χρειάζεται καν να κινείται με τα υπεραστικά λεωφορεία. Οι μπελάδες πλέον τον βρίσκουν και σε καφετέριες με την ευκολία που βρίσκει ο τύφλα μεθυσμένος το πάτωμα.
Πάμε στα ενδότερα: ο Ρίτσαρος, αυτόπτης μάρτυς (και ενδεχομένως παλουκοκάφτης) της απομάκρυνσης ενός αυτοκινήτου με λύτρα, μπαίνει στη υπηρεσία του εκβιασθέντος, ο οποίος φυσικά τυχαίνει να είναι πρώην στρατιωτικός και νυν ιδιοκτήτης εταιρίας μισθοφόρων, μάλλον καθαρματάκι, ενώ έχει μαζέψει γύρω του αρκετά λουλούδια από μπλακ οπς, μισθοφόρους του κερατά, καθάρματα, της Φωκίωνος Νέγρη ρεμάλια, τα οποία είναι μεν άχρηστα σε ερευνητική δουλειά, αλλά ξέρουν να πυροβολούν και με τους λοβούς των αυτιών όπως ο κάθε κλασικός ανεγκέφαλος πιστολάς του Τσάιλντ.
Στη συνέχεια ο Ρίτσαρος κάνει κλασική ντεντεκτιβική καταβύθιση στη Νέα Υόρκη, προσπαθώντας να βρει ποιος είναι ο απαγωγέας και αν τα θύματα είναι ακόμα ζωντανά.
Στο τέλος, αφού για πρώτη φορά έχει βάλει το Τζακρίτσειο πέος του σε γυναίκα μεγαλύτερη από αυτόν (φυσικά καλογυμνασμένη, πρώην ζμπραχτόρισσα του ΕΦΠΙΑΗ, αλλά και χωρίς να ντραπεί να της πει στα μούτρα ότι «η γριά η κότα έχει τον κύβο κνορ») φτάνει στο φινάλε με ένα ακόμα λουτρό αίματος, πετσόκομμα με χασαπομάχαιρα, διαλυμένα κεφάλια και γενικώς οι ειδυλλιακές εικόνες που μας δίνουν ραντεβού στις τελευταίες σελίδες των βιβλίων του Child.
Αν μπορώ να του αναγνωρίσω κάτι, είναι ότι η ποιότητα παραμένει σταθερή. Δε θα πέσει ποτέ εντελώς στα τάρταρα (και, φυσικά δε θα ανέβει ποτέ κοντά στην επιφάνεια που μπορείς να αναπνεύσεις επιστρατεύοντας έστω ένα καλαμάκι). ΜΕΧΡΙ ΤΩΡΑ, ΕΝΤΑΞΕΙ;
May 24, 2023
O altă misiune, de data aceasta cu oameni din domeniul lui de activitate, oameni care-i știu jocul și reușesc să-l deruteze.
May 8, 2022
The detail in this is hilariously specific:
There are a bunch of things that seem like typos, but might not be: “I haven’t seen dime one yet” and calling a hydrant a “fireplug”, and there are also some definite typos.
All of this is a distraction from the seriously disturbing parts of this book, which are ugly. And infuriating. And a reminder of why I usually don’t read this genre.
He liked to sit outside in the summer, in New York City. Especially at night. He liked the electric darkness and the hot dirty air and the blasts of noise and traffic and the manic barking sirens and the crush of people.Manic barking sirens?
Reacher had always regretted the switch from the words WALK and DONT WALK. Given the choice, he preferred words to pictograms. And as a kid he had been scandalized by the bad punctuation. Ten thousand missing apostrophes in every city in America. It had been a secret thrill, to know better.Lol. But a good character tic. (The best character tic was when he refused to go with the anonymous guy who said, come meet my boss. More characters need to do that.)
There are a bunch of things that seem like typos, but might not be: “I haven’t seen dime one yet” and calling a hydrant a “fireplug”, and there are also some definite typos.
All of this is a distraction from the seriously disturbing parts of this book, which are ugly. And infuriating. And a reminder of why I usually don’t read this genre.
August 29, 2025
I feel this is one of the better of the Jack Reacher series, the tenth one. I have been reading them out of order, as I pick them up at used bookstores. I don't think it makes much difference. In this one, Reacher is in New York City, a different environment for him than usual, as he is often in the country, in small towns. And, as usual, he gets caught up in a situation. He agrees to help an ex-military guy named Lane get his kidnapped wife and stepdaughter back...this despite Lane heading a bunch of mercenaries who had been involved in some shady activities, to say the least. The last 100 pages in which Reacher has his showdown with Lane and the mercs make for non-stop reading. I could not put down the book till I got to the end. You know Reacher will win in the end, but how he does is a joy to read!
March 24, 2020
Jack Reacher book 10: Reacher joins an investigation into the kidnap of a Mercenary unit's leader's family in New York! 5 out of 12, for a series that I am rapidly losing interest, yet weirdly the completist in me what's to read the complete series regardless.
January 27, 2024
Excellent. The perfect blend of mystery and action thriller with lots of plot twists. It starts and develops in New York City, then finishes with a terrifying showdown in the English countryside. I loved it.
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