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Jack Reacher #22.5
The Christmas Scorpion
This short read (20 pages) is perfect for a coffee break and includes the first three chapters from Lee Child's new thriller - Past Tense.Jack Reacher likes to head south for the winter, to stay so just before Christmas he arrives in a small town in Southern California. But the weather there is not warm and dry, as it's supposed to he arrives in a freak blizzard. Reacher finds refuge in a snowed-in roadhouse with four other strangers stranded by the storm. Two of them are British military police, separated by the weather from the VIP they are detailed to protect. Can Reacher help them find their guy, or will an undercover assassin find him first?_________Don't miss Reacher's newest adventure, no.26, Better off Dead ! ***COMING SOON and AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER NOW***
48 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 2, 2018
8635 people are currently reading
9455 people want to read
About the author
Lee Child
445 books34.7k 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 706 reviews
October 4, 2018
It’s almost time for the annual Jack Reacher novel, but that does not mean that Lee Child has been resting on his laurels. This short story that includes our rough and tumble protagonist is a perfect bridge for those who can never get enough—Tom Cruise-less—Jack Reacher. Winters for Reacher must have a single element, warm weather. That explains why he’s made his way to Southern California just in time for Christmas. However, Mother Nature has opted for something a little more troubling than coal this year, having dumped a ton of snow on the community he’s chosen. When Reacher finds a small restaurant in which to take cover he’s happy to see that there are two other couples there as well. Without power, it would seem as though he’ll have to do more than just wait things out. One of the ‘couples’ turns out to be members of the Royal Military Police, on a mission to protect their important dignitary. However, after sliding off the road, they lost him. What’s even worse, there is a killer on the loose—The Christmas Scorpion—whose name has come up in Internet chatter, seeking to strike sooner than later. After pulling some strings, Reacher not only has everyone rescued from the restaurant, but they are on a helicopter to do a little investigating. What they’ll find will only add more intrigue to an already jam-packed story. Recommended for those who love Reacher in all his permutations. The piece can be read as a standalone over a morning cup of coffee or tea, should the reader desire.
There’s nothing like a decent piece by Lee Child to excite those who enjoy short stories. Child does well to both pique the interest of the series fan and provide an entertaining out for anyone who needs a quick read. Reacher is his usual ambling self, complete with a disinterested nature in those around him. No backstory or character development here, just his usual loner self. However, Reacher never ceases to amaze with his abilities and will surely keep the reader on their toes with this quick read. The handful of secondary characters are as vehicles, getting the piece from A to B, though there could surely be some tie-ins with the upcoming novel, should Child choose to take things in that direction. The story is decent and, like many Reacher pieces, does not need a specific locale to make them work. The interested reader will see that the quick pace of the story and short dialogue is perfect and helps push things along with ease. I almost finished the entire piece without blinking, but it was entertaining at the same time, as Child as come to make a point of doing with most of his writing. I cannot wait for the next book in the series, though this was a wonderful teaser and reminder how much I thoroughly enjoy all that Jack Reacher brings to the stories in which he stars.
Kudos, Mr. Child, for another wonderful piece. I am always excited to see new Reacher material and this one did not disappoint.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
There’s nothing like a decent piece by Lee Child to excite those who enjoy short stories. Child does well to both pique the interest of the series fan and provide an entertaining out for anyone who needs a quick read. Reacher is his usual ambling self, complete with a disinterested nature in those around him. No backstory or character development here, just his usual loner self. However, Reacher never ceases to amaze with his abilities and will surely keep the reader on their toes with this quick read. The handful of secondary characters are as vehicles, getting the piece from A to B, though there could surely be some tie-ins with the upcoming novel, should Child choose to take things in that direction. The story is decent and, like many Reacher pieces, does not need a specific locale to make them work. The interested reader will see that the quick pace of the story and short dialogue is perfect and helps push things along with ease. I almost finished the entire piece without blinking, but it was entertaining at the same time, as Child as come to make a point of doing with most of his writing. I cannot wait for the next book in the series, though this was a wonderful teaser and reminder how much I thoroughly enjoy all that Jack Reacher brings to the stories in which he stars.
Kudos, Mr. Child, for another wonderful piece. I am always excited to see new Reacher material and this one did not disappoint.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
February 17, 2026
The Scorpion's sting
It's not a bad story for 50p. It is shorter than even I would have thought. The actual book finishes about 47% of the way through. The rest is extracted from Past Tense.
Jack is his usual leaf in the wind self. As usual, his journey brings him into the middle of an international incident. People are who they seem to be. Sometimes, it is even possible for Jack to get played.
The story itself is good, but it feels a bit like I am paying for the teaser of another book. With the extract of from Past Tense being longer than the actual story.
It's not a bad story for 50p. It is shorter than even I would have thought. The actual book finishes about 47% of the way through. The rest is extracted from Past Tense.
Jack is his usual leaf in the wind self. As usual, his journey brings him into the middle of an international incident. People are who they seem to be. Sometimes, it is even possible for Jack to get played.
The story itself is good, but it feels a bit like I am paying for the teaser of another book. With the extract of from Past Tense being longer than the actual story.
December 9, 2018
I have read this series from the very start but recently lost ground with keeping up to date with Jack Reacher's exploits due to the volume of books I have to read. Conscious of this I decided to read this short read to get me back in the mood.
It didn't take long to get back into the books but unfortunately like most short reads just as I was enjoying reading it, the book was over.
50 pages really isn't long enough to develop any kind of plot or characters but it did leave me ready to try a full size novel very soon.
It didn't take long to get back into the books but unfortunately like most short reads just as I was enjoying reading it, the book was over.
50 pages really isn't long enough to develop any kind of plot or characters but it did leave me ready to try a full size novel very soon.
October 4, 2018
I have to admit that although I really enjoy Lee Child's Jack Reacher novels I do find his short stories a bit hit and miss. This is an average entry. The main problem is that although Reacher is in the story there is sadly very little for him to do.
November 21, 2021
Wow. Tāds sūds, ka pat nezinu, kur sākt. Vai nu Lī Čailds paliek senils vai vienkārši nesaprot stāstu žanru (un uzdevumu). Varbūt viņš vienmēr tā rakstījis, bet es nepamanīju? Tad ir švaki, jo man plauktā vēl svaidās dažas nelasītas Rīčera grāmatas. Kā nu tagad būs... Bet hei! Beidzot šogad 1* gabals :D
December 17, 2019
Great build-up, then ends with a big cow flop.
November 6, 2018
I'm sad to report that i didn't gain a freaking thing by reading this short story , it was just Meh .
I f hate time wasting .
I f hate time wasting .
October 9, 2018
I was quite disappointed by this Reached short story. While it does have the Child/Reached clean, straightforward style it lacks the compelling storyline that I have come to expect in this story. The Reacher short stories have, in the past, still had a strong narrative even though they were more focused on revealing more about the hero than a major issue.
In The Christmas Scorpion we get neither a compelling story nor do we learn anything new about Jack Reacher. The closest we come is that Reacher apparently doesn't like the cold. We get that in the first few paragraphs. Even less forgivable to me is that JR isn't really instrumental to the solution to the problem. He is mostly along for the ride.
Sometimes the short story released shortly before a Reacher novel helps set up that coming novel. Maybe that's what is happening here. But as a stand-alone story I can't recommend this title.
In The Christmas Scorpion we get neither a compelling story nor do we learn anything new about Jack Reacher. The closest we come is that Reacher apparently doesn't like the cold. We get that in the first few paragraphs. Even less forgivable to me is that JR isn't really instrumental to the solution to the problem. He is mostly along for the ride.
Sometimes the short story released shortly before a Reacher novel helps set up that coming novel. Maybe that's what is happening here. But as a stand-alone story I can't recommend this title.
January 18, 2026
The beauty of an ebook or kindle.
Produce a short story, call it number 22.5 in the series and promote book 23, Past Tense in the process.
Genius, and why not set it at Christmas, Christmas Eve perhaps and have lots of snow and use Christmas in the title.
No problem in any sense for a successful author and in Lee Child’s case quite a simple exercise.
Job done, excellent piece of marketing; look I’ve even read it now. Plus promote it with a wonderful cover design. Do these guys ever get the credit he or she deserves?
Don’t reckon anyone has not read one or stumbled across a Jack Reacher novel, as already stated there is a few about and he has made a reasonable transition onto movie screens, and a binge worthy Netflix series.
The problem I have with The Christmas Scorpion is that it isn’t that special.
Lee Child has done the hard work in dreaming this character up and what ever he writes with him in it will be nothing short of brilliant as he is such a wonderful, almost unique character.
I love reading about him; happily I never see Tom Cruise when I’m reading him.
This story is clever, emotionally pleasing but has a few flaws that in this shorter format upset me.
I cannot believe these five individuals would be cut off in a storm of the century event when the plot demands that 2 personal protection team were assigned to look after a minister of state.
Furthermore even California must have a decent weather forecast and capable military meteorologists. Why they would be using public highways when there was a credible threat against the minister is also another question I would like to ask Lee.
But it’s Christmas, I do enjoy a Jack Reacher story and I loved the cover.
And like all good short stories, The Christmas Scorpion definitely ‘has a sting in its tale’.
Produce a short story, call it number 22.5 in the series and promote book 23, Past Tense in the process.
Genius, and why not set it at Christmas, Christmas Eve perhaps and have lots of snow and use Christmas in the title.
No problem in any sense for a successful author and in Lee Child’s case quite a simple exercise.
Job done, excellent piece of marketing; look I’ve even read it now. Plus promote it with a wonderful cover design. Do these guys ever get the credit he or she deserves?
Don’t reckon anyone has not read one or stumbled across a Jack Reacher novel, as already stated there is a few about and he has made a reasonable transition onto movie screens, and a binge worthy Netflix series.
The problem I have with The Christmas Scorpion is that it isn’t that special.
Lee Child has done the hard work in dreaming this character up and what ever he writes with him in it will be nothing short of brilliant as he is such a wonderful, almost unique character.
I love reading about him; happily I never see Tom Cruise when I’m reading him.
This story is clever, emotionally pleasing but has a few flaws that in this shorter format upset me.
I cannot believe these five individuals would be cut off in a storm of the century event when the plot demands that 2 personal protection team were assigned to look after a minister of state.
Furthermore even California must have a decent weather forecast and capable military meteorologists. Why they would be using public highways when there was a credible threat against the minister is also another question I would like to ask Lee.
But it’s Christmas, I do enjoy a Jack Reacher story and I loved the cover.
And like all good short stories, The Christmas Scorpion definitely ‘has a sting in its tale’.
October 15, 2018
Short Story That Reminds You to Keep Eyes and Mind Open
Great quick read to keep Reacher fans entertained. I enjoyed it!! You are introduced to all characters immediately and join the little adventure.
Great quick read to keep Reacher fans entertained. I enjoyed it!! You are introduced to all characters immediately and join the little adventure.
October 29, 2018
Seeking warm weather for the winter, Jack Reacher ends up in Barstow, California during a freak snowstorm. He is caught in a diner, with a vacationing couple and two Brits: members of the Royal Military police, who've been separated from their charge. A little drama, followed by a surprise, but almost no JR. Hopefully, the forthcoming novel Past Tense will help readers forget this 26-page short story.
November 6, 2023
Jack Reacher likes to head south for the winter, to stay warm: so just before Christmas he arrives in a small town in Southern California. But the weather there is not warm and dry, as it's supposed to be: he arrives in a freak blizzard. Reacher finds refuge in a snowed-in roadhouse with four other strangers stranded by the storm. Two of them are British military police, separated by the weather from the VIP they are detailed to protect. Can Reacher help them find their guy, or will an undercover assassin find him first?
This had finished before I knew it, it was such a short read, there was not much of a story, yes met four people, yes weather bad in California.
The story is read this and then buy the next book ! Book 22.5
Rather weak
This had finished before I knew it, it was such a short read, there was not much of a story, yes met four people, yes weather bad in California.
The story is read this and then buy the next book ! Book 22.5
Rather weak
March 20, 2019
And so on to the other short story from Lee Child of his famous wandering champion Jack Reacher. This title I have known about for some time coming out before his latest hardback book - and in some printings offered as a special edition where it is included.
However for me it was standalone download that caught my eye - that an the fact I was caught without a book with a few hours to kill.
This story has quite an interesting twist to it - which I think was quite entertaining considering the length of the story. I remember reading a lot of short stories in my youth and they fell in to two categories. The first where all the action happened and none of the explanations (after all there was not enough space to do both) or nothing really happened and it felt little more than a quite tour around set scene - almost as if you were being guided around an event frozen in aspic.
This story manages to dodge both thankfully - where you have an explanation which is both reasonable and still open to misinterpretation (hence the twist). In general it was rather fun and I am glad I took the time to track it down.
However for me it was standalone download that caught my eye - that an the fact I was caught without a book with a few hours to kill.
This story has quite an interesting twist to it - which I think was quite entertaining considering the length of the story. I remember reading a lot of short stories in my youth and they fell in to two categories. The first where all the action happened and none of the explanations (after all there was not enough space to do both) or nothing really happened and it felt little more than a quite tour around set scene - almost as if you were being guided around an event frozen in aspic.
This story manages to dodge both thankfully - where you have an explanation which is both reasonable and still open to misinterpretation (hence the twist). In general it was rather fun and I am glad I took the time to track it down.
October 11, 2018
Barely even a taste of Jack Reacher - barely even a teaser!
The build up and the break down gone in 20 pages!
From the blurb: On Christmas Eve, Jack Reacher stumbles into a no-name bar in the California desert, desperate to take refuge from an unexpected snowstorm. Reacher came to Barstow for a little R&R. Instead, he’s sequestered in a dark little roadhouse with a bartender, a bewildered elderly couple—and two members of Britain’s Royal Military Police. They tell Reacher they were escorting a VIP to a top-secret meeting at a U.S. military base when they became separated from their charge. That’s when the threat came in from a notorious assassin: the Christmas Scorpion. Now they need a miracle to save the day. Or maybe all they need is Jack Reacher.
The build up and the break down gone in 20 pages!
From the blurb: On Christmas Eve, Jack Reacher stumbles into a no-name bar in the California desert, desperate to take refuge from an unexpected snowstorm. Reacher came to Barstow for a little R&R. Instead, he’s sequestered in a dark little roadhouse with a bartender, a bewildered elderly couple—and two members of Britain’s Royal Military Police. They tell Reacher they were escorting a VIP to a top-secret meeting at a U.S. military base when they became separated from their charge. That’s when the threat came in from a notorious assassin: the Christmas Scorpion. Now they need a miracle to save the day. Or maybe all they need is Jack Reacher.
December 13, 2018
Snappy little short story about a one time snow blizzard event out West within the high desert (USA) during Reacher's current yearly (either Southwest, South, or Southeast) trek to warmer climes.
It's basically the intrigue of 5 travelers caught in a diner with few resources. Of course, Reacher owns always the fewest material resources, but carries most of the "resources" or contacts/ options in his head. Observation, association, "allies", first impressions of strangers- military backgrounds- quite a few "eyes" in this quirky 20 pager.
The reveal is a few paragraphs that turn the entire on its head.
I could picture the tattoo of a black scorpion surrounded by holly leaves and mistletoe. Well! It's short, quick, curt sentences. Reacher does NOT have an off day.
It's basically the intrigue of 5 travelers caught in a diner with few resources. Of course, Reacher owns always the fewest material resources, but carries most of the "resources" or contacts/ options in his head. Observation, association, "allies", first impressions of strangers- military backgrounds- quite a few "eyes" in this quirky 20 pager.
The reveal is a few paragraphs that turn the entire on its head.
I could picture the tattoo of a black scorpion surrounded by holly leaves and mistletoe. Well! It's short, quick, curt sentences. Reacher does NOT have an off day.
October 2, 2018
Classic Reacher short story
Read
November 4, 2018I love these little short stories. This one is another quick fire one, not a whole lot can be said about it! But it’s Reacher and I love him so of course I enjoyed it!
December 31, 2018
Timeline of this book is weird because it was Christmas Eve and Reacher is in California. The next book, #23, takes place at the end of summer and Reacher's on his way from Maine to the south west. There's not much to this story. Lee Child could've added one more page of Reacher taking the guy down. That would've been fun.
November 18, 2018
It's a Christmas tale that is so incredibly short, and as much as I adore Reacher, I didn't find it worth the $1.99.
November 29, 2022
Whether it’s a full-length novel or a one-breath read, like The Christmas Scorpion, Jack Reacher is always good! This story is too short to build bigger suspense. I experienced it more like an atmosphere-building short mystery.
November 23, 2021
Nothing special short story . Nothing to do w Christmas, really. Barely. Was looking for more of a holiday read.
January 8, 2019
Let’s see. This “short” story tests the limits of short. It’s 25 pages long.... if that. Yes, a nice scenario afoot, and it ends. It reminds me of those bedtime stories I tried to get away with as a parent, “Once upon a time they lived happily ever after....the end”. The cover page and copyright information are probably part of the 25 pages. My takeaway is that the publisher wanted something (anything) with a holiday hook, gave it a pretty cover, added a fun festive title, and somehow felt comfortable selling it as a holiday entry. Smh.
February 19, 2021
Even as a short story, this isn’t good. A solid build up, some reasonable attempt at characterisation, some ‘garden path’ misdirection and a climax nailed in two sentences. It reads like a young Lee Child was set an A-Level creative writing task, set out well and then ran out of time, rushing a finish to avoid detention. And I love Lee Child. And I love Jack Reacher.
October 2, 2018
A lot of build-up with minimal payoff.
May 25, 2019
In under 4 months I have read 15 of the Jack Reacher Novels or short. I have a friend who calls me a ‘completionist’, meaning when I find an author, I enjoy I tend to try and read everything they wrote. And I know there is a growing trend for there to be a short story released between novels in a series. So, this story comes right before the first novel I read. And I hope to finish all the novels and short stories before book 24 comes out later this year. But back to this story.
In this story Jack Reacher is heading south the winter. Just before Christmas he arrives in a small town in Northern California. There is a freak snow storm. He arrives in a bard to find two pairs of patrons, and older couple, and two that look like police of special service branch. He soon finds out that the two are military police who have lost their primary protection. There is a credible threat against their asset. And they are stuck out on a limb.
Can Reacher help them?
Will Reacher help them?
Will the assassin win?
This is a fun little story. In my reading I have been jumping around the Reacher canon of work. I have come to realize that the short stories do not necessarily rely on past events, but sometimes can give clues or hints. Or link together events mentioned in passing in the novels. As I read more of the Reacher stories it will be interesting to find out how this one fits in with all the others. I wonder if we will encounter the brits again, or the older couple from the bar. Weather we do or not, it is an interesting little adventure to help you get your Reacher fix between novels.
Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More and reviews of other books by Lee Child.
In this story Jack Reacher is heading south the winter. Just before Christmas he arrives in a small town in Northern California. There is a freak snow storm. He arrives in a bard to find two pairs of patrons, and older couple, and two that look like police of special service branch. He soon finds out that the two are military police who have lost their primary protection. There is a credible threat against their asset. And they are stuck out on a limb.
Can Reacher help them?
Will Reacher help them?
Will the assassin win?
This is a fun little story. In my reading I have been jumping around the Reacher canon of work. I have come to realize that the short stories do not necessarily rely on past events, but sometimes can give clues or hints. Or link together events mentioned in passing in the novels. As I read more of the Reacher stories it will be interesting to find out how this one fits in with all the others. I wonder if we will encounter the brits again, or the older couple from the bar. Weather we do or not, it is an interesting little adventure to help you get your Reacher fix between novels.
Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More and reviews of other books by Lee Child.
October 8, 2019
I'm not sure I've ever given a book a 2 star rating before, and I adore Jack Reacher books. But come on...this is 26 pages long. It took about 15 minutes to read and the ending was rather abrupt.
Ehhh.
Don't base your opinion of Lee Child's writing on this. In general, I've found his books to be quite entertaining.
Ehhh.
Don't base your opinion of Lee Child's writing on this. In general, I've found his books to be quite entertaining.
January 17, 2021
I finished this short story in one sitting over a cup of coffee (pretty much required for any Reacher novel). I must say that although it works well as a short story, I found it wanting. There just isn’t much for Reacher to do and it comes over as a bit flat.
July 21, 2023
This one was tricky, just when you thought you knew what was going on there was a twist right at the end.
November 8, 2018
This was a very short story, that just happened to have Jack Reacher in it, although he contributed very little to the story. There is an interesting twist at the end, but overall it wasn’t very inspiring.
October 6, 2018
A commercial
This is really not a genuine Reacher short story, but rather a commercial for Child's next book . Very disappointing.
This is really not a genuine Reacher short story, but rather a commercial for Child's next book . Very disappointing.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 706 reviews