Jack Reacher

Q: "What order should I read the Jack Reacher books?"

"We recommend reading Jack Reacher books in publication order, starting with Killing Floor (1997). While each book is largely standalone, publication order lets you experience Reacher's character development as Lee Child intended."

Q: "How many Jack Reacher books are there?"

"There are 30 Jack Reacher novels as of 2025. Lee Child wrote the first 24 solo, then co-authored with his brother Andrew Child starting with The Sentinel (2020). Andrew Child now writes the series."

Q: "Are Jack Reacher books standalone?"

"Yes, each Jack Reacher novel can be read as a standalone thriller. However, there are occasional references to past events and character development that rewards reading in order."

Q: "Who writes Jack Reacher books now?"

"Andrew Child (Lee Child's brother) now writes the Jack Reacher series. Lee Child co-authored from 2020-2023 before handing over completely to Andrew."

Jack Reacher is a former US Army Military Police major who now drifts across America, getting involved in situations that require his particular set of skills. Created by British author Lee Child, Reacher has become one of the most iconic thriller protagonists of the modern era. The character is known for his imposing 6'5" frame, his minimalist lifestyle (carrying no possessions), and his unwavering moral code.

The series began in 1997 with Killing Floor and has since grown to 30 novels, spawning two major films starring Tom Cruise and a successful Amazon Prime TV series with Alan Ritchson in the title role.

Publication order

#	Title	Year	Author	Kindle	Paperback	Audiobook
1	Killing Floor	1997	Lee Child	UK	US	US
2	Die Trying	1998	Lee Child	UK	US	US
3	Tripwire	1999	Lee Child	UK	US	US
4	Running Blind	2000	Lee Child	UK	US	US
5	Echo Burning	2001	Lee Child	UK	US	US
6	Without Fail	2002	Lee Child	UK	US	US
7	Persuader	2003	Lee Child	UK	US	US
8	The Enemy	2004	Lee Child	UK	US	US
9	One Shot	2005	Lee Child	UK	US	US
10	The Hard Way	2006	Lee Child	UK	US	US
11	Bad Luck and Trouble	2007	Lee Child	UK	US	US
12	Nothing to Lose	2008	Lee Child	UK	US	US
13	Gone Tomorrow	2009	Lee Child	UK	US	US
14	61 Hours	2010	Lee Child	UK	US	US
15	Worth Dying For	2010	Lee Child	UK	US	US
16	The Affair	2011	Lee Child	UK	US	US
17	A Wanted Man	2012	Lee Child	UK	US	US
18	Never Go Back	2013	Lee Child	UK	US	US
19	Personal	2014	Lee Child	UK	US	US
20	Make Me	2015	Lee Child	UK	US	US
21	Night School	2016	Lee Child	UK	US	US
22	The Midnight Line	2017	Lee Child	UK	US	US
23	Past Tense	2018	Lee Child	UK	US	US
24	Blue Moon	2019	Lee Child	UK	US	US
25	The Sentinel	2020	Lee Child & Andrew Child	UK	US	US
26	Better Off Dead	2021	Lee Child & Andrew Child	UK	US	US
27	No Plan B	2022	Lee Child & Andrew Child	UK	US	US
28	The Secret	2023	Lee Child & Andrew Child	UK	US	US
29	In Too Deep	2024	Lee Child & Andrew Child	UK	US	US
30	Exit Strategy	2025	Andrew Child	UK	US	US

Frequently Asked Questions

What order should I read the Jack Reacher books?

We recommend reading Jack Reacher books in publication order, starting with Killing Floor (1997). While each book is largely standalone, publication order lets you experience Reacher’s character development as Lee Child intended.

How many Jack Reacher books are there?

There are 30 Jack Reacher novels as of 2025. Lee Child wrote the first 24 solo, then co-authored with his brother Andrew Child starting with The Sentinel (2020). Andrew Child now writes the series.

Are Jack Reacher books standalone?

Yes, each Jack Reacher novel can be read as a standalone thriller. However, there are occasional references to past events and character development that rewards reading in order.

Who writes Jack Reacher books now?

Andrew Child (Lee Child’s brother) now writes the Jack Reacher series. Lee Child co-authored from 2020-2023 before handing over completely to Andrew.

Publication order#

Frequently Asked Questions

Publication order