Looking for Lee Child’s Jack Reacher books in order? We’ve prepared the entire post about the series just for you! So, jump in to know more about Jack Reacher, who has captured the hearts of readers worldwide due to his strong sense of justice and a knack for solving mysteries!  

Who Is Jack Reacher?

If you’ve read any of the Jack Reacher books, you don’t need an introduction. Those who are new to the game should know this: Jack Reacher is a fictional character in a series of thriller novels that are marked as “A Jack Reacher Novel” on the cover. He is a former military police officer who travels across the US, getting involved in various adventures and solving mysteries along the way.

Who Wrote the Jack Reacher Books?

The Jack Reacher series is written by British author and former television director Lee Child. The real name of the author of Jack Reacher is Jim Grant, and Lee Child is his pen name. He started writing novels after losing his job because of corporate restructuring. This is how Jack Reacher was born. Child’s first novel, Killing Floor, was published in 1997 and it was an immediate success. He has created more than 20 novels and several short stories about the former American military policeman who rights all sorts of wrongs.

In January 2020, Lee Child announced that he would be retiring from writing the Jack Reacher series and handing it to his brother Andrew Grant (Andrew Child). The most recent books in the Jack Reacher series have been written by them together.

How Many Jack Reacher Books Are There?

As of the latest count, there are over 28 books in the Jack Reacher book list, with each novel offering a new and exciting adventure alongside the enigmatic Jack, a former military policeman and a lone ranger. He’s a drifter who travels across the US, encountering mysteries and challenges. Each book showcases Reacher’s unique blend of military training, investigative skills, and sense of justice as he tackles complex cases and confronts dangerous opponents. Readers love Reacher for his sharp intellect and determination to seek the truth and deliver justice. We are sure you won’t find the list of Jack Reacher books too long once you start the Killing Floor. There’s something in these books; after all, why else they have collectively sold more than 100 million copies?

How to Read the Jack Reacher Books in Order of Release?

Here are the Jack Reacher books in order. You can either go from first to last or just pick them at random. We do recommend, however, starting with the very first one, Killing Floor, and going all the way to other Jack Reacher novels in order of release.

1. Killing Floor (1997)
2. Die Trying (1998)
3. Tripwire (1999)
4. Running Blind (2000)
5. Echo Burning (2001)
6. Without Fail (2002)
7. Persuader (2003)
8. The Enemy (2004)
9. One Shot (2005)
10. The Hard Way (2006)
11. Bad Luck and Trouble (2007)
12. Nothing To Lose (2008)
13. Gone Tomorrow (2009)
14. 61 Hours (2010)
15. Worth Dying For (2010)
16. Second Son (short story) (2011)
17. The Affair (2011)
18. Deep Down (short story) (2012)
19. A Wanted Man (2012)
20. High Heat (novella) (2013)
21. Never Go Back (2013)
22. Not a Drill (short story) (2014)
23. Personal (2014)
24. Good and Valuable Consideration (2014) (with Joseph Finder)
25. Small Wars (short story) (2015)
26. Make Me (2015)
27. Night School (2014)
28. Too Much Time (short story) (2018)
29. The Midnight Line (2017)
30. The Christmas Scorpion (novella) (2018)
31. Past Tense (2018)
32. The Fourth Man (short story) (2019)
33. Cleaning the Gold (2019) (with Karin Slaughter)
34. Blue Moon (2019)
35. The Sentinel (2020) (with Andrew Child)
36. Better Off Dead (2021) (with Andrew Child)
37. No Plan B (2022) (with Andrew Child)
38. No Middle Name (collection of stories)
39. The Secret (2023) (with Andrew Child)
40. In Too Deep (2024) (with Andrew Child)

What’s the First Jack Reacher Book About?

Killing Floor sets the stage for the adventures and character of Jack Reacher. A former military policeman, he travels around a lot, alone. When he comes to Margrave, Georgia, he’s arrested by the local police for a murder he didn’t commit. Obviously, he wants to clear his name and find out what really happened. So, he sets out on a dangerous journey, which is bound to reveal many secrets and lies. The book was an immediate success when it was first released in 1997, and we are sure you’ll like it, too.

What’s the Latest Jack Reacher Book?

The latest book in the Jack Reacher series, In Too Deep, was released in 2024. Written by Lee Child and his brother, Andrew Child, it’s the 29th story on the list. The novel begins with Jack Reacher waking up alone and handcuffed to a bed in a makeshift hospital room. It appears he was kidnapped by the same people who attacked the car he was traveling in. However, his kidnappers do not seem to realize who they have captured. As with previous Jack Reacher stories, In Too Deep features the protagonist’s unique blend of intelligence, physical abilities, and strong moral principles. So, in the newest Jack Reacher book, you can expect a suspenseful plot and well-researched details that are typical of the series.

Why Jack Reacher Books Are So Popular?

The Jack Reacher book series has gained immense popularity due to Jack Reacher’s character in the first place, his impressive figure and skill set, and his complex, nuanced character. The next important thing is how well Lee Child manages to depict the places Reacher travels through. Each book is set in a specific location, which is not a mere setting. He is also known for his ability to create captivating stories. Many readers love his books for their well-crafted plots, suspenseful action, and intricate mysteries. Although there are 29 books in the series, each novel can be enjoyed as a standalone adventure, making it easy for new readers to easily join the journey. This is one of the reasons why the Jack Reacher series is popular among thriller and mystery enthusiasts.

Are There a New Jack Reacher Series?

The Jack Reacher TV show Season 1 was based on Lee Child’s debut novel Killing Floor and premiered on February 4, 2022. Season 2, based on the book Bad Luck and Trouble, began on December 15, 2023, and ended on January 19, 2024. In this season, Reacher investigates the murders of his former military police squad members with the help of his old team. Additionally, a third season has been confirmed to be in production based on the novel Persuader.