Should You Read The 17 Lee Child Books In Order Of Publication?

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Who Is Lee Child?

Lee Child is the author of the "Jack Reacher" series of thrillers. To date there are 17 books in this series, and each one of them has been a smash hit around the world. The UK and the US market are probably the biggest buyers of Lee Child's books, which have sold in the multi-millions over the last decade (making Mr. Child a very rich author indeed).

How Popular Are The "Jack Reacher" Books?

Men and women of all ages are now reading this exciting thriller series, which have sold over 10 million copies, and have been published in over 30 countries around the world. The number of books sold has increased considerably each year over the past 10 years.

The popularity of the main character, "Jack Reacher", has grown to the extent that a major Hollywood movie based on the book "One Shot" is in the pipeline for 2013. Acting superstar Tom Cruise has bought the rights to the movie, and will be playing the lead character (despite being a full 10 inches shorter in height than the written description of "Jack Reacher"!).

Do You Need To Read The Lee Child Books In Order Of Publication?

Although this series of books have been around for over a decade now, people often ask do you need to read all of the Lee Child books in the order they were published. Although it can occasionally be helpful to read the book series in the order they were released, it is not actually necessary. Each individual book is carefully plotted so that a new reader can enjoy it without reference to any of the other books in the series. Therefore it is possible to start with book 17 ("The Affair") and then book 1 ("Killing Floor") if you so choose!

Of course there are similar themes and characters throughout the series, but each book has its own individual story, its own unique plot twists, and a conclusion that makes sense. Lee Child has been very clever in pitching a character that appeals to both men and women, is tough yet occasionally vulnerable, and is a man to be relied upon in a crisis.

Although these books are enormously popular, they will never be considered at the same standard as Oscar Wilde or Charles Dickens! However, for excellent holiday reading then you will find any novel in this series of books a very entertaining resource.

Lee Marks is from York, England, and is currently reading all 17 of the Lee Child books in order If you would like to enjoy a fantastic thriller series, then remember you don't have to read the Lee Child books in order of published date in order to enjoy them!

The Returned Written By Dr Laurence B. Brown

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When I started this book I was not sure if I would like it but on I continued and got into one of the most fascinating books I have read. To be in the Amazon area of South America on an expedition with nothing but jungle, heat, insects, animals, possibly cannibals, natives of unknown friendliness, and really not much positive in the area at all but danger lurking in every step. I think you can see why my mind changed quite fast when I really got into this expedition. The first expedition occurred when Nathan and Mark, both African Americans, were young and went on an expedition with a few college friends and professors all of whom were white or of mixed race. At first the brothers were outcasts because of their color but to most on the expedition, they proved themselves and mostly fit in and were a great help on the trek through such a dangerous area. The story started current day with Nathan telling his family about his adventurous trip in the Amazon so many years ago. The family was all ears and loaded with questions.

The two brothers themselves had their differences, Nathan being a leader and not afraid to express his thoughts and opinions with Mark the opposite. They got into their own battles. I think Tonto, the name Nathan gave to one of their guides, was my favorite character in the bunch. He was faithful and always there for them when needed to try to interpret the many languages they would run across as they met many tribes. Their original party was a mixed bag of various origins with varied thoughts and ideas of life and now, the jungle. The group lost some members through battles and some from illness. There are no doctors in a huge jungle. They did eventually meet a tribe that cautiously let them stay with them but neither trusted the other. Before they had left, Nathan was tricked into being their shaman when their current shaman, the tribes' spiritual leader and also one of the main advisors, was killed. The thing that Nathan didn't understand was that the shaman had to marry the chieftains' favorite daughter. How to get out of this mess? Through much planning and good fortune, what was left for the expedition arranged secretly to get away without being noticed. They still had a huge trek to get clear of the area. Eventually they tricked their way out of the area and made it back home.

Forty-years later Nathan wanted to return to see if any of his family was alive. The group was much older now and a lot less spry. Much had occurred during this second trip, some good, and some bad. The tribe had diminished in numbers and very few lived long enough to have survived the time when the expedition had previously been there. Now after a strange second trip, they had to plan their getaway once again. Eventually their plans were set. In a huge area such as the Amazon, nothing goes as planned and this case was no exception. Join the group as they continue their attempts to get home. A very good book.

Reader review by Cy Hilterman of a book supplied by the author

Harbor Nocturne Written By Joseph Wambaugh

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Wambaugh's readers know of the quality writings he puts out for all of us to enjoy. Harbor Nocturne is no exception. He basically takes you into a big city police force and before you know it, you are there in the briefing room, on a beat, in a squad car, chasing someone down a street, raiding a building, being a part of an undercover operation, or any one of many police actions. You find yourself using some of the language, not always decent, that they use or hear at their many locations of work. You will visit with them at their favorite pastime locations and watch them drink too much and usually say too much.

One of the cops worked on the force with a prosthetic foot that he received when in a work-related accident some years ago and he was still very proficient at police work so he was allowed to continue on the job. A prostitution ring had a customer that wanted to be with someone with prosthetic equipment such as this cop had. This same ring also had a lot of involvement from a very bad foreign element with illegal girls that were tightly controlled by the leaders of this ring. The police figured this "prosthetic fetish" would be a great way to get into the gang and eventually bust them. They would murder you faster than you could do them a favor, especially if they suspected you were either trying to cheat them or double-cross them. Not the kind you would take home to mother. But, believe it or not, one of the lower men with a slight connection to the ring actually made a good friend of one of the gorgeous girls and did take her home to mother, being very much in love with her. What a circle of events this created in the mob, the police force, and out in the streets.

The story had many connections with dockworkers. Dinko Babich was a young longshoreman who was on suspension from one infraction or another, whichever the union decided. It was Dinko that met the beautiful prostitute through some of his dealings with the lower positioned ringleaders and he persuaded Lita to come and stay with himself and his family. This is only one small part of the book. The actions and reactions of the mob, the police, the dockworkers, both business and personal connections keep the reader going and, in my case, made me shake my head wondering how people can live like this. It is non-stop action that you will enjoy. The small bits I have described are far exceeded by many more similar and possibly stranger in character.

Reader review by Cy Hilterman of a book supplied by The Amazon Vine Program