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  • Past Tense

  • Jack Reacher, Book 23
  • Written by: Lee Child
  • Narrated by: Scott Brick
  • Length: 12 hrs and 51 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (296 ratings)

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Past Tense cover art

Past Tense

Written by: Lee Child
Narrated by: Scott Brick
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Publisher's Summary

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • THE BLOCKBUSTER JACK REACHER SERIES THAT INSPIRED TWO MAJOR MOTION PICTURES AND THE STREAMING SERIES REACHER

Family secrets come back to haunt Jack Reacher in this electrifying thriller from “a superb craftsman of suspense” (Entertainment Weekly).

Jack Reacher hits the pavement and sticks out his thumb. He plans to follow the sun on an epic trip across America, from Maine to California. He doesn’t get far. On a country road deep in the New England woods, he sees a sign to a place he has never been: the town where his father was born. He thinks, What’s one extra day? He takes the detour.

At the same moment, in the same isolated area, a car breaks down. Two young Canadians had been on their way to New York City to sell a treasure. Now they’re stranded at a lonely motel in the middle of nowhere. The owners seem almost too friendly. It’s a strange place, but it’s all there is.

The next morning, in the city clerk’s office, Reacher asks about the old family home. He’s told no one named Reacher ever lived in town. He’s always known his father left and never returned, but now Reacher wonders, Was he ever there in the first place?

As Reacher explores his father’s life, and as the Canadians face lethal dangers, strands of different stories begin to merge. Then Reacher makes a shocking discovery: The present can be tough, but the past can be tense . . . and deadly.

©2018 Lee Child (P)2018 Random House Audio

What the critics say

“Cerebral.... One doesn’t want Mr. Child’s storytelling to end.... Get your copy soon before Past Tense sells out. Then enjoy the ride.” (New York Journal of Books)

“The way everything winds up for all the participants shows a satisfying generosity of storytelling spirit.” (Kirkus Reviews)

What listeners say about Past Tense

Average Customer Ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

very exciting finish. a bit different style

very exciting finish. a bit different style than his usual books. slower start than usual but powerful ending. hang in there

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Best so far

I’ve read or listened to 15 or 16 of the Jack reacher books and this one was by far the best. More personal in the reacher character and less predictable than the others. I enjoyed the change in narrator from Dick Hill as well - A younger voice more fitting the main character.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Another great Lee Child Book

A bit slow to start, but it quickly became interesting and then, as is usual, a two hour rush to the end.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Plot great, Brick just ok

I think Scott Brick did an alright job, plus star because he had huge dick hill shoes to fill.

I loved this book, I found Reachers tie in to the evil plot well constructed and entertaining compared to previous titles.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Just ok, not my favourite

it had an interesting story, but fought to keep my attention. Jack Reacher has become almost verbose, and a lot of time was spent on an almost unrelated bunch of characters, though they did meet up in the end. Problem is there have been so many great ones....this was just..... interesting.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

New Narrator- Same Reacher

I love Scott Brick. Truly. Could listen to him read the phone book. Was a little unnerving to hear him read Reacher, but as usual he doesn’t disappoint. This is a great story, well worth a listen and really stands alone from the rest of the series as it doesn’t get involved with other characters in Reacher’s world. I enjoyed hearing some of his origin story and can hardly wait for his next adventure.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

My thinking on this book

All together I had to keep listening curiosities got the cat but l felt very confused about what was really going on. I am glad it is finished cannot recommend it. I normally love Le Child books

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Classic Reacher with a Twist

I found this to be one of the more intense Reacher stories and enjoyed the convergence of two storylines eventually coming together.

Narrated well and easy to listen to.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Lee Child Never Disappoints

Geat story! Kept me engaged right until the end. I hope the author gives us more details about Jack Reacher's family ties.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Cool Past

As always thought provoking and unusual. Very good and looking forward to more as usual.

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