My mother-in-law NEVER buys new books, unless it's the latest Jack Reacher, and she won't part with the ones she has. I see lots of references to the books throughout mystery "conversations," so I'm curious. What is it about Jack Reacher? Debbie

I dunno. A lot of people like him, but I tried reading him and couldn't get through more than 50 pages of the first book.

Cheryl

Reacher is a 6'4 hunk of ex-military bad boy. Some of Lee's books are better then others. Some of the best of those books are Killing Floor, Trip Wire, One Shot, Persuader, The Enemy and Die Trying. Reacher is one you either love or hate. After he leaves the military, he drifts around the country with nothing but the clothes on his back and a toothbrush in his pocket, always managing to save the day for one reason or another. To know how he gets to this point, you would have to read KF. His books don't have to read in order, as the timeline is fluid. TE is only book, where Jack is still a MP in the Army, the rest are post military.

I like him because he is a good guy but he doesn't have to follow the law because he's not a cop. So when dealing with bad people he doesn't have to follow the rules.

I'm reading 61 Hours now. I went to BEA and got a signed copy. Lee Child is a nice guy, I just wish I had known that was his pen name.

I say that Keri got it just right in her description!  The earlier stuff is fantastic, I want him to give us our Jack Reacher back (dang it!)

To me he's that very masculine alpha male who could get away with almost anything, but chooses to do what's ultimately the right thing.  Smart, tough and unencumbered.   The ultimate lone wolf who never settles down, or has to settle at all.

I love him for the reasons Keri, Crystal and Sharon mentioned.