Some Jack Reacher novels are etudes, building the Reacher character and his motivation while demonstrating the skillset that makes him unique.  Other Reacher books are concertos, starting with the singular hitchhiker and building a complex tale until the final movement won’t allow the reader to stop turning pages.  Past Tense is a ballet, akin to Ravel’s Bolero, weaving a tale of two paths that lead to a grand finale.  Like Bolero, the reader finds two distinct story lines as the book advances.  Bolero is characterized by a beautiful melody executed with brass and woodwinds and punctuated by a strong underlying percussive theme.  In Past Tense, the melody is the storyline of a young couple on a journey towards a brighter future.  Not surprisingly, the percussion is provided by Reacher, now on a meandering search to shed light on his family’s past.  Ravel keeps listeners on their toes with random staccatos and “accidental” notes.  Lee Childs follows suit with hints of foul play when the couple spends the night in a small remote hotel run by questionable owners.  Staccatos are often provided in the parallel Reacher storyline, usually delivered by his knuckles, and often around 3 in the morning.  As the story unravels, we learn more about Reacher’s family past as well as the deadly predicament the young couple suddenly finds themselves in.  Finally, the intensity of both storylines builds, as does each theme of Bolero, until everything crescendos into the merging paths of Reacher and the couple in a cat and mouse style finale.

My first Lee Child's, but certainly not my last. There were some parts that seemed to be repetitive or overly described but it was still an interesting plot.

From a long-time Lee Child fan, a groupie for Jack Reacher, an avid mystery/thriller reader. I was delighted to hear Lee Child speak to an audience of adoring fans in Omaha a few months ago. He gave insight into his writing process. Interestingly, he's a Brit, but his character is set in the US. He never served in the military, but his character is retired Army. I love a good Lee Child story, but this one drags along. Faithful fans will stick with it. I also noted a few Britishisms that are obvious in text but oddly not American  words (like Q-tips). A good US English editor should flag these and fix.

A terrific entry in the Reacher canon, this novel is well paced, with a disturbing and interesting set up. The story is satisfying and the bits of back history into Reacher are well balanced with extraordinarily good tension, most of which comes from the terrific sub characters of Patty and Shorty. We care in this book, and the whole novel is both familiar comfort food of Lee Child and really excellent work on its own!

Jack Reacher finds trouble looking for his past.  Lee Child blends an interesting endeavor that involves an innocent couple passing by with a tale of Reacher looking for past ties.

I found this book to be typical Jack Teacher.....a page turner. Interesting characters and story line. I read it in two days!

Past Tense was absolutely fantastic!   Everything you would expect from a Reacher novel and more.   Loved the split story lines and how they converged.

Nice to learn a bit more about Reachers past as well. 

Can not say enough about this book.  Buy it, read it.  You won’t be disappointed.  Trust me.

I've been a fan of Lee Child's Jack Reacher novels since the beginning, when Reacher was a fresh, intriguing character and the plotting had real drive. I'm afraid I must be a bit harsh, and I hope Mr. Child, whom I admire, and any fans who like this book will forgive me: Like a number of Lee Child's more recent books, "Past Tense" seems to me to be formulaic and flimsy—basically, stretches of little happening punctuated with action scenes in which Reacher beats up some bad guys. The plot line about his father had promise but was resolved off-handedly, and the central plot features, once again, small-town/rural yokels involved in yet another nefarious or perverse conspiracy. Without giving away spoilers, this storyline would've been more fun as a standalone book about two hapless characters in over their heads, without Reacher's involvement. I'm hoping that Child's next effort brings out the energy and originality of his better books.

Unique and inventive!! Great story! 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Being that I’m coming in fresh on a long running series, I had a little bit to learn about Jack Reacher. What I have gathered here is that he is one person you do not want on the wrong side of you.

With a history of military and military police, Jack finds himself in a predicament as he begins his journey from Maine to San Diego. I love his theoretical mind and how he’s able to think his way out of problems and issues. Almost like foreseeing the future.

I also love that he’s not a young kid trying to figure things out. He’s middle-aged and has a few miles behind him. A big guy; smart, yet soft spoken in many ways. A very likable guy.

This thriller starts off in an placid way. We get bits and pieces of multiple story lines stemming from the fact that Jack stumbled upon an area where he knew his family lived 75 years ago. But the research showed that to be untrue. His father and grandfather were not found in the census records.

That starts a journey that takes the story in multiple directions and intertwining throughout the other story lines throughout the book. With each page you turn, you can just feel notching up, the key up in the story; knowing that something is going to happen but not sure what.

In a few places I got a sense of what could be happening. And then in other areas I was confused. I had no idea what the author was thinking. Then a shocking revelation that brought the story to a new height.

I have to say I love the way this author writes his story. Short, concise sentences along with small sections within longer chapters make the story interesting and flow easily. You get the sense of urgency and trepidation; that heightened interest within the thrill of the story.

Past Tense is loaded with chills and thrills, action, twists, inventive plots, and a shocking revelation that might make you sick to your stomach. And it is so worth the read! I was captured with Child’s ability to write with huge impact and attention to minute detail.

While I was a virgin in the Lee Child collection of the Jack Reacher series, I can let you know right now this is not my last book by this author. Past Tense was everything I hoped for in a fabulous thriller and so much more! Looking forward to my Reacher series journey!

Every time I hear that a new Jack Reacher book is on the way, I can’t wait to read it! I have read every one and have to admit this one was a disappointment. I’m sure it’s difficult to continue figuring out new plots for Jack but this time, some of the story could have been condensed considerably - namely, Jack taking a side to trip to Laconia to dig into his family historywhere his Dad grew up. While that is happening, two characters named Shorty and Patty experience a breakdown with their car and end up at a very creepy motel that isn’t at all what it seems. As I read, I knew that, in some way, these two story lines would come together but it seemed to take such a long time. The chapters alternate back and forth from one storyline to the other and it felt so choppy at times. I certainly continued to the end because I had to find out the conclusion - after all, this IS Jack Reacher! I was glad to have the opportunity to read this book from Ravell through Netgalley.

This series has lasted this long for a reason--everything about this novel is solid and this is a great entry into Reacher's canon, supplying us with even more back ground of his family of origin and who he is.

Excellent book.  I liked the fact that the main characters didn't meet until later,  The bow hunters were a surprise and the others received their just rewards!

Jack Reacher is “a force to be reckoned with”.  He moves along at a steady pace until he doesn’t.  I have to admit this is my first Reacher novel, have seen the movies of course, but I enjoyed the read much more than the movies. He seems to have a bit of insight as to problems and trouble (hind brain), just shows up at the right time to handle said problem(s).  This was an interesting  read and at the beginning, I didn’t think I would enjoy this journey, but surprisingly, did. The path is a bit twisted, the outcome...well, let’s just say, “satisfying”.   Good read with a bite.

Jack Reacher is in Maine headed to California when he decides to visit his father’s birthplace, Laconia, New Hampshire.  After asking around and doing some research at the town hall, Reacher discovers the small village where his father lived is no longer inhabited and the neighbors are hostile.
Meanwhile, a Canadian couple check into a secluded motel nearby and find the motel owners lie to them, then delay their departure.  What devious plans do the owners have for the unsuspecting couple and how will Reacher come to the rescue?
This is the typical Jack Reacher novel: show up, find someone in need, kick some ass, charm the intelligent female, and move on.  It’s always a worthwhile adventure.
Thanks to NetGalley for the advance look.

Once again, Lee Child delivers an exciting yet steady Jack Reacher novel. Past Tense has Jack rather coincidentally heading toward the birthplace of his long-deceased father. Laconia, NH was never a lovely warm memory for Stan Reacher so he never returned after joining the Marines. Now, some 30 years after his death, Jack meanders into town more from curiosity than anything else. 

Of course, Jack manages to right the wrongs through his domineering presence. And, of course, his behavior pits his against an ugly set of locals who believe they are entitled to whatever they want. His care-for-the-underdog actions are aligned with mysterious events from his father's youth.

The characters most in need of Jack's assistance are a young Canadian couple who have traveled south without having a clear plan or really being prepared for a road trip. Their worn out, poorly maintained car soon strands them at a rural motel that has no other patrons. What ensues is a take on "The Most Dangerous Game." But, Lee Child takes a familiar scenario and ups the ante.

Even though Past Tense is the 23rd Reacher novel there is still much to be lerned about this gentle giant of a man.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley.

I have been a great fan of Lee Child's Jack Reacher books for years. Unfortunately, this does not compare well with the previous books in the series. While the reader is given interesting background information about Reacher, the story lacks action and direction.

The underlying current of menace was unrelenting. I devoured this book, grateful for the same level of intensity Lee Child delivered in his early books.

Having been a long-time Lee Child fan, I eagerly looked forward to reading Past Tense. It did not dissapoint. Although he does not seek it, Reacher is a magnet for trouble; it always manages to find him. In this latest book, trouble begins as Reacher decides to head from Maine to San Diego, with his first ride ending abruptly in New Hamshire.
Recalling some Reacher family history, he decides to look into the stories his father told of growing up in Laconia. What he discovers about the Reachers is surprising.
Meanwhile, a young couple heading from Canada to Florida experience car trouble and find the nearest motel hoping to seek assistance. The motel is not as it seems; as their story unfolds, the situation becomes more and more tense. The title, Past Tense, to me became, "I am beyond anxious for these people!" In true Lee Child fashion, one anticipates these two stories coming together, yet the question is how?
Child drives the story back and forth from Reacher's situation to the couple's situation masterfully. "Just one more chapter," leads to an obsession to find out why and what will happen next in this story. I blame Lee Child for my messy house. For the laundry piling up. For the dust accumulating on the tabletops. For the dishes in the sink.
Past Tense has been described as an electrifying and haunting thriller. I couldn't agree more.
​

Another Reacher story, another small town, more Reacher stumbling upon trouble and another enjoyable read by Lee Child. 

Past Tense is a little different from the other Reacher novels as it follows two different story lines. While on his way to San Diego, Reacher stops in the town his father was born in and he begins to search for answers about him. The second story line follows a couple who gets stranded at a motel. Their paths intersect which leads to a lot of action and excitement. 

I’ve always enjoyed the first person Reacher books and while this one is written in third person, Child still does a great job of getting the reader inside Reacher’s mind. 

Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for providing an ARC in return for an honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley, Random House and Lee child for the ARC of Past Tense in exchange for an honest review. 

It was getting colder in Maine.  Winter was coming, which meant Jack Reacher was leaving.  The plan was to cross the country from corner to corner, Maine to California, chasing the sun.  That was the plan at least, until the plan changed.  Just outside of New England, Reacher found himself on a detour to a small town named Laconia; the town where his father was born and raised. 

                From the other direction, a young couple are forced to make a detour of their own.  After their car breaks down, they happen upon a small empty motel, currently being remodeled.  The helpful desk clerk let them rent the newly redone room to use while they waited for the mechanic.  Unfortunately, the couple finds the staff to be a bit too helpful for their liking, and quickly realize it might be harder to leave than they originally thought.

                Child adds another enjoyable chapter to the Jack Reacher saga.  Past Tense breaks away from the Reacher formula by focusing on two stories in parallel, not just following along with Reacher.  The change is a welcome one, but misses the mark ever so slightly.  While I enjoyed both storylines, neither feel like a complete, finished thought.  Reacher’s investigation into his father’s history never seems to carry enough weight to warrant the attention.  Reacher seems more annoyed than curious half the time, even ignoring a few large coincidences without so much as batting an eye. 

                 The couple’s time in the motel is a newer take on an old story.  Child does his best to incorporate modern elements into his mousetrap, but there aren’t any surprises here.  Surprisingly, there’s not much suspense here either.  The couple don’t seem as overly concerned as they should, like they’ve read ahead and are simply resigned to playing along.  In the end, both stories collide with kiddie-bumper-car force, and fizzle out without much of a bang.    

                Past Tense suffers a tad because Child has some really stellar Reacher books, and it’s not fair to compare them apples to apples.  However, despite a few shortcomings, Past Tense is a fun and enjoyable read for new and old fans alike.  If you’ve never read a Jack Reacher book, this one will do just fine, and most likely leave you wanting to read more Jack Reacher.  It’s also more than capable of satiating Child’s biggest fans in between the home runs.