It has to be difficult for a writer to pass the torch (and the character) to a different writer, even if it is to one's own progeny rather than killing the character off. Lee Child is passing Reacher, the beloved vigilante on to his son. Although the plot line is similar, it is clear that the writing is done by a different author. The book moves swiftly with the signature Reacher moves. It remains to the reader as to whether the son can successfully continue with this terrific series.

I enjoyed this book. I enjoyed the subterfuge with the scene at the beginning, even though we're far too deep into this series to believe it as the readers. The mystery of the town and the house are classic Reacher, and I also enjoyed the climax at the compound at the end. The other main protagonist going missing for half the book is also classic Reacher. I think many are falling into the trap of confirmation bias with their "oh so clever" takes that this book is "Better off Unread" or the series is "Better off Dead" now that the series is being handed off to Lee Child's younger brother Andrew. I have found both of the last two books to be enjoyable, and I wonder if most of the people who were unhappy expected a drop off in quality and then perceived it based on those expectations. Unfair, but not uncommon.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an e ARC of this book.
Typical Read her with ba plot that keeps one reading. It seems that each gets more interesting and imaginative. Lots of graphic violence that I could do without.

Wow!! I am a huge Reacher fan and this is everything I've come to love in the series! Action packed, gritty characters and sub plots that keep you guessing. And a big dose of our favorite inigmatic and alway complex anti-hero! You would think at 26 books in this world would stop being fresh and exciting. But I'm here to tell you it far exceeds expectations and goes to show why this series is so beloved and enduring.

You can never have too much Reacher and I look forward to more!!!

Better off Dead is my first 3 star Jack Reacher novel, I am sad to say. It was not as much of a page turner as the previous series. There was some suspense, the expected fights, a damsel in distress, and a weapon of mass destruction thrown in for good measure, but it did not mask the weak plot and poor character development. This is the 2nd book Child wrote with his brother, and, unfortunately, it just fell short for me.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House for the ARC.

I've always been a huge Jack Reacher fan from the beginning, having read (nearly) this entire series. But for the first time, I just didn’t click with Jack. He seemed different, not his usual self.🤷‍♀️

Upon closer inspection at the book credits proved indeed there was a reason for that. This latest work was a team effort with Lee’s brother Andrew co-writing. There’s a significantly different feel from all previous novels in the series. For some it may work, for me it just didn’t.😞

For example, one small but notable quirk missing with Jack 2.0 were his coffee binges. Barely a fleeting reference to his passion for coffee here, though. It just felt strange, as coffee appears to be his drug of choice!

Also, Jack typically has a brief but heartfelt fling before he does his "love ‘em and leave ‘em” shtick. Again…lacking.

I remain committed to these long-running series for the characters just as much as the storylines. So if my Jack has changed this much, well…I may need to kindly part ways and only visit on Amazon originals.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine.

I received this book from "Random House" and "NetGalley". I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

The start of the book had my attention, right away. As the 1st chapter started, Reacher is doing what he normally does, walking down a road hitchhiking. This time he notices a vehicle appearing to have hit a tree in an accident. When he got to the tree to check it out, he got into a situation that he had not expected. He began helping this person and it almost got him killed.

Fenton, the individual in the vehicle, was looking for her brother Michael, who had gotten involved with unsavory people. They set in place a plan to capture the person who headed the group. The plan appeared to work until Fenton stepped in and everything went wrong from there on. She wound up being captured rather than the leader. The rest of the story has Reacher doing all that he can to save Fenton as well as bring down the leader.

Read the book to discovery what the major task that the leader requested of Reacher and how Reacher made him pay. You won't be able to figure out what happens until the very end.

This book is definitely worth reading and reminds me of why I have read over 20 of the series earlier.

Lee Child, I’m sure, has gained many new fans as a result of the current Amazon series Reacher, but Better Off Dead was written for his loyal readers already familiar with this traveler. These fans don’t expect Reacher to leaven his comments with humor and prefer, instead, seeing how his mind analyzes the enemy’s tactics and responds with some very satisfying campaigns of his own.
As in most Reacher books there is a woman equal in courage, intelligence and skill to Reacher who often sets the plot in motion. This time it is an army veteran and former FBI agent trying to discover what happened to her brother. He has sent her a cryptic message and it is not clear if he is alive or dead, terrorist or victim. These are just the right conditions for Reacher as he finds himself tracking the mystery through a vicious band of thugs led by a man with a hidden past and a savage present. Child keeps the action moving and delivers another great story while his readers wait impatiently for Reacher to turn up in some new location.

The new Jack Reacher thriller finds him stumbling into another small town criminal conspiracy.. This Reacher installment is disappointing compared to prior Reachers - slower paced and tedious at times.

I've enjoyed every Reacher book thoroughly. The start to Better Off Dead literally threw me for a loop saying, "Reacher would never get himself into a scenario like that!" The beginning was a twist in writing style that you've never seen in a Reacher book... in essence putting a snapshot of the middle of the book at the beginning to, I guess, give the book more intrigue. But it turned me off. I put the book down thinking, "this isn't right" and didn't pick the book back up for a month.

Needless to say, once I picked it back up and got past the weird narrative in the beginning, I enjoyed the balance of the book as I have all the other Reachers. But boy, that beginning.

I love Jack Reacher! He is never quite believable how he continually beats all odds and can fight off all his foes all the time,, but that’s what makes his books fun. I’m a fan!

This one is a favorite, I love the way this guy just lives off the road. He is so cool and tough. Anyone who hasn't read Lee Child must be on the moon. As usual this one is just awesome like his other books! I hope you enjoy too.

Another Reacher success story! Reacher is and always will be #1 in my book! He's stubborn and relentless and he gets the job done! No job is too tough for him. He'd make the perfect bodyguard!

It took me awhile to finish reading because it was a bit complicated. I wouldn't give up on Reacher and I'm glad I didn't! Rock on, Reacher!

Thank you #NetGalley for A/C!

I loved Jack Reacher and could not wait to get the newest book every year. I would devour it in a day or two. I liked last year’s The Sentinel, even though there were a few subtle changes to Reacher (he became very chatty). Now we have Better Off Dead. I have had to force myself to finish it. It was just boring. I would set it down and not even think about it. This is no longer a must read series for me and that makes me sad. Oh well, I’ll go back and re-read all the previous books. Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

This was a relatively easy read, not too complicated with only a few main characters. It was neither amazing nor disappointing. The story follows a week or so in the life of Jack Reacher as he stumbles across a terrorist cell that he quickly infiltrates. And the rest is typical Reacher history.

Another great read about Jack Reacher. These books always have great characters and great story. And the pacing is great, as it is hard to put the books down, once you start. Can't wait for another. #BetterOffDead #NetGalley

Keeping the Jack Reacher story alive with new collaboration is working. The book has all the elements of a Jack Reacher --maybe a little more violence as I recall the old Jack tried to avoid killing. Pretty decent plot and a good old fashioned villain. Seemed to incorporate topical issues.

From New Mexico to Texas Jack Reacher leaves a trail of his usual kind—you know, be the hero even though you weren’t even planning to be! You won’t be disappointed—his cleverness will be deadly! Well, I can’t say more on that for fear of spoilers, but it is well worth the read and more than satisfies that Reacher craving!

The Jack Reacher series has long been on my TBR list, just never got to it. It didn't seem to matter that I read as a standalone, didn't feel lost, but was rather unimpressed.
Not really sure what category to put this story into, it was not thrilling, there was some mystery, suspense, an abundance of action, extreme detail of every scene, building and location, and minimal character development.
The villain was Waad Dendoncker, a sleazy terrorist type. He employs muscle to torture and/or dispose of those disloyal to the cause.
Reacher inserts himself into a situation which could have deadly consequences if Dendoncker's plot isn't thwarted.
One of the surprise twists revealed towards the end was easily guessed very early on for me. Those longtime readers of the series will probably appreciate the style and the characters more than I did.
Thanks so much to Netgalley, Lee Child and Andrew Child, and to Delacorte Press (Random House) for the advance digital copy of "Better Off Dead, Jack Reacher #26". These are my thoughts and opinions given voluntarily.

I've been reading the Reacher books for years, growing to love the character in the process. It was surprising to learn that Lee Child would be retiring and passing the torch to his brother, Andrew. Concerning for me as a reader because I'd read a few of Andrew's books, and though I enjoyed them, they didn't have that same "it" that the Reacher novels always have. All of that said, I enjoyed this entry but did find it lacking something. I can't put my finger on what that something is. Reacher is as smart and violent as ever, so check. The plot is involving and labyrinthine enough to keep the reader guessing, check. Some passages in the book bogged down, though, and perhaps that's what I found unsettling. Some readers have questioned the choice to reveal this story from Reacher's first-person POV, but maybe they forget our introduction to Reacher in KILLING FLOOR started with, "I was arrested in Eno's diner." A few other books in the series have been first-person POV as well. Overall, again, I enjoyed the novel but it is lacking that indescribable, undefinable quality that has made this series endure for so long. I won't be giving up on Reacher, but I worry that this new Reacher may eventually give up on me.