Cover Image: No Plan B

No Plan B

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Member Reviews

Jack Reacher is one of my absolute favorite characters--I love his story lines, and this novel was no exception.

It was a vast improvement over the last novel--I was impressed that this book felt like classic Reacher again.

He continues his adventures in Colorado, where he witnesses what can only be described as murder. Reacher being Reacher, he doesn't accept the local police's conclusions and begins unraveling a wild web of deceit and treachery that takes him all the way to Mississippi. Several stories are interwoven that culminate in a final showdown.

I love the action, adventure, and complete improbability of the Reacher novels. I can't wait for the next one.

Thank you to the publisher and #NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

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Andrew adds a much needed focus to a series that often times lost its way during the journey. I love Reacher as a character and the books have been getting better and better as they've gone along. I have found Andrew's take on the series allows for faster reading with crisper writing and plotting but the same style and character. I don't know what they've done to make this happen but they succeeded.

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There is always a bigger picture with Jack Ryan, and what a ride you go on to find it in this one! So many villains—but I guess that is why I find myself cheering for Ryan again and again. But no matter how many times I pick up a new one to read, the surprise unraveling is always unique. Of course the threads get tangled, but that is why the suspense is fan- the- pages, hold your breath, what??? read that page again action! But reviews are so hard to write because you never want to spoil a Ryan Rave for anyone!

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No Plan B takes readers on yet another captivating journey alongside the enigmatic protagonist, Jack Reacher. Filled with the trademark thrills and relentless suspense that define the series, this book effortlessly engrosses readers from beginning to end.

From the very first page, Child's writing style hooks you, drawing you into Reacher's world of danger and intrigue. The author's impeccable attention to detail creates vivid settings and characters that come alive in your imagination. As always, Reacher's character is portrayed with the perfect blend of stoicism and resourcefulness that fans have come to love.

The plot of No Plan B unfolds at a breakneck pace, filled with unexpected twists and turns that keep you eagerly flipping the pages. Child's mastery lies in his ability to maintain suspense throughout, leaving readers on the edge of their seats, yearning to uncover the truth alongside Reacher.

The book is a testament to Child's talent for crafting intricate and elaborate mysteries. The clues are meticulously scattered throughout the narrative, challenging readers to play detective alongside Reacher. The author's ability to keep readers guessing until the final moments is commendable and adds to the overall enjoyment of the book.

However, it is worth noting that the ending of No Plan B wraps up rather quickly and may leave some readers wanting more. While the resolution is satisfying, it feels slightly rushed compared to the meticulous buildup that precedes it. It would have been rewarding to have a bit more time to savor the culmination of the story.

Despite this minor flaw, No Plan B is an enthralling addition to the Jack Reacher series. Lee Child's writing prowess shines through every page, delivering an adrenaline-pumping tale that will undoubtedly captivate fans and newcomers alike. If you're a fan of action-packed thrillers with compelling characters, No Plan B is a decent, quick read. Just be prepared for the swift conclusion that may leave you craving a bit more.

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This book started out a little rocky for me but ended with a bang. I was worried that the quality of writing would change with the co-authors but it’s still true to the original series. Love this series!

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★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.
I like reading Reacher novels as a diversion from real life. He's a good-hearted drifter. A helper to the helpless. A hero to those who need him. Even the destruction in his wake is for a good cause (usually).

This isn't the most gripping novel in the series but it's still a fun read. When your plans go awry, what's next. Find out in this page-turner.

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I hate to say this but since AC joined in on these I just don’t care for them. I don’t know if he’s the difference or the editing has changed but they’re just not the same. Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for this review copy

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Reacher is back with another good storyline. The book is fast paced. Jack is in Colorado where he witnesses a woman being thrown under a bus. In LA, a foster child has taken off for Mississippi. The two collide. I found this one a little difficult to read and to connect the two characters' plots. Not a lot of depth in character portrayal.

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This collaboration written by both Lee Child and Andrew Child are another in a series of Jack Reacher books. This one does not disappoint and has an interesting plot that keeps you turning the pages until the end. If you have read Jack Reacher novels before, this one is another in the series but with the character traits for Reacher being somewhat different that Lee Child’s past novels. If you have never read any of the series, you can still read this one as a stand alone. I would recommend the book and the authors.

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Another great book by Lee & Andrew Child. This book was very fast-paced, good action and investigative work. I liked the book's conclusion. I love reading Jack Reacher triumphing over the bad guys he meets along the way. I liked the adventure aspect as well. I would recommend this book to people who like mystery and action books. I really enjoyed the storyline and I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

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I'm a big fan of Jack Reacher, however not in this book. This time around Jack feels tired and worn down. Yes he is doing the right thing and helping others and fighting injustice even when he could easily walk away, and this is great, but it felt flat and done without any passion or interest. Or at least that is how his actions and words came across to me. Could this be because of the collaboration writing with Andrew Child?

It took a very long time for me to get into this book, whereas usually I'm hooked very early on. A good portion of this book is told from other characters and this didn't help me as my brain was working very hard trying to figure out why or how they could all be tied together. One of the things I love about Jack Reacher is the way his brain works to solve problems. With so many characters in play there just wasn't enough of Jack for me, and his problem solving skills felt very forced. By the end of the book when all the players are in the same location fighting the same fight that was when I found my interest in the book and I couldn't read fast enough because I just wanted to know how it ended. Which was abruptly and I was not a fan of this.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Delacorte Press for my digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinions. I do look forward to future reads with Jack Reacher!

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Jack Reacher appears almost super human in this 27th book in the series. After witnessing a murder that a lazy police Lieutenant writes off as a suicide, Reacher is on a new mission for justice. Child’s clever plotting had me clueless as to what the criminals were actually doing until well into the story. I received a digital advance copy of this novel through NetGalley in exchange for my Honest opinion of the book.

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If I thought the last Reacher book was dull, man did I underestimate how boring the character and world could be without Lee's touch on it (and while his name's on the cover, this feels nothing like any of his books).

Dull action, a running gag around concussing folks and leaving them in situations where they could die (not that Jack's ever been reluctant to kill, but if an enemy was incapacitated and not capable of following, he usually moved on, especially given the time constraints he usually has), a B-plot that both takes forever to connect with main story and does so in the least surprising or interesting way, and it just goes on and on. Glad I read it for free, but even then, was only worth my time as an indicator that the series is definitely not worth continuing with.

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Jack Reacher witnesses a crime, though the death of a woman is ruled a suicide. In true Reacher fashion, he brings it upon himself to track down those responsible.

I used to devour Jack Reacher books in one sitting, but the last few novels have been hard to finish. No Plan B is mainly lifeless and dull, too formulaic to be interesting. I have been a huge fan for many years, but if No Plan B is any indication of the trajectory of the series, I might put on the brakes.

Reacher has "Spidey" sense, seeing issues where no one else does. This usually leads the big man into trouble, though nothing he cannot handle. I have always found the Reacher novels like a comfortable pair of shoes, easy to slip into and take a walk around. Now, it seems like the shoes are wearing through and it is almost time to put them away for good. For these reasons, I would hesitate to recommend No Plan B to other readers.

Disclaimer: I was given an Advanced Reader's Copy by NetGalley and the publisher. The decision to read and review No Plan B was entirely my own.

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"No Plan B" by Lee Child and Andrew Child is a high-stakes thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. The story opens with a shocking murder in Gerrardsville, Colorado, and Jack Reacher is the only witness. He knows what really happened, and he won't rest until justice is served. As he delves deeper into the case, he realizes that the crimes are part of a larger, more sinister plot, involving an arsonist seeking revenge, a foster kid on the run, and a group of powerful people involved in a secret conspiracy.

With his signature style and unyielding determination, Jack Reacher is the perfect protagonist for this pulse-pounding adventure. He's smart, he's tough, and he's got a no-nonsense approach to justice. As he gets closer to the truth, the stakes get higher, and the tension builds to a fever pitch. Whether you're a long-time fan of the Jack Reacher series or a newcomer to the world of this iconic hero, you won't be able to put down this page-turner.

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In No Plan B, Jack Reacher arrived in small town Colorado for a museum exhibition. The next morning, Reacher witnessed Angela St. Vrain pushed into the street toward oncoming traffic. She did not survive.

"Reacher was wired to move toward danger. To confront it. To defeat it, or die trying. It was baked into his DNA."

Reacher knew what he saw. So he quite naturally chased the person who had pushed Angela and who had also stolen her purse. And then the local police disregarded Reacher's witness statement in favor of another "highly respected" person who saw Angela's "suicide." As Reacher followed the clues, he became enmeshed in something much more complex than a single murder.

"The tragic tale of a wrongly convicted man. He wondered what it had to do with Angela. Which made him think of another tragic tale. One that was just beginning. For the little girl in the wallet photo. Angela's daughter. Who would now have to grow up without a mother."

While No Plan B is number 27 in the Reacher series, it's the third novel written by Andrew "Child" instead of Lee Child. I had two major criticisms with this installment. First, this felt like a body-snatch story. While the main character was named Jack Reacher, it didn't feel like the Reacher created by Lee Child. There was no display of the wit that used to make me chuckle in the earlier stories. And while Andrew Child went out of his way to repeat all of the Reacher-isms in his debut outing -- The Sentinel #25, I was hard pressed to believe that this was a Jack Reacher story. The only Reacher-like aspect apparent in book #27 was that he played the hero who swooped into town and who then quickly disappeared after he performed his heroics.

The second major fault I found with No Plan B was its storytelling style. I was bored with the first half of the book; that's about 175 pages. There was insufficient suspense to hold my attention. And yes, I expect suspense or enough action in a novel which is aimed at thriller fans. The writing also annoyed me because the author used periods to punctuate every thought -- for example
"Plus he had a wife at home. And a son. The kid was in his twenties now but he was still a liability. Financially speaking. [He] had all kinds of expenses to take care of. Cars. Food. Clothes. Medical bills."
Since there wasn't enough intrigue to pull me into the plot, I had plenty of time to be irked by the writing style.

If No Plan B had been written by a new-to-me author and with a protagonist not named Reacher, I would still have rated this 2.5 stars. To me, that's average or middling, but I would have rounded up to 3 stars. But since this is billed as a Jack Reacher story, I'm going to round down. The protagonist is an automaton wearing a Reacher disguise but Reacher's heart and soul are gone.

Thank you to the authors, Random House Publishing Group, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Quotations were from the published edition. This had been published on October 25, 2022.

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No plan b is an excellent addition to the Reacher series! I am an avid fan and have read most of the books and I can honestly say they don’t disappoint. I find it amazing to see Reacher just walk into any random town in the US and somehow witness or run across a larger far reaching plot that involves corruption on some of the highest levels. And in grand Reacher style he relentlessly finds answers, takes names n rights the proverbial ship. I can’t get enough so well done and intriguing! I highly recommend the series.

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As a long-time Jack Reacher fan, I wanted to like this book. Unfortunately, NO PLAN B (written primarily, I believe, by Andrew Child, as Lee Child has wanted to turn over the series to his brother) is just plain bad. It's full of cliched villains, superhero-style exploits, and rambling detours--and not in the usual, fun Lee Child way. I think I may have reached the end of my time with Jack.

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This writing duo doesn’t miss a beat. Jack reacher will forever be my OG boyfriend and love this series. Keep writing and we will keep reading

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Lee Child did it again! Another fascinating Jack Reacher storyline. This book was a great thriller that held my attention to the very last page. This book starts with a woman who was killed and it is labeled a accident but low and behold Reacher observed the death and noticed there was more to the story. We follow along as Reacher helps uncover who murdered this woman. Also, I like how Child's does not add all these unwanted characters to his stories and only includes a small cast.

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