I’m on a suspense and thriller kick lately. It seems like I’ve read and reviewed so many suspense books in the last few months. They’re almost addictive in nature.
There’s a famous author by the name of Lee Child who writes some amazing suspense and thriller novels. He has a long-running series about a wondering man by the name of Jack Reacher. I was excited to be able to review his next installment. Here are my thoughts
Past Tense by Lee Child
Series: Jack Reacher (Book 23)
Publisher: Delacorte Press (November 5, 2018)
ISBN-13: 978-0399593512
ABOUT:
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.
Past Tense by Lee Child Review
I’ve heard of Lee Child over the years but scrolling through all of the books that he has written I’m embarrassed to say that I have not read any other story by him.
The good thing about that, however, is that I am now in a beautiful position to be able to read more and more of his fabulous offerings.
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!
Disclaimer: Chris has personally reviewed the product listed above. She has not received any monetary compensation for her review but did receive a free ebook so she could evaluate and use it for this post. Her thoughts & opinions in this review are unbiased & honest and your opinions may differ.
Hi! I’m Chris! Just a Midlife Wife sharing about life’s journey; screaming and kicking through it while supposedly aging gracefully…
Focusing on healthy living, low carb & keto, things I am loving right now, and life in general.
2 thoughts on “Past Tense by Lee Child: Review”
it is obvious that you are a newbie- nobody calls Reacher Jack!
HAHA! Well at least I was honest! LOL