The Secret
by Lee Child, Andrew Child (Narrator)
DETAILS: Series: Jack Reacher, #28 Publisher: Delacorte Press Publication Date: October 24, 2023 Format: Hardcover Length: 292 pg. Read Date: December 2-4, 2023
What’s The Secret About?
It’s 1992 and Capt. Jack Reacher has been assigned to a task force organized by the Secretary of Defense. He’s the U.S. Army Representative, and there’s someone from the CIA, the FBI, and the Treasury Department. They’ve been brought together to investigate a series of possible murders of scientists from around the country—although there’s the possibility they’re freak accidents or suicides, too.
In the 60s these men were part of a secret project that was abandoned after an accident caused some civilian deaths. But now it appears that someone has found their names and is working their way down a list. Can Reacher and the task force find the killer in time? What’s the purpose of killing them now?
So, what did I think about The Secret?
If this were a thriller about any other character and had someone else’s name on the cover, I might have said it was enjoyable enough.
But it’s about Jack Reacher and Lee Child’s name is on the cover (even if it’s pretty well established that Andrew is doing most of the writing), so there are certain standards that have to be met. The Secret falls far short of them.
I could go on a prolonged screed listing my problems with the book—but I’m going to skip it. Those problems range from minor (there’s no way that a 1992 version—or a 2023 version—of Reacher is going to say “pearl clutching”) to major (there’s no reason for the big multiple attackers vs. Reacher fight in the middle other than it’s been a hundred pages since Reacher’s done anything violent, and that time was pretty quick and undramatic). I’d also say I was disappointed by the use of the rest of the task force, which was subpar at best, the big reveal at the end was lazy, and the concluding chapters were a letdown from the mediocre pages before it.
But for me, it boils down to this—that guy walking around in a uniform wasn’t Jack Reacher. He was a decent Generic Thriller hero who could possibly develop into a character worthy of a series. And that’s a fatal flaw.
The Secret wasn’t terrible, but it wasn’t good, either. Reacher deserves better from his creator—and from anyone hired to carry on the character, and he’s not getting it. I’ve tried (and some of my readers have told me I shouldn’t) to give this new arrangement time to develop into something worthwhile, but I think my experiment is over. I’m going to move on to other thriller series now—I may check in with what the Child brothers are doing in a couple of years, but if I’m going to keep a positive regard for Jack Reacher, I’m going to have to focus on my memories (and whatever Alan Ritchson is doing on the show).
This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, the opinions expressed are my own.
Allyson Johnson
Yes, I gave up on Jack after the first collaboration with LIttle Brother – just not the same moxie.
Charles F Sharp, MD, Major, US Army, Ret
Good observations, gentlemen, and I generally agree. Not the same old Reacher but still entertaining.
HCNewton
Some moments, yessir. I’m not sure there were enough of them to justify my continuing on, though. (at the same time, if this was any other character, I’d probably say it was good enough.)
Klier william
I agree wholeheartedly, since Andrew “joined the team” Reacher has not been the Reacher of old. Has Lee lost interest; can’t develop a proper Reacher story anymore; or just letting little brother share the pay check?
HCNewton
Well, he was close to killing Reacher off to retire. Am thinking he’s leaning more to the retirement side now.
Mike Williamsen
I can only repeat a comment posted on a previous Reacher book by the Child brothers – I can only hope that Reacher is dead by the end of the book.
I’ve read every Jack Reacher book written by Lee Child (without his brother) and thoroughly enjoyed all of them. The books where Child’s brother is involved are (in my opinion) unreadable.
The two movies and the Prime tv series are worth watching.
HCNewton
“I can only hope that Reacher is dead by the end of the book.”
I hate to say it, but…yeah, I know what you mean.
Tintami
This echoes my feelings. I bailed after the second collaboration book. I wish them the best of luck, but I’m done with the imitation Reacher.
HCNewton
Good time to bail…wish I’d been that clever.
Max Standafer
the thing that gets me is that these books continue to get smaller with less action! if they continue these books are going to be more like a novella and should come at a reduced price.
HCNewton
I have to admit, I might come back if they did that, just to see what it was like. But 1. I can’t imagine the publisher would go for that and 2. I’d likely end up regretting it.
Kevin
Couldn’t agree more! The last couple Reacher novels were downright boring! As much as I hated to do it, I’ve given up on the books. Fortunately, the Amazon Prime series is excellent!
HCNewton
Isn’t it?
Sam H
Just curious…
Have you read any of “The Hunt For Jack Reacher” series of books?
HCNewton
I have not. I thought the idea was great, but I never got around to them. Have you? Are they worth the time?
Sam H
I have read five or so and will likely read a few more. A couple were novellas. I am, mostly, an audiobook guy, so now that the weather is getting colder and less yard work to do it’ll be easier to find time.
I find them a fun variation on the normal Reacher books. So far there is a connection to a Reacher story that I have to dredge out of the memory banks and go on the idea that no one accept Reacher could have done the bad deed and be nearly impossible to trace. The two main characters have enough snarky banter to be enjoyable for me.
Sam
HCNewton
Sounds fun enough to try (and yeah, I figured I’d have to do the same kind of dredging once I started). Thanks for reminding me of the series, Sam!
Jewell
havent read the Secret, but if its like the other 2 books Andrew has collaborated on,he is turning Reacher into a whoosie!Have I lost the real Jack Reacher forever?
HCNewton
He’s still there for re-reads…
Rog
The last 3 books have steadily got worse. The last one was dreadful, no feeling of it being Reacher at all. Haven’t read The Secret and won’t be. I can’t believe Child’s needs the money, he must be as rich god, but the Cruise film abomination and the recent books make me wonder if the guy has any shame
HCNewton
I thought the previous one was just good enough to bring me back–that was a mistake. The downward trend continued.
I think I read somewhere that the money the publisher makes off of these books funds some books by lesser known authors. If that’s the case, I’m glad for it. But not so glad I’m going to contribute to it.
David Duryea
Glad to hear others feel the same. Since Reacher series became corroborative the character and the plots have been disappointing. The series has devolved to become flat commercial fluff with little thought and no imagination. The grittiness that made Jack such a great hero is gone. RIP Jack Reacher. Lee Child, shame on you!
HCNewton
Well put.
Albert Acosta
The Secret was hands down the worst of all the Jack Reacher novels, and I’ve read them all, even the short stories. I’m a HUGE FAN of the both the books and the TV show. The second season is streaming on Prime now. Even though it wasn’t up to the usual standard fans are accustomed to, It’ll take more than one subpar book to make me stop reading.
HCNewton
It took four subpar books in a row to get me to quit. But I’d never want to discourage anyone from keeping on with something they enjoy. If you remember, swing by next year and let me know if the 2024 collaboration is any better.
Donna Dennis
Agree 100%. I have read every book. Andrew Child has ruined the series.
HCNewton
Sadly, Andrew didn’t do it alone. He had an accomplice.
HCNewton
Hey, people who’ve commented above about Reacher–have you tried M.W. Craven’s Fearless? Any of Nick Petrie’s Peter Ash books? Any others I should give a shot?
Mark Arvedson
Check out the Orphan X series by Gregg Hurwitz
HCNewton
Read the first one twice…for the life of me, I can’t explain why I haven’t moved on.
Tom
I have said since the first Andrew Child collaboration that three things have gone awry: 1. Reacher turned into a Rock’em-Sock’em robot. No personality and no tension in the confrontations. 2. Horrible stilted dialogue that would never come out of anyone’s mouth, and shorter sentences with smaller simpler words, and 3. Inane and completely nonsensical plots.
Lee Child wrote years ago that his inspiration for this series was the 21-novel Series by John D MacDonald. Main character Travis McGee. Still a great series. Clever plots, GREAT characters, lots of action. A little dated—no cell phones as an example—but much as I liked original Reacher, these are better books. Still in print. Each title uses a different color. A Tan and Sandy Silence. Cinnamon Skin. The Green Ripper.
HCNewton
Rock’em-Sock’em robot. That might be the best encapsulation of the current incarnation of Reacher.
Tom
Try John D MacDonald’s Travis McGee series. Great series and Lee Child called this series the reason he was inspired to start the Reacher series.
Each title uses a color word: The Green Ripper, The Girl in the Plain Brown Wrapper, etc
Still in print, a little dated (no cell phones, for instance. But great characters, well-written dialogue, great plotting.
HCNewton
MacDonald is one of those that’s been on my “to read” list since the 80s. I really should get to it. Thanks, Tom!!
Jilly zber
I agree with you all. The teacher books since 61 Hours have got steadily worse and I have reached my limit. The collaboration does not work for these books, they lack sustainable characters and stories. Sorry Lee Childs, I’m out!
HCNewton
I’d have given Child a few more good ones after 61 Hours, but in retrospect, that might be the high point for the series. The collaborations are nowhere near there 🙂