Jack Reacher is the iconic protagonist of Lee Child’s best-selling series. Jack is a former Major in the United States Military Police Office Corps, who becomes a drifter and travels the U.S. doing odd jobs. Besides the odd jobs, he also takes on dangerous situations, seeking justice wherever he goes. Reacher is unmatched due to his towering presence, keen intellect and combat skills. He also has 27 books 15 short stories and novellas under his belt, as well as two movies and a TV series (which is heading into its second season on Amazon Prime Video).
So, what a great time to take a look at all of the Jack Reacher books and put them in order. The chronological order will follow, but let’s start with publishing order first:
Jack Reacher Books in Publishing Order
Killing Floor (1997)
This is the debut book of Jack Reacher. Jack arrives in the small town of Margrave, Georgia, in search of the final resting place of a blues musician. But Jack’s peaceful trip is interrupted when he is arrested for murder. This novel was adapted into the first series of the Amazon Prime series in 2022 starring Alan Ritchson.
Die Trying (1998)
In Die Trying, an act of kindness towards a young woman in need named Holly Johnson takes a dangerous turn when they are both abducted.
Tripwire (1999)
Tripwire begins with Jack Reacher in Key West living a tranquil life while working as a pool digger and nightclub bouncer. However, his peaceful existence is shattered when a New York Investigator shows up to find him.
The Visitor/Running Blind (2000)
Another gripping entry from Lee Child into the Reacher series finds Jack caught in the middle of a chilling murder investigation. When two women are found dead in their homes, their bodies are found in baths filled with Army-issued camouflage paint. Recognizing the victims of former military personnel, Reacher finds himself a person of interest in the case.
Echo Burning (2001)
Echo Burning begins with Jack tracking through a small town in Texas after hitching a ride with a woman named Carmen. Carmen is a young woman who is in an abusive marriage and recruits Jack to help her out of her dangerous situation.
Without Fail (2002)
Without Fail follows Jack as he is approached by Secret Service Agent Mary Ellen Froelich, who has him for a unique favour – tell her various ways he would potentially assassinate the vice president – Jack agrees.
Persuader (2003)
In Persuader, Jack comes face-to-face with Francis Xavier Quinn, a man responsible for the death of two of his colleagues a decade ago. The downside is that Quinn was meant to be dead.
The Enemy (2004)
The Enemy begins on New Year’s Day at a motel where a two-star general is found dead under suspicious circumstances. Military police officer Jack Reacher is called in to handle the situation and contain any potential embarrassment for the US Army. This novel is considered the first chronologically.
One Shot (2005)
One shot takes place in a seemingly peaceful city where a series of five murders occur, all committed by a highly skilled sniper. When police swiftly apprehend James Barr as a suspect and gather overwhelming evidence, the case appears to be airtight. He asks for Reacher.
The Hard Way (2006)
Jack Reacher witnesses a suspicious exchange of $1 mil in The Hard Way. Soon he’s approached by the director of a private military company who hires him to rescue his wife and stepchild, who may have been kidnapped.
Bad Luck and Trouble (2007)
Bad Luck and Trouble makes use of Jack’s keen eye for math and unwavering dedication to his former team. When Reacher receives an anonymous deposit in his bank account, he knows it’s a signal only the eight members of his elite team would use.
Nothing To Lose (2008)
Jack is back to his travels again in Nothing to Lose. In this novel, he travels from the town of Nope, Colorado to the neighbouring town of Despair. When he is met with hostility from the locals it piques his curiosity, prompting him to investigate further.
Gone Tomorrow (2009)
In Gone Tomorrow, an encounter on a subway leaves Jack shaken up. While travelling on a late-night subway, Jack notices a woman behaving suspiciously. Believing she is up to no good, he approaches her only to have to take her own life in front of him. Shaken and puzzled by the experience, he questions his initial conclusions.
61 Hours (2010)
In 61 Hours, we find Jack in South Dakota caught in a snowstorm on a tourist bus that crashes. As the passengers struggle to survive, Jack finds himself in a race against time to solve a murder and protect a key witness.
Worth Dying For (2010)
Jack moves to Nebraska in Worth Dying For, arriving in a rural town late at night. There he witnesses a disturbing incident in the town’s motel bar. When Jack steps in the stop the situation, he finds himself becoming entangled in a web of intrigue.
The Affair (2011)
Chronologically the third novel in the series and taking place six months before Killing Floor, The Affair features Reacher, who is still in the army and is sent to a small town in Mississippi to investigate the murder of a soldier’s girlfriend.
A Wanted Man (2012)
In A Wanted Man, we find Jack Reacher hitchhiking to get to Virginia. He is picked up by two men and a woman. Little does Reacher know that he’s just found himself in a situation that is about to take a dangerous turn.
Never Go Back (2013)
A continuation of 61 hours, Never Go Back follows Reacher as he finally arrives at his destination in Virginia, the headquarters of his old unit. However, when he arrives he discovers that the Commanding Officer, Major Susan Turner, has been arrested and charged with serious crimes.
Personal (2014)
Personal follows Jack after he’s tasked with taking on a challenging assignment. After someone takes a long-distance shot at the French President, Reacher is called in to investigate and identify the perpetrator.
Make Me (2015)
Make Me finds Jack in the small town of Mother’s Rest, an agrarian community. There he is approached by Michelle Chang, a woman who seeks his assistance in locating her missing colleague.
Night School (2016)
The second novel chronologically, Night School, Jack is in the army in early 1996 when he is assigned to a top-secret multi-agency task force that sees him investigating Middle Eastern terrorists with neo-Nazi connections.
The Midnight Line (2017)
The Midnight Line follows on from Make Me and has Jack on a new mission, determined to restore a West Point graduation ring to its rightful owner.
Past Tense (2018)
Past Tense has Jack return to his father’s hometown in Laconia New Hampshire. As he explores the area, he becomes increasingly intrigued by his father’s past and begins to uncover some long-buried family secrets.
Blue Moon (2019)
Blue Moon finds Jack in the middle of a thrilling dangerous situation. As Reacher steps off a bus to see a potential victim being targeted by thugs.
The Sentinel (2020)
Hitching a ride takes Jack through a seemingly normal town called Pleasantville when he steps right in the middle of a kidnapping in progress.
Better Off Dead (2021)
In Better Off Dead, Jack is on his way to San Francisco when he finds himself teaming up with Michaela Fenton, who is trying to find her twin brother.
No Plan B (2022)
Jack is left reeling after he witnesses a woman thrown in front of a bus. While it’s ruled a suicide by the police, Jack knows what really happened – a man pushed her and stole her bag.
The Secret (2023)
The latest novel in the Jack Reacher series (with In Too Deep releasing in 2024), this one takes place in 1992 and follows a series of deaths of Scientists formerly employed by the government. Jack is assigned to the case.
There are also short stories and novellas that follow Jack during his various adventures. They aren’t full stories, but they give an interesting insight into Jack as a character and the world around him. There are 15 short stories and novellas that you can check out on Kindle. If you want to stick to main series and read them in Chronological order here they are:
Jack Reacher Books in Chronological Order
The Enemy (2004)
The Secret (2023)
Night School (2016)
The Affair (2011)
Killing Floor (1997)
Die Trying (1998)
Tripwire (1999)
The Visitor/Running Blind (2000)
Echo Burning (2001)
Without Fail (2002)
Persuader (2003)
One Shot (2005)
The Hard Way (2006)
Bad Luck and Trouble (2007)
Nothing To Lose (2008)
Gone Tomorrow (2009)
61 Hours (2010)
Worth Dying For (2010)
A Wanted Man (2012)
Never Go Back (2013)
Personal (2014)
Make Me (2015)
The Midnight Line (2017)
Past Tense (2018)
Blue Moon (2019)
The Sentinel (2020)
Better Off Dead (2021)
Plan B (2022)
There are also numerous short stories and collaborations Lee Child has done with other authors based around the character. It’s 27 years of Jack Reacher, so there is a lot of lore and story out there for the ex-military police officer. And with Season 2 of Jack Reacher coming to Amazon Prime Video, it looks like he’s not going to stop any time soon.
There you have it! All Jack Reacher books in publishing and chronological order. What’s your favorite Jack Reacher novel? Let us know in the comments below.