Past Tense Audiobook By Lee Child cover art

Past Tense

A Jack Reacher Novel

 Preview

Get 30 days of Standard free

Auto-renews at $8.99/mo after 30-day trial. Cancel anytime
Try for $0.00
More purchase options
Buy for $13.50

Buy for $13.50

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Don’t miss the hit streaming series Reacher! 

Family secrets come back to haunt Jack Reacher in this electrifying thriller from “a superb craftsman of suspense” (Entertainment Weekly).

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. Genre Fiction Military Mystery, Thriller & Suspense War & Military Action & Adventure Mystery Thriller & Suspense Exciting Suspense Fiction Scary

Critic reviews

“Child is one writer who should never be taken for granted.”—The New York Times Book Review

“[Lee Child] shows no signs of slowing down. . . . Reacher is a man for whom the phrase moral compass was invented: His code determines his direction. . . . You need Jack Reacher.”—The Atlantic

“Superb . . . Child neatly interweaves multiple narratives, ratchets up the suspense (the reveal of the motel plot is delicious), and delivers a powerful, satisfying denouement. Fans will enjoy learning more of this enduring character’s roots, and Child’s spare prose continues to set a very high bar.”—Publishers Weekly (boxed and starred review)

“Another first-class entry in a series that continues to set the gold standard for aspiring thriller authors.”—Booklist (starred review)

“With his usual flair for succinctness and eye for detail, Child creates another rollicking Reacher road trip that will please fans and newcomers alike.”—Library Journal (starred review)

“Cerebral . . . One doesn’t want Mr. Child’s storytelling to end. . . . Get your copy soon before Past Tense sells out. Then enjoy the ride.”—New York Journal of Books

“The way everything winds up for all the participants shows a satisfying generosity of storytelling spirit.”—Kirkus Reviews

Praise for the Jack Reacher series

“The truth about Reacher gets better and better. . . . This series [is] utterly addictive.”—Janet Maslin, The New York Times

“Jack Reacher is today’s James Bond, a thriller hero we can’t get enough of. I read every one as soon as it appears.”—Ken Follett

“Reacher is the stuff of myth. . . . One of this century’s most original, tantalizing pop-fiction heroes.”—The Washington Post

“I’m a fan.”—James Patterson

“The Reacher novels are easily the best thriller series going.”—NPR

“Reacher is a man for whom the phrase moral compass was invented: His code determines his direction. . . . You need Jack Reacher.”—The Atlantic

“I pick up Jack Reacher when I’m in the mood for someone big to solve my problems.”—Patricia Cornwell

“[A] feverishly thrilling series . . . You can always count on furious action.”—Miami Herald

Continue the series
Blue Moon Audiobook By Lee Child cover art
Blue Moon By: Lee Child
The Sentinel Audiobook By Lee Child, Andrew Child cover art
The Sentinel By: Lee Child, and others

People who viewed this also viewed...

Eleven Numbers Audiobook By Lee Child cover art
Eleven Numbers By: Lee Child
All stars
Most relevant
did not like the change to the new narrator didn't do voices very well in my opinion we

abridged?

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I really enjoyed the short story. Not the authors fault. I accidently downloaded the abridged version. I did enjoy the story although I got a little lost as to who was what. Between my intermittent listening to the abridged character development, I got confused at times as to who someone was and what connection they had to Reacher. Not until the very end did it all come together.

I Enjoyed It...Short As It Was

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Always bet on Reacher. I wish the woodland scenes were longer and more in-depth.

Short but fun

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Lee child is a wonderful author. outstanding performance and great plot. as with all Jack reacher series

outstanding book and performance. super interested

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
arguably the worst possible narrator possible to be jack reacher. almost makes the story unbearable. truly deserve my money back for listening to such a terrible narrator

horrendous professional narrator

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
See more reviews