Past Tense

By: Lee Child

Narrated by: Jeff Harding

Brought to you by Penguin.

Read by award-winning narrator Jeff Harding.

**NOW A MAJOR PRIME TV SERIES STARRING ALAN RITCHSON**

JACK REACHER NEVER LOOKS BACK . . . UNTIL NOW.

The present can be tense . . .

A young couple trying to get to New York City are stranded at a lonely motel in the middle of nowhere. Before long they're trapped in an ominous game of life and death.

But the past can be worse . . .

Meanwhile, Jack Reacher sets out on an epic road trip across America. He doesn't get far. Deep in the New England woods, he sees a sign to a place he has never been - the town where his father was born. But when he arrives he is told no one named Reacher ever lived there. Now he wonders: who's lying?

As the tension ratchets up and these two stories begin to entwine, the stakes have never been higher for Reacher.

That's for damn sure.

Although the Jack Reacher novels can be listened to in any order, Past Tense is the 23rd in the series.


'There's only one Jack Reacher. Accept no substitutes.' - Mick Herron.

‘Jeff Harding’s [...] narration captures Reacher’s character perfectly [...] you have to savour every minute.’ The Sunday Times

©2018 Lee Child (P)2018 Random House Audiobooks

Critic reviews

Absolutely loved Past Tense – Lee Child just gets better and better, which is a very rare quality in a writer of a long-run series. Whip smart, always compelling, always fun, he is dangerously addictive. (Peter James)

Jack Reacher is today's James Bond, a thriller hero we can't get enough of (Ken Follett)

I loved it. One of the best. (Jonathan Ross)

one of the better Reacher books in a long time

Jeff Harding have the perfect voice for this book I feel like I would recommend him every day

Child not at his best...

Lee Child writes in essentially one way: exploiting his creation Jack Reacher to the fullest degree by crafting interesting stories and adding a couple of supporting characters. Alas, the story here is rather laboured and the supporters are a bit underdone. Even Jeff Harding, my equal favourite reader, seems to be having a hard time. A disappointment, unfortunately.

Worst Reacher book to date

I have read all of the Jack Reacher books and so far, no complaints. However, this one was slow and boring with no real direction. I feel like Lee Childs has run out of ideas for the Reacher character. I was glad when this read came to an end. It's a shame, i have been a huge fan of Lee Childs. Hopefully the next Reacher book is not as disappointing as this one was.

very good

from the start it was difficult to let go. finished it in 2 days. Great

Great listen

Very enjoyable listen. Captivating and we'll read by Jeff Harding. looking forward to more books by Lee Child

brilliantly crafted .

worth waiting for. Reacher never disappoints even as he is aging, he just uses his accumulated knowledge a lot more effectively

Superb Narrative

My first Jack Reacher Novel. A decent story. but gets too much detailed sometimes. amazing narrative.

Finally a new and great Jack Reacher book

This story begins with a incredible stupid or gullible Canadian couple who gets tricked into being prisoners at a hotel in the woods. The story unwind and it gets more and more intriguing by the pages. I think this is a great Jack Reacher story, among the top 10 in my opinion. The story wound me up in a great way. Jack Reacher is as always good, smart and predictable but in a good way. The narrator is fantastic (good to get rid of D..ddd..dick Hill). Thank you Lee Child!

Vintage Jack Goes Way Way Back.

Good yarn to listen to over a coffee and stack of pancakes while waiting for your next move. Same deal as usual, just another set of unpredictable roads.

Always good

Lee Child keeps Jack Reacher true to its origins, yet developing. A splendid and intriguing storyline with interesting supporting characters.