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Orphan X – Books like Jack Reacher

I happened to chance upon buying this first Gregg Hurwitz book titled “Orphan X” in my local book store.  Lee Child, the author of the famous Jack Reacher books had left a review on the back page saying the book is outstanding in every way.

If you would like a recap on my initial reviews have a look here ORPHAN X review.

The new Orphan X is available to buy today, see below for other books in the series.  There are now lots of books like Jack Reacher and Lee Child novels.  More and more characters are entering the crime thriller genre with a one man hero, I’ve read a lot of them, some I must admit haven’t made it to my website as I only review good books.  The best characters like Jack Reacher can be found here, it just saves you the hassle of buying a poorly written crime thriller book that is supposed to be like Jack Reacher!

The new Gregg Hurwitz book

The lastest installment in the Orphan X series is titled “Out of the Dark”.  Now judging by my latest reviews, you know I’m a fan of this main character.  Evan Smoak, a hero who seems like the average guy but underneath the average veneer is a killer trained for action.  Evan is a bit like the old Equalizer figure Edward Woodward (remember that tv series) You can buy it here 

After Evan saves someone, he tells that person to give his phone number to another one who needs his special services. He’s a ghost, with justice always on his mind.  If you like Jack Reacher you will love the writing style of Gregg Hurwitz.  A bit like Lee Child in the way that he adds more and more to the main character, explaining why they think the way they do, some slight defects in their character that makes them the way they are.

Is the book any good?

The plot for the latest book goes for the jugular, the President of the United States .  The President has a secret to hide and Orphan X is linked to that secret.  All the Orphans in the Orphan X programme are being wiped out and now Evan decides its time to sort out the leader of this programme once and for all.

What is exciting about this book is the way that this is possibly the hardest task Evan has had to face.  How do you eliminate the most defended person in the planet who has the most power in the world.  Evan also has the small matter of the “Nowhere Man” phone which has someone ready to call when they need help.

I love the way we have our hero also trying to keep and portray a normal life outside of this mission.  Trying to keep in contact with friends in his apartment block and a romance with a neighbour from previous books.  This is where it get slightly different to the Jack Reacher books as Jack never really has much interaction with the same people, he is more of a drifter through society whereas Evan is in a fixed location, in a fortified apartment room with his own intelligence office.

What is good about this book?

Lee Child and Gregg Hurwitz are both great authors, Gregg’s character Evan Smoak really gets you sucked into the book on the first page.  The president is also desperate as he has to rely on another trained Orphan to wipe out Evan so that no one finds out his secret.  The fight scenes are again special, all the skills and gun fights on display for us all to see.  We have great link ups with Evan and a previous enemy Orphan from another book.  There is a really sensitivity with Evan and the person in distress who calls the Nowhere man phone number.  It really feels like this plot is going to be too much for our hero and without spoiling the plot we know he is going to need some help from elsewhere!  I like this idea, Jack Reacher is his own man, a force of nature who deals with things on his own terms, Evan is the same but even though he doesn’t trust anyone, he knows that at some point he is going to need help.

What about Gregg Hurwitz?

For me Lee Child is one of the best writers of crime thrillers along with Micheal Connelly and now Gregg Hurwitz.  The detail, the scene setting, the fight descriptions, the weaponary and the plot endings are superb.  I can’t recommend this series enough,  if you like Jack Reacher books, then you will love the Orphan X series.  I would always advise people to start with the first book Orphan X, this book will get you into who Orphan X is and why Evan wants to stay hidden.  My warning to everyone who starts is to be prepared for late nights, some “NO WAY” moments and maybe some sadness once the you have finished the series.

Also by Gregg Hurwitz – Orphan X series.

Here are the books both UK and US options, buy direct by clicking the picture and let me know what you think in the comments below.

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John Grisham Thriller

I hadn’t read a John Grisham book for a while, so whilst waiting for the latest Jack Reacher book I thought I would delve back into one of my previous favourite authors. I got the book off a family member who had already finished reading it and suggested that I take a look as they knew it might be something I would enjoy.

Once I started to read the book, I did wonder why I had not read any of the John Grisham novels for a while. As with any of the good authors like Lee Child, John Grisham really does create good plots and characters that entice you into the book within a matter of minutes.

Are John Grisham books any good?

I personally think that John Grisham writes some of the best crime thriller books around at the moment. The books have enough mystery and suspense to keep any Jack Reacher fan happy. I remember one of the books that I got for my birthday back in 2013 called the “Litigators”, I couldn’t put it down. Needless to say the family were not happy on when I didn’t really interact with them during the day as my nose was in the book for the whole of my Birthday. If you love legal, mystery books with lots of suspense, you would have to look at this book to start off with.

Back of book

David Zinc has it all: Big firm, big salary, life in the lawyer’s fast lane.

Until the day he snaps and throws it all away.

Leaving the world of corporate law far behind, he talks himself into a new job with Finley & Figg. A self-styled ’boutique’ firm with only two partners, Oscar Finley and Wally Figg are ambulance-chasing street lawyers who hustle nickel-and-dime cases, dreaming of landing the big win.

For all his Harvard Law Degree and five years with Chicago’s top firm, Zinc has never entered a courtroom, never helped a client who really needed a lawyer, never handled a gun.

All that is about to change.

The very clever writing of John Grisham really outlines the smallness of the firm that is portrayed here and the way that they take on a larger firm who are using high class professional lawyers is a great sight to behold. There are elements of the Erin Brokovic movie in this storyline, but the small firm are not “Holy than thou” as they have a few shall we say behind the scenes illegal moments that surprise you.

You can buy in my opinion one of the best crime thriller books that John Grisham has written by clicking HERE.

What about the Whistler book?

I must admit this booked started off well with brilliant characters that you wanted to get to know more about and a great plot situation that seemed like it was really going to grip you in the first few chapters. The book starts with Lacy Stoltz, an investigator for the Florida Board on Judicial Conduct. She is looking into an alleged corrupt judge, which I think has a slight twist in the plot as this is something that isn’t usually investigated. We all expect judges to be clean and true in their role. John Grisham as with all great mystery books, lets us look at a judicial system in a whole different light. Can a judge be corrupt and who does the investigating of a judge? Good questions are asked in this book.

I do think that as the book went on, something happens to one of the main characters, I’m not going to spoil the plot but I do think it really sets the book back in terms of pace and atmosphere. Once this incident happens the whole book sorts of slows down and then comes towards an amicable conclusion.

Would you recommend this book?

There is a great female lead character in this book, who is strong and really sets the tone of book from the out set. If you have cravings for the gap in between the next new Jack Reacher book then I would seriously recommend this book to use as a filler. Even with the plot slowing down at the end, this book is still a great read. Go to my buy the book here page to get this book at a low price.

For those of you that would like to get into the John Grisham series then look here to add some more to the collection.

I also would recommend that you pre order the latest book from Lee Child as it will soon come round for November. Order the latest Jack Reacher book titled “Past Tense” HERE NOW!

Conclusion

I’m going to be slightly controversial here, as I do like the John Grisham books, hopefully I’ve pointed this out to you. The only thing that is missing, for me, is the action man the hard core fights and tension. With a crime thriller book I want to be tense, I want to be surrounded by mystery, I want to route for the underdog and be urging to finish the book as soon as possible.

I can’t say that I do that with many of the John Grisham books, to me they are good reads, nice books, crime thriller, yes in a NICE way. Are they like Jack Reacher novels, not really, very descriptive and fun to read but if you like Jack Reacher and Lee Child then I would go for the Michael Connelly books. The “Lincoln Lawyer” book which was made into a film, is gritty, action packed and still had the legal courtroom drama, if that is what you are after.

So to finish, YES go and look at the John Grisham books as they are good reads, but as a Jack Reacher fan, and I am promoting books like Jack Reacher. Then keep in mind the Micheal Connelly books which are some of the best crime thriller books written ever.
I’ll leave that thought with you for now………

Let me know what you think in the comment box.

 

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UK Books to buy

Our review list and ratings – (Hover over picture for rating)
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Lee Child Novel Rival – Latest book like Jack Reacher!

I think I have done it. I didn’t know if it was possible. I have finally found a crime thriller book with a fictional character that maybe as good as Jack Reacher. I say maybe as I’m scared. I’m scared that (whispers) it may be a little better. “No” I hear you cry, “shut up”, “stop talking rubbish”, I’m sorry so so sorry but listen up, there could be every possibility that I could be right. After finishing the latest Lee Child novel, I went away on holiday and bought a book to take with me. I had scanned the web (painful) to find anything that could be good and find it I did!

Did you say “Like Jack Reacher”

In our previous post we looked at the books you should read, if you love the Jack Reacher Series. Well, we have found a new series of novels by author Tom Wood which are going to be added to this list. The main character is an assassin known as Victor. A cool, calm and collected person who is a master of his craft. He is again a loner, doesn’t trust anyone and is paid to kill people that have been order to be hit. He operates using a typical skill set of counter surveillance and plastic surgery to make sure he is not known, just in case he is spotted in a CCTV camera. This latest book has Victor working for the British and also being targeted at the same time by bad guys who would do anything to stop him.

Good things in this book?

One of the first things in this book like Jack Reacher is the way that Victor isn’t your typical hero. He like to fight for the underdog as per Reacher, but this is not really a priority for him. He is selfish, really making sure he doesn’t die is his main priority, he will kill anyone if the circumstances dictate. In this book we see how vulnerable he is, as the group who are trying to kill him are every bit as good as he is. This requires Victor to really think at least two steps ahead of them and plan every single move that he makes.

Why is this book like Jack Reacher novels?

The author Tom Wood writes really descriptive plots and provides lots of detail which is just like Lee Child. When you start to read the book you really do immerse yourself into the story line and are left wanting Victor to survive even though in reality he is not a good guy. The fight sequences are absolutely amazing, from bullets through arms to biting off noses (literally), you can imagine every punch, kick and block happening right in front of you. Like Jack Reacher, Victor gets injured, has to think on his feet when things go wrong, always gets the girl and has a sense of justice to his work.

What is the book and where can I get it?

BUY THE BOOK NOW HERE!

The book I took on holiday that got me into the series is called “A Time to Die” and can be bought on this site see bottom of page. This book is number 6 in the series and there are currently 7 Tom Wood books with another one on the way in July 2018.

Is this book better than Lee Child Jack Reacher Books?

I must admit, I read this book in 1 day on holiday. I was so intrigued to see if Victor would survive and who was actually trying to kill him. Even though Victor is slick, wears expensive clothing but still looks like an average guy, he seemed to have a much more raw character which is what Jack Reacher was like in the earlier series of Lee Child novels. Time will tell if Victor can continue to have the success of Lee Child books but from what I have read over the series so far he is on course to compete.

I can honestly say that the author Tom Wood has really hit the mark with his novels, I now rate him highly as someone who in between Lee Child writing a new Jack Reacher book and me reading the latest Jack Reacher book, I can slot the new Tom Wood book in between.

Buy it here!

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Latest Jack Reacher book -The Midnight Line

The level of excitement and anticipation when you buy the latest Jack Reacher book is so high that you have to take a moment before you start to open the pages. This latest book from Lee Child is Jack Reacher book number 22. As with all

the previous books we start, Lee Child draws you in right from the start. Be prepared for another case of reading right into the night through to the early hours of the morning.

For those who are new to this site, read on and find out about this next Lee Child book in one of the greatest crime series thriller novels. Jack Reacher is back with a bang!

The thing about Jack Reacher books

We think we know all Jack Reacher by now, book number 22 and surely he isn’t going to change.

Well well well, after reading this book and remembering the first Jack Reacher book (Killing Floor). I can safely say that Jack Reacher has changed just ever so slightly. From hard core cool guy that gets the job done in a jiffy, obviously with intelligence and charm. This Jack Reacher is slightly shall I say, more thoughtful and has a softer approach to the people around him, unlike many Jack Reacher books. Some of the plot deals with addiction, self-worth and loyalty, this allows us the opportunity to see Jack Reacher’s compassion just enough to realise he is maybe getting softer with age.

Is this the best Jack Reacher book?

As with all Lee Child books, we keep expecting the latest Jack Reacher book to be better than the previous one. For me this latest Jack Reacher book is better than number 21 (Night School). I didn’t particularly like Night School, as we were transported back in time to see where Jack Reacher came from and what happened to him when he was younger. I prefer the now, the present Jack Reacher character, dealing with the bad guys in style and winning the mini war for the people who can’t defend themselves.

If you are like me, then this book is one of the better ones. Not the best Jack Reacher book but one that you will enjoy reading. You may find that over the years you have come to appreciate Lee Child books more and more as during the down time between his latest book, you go off in the hunt for something similar. I have very rarely come across anything that comes as close to gripping me in the way that Lee Child Jack Reacher books do. This has made me appreciate his writing style more and more, even when some of the books are not quite up to scratch I still can sit back in the knowledge that I have still had a good read by this brilliant author.

Plot of Jack Reacher Number 22

The most important part of a Lee Child Jack Reacher book is the start. The first few pages when you see where Jack Reacher is located, hear about where he has been and find out where he is drifting to. In this book, Jack Reacher takes an aimless stroll past a pawn shop in a small Midwestern town. In the window he sees a West Point class ring from 2005. It’s tiny. It’s a woman cadet’s graduation present to herself. Why would she give it up? Reacher’s a West Pointer too, and he knows what she went through to get it. So starts the mystery of the seller, the reason why the ring was stolen, what Jack Reacher has to go through to solve this mystery.

Is there any Jack Reacher action?

For me this is what makes the books standout. The writing description of the fights really engages with the reader and makes you feel as if you were in the fight scene itself. The Midnight Line doesn’t disappoint as Jack Reacher gets himself into a few situations that you could imagine in any Jack Reacher movie. One worthy of a mention is the fight with some bikers that gets you on the edge of your seat with all the writing descriptions of punches, elbows and head locks to name but a few.

I felt really intrigued with the story as I couldn’t work out where the plot was going to take you. I liked the idea of Reacher teaming up with a private detective, trying to solve the mystery of the ring meant that there was some great dialogue. Reacher the get it done guy and the detective being bound by the rules and red tape of the law. Themes of addiction and self-worth are touched on throughout the book, which for me really sets a compassionate tone which maybe a lot of Lee Child Jack Reacher books don’t really have.

Final thoughts

Without spoiling the plot for you, I just generally thought this was a good book. It only took me two days to complete it, as most of the last Jack Reacher book series have done. It could have had more action, probably less description of the surroundings but having said that this is what Lee Child does. The ending is again left open for book number 23 (who knows when Lee Child will stop) which I for one am happy about. My only concern would be that as Reacher gets older, Lee Child either has to go backwards doing prequels or turn him into an old guy like The Equalizer

Either of these scenarios don’t really appeal to me or probably most of the Jack Reacher audience. My theory is that maybe within the next two books Lee Child will introduce another character who is younger and works alongside Jack Reacher. This Character will then start to take on the new franchise going forward but bringing in a new generation of readers.

You can’t teach an old dog new tricks so that saying goes but knowing Lee Child books the way that I do, I wouldn’t put it past Lee Child to do a new book series with a woman cast in the main lead!

I’ll leave that thought with you for now………

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Stephen Leather – Takedown book review

Wow, just started reading this new book from Stephen Leather and already I’m hooked….

This time no Spider Shepherd but long term ally Lex Harper. This book is so far gritty, engaging and the plot is amazing. A British Special Forces operative goes rogue! Queue lots of action, double crossing, twists and turns plus lots of fights.

Just like Lee Child books where you start one page at 11pm, look again at the clock and its 1am and you have read 5 chapters. You just want to know whats going to happen after every page turned.

Books like Jack Reacher recommend this book

Synopsis

When a British Special Forces soldier goes rogue, carrying out an attack at a US army base in Syria leading to the death of two men, ex-MI5 controller Charlotte Button is hired to work out what his plan is and to take him down before he can carry it out.

Charlotte puts her best man on the case – hitman Lex Harper. It’s up to Lex to assemble a crack team and get to the soldier before he carries out what could be a massive terrorist attack. But Charlotte might require Lex’s help with a more personal problem too . . .

As ex-MI5, Charlotte holds information on thousands of the agency’s dirty operations, and keeps a store of those secrets in three flash drives hidden in separate safety deposit vaults. Now someone is taking extraordinary measures to recover the secrets through Hatton Garden-style robberies. So far two vaults have been raided, and two flash drives have gone. If the third is stolen, Charlotte’s life will be in jeopardy. While it’s down to Lex to prevent a potential terrorist attack on British soil, Charlotte must work out who is after her and what they want.

Just to update, finished the book and wow, loved it.  Really different style to Spider Shepherd as Lex Harper hasn’t got the same moral character but he gets the  job done more efficiently.  Would definitely read this if you have finished the last Lee Child book and are waiting for the latest Jack Reacher book.

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About Books Like Jack Reacher

WELCOME

You’re here!  A huge welcome to my site.  I hope you enjoy looking through my information and I look forward to connecting with you.

WHAT?

I love reading books.  I just enjoy getting into a new series and following that character throughout each story.  One of my all time favourite authors is Lee Child.  The way that he writes the Jack Reacher series had me hooked when I first borrowed book number 11 – (Bad Luck and Trouble) from the inlaws.  Since then I have read the rest of the Jack Reacher series.  Every single November I get a little annoyed that I have finished the latest book and have to wait another year for the next Lee Child new release!

WHY?

This site has been designed to help people who like me want to know what other great crime and thriller books are out there.  Similar books that have the type of Jack Reacher storylines, which keep you hooked in and help you immerse yourself in their fictional world.

I read them, review them and recommend them to you so you don’t have to waste your time searching for books only to find that they are not all they are cracked up to be.  Honest reviews on here by me, who is passionate about reading and want other people to enjoy this hobby as much as I do.  If you are looking for a book like Jack Reacher then we are the place for you.

HELP?

Imagine the time saved not having to look through book shops or websites and scrolling along reviews to see if the book you are looking at is any good.  Imagine the satisfaction of reading a book and leaving your own comment on this site to tell us your views.  Imagine not having to wait until your favourite author has written another new book, here you can find out the books to read in between your favourite authors new releases.

GOAL?

I want to get more people reading and to inform people of the best crime thriller books out there!  If you love Jack Reacher we provide other books series to read so that you are never bored whilst waiting for the next Lee Child novel.  Lots of people ask me about the books that are like Jack Reacher, this website is the place to be to find out other main characters that are like Jack Reacher.

If you ever need a hand or have any questions, feel free to leave them below and I will be more than happy to help you out.

All the best,

Glenford

www.bookslikejackreacher.com