In Too Deep

A One-Handed Reacher
A review of the Random House Audio audiobook (October 22, 2024) narrated by Scott Brick and released simultaneously with the Delacorte Press hardcover/ebook.

You don't usually look for symbolism in Reacher stories, but I couldn't help but notice that in this first solo* outing by Andrew Child that Jack Reacher begins the book with a broken hand. This is soon secured in a plaster/plastic cast, which remains on for the duration. So Reacher is forced to pummel the bad guys with literally one-hand throughout. Is that Andrew Child winking at the reader as if to say that he now has to write the books alone?

The book begins in medias res with an injured and concussed Reacher handcuffed to a bed. He has no memory of what show more happened. He still manages to make an escape but is then confronted by a supposed ally who insists on helping him. Reacher plays along and hopes to discover how he ended up in this situation. The story soon opens up into an apparent gang of heist thieves with few loyalties to each other. A policewoman and the FBI also enter the picture and suddenly the case turns into an espionage escapade with defense secrets on the market.

Although the reader is as confused as Reacher is for the longest time (my eyes started to glaze over at the mention of NFTs) this did eventually settle down into a satisfying Reacher saga. There was the requisite amount of banter with policewoman Knight being baffled at Reacher's vagabond lifestyle of no possessions. There was the delight of Reacher managing an international flight even though his only ID is an expired passport. My now regular Reacher statistics (see below) were at a more than satisfactory level. The narration by reliable veteran reader Scott Brick was excellent as always.

Reacher fans are in good hands with this continuation series by Andrew Child.

Reacher Statistics
Toothbrush mentions = 1. A disappointingly low count, from a list following a search of Reacher's belongings.
"Reacher said nothing" count = 9. This seems very low at first, but is redeemed by the following:
"Reacher didn't reply" + "Reacher didn't respond" + "Reacher didn't answer" count = 9.
"___ didn't reply" count = 7. Representing other characters who don't reply.
Coffee mentions = at least 11. The exact number of coffees drunk was difficult to count, as several times Reacher has an unknown number of refills at restaurants and on an airplane. So let's say that coffee is mentioned at least 11 times.

Footnote
* It was publicly revealed in interviews about the previous novel The Secret (Reacher #28 -2023) that after 4 co-written novels during the handover between Lee and Andrew Child (actually the pennames of brothers James and Andrew Grant), that the 4 future novels were contracted to Andrew Child alone. For marketing and cataloging purposes, the books are still filed under "Lee Child."

Trivia and Links
There is a short book trailer for In Too Deep at the Random House YouTube channel which you can see here. Note: the publicist who wrote the script for this promo is obviously not familiar with the Reacher motto: "Get your retaliation in first."

Andrew Child is interviewed about the writing of In Too Deep at The Thriller Zone and at the Poisoned Pen Bookstore [Note: In the latter, the sound begins to work at 2'01"). show less

This book is quick, exciting and full of surprises. It taps into the dangers of investigating those that steal high-level information from corporations.

Four criminals started stealing millions of dollars of art. But the process of transporting statues, paintings and jewels was loaded with too many complexities. It was much easier for them to go after highly-sensitive documents that corporations wanted to remain private. Jack Reacher, a retired federal agent, was involved in trying to help in the scene of a car accident. He had no idea that he would end up unconscious and shackled in an unknown location.

The reader follows the good detective and bad criminals. It was awkward at times when the story moved in the same chapter from the show more investigator to the ruthless lawbreakers with only a space break. I would feel so entranced by the story that I forgot when it switched over to the other side. However, once I put the pieces of the plot and characters together knowing what to expect, the pace was quick.

The story not only involved the chase to get the criminals arrested but it had humor in places and some interesting tidbits from WWII. It made the reader speculate if the plot had any truth in the end. I can’t imagine a person like Jack Reacher drifting without any type of home but I guess it’s possible buying new clothes every couple of days.

This is the first book that I’ve read by Lee Child and Andrew Child and it won’t be the last. This is the 29th of a series, however, each book stands alone. I know several people that would love to get their hands on this as it’s an engaging thriller that certainly makes you pause with questions you wish you could ask.

My thanks to Delacorte Press and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book with an expected release date of October 22, 2024. show less

A Must-Read for Reacher Fans: In Too Deep Delivers Thrills and Intrigue...

Lee Child and Andrew Child continue to deliver with "In Too Deep," a gripping addition to the Jack Reacher series that keeps you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. This book is a masterclass in suspense, blending high-octane action with clever twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the very last page.

Reacher's signature blend of sharp wit, physical prowess, and unwavering moral code shines through, making him an irresistible protagonist. Thrust into a dangerous conspiracy after a chance encounter goes awry, Reacher finds himself navigating a complex web of deceit, facing off against formidable adversaries, including a rogue FBI agent and a show more ruthless criminal mastermind.

The story moves at a breakneck pace, seamlessly transitioning between heart-stopping action sequences and intricate plot developments. The authors' meticulous attention to detail creates a vivid and immersive world, pulling you into the heart of the action alongside Reacher. The supporting characters, particularly Knight, are well-developed and add depth to the narrative.

One of the most compelling aspects of "In Too Deep" is Reacher's struggle with amnesia. After a car crash leaves him with a concussion and fragmented memories, he must piece together clues and confront his enemies while battling a foggy brain. This adds a layer of vulnerability to the seemingly invincible Reacher, making him even more relatable and human.

"In Too Deep" is a must-read for fans of the Jack Reacher series and anyone who enjoys a thrilling, well-crafted suspense novel. With its compelling characters, intricate plot, and heart-pounding action, this book will leave you wanting more. Highly recommended!

The full Deep Dive review of this book can be watched from our YouTube channel…
https://youtu.be/kmOPSAYCAp8 show less

Reacher is in a car accident after hitching a ride, but the driver is dead and Racher is taken captive. Yet he doesn’t remember the accident or the time beforehand because of a concussion. He does escape his captor but trouble follows him and all he wants to know is why. I have read all the Reacher novels and after 29 of them, I have to say that this was not the best in the series. Almost the same all thing where Reacher gets invo9lved with something illegal, tries to make it right, gets involved with another and all works out for him and he is back to being a drifter. Maybe the Reacher stories have dried up but I will get reading and hoping for better.

This was lower tier Jack Reacher. I don't know what is up with the collaboration, is it like Robert Ludlum and Clive Cussler? Someone else writes the books, in this case Andrew Child, and Lee Child puts his name on it? I feel like the hand of Lee Child is in the writing, but the story less so. In Too Deep came across as TV Reacher. I have never seen the actual show, but I have watched segments on Youtube. There is a certain stamp on the character based on the way Alan Ritchson plays it. Maybe that doesn't make sense, but usually a book is adapted to the Big Screen, but in this case I feel like the Big Screen has been adapted to the book. Basically Reacher going around pummelling everyone in sight. Why? Why not.

Anyway, the book starts show more off weird with an amnesiac Reacher being held captive in a way that offers zero chance of escape. The whole reason for the captivity doesn't make complete sense, but you just go with it. Then Reacher gets away - manages to mind meld his captor or something - but rather than go on his way, he holds back to extract revenge. This leads to a whole slew of random and opportunistic happenings. We soon get a femme fatale who just randomly shows up and without a single background check - I guess Reacher's good gal radar is in top form - she becomes his partner - and, of course, love interest - as the revenge tour unfolds.

We don't have ex-military or ex-people in power that Reacher usually seeks out for help, but we do have an FBI guy who hates Reacher and will never help him... but then he helps him, refuses to help him, helps him, refuses to help him ad infinitum. What I thought was another flaw was that the FBI quietly backs him up, but the entire plan is taken on faith. Oh, no worries, the FBI will be here at the exact right time and wrap everything up; everything just happens to work out as planned, or not so planned, or maybe planned, or something. As long as you have absolute faith apparently, it will all work out in the end. show less

Well it looks like I've reached the end of the road with the Jack Reacher series. This series used to be one of my favourites and could always count on it as a delicious form of escape, but the last few books have been going downhill, and this one almost touched the bottom for me. The prose seems forced and Reacher is a like a cut-out character. His former self is a distant memory. I found that the book seemed to rely on shock and awe and abrupt changes in locales to make it appear that Jack was hopelessly lost and is trying to catch up to the bad guys. Even the bad guys were improbably shallow. I'm sorry to say goodbye to this series that I loved so much. In reality it only deserved one star, but I gave it two for the nostalgia and for show more all the happy times that I spent with former books. show less

I have read every Reacher book by Lee Child and loved them and his characters. However, since co-authoring with family members, the books have lacked luster, smartassness, and pacing. When reading "In Too Deep, it started off interesting enough, and I was 20% into the book on my Kindle during the very first night. However, thereafter, I struggled, and it took me almost 2 more weeks to finish it. There were no "I can't put it down" moments. It was more of a bore for me to read and easy to put down. I will continue to purchase and read Lee Child's Reacher stories, but my eagerness to get into them will not be there. This story was just "meh," and I hope that if they continue this collaboration, they are able to revert back to the old show more Reacher style. show less