New Reacher Release Debuts To Stellar Critics' Score On Goodreads

Published Oct 26, 2026, 1:10 PM EDT

Mary Kassel is a Senior Writer & Critic who joined the Screen Rant team in 2023. 

After graduating from Emerson College with a degree in Media Arts Production, Kassel started at Screen Rant with a focus on the critical analysis side of movies and television while continuing to work on set in film production. 

At Screen Rant, Kassel primarily writes for the Classic TV section, mining their encyclopedic knowledge of television history for content. However, they also contribute to the Books team and review both film and television as a critic. 

Jack Reacher is one of the most popular action franchises across the page and screen, and the release of Lee and Andrew Child's new Reacher book, Chain Reaction​​​​​​, couldn't have come soon enough. Beginning in 1991 with the publication of Killing Floor in 1997, Jack Reacher has become a character synonymous with excitement, thrills, and incredible action sequences. It's no wonder every installment of the novel series has been highly anticipated, and every screen adaptation of Child's work has had to live up to this standard.

The Reacher TV show is one of Prime Video's most popular series, and the best adaptation of Child's work so far. It's not easy bringing Jack Reacher to life for the screen, as the character is larger than life himself. As the imposing and highly skilled Reacher roams the U.S., his military training and background come in handy, and his special set of abilities are on display in the latest Reacher book.

Lee and Andrew Child released the 31st book in the Reacher series, Chain Reaction, on October 20th, 2026, and the response from critics has been overwhelmingly positive. Child's Chain Reaction captures what draws readers to the Reacher series while putting Jack Reacher in some of the most relevant contemporary situations audiences have seen in years.

Chain Reaction Is Receiving Rave Reviews On Goodreads

Chain Reaction currently has an average rating of 4.61 out of five stars, with over 1800 ratings (via Goodreads). This is an almost unprecedented rating, made even more impressive by the fact that Child began writing about Jack Reacher in 1991. For a franchise to not only remain consistent, but get even better as the years progress, makes it obvious why fans and critics can't get enough of Reacher.

Though it's still early, as the book was only recently published and plenty could change, this rating is a big improvement from the reception of the last two mainline Reacher novels: In Too Deep and Exit Strategy​​​​​​. With In Too Deep hovering around 3.93 and Exit Strategy around 3.72, neither book has had a bad critical reception by any means, but the response to Chain Reaction is a signal that Reacher is back and better than ever (via Goodreads).

Prime should adapt the Reacher books that resonate the most with audiences, while also making sense for the screen in the Reacher TV show, and it seems likely that Chain Reaction might be added to that list. The plot follows a Pentagon General, Susan Turner, as she tracks Reacher down to help solve a shocking murder. Reacher himself delves into the world of a small town grappling with the new data centers and solar farms that have changed the community.

This is better news for the Reacher franchise than fans could've hoped for following the shocking announcement that Lee Child will be stepping away from writing the novels moving forward. His collaborator and younger brother, Andrew Child, is stepping up to be the sole author behind the Jack Reacher books in the future, marking the end of a nearly 30-year run for Lee Child.

They've been co-authoring Jack Reacher's adventures since 2020, when Andrew joined Lee to write The Sentinel, with both brothers sharing the credit for the most recent phase of Reacher's life on the page. While this is a major change, the positive reviews surrounding Chain Reaction are a great sign for the future of the franchise. If Andrew taking creative control has been in the works for a few years now, it's likely that Chain Reaction is a strong example of what readers can expect from his solo books.

Chain Reaction is available for purchase here.

Jack Reacher

The Reacher franchise is a crime-action universe adapted from Lee Child’s best-selling Jack Reacher novels. It includes two theatrical films and a streaming television series, each centering on the titular ex-military investigator, Jack Reacher, known for his strategic mind and brute strength. The franchise also features the upcoming spin-off series Neagley, which focuses on one of Reacher’s closest allies.