Lee Child

It’s been more than a decade— and at least 10 books—since Jack Reacher passed from being a character in a highly successful mystery series to an easily recognizable icon of popular culture. The former Army MP who roams the US with only a toothbrush, ATM card, and passport was called “The Strongest Brand in Publishing” by Forbesmagazine in 2014.

- Oline H. Cogdill

The Jack Reacher series is now published in 45 languages. The last 11 novels have reached number one on the major book bestseller lists in all English language countries. Night School, the 21st in this series, is expected to do the same in November. The film Jack Reacher, based on the novel One Shot (2005), came out in 2012 and Jack Reacher: Never Go Back is in theaters now.

Reacher made his debut with The Killing Floor in 1997. He is described as 6’5”, 250 pounds with dirty-blond hair. He grew up on US military bases around the world where his father was deployed. Reacher served 13 years in the Army’s military police, earning several awards including two Silver Stars and a Purple Heart, before leaving the service. He’s not a martial arts guy but a down-and-dirty, get-it done street fighter.

From the beginning, the rough-and-tumble Reacher has appealed to both men and women readers. Avid Reacher fans call themselves Reacher Creatures. During the San Francisco Bouchercon in 2010, more than 1,500 people showed up for a Reacher party that included three Reacher look-a-likes for whom the crowd voted to choose a favorite. The party was filmed by CBS Sunday Morning.

The attention that Reacher has gotten— and continues to get—still amazes the one person closest to him: his creator Lee Child. Remember him? Child is well aware that some readers think it’s Reacher’s world. And Child is quite comfortable with Reacher getting all the attention.