Lee Child was born in 1954 in Coventry, England, but spent his formative years in the nearby city of Birmingham. He went to law school in Sheffield, England, and after part-time work in the theater he joined Granada Television in Manchester for what turned out to be an eighteen-year career as a presentation director during British TV's "golden age." During his tenure his company made Brideshead Revisited, The Jewel in the Crown, Prime Suspect, and Cracker. He was fired in 1995 at the age of 40 as a result of corporate restructuring. Always a voracious reader, he decided to see an opportunity where others might have seen a crisis and bought six dollars' worth of paper and pencils and sat down to write a book, Killing Floor, the first in the (now 15 book) Jack Reacher series. -- from leechild.com
New to Lee?
Start with "Jack Reacher"
The most popular entry point is Personal. It introduces the core world-building and key themes found in the author's most acclaimed works.
Jack Reacher Series
Recommended reading order for the Jack Reacher universe.
Standalone Books
Frequently Asked Questions
Where should I start reading Lee Child?
For most new readers, the best place to start is the Jack Reacher series, beginning with the first book, "Personal".
How many series has Lee Child written?
Lee Child has written 1 book series, spanning a total of 140 individual works.
Are there standalone books by Lee Child?
Yes, Lee Child has written 115 standalone novels that can be read independently of any series.
What is the correct reading order for Lee Child books?
We recommend reading each specific series in its Publication Order to preserve character reveals and plot twists as the author intended.