The Secret

The Secret is a recent thriller novel, the 28th installment in the Jack Reacher series. It's written by Lee Child and his brother Andrew Child, who took over the writing after Lee Child's health declined. The book was published in October 2023.

The story follows Jack Reacher, a former military policeman who wanders the United States taking on odd jobs. In this novel, Reacher finds himself investigating a string of mysterious deaths of seemingly upstanding citizens across the country. As he digs deeper, he uncovers a long-classified military mission and a dangerous secret that could threaten national security.

Here's a summary of the plot without spoilers:

• 1992: A series of unexplained deaths plague the United States. The victims are all respected citizens with no connection to each other.
• Jack Reacher gets involved: Reacher stumbles upon the case and is intrigued by the seemingly random deaths.
• Partnering with a young MP: He joins forces with a young female Military Police officer who has nothing to lose.
• Uncovering a secret mission: Together, they discover that the deaths are connected to a classified military mission from the past.
• Danger and threats: As they get closer to the truth, they find themselves in danger from powerful forces who want to keep the secret buried.

Reviews for The Secret have been generally positive, with many fans praising the return of Jack Reacher's signature brand of justice. Some readers have noted a slight shift in writing style compared to Lee Child's earlier works, but Andrew Child has been commended for capturing the essence of the character.