Lee Child ​

James Dover Grant, better known by his pen name Lee Child, is a British author who is known for his thriller novels, specifically the Jack Reacher novel series. The books follow former American military policeman, Jack Reacher, who wanders the United States. His books have been translated into 40 languages and have sold more than 100 million copies worldwide.

Quick Facts ​

• Known for series featuring his character Jack Reacher.
• Books have been translated into 40 languages.
• Sold over 100 million books.
• Several of his works have been adapted for film and TV.
• Received the Diamond Dagger award from the Crime Writers' Association in 2013, their highest honor.
• Writing style is known as "American" despite being born in the UK.
• Began writing after being laid off from his job in television production.

Background ​

Child was born in 1954 in Coventry, England, but spent his formative years in the nearby city of Birmingham. After studying law at the University of Sheffield and working in television production for nearly two decades, Child decided to take up writing after being made redundant from his job in 1995.

His first novel, Killing Floor, was published in 1997 and introduced the world to his protagonist, Jack Reacher. The character of Reacher, a former military police officer turned drifter, formed the basis for a successful and prolific series of thrillers. The Jack Reacher series has been translated into 40 languages and has sold more than 60 million copies worldwide. Several of the books have also been adapted into films starring Tom Cruise. Child lives in the United States, where he continues to write new additions to the Jack Reacher series.

Writing Style and Impact ​

Lee Child is best known for his gripping and suspenseful plotlines. His writing style is characterized by short, simple sentences and tight prose that conveys a sense of immediacy. Child is also a master of detail, helping readers to fully immerse themselves in the story. The character of Jack Reacher is a popular figure in modern detective fiction and his explorations of American society through Reacher's travels have led to discussions on deeper societal issues.

Notable Works ​

• Killing Floor (1997)
• Die Trying (1998)
• Tripwire (1999)
• Running Blind (2000)
• Persuader (2003)
• The Enemy (2004)
• One Shot (2005)
• Bad Luck and Trouble (2007)
• Nothing to Lose (2008)
• 61 Hours (2010)
• The Affair (2011)