Joanna Mutton
❘ Published: 2023-12-29T19:53:19 ❘ Updated: 2023-12-29T19:53:25
The Reacher series is known for faithfully adapting its source material. But which Jack Reacher book is Season 2 of the Amazon series inspired by?
There's plenty to choose from if you want to bring the former soldier's adventures to the small or big screen. British author James Dover Grant wrote 28 Jack Reacher novels under his pen name Lee Child. And there's even a 29th planned for October 2024!
Season 1 of the Reacher adaptation of From the Deep (or Killing Floor in the English language version), released in 1997. It was a logical starting point for the crime-action series, as it was about the very first Jack Reacher story, which was written by Lee Child.
Article continues after ad
Article continues after ad
In contrast, Tom Cruise's Jack Reacher films – which take place in a different continuity than the streaming series – are inspired by 2005's Madness (or One Shot) and 2013's Never Go Back, respectively.
Which Jack Reacher book is adapting season 2 for Amazon?
Reacher Season 2 is based on Bad Luck, the 11th book by Lee Child in the Jack Reacher novel series.
Had the series followed the publication order of the books, Season 2 would have adapted 1998's Die Trying.
Subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest news on esports, gaming and more.
Although the second season of Reacher deviates from the chronology of Lee Childs' work, it remains largely faithful to Bad Luck. As in the book, in Season 2 Jack tries to solve the murder of one of his former army buddies, Calvin Franz (Luke Bilyk).
Article continues after ad
Article continues after ad
The latest Reacher episodes also follow the novel's lead and bring back Frances Neagley, played by Maria Sten. In fact, she is the one who asks Jack for help to reboot Season 2, as she does in the original Lee Child volume.
In the second season of Reacher, a key character is incapacitated
Another major overlap between Reacher and Bad Luck Season 2 is the absence of Roscoe Conklin. While Roscoe plays a major supporting role in the first season, she does not return in the second, reflecting the canon established by Child.
Article continues after ad
Article continues after ad
Willa Fitzgerald, who played Roscoe in Season 1, addressed her departure from the series before the release of Season 2 and made it clear that she supported the decision. “I think it's a great opportunity to tell a complete, clear story and then leave it behind,” she told Digital Spy.
Both seasons of Reacher are available on Amazon Prime Video.