Reacher has already been renewed for season 6 on Prime Video. This is surprising, given how Reacher season 4 just ended its run and season 5 is still in the early stages of production. At the same time, though, the series’ consistent success on Prime Video suggests that season 6, too, will likely not be its final installment.
While many factors have contributed to Reacher‘s streaming success, the show’s one-book-per-season approach has also favored it in more ways than one. With each new season, the Prime Video detective series has carefully picked up one compelling novel from Lee Child’s original Jack Reacher book series for adaptation.
Even with future installments, the Prime Video show must tread carefully. For season 5, Reacher is adapting Lee Child’s Make Me, which is an intriguing choice for adaptation. After season 5, the sixth installment of the series should consider adapting six books that could further improve its strong narrative momentum.
6
The Enemy (Book 8)
So far, Prime Video’s Reacher has only been progressing forward with its timeline. However, it could benefit from stepping away from this approach and walking through a prequel story in season 6. Lee Child’s The Enemy offers just that by unfolding in 1990. It features Jack Reacher as a Major in the Military Police, thrust into a conspiracy that makes him go against high-ranking officers.
Jack Reacher’s lone-wolf hobo persona is appealing. But it would also be great to see how he navigated high-stakes crime-solving when he was confined by the rules and limitations of the military. The prequel would also explain why Reacher was also meant to be a free vigilante rather than a military detective who only operates inside the legal system.
5
Without Fail (Book 6)
Without Fail‘s story almost feels like a natural progression to the new Neagley spin-off. The spin-off ends with Neagley understanding the childhood trauma that drives her aversion to touch. As a result, she takes one step towards healing herself by offering to shake Reacher’s hand.
In Without Fail, Neagley appears in a major capacity when Reacher seeks her help in conducting a “security audit” of the Secret Service’s protection of Vice President-elect Brook Armstrong. Towards the end of the story, Reacher and Neagley’s bond grows stronger than ever, and she even breaks her own “no touch” rule by hugging Reacher.
4
Night School (Book 21)
Like The Enemy, Night School serves as another compelling military prequel that unfolds in the ’90s. The book trades the “mysterious stranger in a small town” formula for a gritty, high-stakes international spy thriller. Along with Reacher, it also features other high-profile individuals as its leads, which gives it more of a “Bosch meets Jack Ryan” feel.
The Prime Video detective series cannot drift too far away from its established formula. Owing to this, a military prequel could prove to be a risky endeavor. However, as the show progresses, it will have to find new ways to keep things intriguing and novel. A book like Night School could bring something new to the table while still sticking to the elements that have made the series so successful.
3
The Visitor (Book 4)
Released as “Running Blind” in the US, The Visitor easily ranks among the most gripping Lee Child novels. In the book’s story, Jack Reacher himself becomes the prime suspect of a crime when a serial killer murders a group of female soldiers and leaves absolutely no evidence behind.
Almost all Reacher seasons, so far, have focused on high-stakes missions where Reacher has found himself against wealthy powerful people or terrorists. The Visitor, however, unfolds a one-on-one game of cat and mouse between Reacher and a sophisticated killer, which makes it seem more personal and grounded.
The book even puts Reacher’s deductive abilities on full display, which would be fun to watch after Reacher season 4.
2
Die Trying (Book 2)
If the Prime Video series had adapted the Jack Reacher books in chronological order, it would have picked up Lee Child’s second book, Die Trying, for season 2. Like book 1, Killing Floor, Die Trying, too, embraces Jack Reacher’s lone wolf persona and ability to survive even when he is completely cornered. The book features incredibly high stakes and even its villains are genuinely terrifying.
Despite being the second book in the long-running series, Die Trying is still touted as one of Lee Child’s best works. It boasts an impressive rating of 4.1 out of 5 on Goodreads with over 100k ratings. Considering its acclaim and popularity, the Prime Video series will eventually adapt it if it lasts long enough.
1
61 Hours (Book 10)
Arguably the best book in the entire series, 61 Hours begins with a familiar setup where Jack Reacher ends up in a small town due to unpredictable circumstances. However, as always, trouble finds him when he finds himself facing a ruthless local biker gang. The book remains nail-biting throughout its runtime and even features some of the best action sequences from the entire franchise.
Reacher is pushed to his absolute limit towards the end of the book, which puts his vulnerabilities on full display. Interesting, Lee Child’s Worth Dying For serves as a direct continuation of 61 Hours‘ events. If Prime Video’s Reacher adapts 61 Hours in season 6, it could pick up Worth Dying For in season 7 and finally have some semblance of continuity between two installments.
