Child, Lee (1954-…), is the pen name of Jim Grant, a British-born best-selling author of thriller novels. Child’s novels feature the former American military policeman Jack Reacher. Child developed Reacher as a tough, resourceful loner who wanders the country, finding danger and adventure. Reacher typically defeats the evil forces he encounters with a combination of cunning and physical power. The novels are noted for their nonstop “hard-boiled” action and vivid characters.
Child was born in Coventry, England, on Oct. 29, 1954. His birth name was James Dover Grant. He worked for Granada Television in Manchester from 1977 to 1995, when he lost his job in a company reorganization. Child then began writing, creating the character of Jack Reacher with his first novel, Killing Floor (1997).
Child moved to the United States in 1998. He then published at least one Jack Reacher book a year. By the early 2000’s, his novels had become annual best sellers. Two motion picture adaptations of his novels have been produced—Jack Reacher (2012) and Jack Reacher: Never Go Back (2016). “Reacher,” a television series based on the books, premiered in 2022.
Child’s short stories have been published in anthologies. He has also edited several collections of mystery and action short stories. In 2019, Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom named him a Commander of the Order of the British Empire for services to literature.
Beginning with The Sentinel (2020), Lee Child has co-written books in the Jack Reacher series with his younger brother, the thriller novelist Andrew Grant. Andrew Grant adopted the pen name Andrew Child for his work on the series.
