To celebrate the release of Lee Child‘s Worth Dying For today (my review here), I’m posting a couple clips of Child being interviewed by Jacqueline Winspear in a spotlight interview at Bouchercon 2010, the fantastic event from which I’m still recovering.
In this first clip, a fan asked Child something he’s been asked often: If Jack Reacher fought Robert Crais’s Joe Pike, who would win? Click play for his answer. (Go here to see Crais’s rebuttal.)
This next clip has Child talking about his diligent research process:
Do you agree with Child’s assessment of how a Pike vs. Reacher fight would turn out? Where should he set his next book and what movie should he watch for research?
Check back later this week for more Bouchercon videos!
16 Comments
Elizabeth
October 19, 2010 at 8:23 amAgree with his assessment? HELLZ NO! Sorry Lee, I love Reacher but Pike would BURY. HIM. Period.
Great videos. Thanks for sharing with all us pathetic souls who were unable to attend with the cool kids. 😉
Christine
October 19, 2010 at 9:46 amI hate this question, because it’s like asking a mother to pick which son she loves more! Ha!
While I agree that Reacher and Pike would be more likely to team up than fight each other, I believe that Pike could totally beat Reacher’s ass. Not quickly or easily, but he would prevail.
Christine
October 19, 2010 at 9:49 amChecked with the DH and he votes Pike, as well.
Naomi Johnson
October 19, 2010 at 10:02 amPike. Pike has far more varied skills and is less inhibited about using them. Reacher would be dead before he even knew Pike was in town.
EIREGO
October 19, 2010 at 10:46 amI agree with Lee’s analysis that Reacher and Pike would never fight each other anyway. It’s not in their nature. They would combine forces and make an incredibly awesome team. THAT WOULD BE A BOOK!!
I think Child’s next book should be set in Los Angeles. This way Reacher would run into Joe Pike and an epic tale would weave itself. For research, he should just read all of Robert Crais’s and Michael Connelly’s books, But if I must choose a movie….I would go with Tequila Sunrise or To Live And Die In L.A..
le0pard13
October 19, 2010 at 12:13 pmExcellent choices, EIREGO!
Pop Culture Nerd
October 19, 2010 at 12:34 pmI think you and EIREGO are twins.
le0pard13
October 19, 2010 at 12:10 pmReally?!? I have my doubts RC would agree with Child’s assessment. I didn’t see your stand on this, Elyse. What’s yours? Either way, as Christine as said, “… it’s like asking a mother to pick which son she loves more! Ha!“. All of this reminds of this conversation from the film, Stand By Me:
Thanks, Elyse.
Pop Culture Nerd
October 19, 2010 at 12:27 pmHaha! I see we have a lot of Pike fans here!
I agree with Child that the two wouldn’t fight each other but if I HAD to put my money on someone, I’d pick Pike. Reacher is big and powerful but Pike is often described as moving like a ghost and as soundlessly as a whisper. He’d be able to take down Reacher before Reacher even realizes Pike is there.
EIREGO—Love your suggestion of Reacher coming to L.A. and running into Pike (and maybe Harry Bosch?). Your recommended research material is top notch.
le0pard13—I think Child was joking because I don’t think Crais would concede Pike’s defeat. And that’s such a great excerpt from Stand by Me. Of course Superman is real!
Dale
October 19, 2010 at 4:10 pmWas Lee making a joke? I want to think he was, but the first part of his answer put me off. It seemed childish.
Has RC said that Reacher could beat Pike? Really?
Pop Culture Nerd
October 19, 2010 at 4:15 pmIt was said with good humor, Dale. Perhaps it’s hard to gauge since this is just a short clip but the whole interview was lighthearted and entertaining.
Shell Sherree
October 19, 2010 at 5:34 pmThe Reacher books are next up on my list after I catch up on more Joe Pike and Elvis Cole, so I can’t vote on that, but I find it hard to imagine anyone getting the better of Joe. Lee Child has a delightful sense of humour ~ I love his research philosophies!!
Mark
October 22, 2010 at 12:09 pmWin would kick both their butts and so would John Rain. Reason; their both assassins.
James
December 10, 2010 at 9:22 amIn a straight up brawl Reacher would win. That said, Pike would never let it get that far…he’d shoot Reacher from an invisible vantage point, pick up his shell casing and vanish.
EDDIE FROM TEXAS
June 23, 2011 at 3:44 pmLet’s not forget about Johnny English.
Ron
May 25, 2013 at 9:41 pmI think Nate Romanowski (Joe Pickett series by C.J. Box) would be a great match for either of them. I love them all!!!