Cover of the Little Brown paperback.
The Truck series of novels follow the character of Jack Truck, written by Brendan M. Leonard. The first novel in the series, Sniper Truck, formed the basis for the film of the same name. Subsequent films in the Sniper Truck film series are considered a continuation of the movie universe, and not directly based on any of Leonard's novels, although elements are sometimes borrowed. A reboot of the film series based on Truck is in the works as of late 2012, which is intended to bring the films and the character back in line with the books.
Although the initial novels were not successful, they were both acclamed and influential, with author Lee Child citing them as one of the primary inspirations behind Jack Reacher.
During the 2012 Presidential Campaign, one of the few things candidates President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney could agree on was their fondness for the Truck novels. Romney credited them with helping him get through difficult times when his wife Ann was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis ("I don't always approve of the things he does, but that Jack Truck, boy, he's an American we could use more of," he was quoted as saying.) Obama alternated between crediting and blaming Vice President Joe Biden for getting him hooked on the books.
List of Novels[]
Sniper Truck (1979)[]
Main article: Sniper Truck (novel)
Loosely based on Leonard's play Snipers of the Soul, the first Jack Truck novel finds the ex-military sniper and part-time assassin dealing with corruption in a local trucker's union.
Lucky Truck (1980)[]
Main article: Lucky Truck (novel)
Lucky Truck finds Jack still shaken from the events of Sniper Truck. Having escaped alive but forced to consider his actions as a professional killer, Jack becomes dangerously focused on the nature of fate and chance.
All the Truck in the World (1984)[]
Main article: All the Truck in the World (novel)
Truck investigates a ritualistic series of murders of multiracial women and couples. This novel introduces The Confederate, a sadistic, racist, cannibal serial killer who's as gifted with a bayonet as Truck is with a sniper rifle.
Heart of Truck (1986)[]
Main article: Heart of Truck (novel)
Jack Truck's long-suffering girlfriend, social worker Andy White, has given him an ultimatum: if you like it, either put a ring on it or get out. So the roguish wanderer has put down roots in Cleveland and taken a job as a security consultant for a major multi-national firm. But what's a peer of Blackwater doing operating out of the Mistake on the Lake?
Truck (1988)[]
Main article: Truck (novel)
When James Armor's daughter is kidnapped, Jack Truck must confront the darkest places of his soul as he descends into the seedy world of pornography and prostitution, traveling from Vegas to the Valley to the halls of power in Salt Lake City.
Mister Truck (1995)[]
Main article: Mister Truck (novel)
Jack Truck has faced down terrorists and mobsters alike. Now he faces his greatest challenge...teenagers. Truck goes undercover at a New England prep school to bust a massive marijuana and ecstacy ring while battling the return of his alcoholic demons.
Microtrucks (1995)[]
Main article: Microtrucks (book)
A collection of five short stories, including four based around the Jack Truck character, and one featuring author Brendan M. Leonard's own experiences with the character.
Truck's Wife (1996)[]
Leonard attempted a brief foray into "chick lit" with this novel focusing on Andrea "Andy" Truck, who became Jack Truck's wife at the end of Heart of Truck. Although Andy remained a supporting character in future novels, the tough female trucker Reese Spano was spun off into the "Reese's Pieces" series, also by Leonard.
Busted Truck (1999)[]
Main article: Busted Truck (novel)
Truck takes a one-time-only contract with the United States government to assist in ferreting out corruption within the federal prison system, specifically in the Appalachian region.
Truck You (2001)[]
All Jack Truck wanted was to take his niece Wendy on the Century Studio Lot tour...but he couldn't stay out of trouble. After foiling an attempt on the life of Century Studio teen star Sasha Anne, Truck is hired as the personal bodyguard to Ms. Anne as she films Genius Tank 4, the latest installment of Century Studio's Genius Tank series.
Sasha Anne is rumored to be a combination of Lindsay Lohan and Selena Gomez. The satirical, comedic adventure is loosely based on Leonard's own experiences with Sniper Truck 3, as well as attempting to get a Reese Spano movie off the ground.
The Truck Alone (2008)[]
The Confederate, Truck's oldest, most brutal nemesis, has returned...and this time, he has a plan to systematically destroy Jack Truck. Truck will be tested as the tires of his soul are worn bare.
In a shocking move, Leonard chose to have the Confederate murder Truck's beloved wife Andy and mutilate his niece Wendy. (Leonard later revealed that he originally planned to have both Andy and Wendy die, but backed off.) This alienated many of Leonard's fans; Gail Simone called it "disgusting" and Jezebel lost their damn minds.
Refurbished Truck (2009)[]
Restored Truck (2010)[]
Vintage Truck (2011)[]
Leonard announced shortly after the controversial release of The Truck Alone via the popular fansite js-truck-stop.net (later confirmed on his Twitter) that a trio of books known as the "Truck's Redemption Trilogy," were in the works.
Truck's Redemption (Omnibus, 2011)[]
Collects Refurbished Truck, Restored Truck, and Vintage Truck. Includes a long essay by Leonard about the concept behind the trilogy, including the controversy surrounding The Truck Alone, where he seems to regret killing Truck's wife in that novel but has no plans to resurrect her.
Truckin' (forthcoming, 2013)[]
Originally called Keep On Truckin', the title has been shortened. Reference is made to this, however, in leaked cover art that shows the infamous bumper sticker on the back of Jack Truck's big rig. Leonard has said this will be the final Jack Truck novel, although the character will make appearances and be referenced in other series.
Uncollected Stories[]
"A Midsummer Night's Truck"- Truck steps in to play the role of Puck in a summer stock Shakespeare production of Midsummer Night's Dream directed by Andy.
"Toy Truck" - Jack must comfort the parents of a child killed by a hit-and-run driver. "Toy Truck" was adapted from an unused NCIS script written by Leonard.
"Flying Truck" - Sold as an early e-book to benefit the NYPD and FDNY's charities, this story deals with Jack Truck confronting his own part in the "blowback" that may have led to September 11.
"Truck's Christmas" - A brief story in the vein of "Midsummer Night's Truck" about Truck bringing some holiday cheer to a small Ohio town plagued by white supremacists when his truck breaks down a week before Christmas.
All items (9)
