Since 1997 author Lee Child has been overseeing the world of Jack Reacher. There are the novels, of course (one released almost every year, now mostly written by Child's younger brother Andrew) and a pair of Tom Cruise movies (in 2013 and 2016).

Although known for being the master of thrillers himself, the British author doesn't shy away from getting inspired by the work of other authors.Glimpsing into Child's literary influences, Dead Good Books updated his list of top 18 novels last autumn.

The "Jack Reacher" author Lee Child told Business Insider he wants his book about the opioid crisis, "The Midnight Line," to be adapted for the show.